GB ASSESSMENT TEST

WEST AFRICAN SENIOR SECONDARY CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

VIRTUAL TEST PREP EXAMINATION (2)
SOCIAL STUDIES - JULY, 2020
MARKING SCHEME
SECTION A

1. D 11. C 21. A 31. C 41. B

2. A 12. B 22. C 32. C 42. B
3. A 13. D 23. B 33. A 43. D
4. A 14. D 24. A 34. B 44. C
5. D 15. C 25. A 35. D 45. D
6. A 16. D 26. B 36. A 46. B
7. A 17. D 27. C 37. A 47. D
8. A 18. D 28. A 38. B 48. C
9. A 19. A 29. D 39. C 49. D
10. A 20. C 30. C 40. B 50. A

ESSAY TEST

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1. Self-confidence is the trust that the individual has in himself that he is capable of doing something very
well. [5 marks]
60
42
Ways by which self-confidence can be nurtured by the individual (15 marks)
i. Guidance and counselling
05

ii. Personal initiative and drive

Appreciating other’s views
L

iii.
IE

iv. Role taking

v. Taking an identity
BR

vi. Provision of a conducive home environment

vii. Education and training
A

viii. Self determination

G

A point and explanation carries = [3 marks]

A point carries = 1.5 mark
R

An explanation carries = 1.5 mark

M

2. (a) Meaning of socio-cultural practices

Socio-cultural practices are the whole complex nature of the distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional
features that characterize a society or a social group. They include mode of life, the fundamental human rights, value
systems, traditions and beliefs and the arts. [ 4 marks]

(b) Cultural practices you consider obsolete in your society (16 marks)
i. Widowhood rites
These are rites or practices that a woman or man goes through, following the death of a husband or a wife
respectively. They are performed in many Ghanaian societies but in different forms.
ii. Female genital mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation or circumcision, technically known as clitoridectomy is a genital operation in which
the clitoris of the female is cut off or removed. This socio-cultural practice is particularly common among the
ethnic groups in northern Ghana.
iii. Tribal marks
 Tribal marks are identifiable bodily marks that distinguish members of an ethnic group from members of other
ethnic groups. These marks range from a single scratch to several marks found on the cheeks, face, chest, abdomen,
back, arms and legs.
These identification marks are given by almost all the ethnic groups of Ghana.
iv. The Trokosi system (vestal virgins)
The trokosi system is a socio-cultural practice in which virgin girls are sent to shrines to atone for the sins
committed or as a repayment of debts owed by their relatives. It is practised in some parts of the Volta Region of
Ghana.
A point and explanation carries = [4 marks]
A point carries = 2 marks
An explanation carries = 2 marks

3 (a) Difference between formal education and informal education (4 marks)

Formal education
Formal education refers to the systematic and structured training or learning or instructions that are carried out in

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institutions that are established for such a purpose. These institutions are schools, colleges and universities and learning

27
activities take place in classrooms, lecture rooms, laboratories and theatres
Informal education 60
Informal education refers to the unsystematic learning or training or instructions that an individual receives. It is the
42
process by which the individual acquires knowledge, skills and attitudes through his interactions with parents, siblings,
05

friends, opinion leaders, mass media, both electronic and print. This type of education takes place at any time and any
place.
L

explanation takes 2 marks each

IE
BR

(b) Features of informal education you know (16 marks)

A

i. Non-use of institutions
G

It does not take place in established institutions. The individual learns by interacting with parents, siblings,
peers, opinion leaders and others at home and in his environment
R

ii. Non structured

M

It is not structured by means of syllabuses and time tables.

iii. Non-use of teachers
It does not involve professionally trained teachers. Every responsible individual is teacher.
iv. It is not evaluated
It does not involve evaluation. No certificates are awarded.
v. It is not supervised.
There is no supervision by an external body.
vi. It is character training oriented.
It is based on the acquisition of character training to develop the individual to become morally upright.
vii. It is not scientific
It does not involve any scientific approach in doing things. Learning is unconscious and informal and takes
place through observation, imitation, demonstration and participation.
A point and explanation carries = [4 marks]
A point carries = 2 marks
An explanation carries = 2 marks
4 (a) Meaning of polyandry marriage
Polyandry marriage is a type of marriage in which a woman is allowed to marry more than two men at the same time.
This type of marriage is commonly practiced by the Hindus of India
A definition with example = 4 marks

(b) Impacts of parental irresponsibility on the individual (16 marks)

i. Moral degeneration of children: Children go wayward and join gangs who introduce them to such immoral
practices as armed robbery, stealing, drug addiction, prostitution and drug trafficking.
ii. Child labour: Children whose parents do not cater for them adequately may engage in menial jobs as
chop bar attendants and iced water sellers and expose them to a lot of hazards.
iii. Child abuse: Severe beating, strangulation, starving the child and making him work above his abilities.
iv. Child neglect: Children are denied their basic and other needs and feel neglected.
v. Health hazards: As parents become irresponsible and deny the child his basic and other needs and
subject the child to several physical abuses, the child is exposed to a lot of health hazards which may lead
to his or her death.

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A point and explanation carries = [4 marks]

27
A point carries = 2 marks
An explanation carries = 2 marks
60
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5 (a) i. Constitution
05

A constitution is a set of rules and regulations used in the management of a state

L

OR
IE

A constitution refers to the basic fundamental principles on which a nation is governed

BR

2 marks
A
G

ii. Written constitution

It is when the provision of the constitution which are used in the management of a state are clearly
R
M

set out or written in a single document. The 1992 Fourth Republican constitution of Ghana is an
example of a written constitution, Nigeria & USA constitution etc. 2 marks

(b) Merits or advantages of a written constitution. (16 marks)

i. It creates certainty and avoids doubts since the document can be consulted.
ii. It establishes and determines the organs, institutions and processes of government.
iii. Citizens know about their rights and obligations and the extent of powers of the government.
iv. It serves as a symbol of statehood, emphasizing the country’s freedom and independence.
v. It ensures the protection of minority groups
vi. It spells out the relationship between the organs and institutions of government and citizens.
vii. It ensures periodic and peaceful change of government.

A point and explanation carries = [4 marks]

A point carries = 2 marks
An explanation carries = 2 marks
 6 . Co-operation is the act of coming together and working for a common purpose. [5 marks]

Benefits which Ghana derive from cooperating with the world bodies. (15 marks)
i. International recognition
ii. Employment outlet
iii. Grants and aids
iv. Technical assistance
v. Economic development
vi. Trade
vii. Sports and games
A point and explanation carries = [3 marks]
A point carries = 1.5 mark
An explanation carries = 1.5 mark
As an open question, candidates are to discuss not less than five points

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7 (a) meaning of self-reliance

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Self- Reliance refers to the ability on the part of a country to depend on her own resources for survival. It is where, the
country is capable of producing most of her needs and not being controlled by any external forces.
60 [ 4 marks ]
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(b) Ghana finds it difficult to become self-reliant because of the following: (16 marks)
05

i. The love for Foreign Goods and Services, to the detriment of local industries.
ii. Lack of skilled personnel - scientists, researchers, engineer, geologists and technicians who will
L

transform the country’s resources for the socio-economic development of the country. This is largely due
IE

to an educational system that has laid emphasis on academic knowledge, to the neglect of technical and
BR

vocational training.
A

iii. Lack of capital and appropriate machines.

G

iv. Low level of technology - cutlass and hoe still being used.
v. Low agricultural productivity; rice and other foods being imported.
R

vi. The Unjust World Economic Order where foreign consumers determine the prices of her exports. Ghana
M

receives very little from exports.

vii. Inadequate Number of Processing Industries for her primary products - cocoa, gold, timber etc. which
would have earned her more income.

A point and explanation carries = [4 marks]

A point carries = 2 marks
An explanation carries = 2 marks

8 (a) Meaning of productivity

Productivity is a measurement of a worker’s efficiency, or measures how efficiently a worker performs.
[ 5marks ]
 (b) Factors which contribute to increased productivity in the private sector than public sector
(15 marks)

Government Sector Private Sector

1. Poor ineffective supervision Better supervision
2. Inadequate facilities Provision of needed facilities
3. Lack of incentives Provision of incentives
4. Low wages and salaries Better wages and salaries
5. Bureaucratic bottlenecks Quick decision making
6. Political interference No political interference
7. Apathy or negative attitudes of workers Positive attitudes of workers – fear of losing job
towards work – hardly penalised
A point and explanation carries = [3 marks]
A point and explanation carries = 1.5 mark Private sector

20
A point and explanation carries = 1.5 mark Public Sector

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60
42
9 (a) Factors militate sustainable development of Ghana (10 marks)
05

i. Using low quality materials

ii. The attitude of postponing repairs
L

iii. Apathy towards government and other people’s property

IE

iv. Inability to prioritize well

BR

v. Political instability
A point and explanation carries = [ 2 marks]
A

(b) Benefits of sustained development (10 marks)

G

i. It saves the country from continually spending on the same item

R

ii. It raises the level of confidence and assurance in life since the people will continue to enjoy amenities in the best
M

form.
iii. There is continuous growth and development
iv. It saves funds for other projects
v. It leads to improvement in the standard of living
vi. It leads to political stability
A point and explanation carries = [ 2 marks]

10. (a) Meaning of State Owned Enterprise

These are established by an Act of Parliament and completely owned, controlled and financed by the government
to provide essential services like water, electricity etc to the public at reasonable rates. SOE’s are quasi-autonomous
bodies. There are several types:
i. The welfare or utility types with non-profit making motive e.g. Ghana Post
ii. Those with profit making motive e.g. State Transport Corporation(STC)
[ 4 marks]
(b) Why public corporations are set up (advantages or functions) (16 marks)
i. Provision of vital services at cheaper cost
ii. Huge capital requirement may not be provided by individual but only by the government
iii. Provision of employment e.g. national youth centre
iv. Economic development e.g. SCC/SADA
v. Satisfy local demand for political or economic reasons.
vi. To make it possible to nationalize certain industries

A point and explanation carries = [4 marks]

A point carries = 2 marks
An explanation carries = 2 marks

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60
42
05
L
IE
BR
A
G
R
M