The Electoral Process, Functions of Governments in Other Parts of the World - History Form 4 Topical Revision Questions and Answers

QUESTIONS

1. Name two sources of the British unwritten constitution (2 marks)QUES 15,DIST 1
2.                      
   1. Give FIVE ways in which the powers of the president are checked in the USA (5 marks)
   2. Explain the advantages of federal system of government USA. (10 marks)QUES 24,DIST 1
3. Who is the chairman of the senate in the USA (1mk)QUES 17,DIST 2
4.                    
   1. What are the features of the state governments in the USA (8mrks)
   2. Describe the structure of the legislature in India (7mrks) QUES 24,DIST 2
5. Name the two houses of parliament in India (2 Mks )QUES 15,DIST 4
6.                                
   1. State three levels of elections held in U.S.A 3 Mks
   2. Explain the functions of the congress in U.S.A 12 mks QUES 22,DIST 4
7. What are the qualifications of a senator in USA (2mks)QUES 16,DIST 5
8.                      
   1. State five constitutional powers of a president in India
   2. Explain 5 functions of the USA Congress (10mks) QUES 23,DIST 5
9. State one role of the President in the government of India. (1 mk)QUES 17,DIST 6
10.                    
    1. Identify three main branches of the government of India. (3mks)
    2. Explain the role of regional governments in the United States of America. (12mks) 
       QUES24,DIST 6
11. State two bodies that conduct elections in the USA. (2mks)QUES 14,DIST 7
12. State one condition that one must fulfill to become a senator in the USA. (1mk)QUES 15,DIST 7
13. Give two houses of parliament in India. (2mks)QUES 16,DIST 7
14. Give one condition that aspiring parliamentary candidates in Britain must fulfill (1mk)QUES 17,DIST 7
15.                  
    1. Give five advantages of federal system of government. (5mks)
    2. Explain five functions of the United States (US) president. (10mks)QUES 24,DIST 7
16. State the factors that limit the powers of the president in the United States of America. (5mks)QUES 25a,DIST 8
17. State two factors limiting Parliamentary Supremacy in Britain (2mks)QUES 14,DIST 9
18. Identify one constitutional powers of the President of India (1mk)QUES 16,DIST 9
19.                      
    1.  State five factors that limit the presidential powers in the United States of America (U.S.A (5mks)
    2. Explain five functions of the United States of America Federal Government (10mks) QUES 24,DIST 9
20. State the main function of the civil service in India. (1mk)QUES 16,DIST 10
21. Identify two dominant political parties represented in the U.S congress (2 mks)QUES 17,DIST 10
22.                        
    1. What are the merits of a federal system of government? (5mks)
    2. Explain how powers of an American president are checked in the United States of America (10mks)QUES 24,DIST 11
23.                  
    1. Explain how the powers of an American President are controlled. (7mks)
    2. Describe the merit of a federal system of government. (8mks) QUES 24,DIST 12
24. Give two functions of the house of loads in the United Kingdom. (2mks).QUES 14,DIST 13
25.                  
    1. Give any three benefits derived from a federal government as practiced in the U.S.A today. (3mks).
    2. Discuss six functions of the federal government of the U.S.A. (12mks). QUES 21,DIST 13 
26. Identify two conditions one must fulfill to be elected president in India. (2mks)QUES 16,DIST 14
27. Name one major political party in Britain. (1mk)QUES 17,DIST 14
28.                      
    1. Outline the main features of the U.S.A. constitution. (3mks)
    2. Explain six functions of the federal government of the U.S.A. (10mks)QUES 24,DIST14
29. State two privilege which members of the British parliament enjoy. (1mk)QUES 15,DIST 16
30. Give one reason why the Electoral College is regarded as the heart of U.S.A electoral process. (1mk)QUES 17,DIST 16
31.                        
    1. What are the features of state government in the United States of America. (5mks)
    2. Explain five functions of the federal government in the United States of America. (10mks) QUES 24,DIST 16
32. Name the main political party in India. (1mk)QUES 17,DIST 17
33.                  
    1. Outline five functions of the USA congress (5mks)
    2. Describe five roles of USA president (10mks)QUES 24,DIST 17
34.                
    1. What is the importance of the congress in the USA (5mks)
    2. Explain the functions of the federal government of USA (10mks)QUES 23,DIST 18
35. Identify two types of elections held in India (2mks) QUES 16,DIST 20
36. Explain five functions of the President of the United Stated of America (10 mks) QUES 23b, DIST 20

ANSWERS TO THE ELECTORAL PROCESS,FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

1. Name two sources of the Britain’s unwritten constitution
   1. Statutes (acts of parliament)
   2. Customs
   3. Precedence (case laws)
   4. Judicial decisions
   5. Historical documents e.g. magma
      Any 2 x 1 = 2 marks QUES 15,DIST 1
2. who is the chairman of the senate in the USA (1mrk)
   1.  The vice president. 1x1 = 1mk QUES 17,DIST 2
3.                  
   1. What are the five features of the state governments in the USA (8mrks)
      • Each state has a governor who is the administrative head
      • Each state has a law count that handle internal affairs
      • Each state has education, health and public welfare facilities
      • Each state is responsible for its own development
      • Each state generate its own revenue
      • Each state has a bicameral legislature to pass state laws
      • Each state has state police to maintain law and order.
      • Each state has it’s own capital. Any 8x1 = 8mks QUES 24,DIST 2
   2. Name the two houses of parliament in India
      • House of the people (Lok Sabha)
      • House of states (Rajya Sabha) 1 x 1 = 1 QUES 15,DIST 4
4.              
   1. Three level of elections held in USA
      • Elections to the house of representatives
      • Election for governors / presidential
      • Election for senate 3 x 1 = 3 marks
   2. Functions of the congress in USA
      • Making laws
      • Amending the constitution with state approval
      • Controlling government revenue and expenditure
      • Incharge of foreign relations
      • Monitoring the conduct of the president vice president and other high ranking government officials
      • Incharge of senior civil service approval for appointment.
      • Representing their constituencies
      • Appointing commissions of inquiry to look into serious national issues
        2 x 6 = 12 Marks QUES 22,DIST 4
5.                      
   • At least 30 years old
   • Must be a resident of the state he/she wants to represent
   • A citizen of U.S.A for at least nine years (Any 2 x 1 = 2mks) QUES 16,DIST 5
6.            
   1.                                  
      • To appoint state governors and supreme court judges
      • To appoint the Prime Minister
      • Power to assent or rets bills
      • To dissolve parliament
      • To declare a state of emergency and rule by decree
   2.                    
      • Make laws that govern the whole of USA
      • Make and discuss federal budget
      • Regulate inte-state and foreign trade
      • Make treaties
      • Appoint commissioners of inquiry to investigate any matter of national importance
      • Monitor the conduct of president, vice president and other senior government officials
      • Set rules for naturalization of foreign citizens
        (any 5 x2 = 10mks) QUES 23,DIST 5
7.                                
8.       
   • Poor transport and communication
   • Inadequate resources
   • High inflation rates/ devaluation of currency
   • Nationalization of key factors of production discouraged investors
   • Failure of Ujamaa policy
   • External large debt
   • Collapse of EAC
   • Widening gap between the rich and the poor
   • Fluctuation of prices of agricultural produce
   • Structural adjustment programmes by the donors affecting the economy eg. Liberalization of the market
     (any 6 points well explained x 2 = 12mks) QUES 22b,DIST 5
9. State one role of the president in the government of India. QUES 17,DIST 6
10.                    
    1. Identify three main branches of the government of India. (3mks)
       • Executive
       • Judiciary
       • Legislature (3 x 1 = 3 mks)
    2. Explain the role of regional governments in the United States of America. (12mks)
       • Generate their own revenue to run their own basic affairs.
       • Maintain their own law and order.
       • Provide their own basic amenities like health and educational services.
       • Have their parliaments that enact their own laws which are not in conflict with the federal laws.
       • Have their own court system that cater for internal justice.
       • Contributes to the federal pool of revenue. 6 x 2 = 12mks QUES 24,DIST 6
11. State two bodies that conduct elections in the USA. ( 2 mks)
    • The electoral college
    • The party National convection. QUES 14,DIST 7
12. State one condition that one must fulfill to become a senator in the USA . ( 1 mk)
    • Be at least 30 years old.
    • Have been an American citizens for at least a year. QUES 15,DIST 7
13. Give two houses of parliament in India ( 2 mks)
    • Lok Shabha House of people.
    • Rajya Sabha council of states. QUES 16,DIST 7
14. Give one condition that aspiring parliamentary candidates in Britain must fulfill. ( 1 mk)
    • Be a citizen of Britain
    • have attained the age of 21 years.
    • be nominated by a political party. QUES 17,DIST 7
15.                    
    1. Give five advantages of federal system of government. (5mks)
       • Enables the states to solve their common problems jointly e.g drug trafficking, terrorism e.t.c.
       • Enables several states to come together and work as one political unit.
       • Rights of smaller states are safe guarded to prevent their domination by bigger states.
       • Smaller states benefit from joint defense force and thus enjoy greater security.
       • Enhances trade thought elimination of custom duties and use of common currency.
       • Different states are able to co – exist while maintaining their separate identities.
       • It enables the state to poor their order to create a larger international markets for the goods of the member states. Any 5 x 1 = 5 mks.
    2. Explain five functions of the United States (US) president. ( 10 mks)
       • He / she is the commander – in chief of the armed forces.
       • He / she implements congress decisions other dignitaries accredited to the U.S.A.
       • He/ she commissions military officers in his/ her capacity as commander in chief of the armed forces.
       • He/ she is the head of state and government.
       • The president has powers to pardon a convicted person.
       • He / she directs foreign policy together with the congress.
       • he/ she appoints departmental secretaries and other senior civil servants.
         Any 5 x 2 = 10 mks. QUES 24,DIST 7 .
16. How the powers of the president of USA is checked
    • Congress scrutinizes and approves all the appointment of the presidents e.g. senior and servants
    • The president serves for a two four-year term of office
    • Any treaties with foreign nations can only be ratified with the approval of the congress
    • The conduct of the president is monitored by congress if it’s poor he/she can be removed through impeachment
    • The president can not dissolve congress and call for general election as they are controlled and fixed
    • The Supreme Court may reverse decisions of the president if he / she acted unconstitutionally
    • The mass media acts as a check on presidential powers by monitoring his/ her actions and speeches
    • Pressure group may check on presidential actions by disapproving them, making him/ her reconsider
    • Public opinion through opinion polls may check presidential actions 5x1 =5mks QUES 25a,DIST 8
17.  State two factors limiting Parliamentary Supremacy in Britain (2mks)
    • Public opinion
    • Local authorities made by laws without consulting Parliament
    • Legislation made by a parliament may be altered by a future parliament
    • When making laws, the affected institutions are consulted first
    • When making laws, it takes into consideration the moral value of the society. 2x 1 = 2mks QUES 14,DIST 9
18. Identify one constitutional powers of the President of India. (1mk)
    • Power to dissolve parliament
    • Declare an emergency in a state, rule with decree
    • Power to assent or Veto a Bill
    • Appoint governors, supreme court judges, Prime Minister QUES 16,DIST 9
19.                    
    1. State five factors that limit the presidential powers in the United States of America (U.S.A) (5mks)
       • Appointment of senior government officers is approved by the Congress.
       • The congress may refuse to approve funding of foreign policy e.g war.
       • The congress can impeach the president while in office if his conduct is not satisfactory.
       • The supreme court can declare the presidential actions through opinion polls.
         5 x 1 = 5mks QUES 24,DIST 9
20. State the main function of the civil service in India. (1mk)
    • To implement government policy
      1x1 = 1mark QUES 16,DIST 10
21. Identify two dominant political parties represented in the U.S congress (2mks)
    • Republican party
    • Democratic party
      2x1 = 2marks QUES 17,DIST 10
22.                        
    1.                      
       • It helps different states to live together.
       • The mass media keenly monitors the actions and speeches of the president.
       • Joint defence forces ensure security for smaller states.
       • Enables states to tackle their problems with a united front e.g. terrorism or drug trafficking..
       • Eases trade by way of eliminating custom duties and use of common currency.
       • Enables states to benefit from the pool of resources.
       • Enables states to work as one political limit.
       • Protects better interests of small states. (Any 5x1=5mks)
    2.                        
       • The president is limited to two terms of four years each.
       • The mass media keenly monitors the actions and speeches of the president.
       • Public opinions which reflect the wishes and feelings of the American people.
       • The senate must approve the appointment of the president.
       • Congress may refuse to approve expenditure of money on an issue.
       • Periodic elections after every two years for congress acts as a check on the president e.g. if he losses majority in congress.
       • The Supreme Court may declare the president to have acted unconstitutionally on an issue or decision.
       • Congress can impeach the president if he is deemed to have acted unconstitutionally.
         (Any 5x2=10mks)QUES 24,DIST 11
23.                        
    1.                                 
       • Congress checks the powers of the President
       • Congress can refuse to approve the use of government funds for a foreign policy. If disagrees with e.g. war.
       • Congress can impeach President if his conduct in office is not satisfactory.
       • Pressure groups has to check presidential actions.
       • The constitution limits any individual to two four year term as president.
       • Supreme court may declare a president to have acted unconstitutionally.
       • Mass media have acted as a major check on presidential powers.
       • Public opinion sometimes plays a vital role in limiting the president’s actions.
       • Opinion polls reflect the wishes and feelings of the people 7x1=7mks
    2.                
       • It enables the members to benefit from the federal pool of resources.
       • It eases trade by eliminating custom duty by using a common currency.
       • It enables several states to work as one political unit.
       • It ensures that the interest of small states and minority groups are better protected.
       • The existence of a joint defence force ensures security for small states.
       • States are more able to tackle common problems jointly rather than individually such problems include terrorism, pollution, diseases, drugs etc.
       • Federal system enables the states to have more economic viability because each state access market in other states for a wider market.
       • Federal systems of government enables different states to live together but at the same time retain their identities.
         8x1=8mks QUES 24,DIST 12
24. One function of the House of Lords.
    • Initiate non controversial bill.
    • Amends / accepts / rejects bills in collaboration with lower house.
    • Questions government ministries on their performance and general national policies
    • May sit as court of appeal for criminal cases chaired by Lord Chancellor.
      1x1=1mk QUES 14,DIST 13
25. Merits of federalism.
    • Greater power as states speak with one voice.
    • Promotes volume of trade between member states as barriers are eliminated.
    • Common defence for all states greater thus military strength.
    • States co-exist but maintain separate / distinct identities.
    • Smaller states have the right to exist and are not dominated by bigger states on local matters.
    • Distribution of the federal governments’ resources done at the centre with regard to such factors as population, contribution to national income and thus no discrimination on the national cake dispensation like in a unitary state. 3x1= (3mks).
26. Functions of the federal government of the U.S.A.
    • Deals with foreign affairs.
    • Deals with foreign trade and foreign trade policies.
    • In charge of taxation issues in the member states.
    • Issuance of currencies of the federal government to member states.
    • deals with the issue of national security of all member states and citizens at home or abroad (defence).
    • Settles disputes between the member states of the federal government. 6x2=12mks QUES 21,DIST 13
27. Identify two conditions one must fulfill to be elected president in India. (2mks)
    • Must be a citizen of India
    • One must be 35 years and above
    • Must be qualified for elections as a member of the house of people.
    • Should not hold any office of profit under the government of India.
      2 x 1 = 2mks QUES 16,DIST 14
28. Name one major political party in Britain. (1mk)
    • Labour party
    • Conservative party.
      1 x 1 = 1mk QUES 17,DIST 14
29.                  
    1. Outline the main features of the U.S.A. constitution. (3mks)
       • It is a written one.
       • It is interpreted by supreme court
       • Provides for a bicameral legislature.
       • It is the supreme law of the land.
       • It contains the bill of rights
       • It spelt out the process of constitutional amendment.
       • It provides for separation of powers between the executive legislature and judiciary.
         3 x 1 = 3mks
    2. Explain six functions of the federal government of the U.S.A. (10mks)
       • Levying and collecting taxes.
       • Paying government debts
       • Providing common defence and looking into the general welfare in the United States.
       • Declaring war, raising and supporting the armed forces.
       • Regulating commerce with foreign nations and the federal states in the U.S.A.
       • Making and regulating the value of U.S.A. currency.
       • Handling foreign affairs.
       • Resolving disputes involving different states.
       • Admitting new states into the union.
       • Enacting and passing federal laws.
       • Establishing federal courts.
         6 x 2 = 12mks QUES 24,DIST 14
30. Two privileges that members of British Parliament enjoy
    • Freedom of speech
    • Freedom from harassment e.g. arrest within presence of parliament
    • Protection against arrest on civil offences for a period of 40 days after a session of parliament.
      2 x 1 = 2 QUES 15,DIST 16
31. The reason why the Electoral College is regarded as the heart of USA electoral process
    • Selects the US President. 1 x 1 = 1 QUES 17,DIST 16
32.                
    1. The features of state governments in the United States of America
       • They have the governor who is the administrative head.
       • Each state has law courts that handle internal affairs.
       • Each state has its own social amenities e.g. education, health etc.
       • Each state is responsible for its development
       • Each state has its own capital.
       • Each state generates its own revenue
       • Each state has state legislatives to pass state laws.
       • Each state has a bicameral legislature
       • Each state has a state police to maintain law and order 5x1 = 5 mks
    2. Functions of the Federal Government
       • It regulates trade between the states.
       • It controls/regulates trade between states and foreign countries.
       • It authorizes the printing and circulation of currency,
       • It declares war and makes peace with other countries of the world
       • It formulates foreign policies involving the USA and other countries.
       • It regulates taxation within the USA
       • It establishes federal postal services in USA
       • It passes federal laws
       • It establishes federal courts/army
       • Admits new states to the union 5x2 = 10 mks QUES 24,DIST 16
33. The congress party. (1 x 1=1mk)QUES 17,DIST 1733
    1.                       
       • Check excess by the executive
       • Budgetary role
       • Legislative role
       • Make treaties
       • Senate appoint senior civil servants
       • Appoint commissions for inquiry to national crisis
       • Linkage role
       • Terminate role (Any 5 x 1=5mks)
    2.                
       • Head of state
       • Chief executive
       • Chief legislature –He veto bills
       • Chief diplomat
       • Commander in chief of U.S.A army
       • Head of his party
       • National voice of U.S.A people
       • Protector of peace- He intervened in disasters, riots, emergencies etc QUES 24,DIST 17
34.                            
    1.                                
       • It controls federal government revenue by approving taxation measures
       • Acts as a check to executive by constantly examining its activities
       • It enacts and amends laws
       • It approves and ratifies treaties USA enter into
       • It approves appointment of senior civil servants
       • Participates in the declaration of war procedures
       • It appoints commissions of inquiry to investigate any problem of national importance
       • It reflects the will of the people and so give the USA government good will legitimacy
       • It taxes part in the nomination of the vice-president incase a vacancy arises (any5x1=5mks)
    2.                
       • Admits new states into the union
       • It gives grants to individual states
       • Levies and collects taxes /control taxation
       • It pays government debts and international obligations
       • Regulates commerce with other nations
       • Regulates and control the federal reserve / currency
       • Manages USA foreign relations
       • Offers defense to USA
       • Establishes the federal courts
       • Resolves disputes between states (5x2=10mks QUES 23,DIST 18
35. Identify two types of elections held in India (2mks)
    • General elections
    • Civil elections QUES 16,DIST 20
36. Explain five functions of the President of the United States of America 10 mks)
    • He is the head of state
    • He appoints cabinet and senior civil servants with approval of the congress
    • He guides and control foreign affairs
    • He is the commander in chief of the armed forces
    • He presides over the cabinet meetings
    • He appoints supreme court judges
    • He is the head of government
    • Chief executive – he executes law and policies passed by congress
    • Head of the ruling party
      5 x 2 = 10 mks QUES 23b,DIST 20