Basic 7 · Social Studies · Term Revision
Term Revision in Social Studies
In this topic you will recall and summarise the term's work on the environment, family life, sense of purpose and law and order, and practise answering end-of-term questions.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recall key ideas on sanitation, energy and mapping skills
- Recall key ideas on adolescence, self-identity and citizenship
- Answer revision questions with examples from Ghana
What you already know
- All topics covered in Social Studies this term
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
The term began with our environment and moved on to growing up responsibly. These topics affect our health, safety and future every day.
1. The Environment
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| environmental problems | poor sanitation, pollution, deforestation, flooding, bush fires |
| sanitation challenges | solid and liquid waste, open defecation, choked drains, lack of toilets |
| causes | indiscipline, ignorance, lack of facilities, rapid urban growth, weak enforcement |
| effects | cholera, malaria, floods, economic losses, loss of dignity |
| solutions | bins, toilets, clean-ups, waste hierarchy, MMDAs, EPA, by-laws |
| energy sources | non-renewable (oil, gas) and renewable (hydro, solar, wind, biogas) |
| energy efficiency | switch off, LED bulbs, cover pots, improved cookstoves |
| mapping | title, key, scale, north arrow; sketch maps; grid references; Prime Meridian at Tema |
2. Family Life
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| adolescence | about 10–19 years; puberty; physical, emotional and social changes |
| reproductive health | hygiene, menstruation care, seeking help from trusted adults |
| behavioural issues | peer pressure, teenage pregnancy, STIs, drug abuse |
| responsible decisions | life skills, decision-making steps, assertiveness, abstinence |
3. Linking the Topics
The topics connect to good citizenship. Keeping the environment clean is a constitutional duty; using energy wisely saves national resources; and making responsible decisions in adolescence prepares young people to become productive citizens who build the nation.
4. Revision Tips
For each topic, learn the meaning of key terms, two or three causes or features, effects and solutions, and at least one Ghanaian example. Practise drawing a sketch map and calculating distances with a scale.
5. Self-Check Questions
Test yourself: Can you name four sanitation challenges and two solutions for each? Can you list three renewable and two non-renewable energy sources used in Ghana? Can you name the elements of a map and calculate a distance using a scale? Can you describe three physical changes during adolescence and three ways of making responsible decisions? Revise any topic you are unsure of.
6. Using Local Examples
Strong answers use local examples. When writing about sanitation, mention choked drains in your town or the June 2015 Accra floods. For energy, mention the Akosombo, Kpong and Bui dams or the Jubilee oilfield. For mapping, mention the Prime Meridian at Tema. Local examples show that you understand how the topics apply to Ghana.
New words
- revision
- Studying again what has been learned.
- key term
- An important word in a topic.
- example
- A real case that illustrates an idea.
- solution
- A way of solving a problem.
Summary
- Environment topics cover sanitation, energy and mapping skills.
- Family life topics cover adolescence, reproductive health and responsible decisions.
- The topics are linked to responsible citizenship and nation building.
Class activity: Revision Quiz Cards
- Make question cards on each environment and family life topic.
- Quiz another group.
- Record topics that need more revision.
You need: Map of Ghana, Local newspaper, Printed photographs of a Ghanaian community
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a renewable source of energy?
- A. solar energy
- B. crude oil
- C. natural gas
- D. coal
Show answer
Answer: solar energyNever runs out.2. Which institution controls pollution in Ghana?
- A. EPA
- B. NHIS
- C. ECG
- D. GRA
Show answer
Answer: EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency.3. Adolescence is roughly from 10 to 19 years.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueDefinition.4. The part of a map that explains symbols is the ______.
Show answer
Answer: keyLegend.5. State three causes of poor sanitation.
Show answer
Answer: Indiscipline, lack of bins and toilets, rapid population growth (or weak enforcement).Any three.6. Explain how energy efficiency at home helps the environment.
Show answer
Answer: Using less energy reduces fuel burning and tree cutting, so there is less pollution and deforestation.Environmental benefit.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
The last part of the term focused on who we are and our place in the nation. Let us review these ideas and practise examination questions.
1. Identity and Citizenship
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| self-concept and identity | name, family, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, talents, values |
| self-esteem | built through strengths, goals, good friends and learning from mistakes |
| citizenship | by birth, registration, naturalisation, adoption; dual citizenship allowed |
| rights | Chapter Five: life, liberty, education, speech, religion, vote at 18 |
| responsibilities | Article 41: obey laws, pay taxes, protect property and environment |
| nation building | hard work, patriotism, voting wisely; avoid corruption and tribalism |
2. Sample Questions and Model Answers
Practice question 1
State three ways of becoming a citizen of Ghana and explain one.
- Birth, registration and naturalisation (also adoption).
- Naturalisation: a foreigner who has lived in Ghana for a long time, speaks a Ghanaian language and is of good character applies to become a citizen.
Answer: Birth, registration, naturalisation; naturalisation explained.
Practice question 2
Explain two effects of poor sanitation on the economy.
- Sick workers cannot work, reducing production and income.
- The government spends money on treating diseases and repairing flood damage instead of development.
Answer: Lost productivity and high public spending.
3. Answering Social Studies Questions
- Read the question twice and note the instruction word: state, explain, describe or discuss.
- Give each point in a separate sentence or paragraph.
- Explain each point with a reason and an example from Ghana.
- Use correct terms, such as "naturalisation", "sanitation" and "Article 41".
- Check your spelling and that you have answered every part.
4. Holiday Practice
During the holidays, practise good citizenship: keep your surroundings clean, save energy at home, help family members, respect people of all backgrounds, and learn about your community's history and identity. These actions put the term's lessons into practice.
5. Avoiding Common Errors
Learners often lose marks by listing points without explaining them, giving examples from other countries instead of Ghana, confusing rights with responsibilities, and mixing up registration with naturalisation. Read the question carefully, explain each point and use Ghanaian examples to earn full marks.
New words
- model answer
- An example of a complete, correct answer.
- instruction word
- A word that tells you how to answer.
- naturalisation
- Becoming a citizen after long residence.
- civic
- Relating to citizens and their duties.
Summary
- Identity, self-esteem, citizenship, rights, responsibilities and nation building were key topics.
- Answer questions with clear points, explanations and Ghanaian examples.
- Practise good citizenship during the holidays.
Class activity: Revision Quiz
- Answer ten quick questions on all the term's topics.
- Exchange books and mark with model answers.
- Correct your mistakes.
You need: Map of Ghana, Local newspaper, Printed photographs of a Ghanaian community
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Ghana's national identity card is issued by the…
- A. National Identification Authority
- B. Electoral Commission
- C. Ghana Police Service
- D. Ghana Revenue Authority
Show answer
Answer: National Identification AuthorityNIA.2. Who designed the Ghana flag?
- A. Theodosia Okoh
- B. Kwame Nkrumah
- C. Ephraim Amu
- D. Kofi Annan
Show answer
Answer: Theodosia OkohFlag designer.3. Every right comes with a responsibility.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueRights and duties.4. Love and loyalty to one's country is ______.
Show answer
Answer: patriotismNational pride.5. State four duties of a citizen under Article 41.
Show answer
Answer: Obey laws, pay taxes, protect public property, protect the environment.Any four.6. Explain how adolescents can contribute to nation building.
Show answer
Answer: By studying hard, avoiding risky behaviour, volunteering and protecting the environment, they become productive citizens.Youth contribution.
Homework
- Make a summary table of all the term's topics with one example from Ghana for each.