Democracy & Active Citizenship is one of 9 topics in the Grade 12 Life Orientation CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. South Africa is best described as which type of democracy?
A constitutional democracy
A direct democracy with no representatives
A one-party state
A monarchy
Answer: A constitutional democracy — South Africa is a constitutional democracy, combining democratic government exercised through elected representatives with constitutionalism, where that power is limited by a supreme Constitution.
Easy
2. How many spheres of government does South Africa have?
Three: national, provincial and local
Two: national and local only
One: national government only
Five, one per major region
Answer: Three: national, provincial and local — South Africa has three spheres of government -- national, provincial and local -- which are distinct, interdependent and interrelated, each with defined constitutional responsibilities.
Medium
3. What is the name of the doctrine that divides government authority among the legislature, executive and judiciary to prevent the concentration of power?
Answer: Separation of powers — The separation of powers divides authority among the legislature (makes laws), executive (implements laws) and judiciary (interprets laws), with each branch checking the others.
