BECE Past Questions & Answers 1991(social studies)

SOCIAL STUDIES

SOLUTIONS

SECTION B
ESSAY

PART I
MAP SKILLS AND ENVIRONMENT

7. Methods used for showing relief features on maps

(i) Contour lines
These are lines, drawn on maps, connecting points on a land that are the same height above sea level. Lines which are drawn very close to others indicate a steep slope, while the wider spaced lines indicate a gentle slope. An example of conical hill contour lines is shown below

(ii) Trigonometrical station
This is an accurately measured point on the ground.
It is indicated by a dot enclosed by a triangle and a figure written against it
Eg, 2750

(iii) Spot Heights
They indicate the accurate heights of places on maps /the ground.
They are represented by a dot or a small circle with the figure written by it. Eg, . 260

(iv) Hachures:

These are short parallel lines used on a map to indicate the direction and steepness of a slope. Closely packed parallel lines indicate a steep slope, while widely spaced ones indicate and gently slope.
[any four]

8.
(a) Bar graph illustrating the figures.

(b) Day on which the highest amount of rainfall was recorded
7th day

(c) The lowest amount of rainfall recorded?
25 mm

(d) Instrument used for recording rainfall.
Rain gauge

PART II
THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY

9. Main benefits of the Junior Secondary School Education?

(i) Pupils are given basic practical vocational and technical training, which greatly helps in the psychomotor development of the child
(ii) The lessons are more practical / activity-based, thereby making the pupils appreciate and
understand the topics better
(iii) There is a reduction of the years spent in school by the pupil / student for primary and secondary education as compared to the previous system
(iv) There is a reduction in instances of school dropouts, as pupils who may not qualify for the mainstream senior secondary schools can easily branch into vocational / technical institutions which could their actual areas of strength.
(v) Unemployment is reduced, because pupils who may not be able to continue schooling can use the practical vocational / technical skills already learnt to start a trade / enterprise / apprenticeship to fend for themselves.
(vi) Through the practical lessons, pupils discover other potential / skills / talents they may possess. (vii) The Continuous Assessment concept makes possible a more holistic monitoring and evaluation
of the pupil‟s performance over a period.
[any four]

10. (a) Important types of timber found in the forests of Ghana
 Odum
 Mahogany
 Wawa
 Sapele
 Iroko
 Obeche
 Walnut
 teak
[any five]

(b) Uses of timber

(i) Furniture – Timber is an important raw material for the furniture industry in Ghana
(ii) Electrification – Tens of thousands of electric poles used each year by the Electricity
Company of Ghana are made of timber.
(iii) Fishing Boats – Almost all fishermen in Ghana use fishing boats or canoes that are made from timber
(iv) Building and Construction Industry – Timber is used for various things in the building
and construction industry, including doors, window frames, ceilings, floors, etc
(v) Fuel – Timber serves as fuel (firewood / charcoal) for both domestic and industrial purposes

(vi) Arts and Crafts Industry – Timber is an important raw material that is used in the Arts and Crafts Industry, for sculpture, paintings, handicrafts, etc [any five]

PART III
WEST AFRICA, AFRICA AND THE WORLD

11. (a) Major problems related to cattle rearing in Africa

(i) Insufficient Financial Assistance – Lack of adequate funds / financial services that would help farmers to adopt modern methods of cattle rearing and expand their enterprise.
(ii) Inadequate Veterinary Services – there is a serious shortage of veterinary services on the continent. This shortage makes it difficult for farmers to access the service for their cattle. This eventually leads to reduced health, low productivity and even death of the cattle.
(iii) Inadequate feed and water – In most cases, the feed and water available for cattle are insufficient. As a result, the cattle are stunted in growth, unhealthy and are less productive.
(iv) Pests and diseases – Several pests and diseases, such as ticks, tsetse flies and sleeping sickness attack cattle in Africa. This hinders their healthy growth and development.
(v) Overgrazing / Crop Destruction – A major problem related to cattle rearing in Africa is the destruction of crops / vegetation by cattle, as they move about freely in search of
pasture and water
[any four] [any four]

(b) Solutions to the problems.

(i) The government must subsidise the inputs and services that the cattle farmers need. The farmers may form / join already existing unions through which they can access loans/ credit facilities from banks and other finance firms to fund their enterprise
(ii) More veterinary doctors must be trained and motivated to stay and work in Ghana. Also, more veterinary centres must be established in various towns, especially in cattle and other livestock rearing areas.

(iii) Farmers must prepare and reserve fodder and hay to feed their cattle when natural pasture becomes scarce. Dams must be constructed across streams or large reservoirs built to store water for cattle during the dry season
(iv) Cattle must be sent to the veterinary centres regularly for checkups for control measures to be taken to check the attack of pests and diseases. Pesticides must be applied regularly in the areas where the cattle stay or graze to control pests.
(v) Animals must always be guided by (a) herdsman /men to in order to avoid destruction of crops and overgrazing at a particular place. Crop farms must be fenced to prevent cattle from destroying them [any two]

12. Effects of wars in the world

(i) Injuries, loss of life and property
Wars / intense fighting can lead to injuries, loss of lives and property of inhabitants and state. When tempers rise to uncontrollable levels, parties involved in the war try to inflict the highest possible damage to their opponents in order to punish them or „teach them a lesson‟. They therefore use various kinds of weapons which kill people, cause serious injuries or destroy property.

(ii) Fear and Insecurity
When a war occurs, societies either lose their senses of security or actually become insecure. People become fearful and hence are unable to carry out their usual socio- economic or other activities.
(iii) Environmental Pollution
During war times, the environment (water, air and land) gets polluted in various ways including stench from decaying human bodies and animals, release of radioactive materials and indiscriminate disposal of refuse.

(iv) Disruption of social activities
Activities such as family socialization, children attending school, workers carrying out duties, utility services operating, transportation services running, etc, may all be stopped due to physical destruction of social amenities, insecurity or suspicion.

(v) Economic downturn / Developmental decline
Wars cause a general decline in the economy. This is because businesses and other service providers may be forced to shut down / suspend / significantly reduce their services, thereby lowering the per capita income. This situation also results in reduced provision of goods and services ( less productivity). In such circumstances, prices of the few goods and services on the market are greatly hiked (increased), thereby creating intense economic hardship and a reduction or even stoppage of developmental programmes in the nation.

(vi) Displacements of persons
Displacements of persons occur when people move out of their usual places of abode/ work, due to war, to reside in other areas they consider safer or more peaceful. People may move out of their family homes /schools /workplace / worship centre / communities / towns
/ regions, wherever the war may be, to other places. The new places they move to, even though it may be safer or more peaceful, may be less comfortable for them, since they may not get the basic necessities, pleasures or social environment they are used to in their original places. This could make life difficult or even unbearable for them.

(vii) Human rights abuses
In times of war, there is usually a breakdown of law and order, and some people tend to take undue advantage to abuse the fundamental human rights of others, eg, preventing people from worshipping, raping women and children, verbal abuse, killings, maiming (causing severe injury, especially to the arms / legs), etc. All these constitute abuses of human rights. [any four]