WAEC Civic Education 2013 Past Questions & Answers

The correct and safest way to cross a road is to follow the standard safety drill. You must first look to your left, then to your right, and finally to your left again before you start crossing. This final check to the left is crucial because that is the side from which traffic will reach you first.

Common mistake: Students often choose 'Look left and then right' because it is a commonly known but incomplete version of the road safety rule, forgetting the final, crucial check to the left.

The correct option is B. Lagos was the capital of Nigeria from the time of amalgamation in 1914 until 1991. The decision to move the capital was made in 1976, and Abuja was officially declared the new Federal Capital Territory on December 12, 1991. Knowing the history of the nation's capital is a key part of national consciousness.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option A, getting confused and reversing the order of the former and current capital cities.

The correct answer is D because the primary duty of the Nigerian Police Force is to maintain law and order, enforce laws, and protect lives and property. Making laws is the job of the Legislature (A), and interpreting laws is the job of the Judiciary (B). While police do interact with commercial drivers (C), this is only a small part of their overall responsibility and not their primary duty. Since none of the options accurately describe their main purpose, 'None of the above' is the correct choice.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option C because they frequently see police officers dealing with commercial drivers, confusing this visible task with the force's main constitutional role.

The correct answer is the Police Force. In Nigeria, the Police Force is the main government agency legally empowered to enforce laws, maintain public order, and ensure the safety of citizens. While the legislature makes the laws and the military defends the country, it is the specific duty of the police to carry out day-to-day law enforcement.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose the Military because they are also an armed government force, but their primary role is to defend the nation from external threats, not to enforce civil laws internally.

An offence is an act that breaks the law. Tax avoidance is the legal practice of using rules and regulations to reduce the amount of tax one has to pay. In contrast, tax evasion is the illegal act of not paying the taxes you owe. Since tax avoidance is done within the limits of the law, it is not considered an offence, unlike stealing or money laundering which are serious crimes.

Common mistake: Students often confuse tax avoidance with tax evasion, mistakenly believing that any attempt to reduce one's tax payment is an illegal offence.

The correct answer is A because the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document that outlines the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. The right to life is the most fundamental of these rights, and the right to freedom of opinion and expression is another core principle that allows people to think and speak freely. The actions in options B and C are harmful to others and violate laws, so they are not considered human rights.

Common mistake: Students may confuse the idea of a 'right' with the freedom to do anything they want, failing to understand that rights do not include actions that harm others or break the law.

Cultism involves secret groups that engage in negative and harmful behaviours which go against the accepted rules and morals of society. These behaviours include violence, drug abuse, and intimidation, which are clear examples of immoral activities and indiscipline. The other options describe positive societal outcomes, which are the direct opposite of what cultism causes.

Common mistake: A student might wrongly choose option D by confusing the word 'cult' with 'culture', failing to recognise that cultism is a destructive social problem, not a positive contributor to cultural development.

Popular participation refers to the active involvement of citizens in the political processes of their country. When people participate by voting, attending rallies, or discussing politics, they become more informed about government activities and political candidates. This active involvement naturally promotes political awareness and educates the public on important national issues.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B, but political apathy is the opposite of popular participation, not a result of it.

HIV is a virus that is present in the body fluids of an infected person, especially their blood. The virus can be transmitted from one person to another through contact with infected blood. This means that using or touching sharp objects like needles, razor blades, or clippers that have been contaminated with infected blood can lead to infection, so avoiding them is a key preventive measure.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because of common myths, but HIV is not spread through casual contact like shaking hands or hugging.

Nigeria gained its independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960, becoming a sovereign nation. However, at that time, the Queen of England was still the Head of State. Three years later, on October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a Federal Republic, which meant it replaced the Queen with a Nigerian President as its ceremonial Head of State. Therefore, the correct sequence is independence in 1960 and republic status in 1963.

Common mistake: Students often mix up the two dates, incorrectly choosing option A because they remember both 1960 and 1963 but forget which event came first.