Traditional Forms of Government

10 Grade 6 Social Studies questions on Traditional Forms of Government, with worked marking schemes. 10 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   4 marks

   (a) Differentiate between a centralised and a decentralised traditional government.

   (b) Give one example of a community in Eastern Africa that had each type.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) A centralised government was ruled by one leader (a king) with power held at the centre, while a decentralised government shared power among elders and age-sets with no single king (2 marks). (b) Centralised — Buganda or Wanga; Decentralised — Maasai, Agikuyu or Nandi (2 marks).

2. Question 2

   4 marks

   State four functions of traditional leaders, such as kings or councils of elders, in pre-colonial societies of Eastern Africa.

   (4 marks)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   A society organised on the basis of age-sets and having no single overall ruler had a:

   A. Foreign monarchy

   B. Colonial empire

   C. Centralised government

   D. Decentralised (segmentary) government

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   In many communities that had no king, disputes were settled and decisions made by the:

   A. Foreign ruler

   B. Trade union

   C. Council of elders

   D. Army commander

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   A government in which power was held by one leader, such as a king ruling over a large kingdom, is described as a:

   A. County government

   B. Decentralised government

   C. Centralised government

   D. Colonial government

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Among the Kenyan communities, the ___ had a centralised government led by a king known as the Nabongo.

   A. Maasai

   B. Nandi

   C. Wanga

   D. Agikuyu

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   3 marks

   In a traditional community two families disagree over ownership of a piece of land. Describe three ways in which the council of elders would handle this dispute to restore peace.

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any three, 1 mark each: listen to both families and any witnesses; discuss and consult among the elders; apply the customs and traditions to reach a fair judgement; order compensation where necessary; reconcile the families and, if needed, perform a cleansing ceremony.

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   The Buganda kingdom, which was ruled by a king known as the Kabaka, was found in present-day:

   A. Tanzania

   B. Rwanda

   C. Uganda

   D. Kenya

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   One important role of the council of elders in traditional African communities was to:

   A. Run public schools

   B. Build modern tarmac roads

   C. Collect income tax for a president

   D. Settle disputes and make laws

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    3 marks

    Give three qualities or ways by which leaders were chosen in traditional forms of government.

    (3 marks)

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