AD 600 (AD 500 – AD 1000) = Tainos began migrating from South America,

mainly through the Orinoco Valley, via countries such as Venezuela and
Guyana
1200’s – 1300’s = Migration of the Tainos to the Greater Antilles and the
settling of the Caribs in the lesser Antilles
1492 = The arrival of Christopher Columbus in the ‘New World’
16th century (1500’s) = Columbus completes three more voyages. The New
World begins to be settled by Spaniards looking for gold and precious stones,
Spanish conquistadores. They settle for the most part on the mainland and the
Greater Antilles. Other Europeans defy the treaty of Tordesillas and come
looking for riches too.
17th – 18th century (1600’s - 1700’s) = European interlopers (British, French &
Dutch) staked claims to islands, particularly those which the Spanish neglected
or ignored. Settlements first involves the growing of Tobacco, which changed
around 1640 to sugar cane. This entailed change: organizing system known as
the slave trade, a three-way route, part of which was called the Middle Passage.
Sugar cultivation, and the plantation economy it brought about, not only
organized the economy but how social groups interacted. The plantation was
known as a total institution as it forced individuals into a certain way of life that
they could not escape.
1791 = Haitian Revolution (A free black republic is established in the
Caribbean)
1807 = Abolition of the Slave Trade by the British
1838 = Emancipation in British Territories
1845 – 1916 = East Indian Indentureship mainly to Guyana and Trinidad
1930’s = A turbulent period for many Caribbean countries: Economic collapse;
resulting in population pressure, strikes, riots, migration, and the rise of national
consciousness, opposition to colonialism, trade unions and political parties.
1960’s – 1970’s = Era of national Independence for Caribbean Countries
MODULE 1 EXAM QUESTIONS

2022

2021
 Coral reefs across the Caribbean are in danger of extinction. Examine
FOUR ways in which citizens and/or the private sector can help to protect
coral reefs.
 Christianity has played a major role in the formation of the values and
beliefs of Caribbean people. Discuss the extent to which you agree with
this statement.
2020

2019

2018
 Describe FOUR popular ways of understanding society, outlining ONE
limitation of EACH for understanding Caribbean societies.
 Caribbean people continue to migrate outside of the region in search of a
better life. Assess the extent to which extra-regional migration is a loss
for the Caribbean.
2017
 Explain FOUR ways in which the arts have contributed to human
development in the Caribbean.
 Explain FOUR ways in which Indo-Caribbean people have influenced
Caribbean culture.
 Individuals, more than governments, have a responsibility to mitigate the
effects of natural disasters. Discuss the extent to which it is the
responsibility of individuals rather than governments to mitigate the
effects of natural disasters.
  Festivals in the Caribbean have become commercialized as a result of the
influence of extra-regional countries. Discuss the extent to which you
agree with this view.
2016
 The Caribbean is a diverse and complex place, with the term ‘Caribbean’
itself understood in many ways by researchers. Explain FOUR ways in
which the concept of Caribbean is defined by researchers.
 Explain FOUR ways in which the historical experiences and culinary
practices of Caribbean people have shaped/influenced food choices today.
 “While some men, particularly in the highest social strata, have been able
to maintain their traditional position in the family, educational system and
labour force, the majority are being eclipsed [replaced] by women rising
in all these areas."
Discuss the extent to which you agree with this view taking into
consideration gender practices in the Caribbean context.
 “Caribbean societies are undergoing processes of cultural change. These
processes have been variously viewed as acculturation, transculturation,
or creolization.”
Discuss the relationship between any TWO of these processes and the
extent to which you agree with any of them.
2015
 Examine FOUR ways in which settlement patterns in the Caribbean have
been influenced by the physical landscape.
 Examine FOUR factors that promote social mobility in the Caribbean.
 “Carnival and Phagwah create opportunities for Caribbean people to
publicly express their identities.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.
 “Internal self-government was the most important movement towards
independence in the Caribbean.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.
2014
 Using examples, describe FOUR ways in which indigenous peoples have
contributed to the way of life in the Caribbean.
 Using examples, describe FOUR measures that can be taken to minimize
the impact of soil erosion in the Caribbean.
 “The Caribbean needs its diaspora in order to fully understand itself.”
Examine the extent to which Caribbean diasporic communities influence
the formation of Caribbean identity.
 “United we stand, divided we fall”
Examine the extent to which social challenges faced by people in the
Caribbean region may hinder Caribbean unity.
2013
 Examine FOUR factors which have caused coral reefs in the Caribbean to
be threatened with extinction. Include examples in your response.
 Describe FOUR ways in which the Rastafarian culture has impacted the
societies of metropolitan countries.
 “The ideal way to describe the Caribbean is by using political and
historical and historical definitions.”
With the use of examples, discuss the extent to which you agree with this
statement.
 Assess the ways in which colonial education impacted the formation of
Caribbean society and culture.
2012

2011
 Using THREE examples from the Caribbean, explain the relationship
between culture and society.
 Explain THREE ways in which the physical landscape has influenced
settlement patterns in the Caribbean.
 To what extent can it be argued that genocide and revolution are central
themes in the Caribbean History.
  “European cultural institutions continue to impact Caribbean society and
culture in the independence period.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?

2010

2009
 Examine THREE measures that Caribbean countries can implement to
minimise the danger posed to coral reefs in the region.
 Examine THREE ways in which the justice system, as a social institution,
impacts on society and culture.
 Account for the changing role that race, colour and ethnic affiliation play
in Caribbean society and culture.
 “There is no single Caribbean Culture”
Do you agree? Provide arguments and examples to support your answer.
2008
 Using examples from the Caribbean, explain TWO of the following
concepts:
(i) Cultural erasure
(ii)Cultural retention
(iii) Cultural Renewal
 Using examples from the Caribbean, explain how Caribbean people
throughout history have responded to oppression.
(i) Assess the role of ONE of the following in the formation of Caribbean
identity:
(i) African-Caribbean culture
 (ii)Indo-Caribbean culture
 Discuss the social and economic impact of natural disasters on the
Caribbean.

2007

2006

2005

An essay involves several pages of writing organized into paragraphs and

supporting a main point of thesis statement.
Each question in sections A and B is worth 20 Marks and you are advised to
spend 35 minutes on each of these questions. Each question in section C and D
is worth 30 Marks and you advised to spend 55 minutes on each of these
questions.
Understand key directive terms. Not all questions require the same discussion,
and students must become familiar with the key directive terms in their
questions.
Assess break into separate parts and discuss, examine. or interpret each part.
Compare and contrast. Examine two or more things. Identify similarities and
differences. Show differences set in opposition.
Criticize, make judgments, evaluate, comparative worth. Criticism often
involves analysis.
Define. Give the meaning, usually a meaning specific to the course of subject.
Determine the precise limits of the term to be defined. Explain the exact
meaning. Definitions are usually short.
Describe. Give a detailed account and make a picture with words. List
characteristics, qualities, and parts.
Discuss, consider, and debate or argue the pros and cons of an issue. Write
about any conflict. Compare and Contrast and describe. It actually requires the
utilization of all the other directive terms in some form.
Evaluate. Give your opinion or cite the opinion of an expert. Include evidence
to support the evaluation.
Illustrate, give examples, and explain clearly by using comparisons or contrasts.
Interpret, comment upon, give examples, describe relationships, explain the
meaning. Describe, then evaluate.
Outline. Describe main ideas, characteristics or events in a point format.
Prove support with facts, illustrations, examples, theories, etc.
State explain precisely.
Summarize. Give a brief, condensed account. Include conclusions, avoid
unnecessary details.
Trace show the order of events or progress of a subject or event
The Caribbean is hard to define. Discuss with reference to the various
definitions of Caribbean
Memory dump/Answer plan:
 Caribbean - Definition.
 Caribbean Sea/Basin/Plate
 Geographical, Geological, Historical, Diasporic, Political.
 Examples of each definition - illustrations (name of countries)
 Advantages and disadvantages of each
Ideally, your essays are to be well written, with an introduction, supporting
paragraphs (in the main body) and a conclusion.
However, there might be some exceptions and each student tends to approach as
is differently.
Introduction:
 Provides context to the question.
 Define or Explain key terms in the essay question.
 Tells the Examiner/Reader the direction of the essay
 Can have a hook - This is to grab the attention of the Examiner/Reader.
Introduction example
The Caribbean is that region of the Americas that is surrounded by the
Caribbean Sea and falls on the Caribbean Plate. It consists of several islands,
Islets and clays. There are several definitions of the Caribbean, including
geographical, historical, diasporic, geological and political. All of these
definitions are important for an understanding of the Caribbean, but they all
have several challenges. It is for this reason that it can be hard to have a precise
definition of the Caribbean.

Main Body of Essay - Supporting Paragraphs

Organized your points into paragraphs
Each point is to be divided to separate paragraphs. This means that you should
separate your points. It is always good to explain one point per paragraph. If the
points link then they might be grouped together. Use linking word, furthermore,
additionally, Another important point, therefore, foregoing”
Topic sentence - what is the main claim, statement or assertion?
Explanation – Why is this claim, statement or assertion important?
Evidence - Illustration or evidence to give validity to the assertion
Link – Justify your point by linking it to the question under discussion
Reconsider the essay question earlier
The geographical and geological definitions of the Caribbean are important
because they tell us where the Caribbean is located. Geographically, the
Caribbean is any area that is touched by the Caribbean Sea. Geologically, the
Caribbean is any area that falls on the Caribbean Plate. This might be a problem
because some countries do not touch the Caribbean sea or fall on the Caribbean
Plate but are considered Caribbean.
Comments
Combination of Points – Geographical and Geological
No illustrations
Little Analysis
Geographically the Caribbean is that region that is washed by the Caribbean
Sea. This offers a physical location for the region and allows it to be easily
identified on the world map. Despite its significance, the geographical definition
lends itself to several shortcomings. Several countries such as the Bahamas,
Bermuda, Guyana and Barbados are not touched by the Caribbean Sea but are
considered Caribbean. However countries such as Panama and Costa Rica are
touched by the Caribbean Sea and are not considered Caribbean.

Perhaps the geological definition can account for the shortcomings of the
geographical definition. The geological definition relies heavily on the
Caribbean Plate which expands underneath portions of Central America, the
Caribbean and South America. It would allow countries such as Barbados, the
Bahamas and Guyana to be considered Caribbean. However similar to the
geographical definition, it means that several countries in South and Central
America would be considered Caribbean but are not such as Venezuela,
Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico and so forth.
Comments
TEEL method utilized
Shows illustrations and analysis for the information
Clearly separate the points – Geological and Geographical
Conclusion:
The conclusion brings your essay to a completion and show work alongside the
introduction to bring your arguments and ideas in a full circle.
The conclusion:
 Does not summarize your points
 Restate your arguments and restate your points
 Should not provide any new evidence
 Make recommendations if applicable
 Show that you answered the whole question
Conclusion example
The various definitions of the Caribbean – geographical, geological, diasporic,
political and historical – are important because each of them helps the
understand the Caribbean. They all have shortcomings, but when considered
holistically ensure clear understanding of the Caribbean. Perhaps it is hard to
define the Caribbean singularly, and so isolating the Caribbean with one
definition is unrealistic.