Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) –
Constitution, Democracy, and Human
Rights
1. 1. What is the supreme law of a country?
A. Civil code
B. Constitution
C. Penal code
D. Customary law
Answer: B
2. 2. Which of the following is not a feature of a constitution?
A. Permanency
B. Supremacy
C. Specificity
D. Generality
Answer: C
3. 3. What is meant by constitutionalism?
A. Establishing a monarchy
B. Having a flexible constitution
C. Government being limited by laws
D. Following religious principles
Answer: C
4. 4. Which document is considered the 'mother of all laws'?
A. Penal Code
B. Executive Order
C. Constitution
D. Administrative Proclamation
Answer: C
5. 5. What is a written constitution?
A. A document formed by tradition and culture
B. A formally codified set of rules
C. A summary of laws in oral form
D. A customary legal code
Answer: B
6. 6. The British Constitution is an example of a:
A. Written Constitution
B. Unitary Constitution
C. Unwritten Constitution
D. Rigid Constitution
Answer: C
7. 7. Which of the following is a merit of a written constitution?
A. Easily changeable
B. Highly flexible
C. Full of clarity and definiteness
D. Based on oral tradition
Answer: C
8. 8. A constitution that adapts easily to changes is called:
A. Rigid Constitution
B. Flexible Constitution
C. Unitary Constitution
D. Nominal Constitution
Answer: B
9. 9. What is the major purpose of a constitution?
A. To assign all powers to the monarchy
B. To provide religious guidance
C. To frame and limit the powers of government
D. To abolish laws
Answer: C
10. 10. The 1995 FDRE Constitution of Ethiopia is significant for:
A. Supporting monarchy
B. Declaring one-party rule
C. Recognizing federalism and human rights
D. Following religious law
Answer: C
11. 11. Which of the following best describes the principle of the rule of law?
A. Law applies only to citizens, not government officials
B. Laws are optional in democratic societies
C. Everyone, including the government, is subject to the law
D. Only judges are bound by the law
Answer: C
12. 12. Which of the following traditional Ethiopian documents defined royal succession?
A. Fetha Negest
B. Kibre Negest
C. Ser’ate Mengist
D. Magna Carta
Answer: B
13. 13. What characterizes a federal constitution?
A. All power lies with the central government
B. No division of power exists
C. Powers are divided between central and regional governments
D. Only traditional customs are followed
Answer: C
14. 14. The 1931 Ethiopian Constitution was primarily influenced by:
A. British common law
B. Egyptian law
C. The Japanese Meiji Constitution
D. American Constitution
Answer: C
15. 15. What does the term 'supremacy of the constitution' mean?
A. Only courts must follow the constitution
B. Constitution is equal to ordinary law
C. All laws must conform to the constitution
D. The government can override the constitution
Answer: C
16. 16. Which constitution introduced Marxist-Leninist ideology in Ethiopia?
A. 1931 Constitution
B. 1955 Revised Constitution
C. 1987 PDRE Constitution
D. 1995 FDRE Constitution
Answer: C
17. 17. Which Ethiopian document separated state and religion for the first time?
A. 1931 Constitution
B. Kibre Negest
C. 1987 Constitution
D. 1955 Constitution
Answer: C
18. 18. Which type of constitution is easier to amend?
A. Rigid Constitution
B. Nominal Constitution
C. Federal Constitution
D. Flexible Constitution
Answer: D
19. 19. The concept of constitutionalism checks if:
A. Laws are written in English
B. Leaders are elected every five years
C. Government acts according to pre-established laws
D. Religious leaders support the constitution
Answer: C
20. 20. What best describes an effective constitution?
A. It exists only in theory
B. Its provisions are applied and respected in practice
C. It is based on oral tradition
D. It cannot be changed under any circumstance
Answer: B
