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Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

Sample CSEC-style exam papers
SOCIAL STUDIES
Paper 01 - General Proficiency
75 minutes
Each item in this test has four suggested answers lettered (A), (B), (C), (D). Read each item you are about
to answer and decide which choice is BEST. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.
SAMPLE ITEM
Single parent families may result from all of the following except:
(A) separation Sample Answer
(B) matrimony
(C) divorce
A B C D
(D) death
The best answer to this item is matrimony, so answer space (B) has been shaded.
There are 60 items on this exam paper. This is the same number you will find on paper 01.
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

Questions 12 relate to the drawing below.
1. What type of family is shown in the picture above?
(A) Extended
(B) Nuclear
(C) Common-law
(D) Joint
2. The relationship between the couple shown in the picture above could be all of the following EXCEPT:
(A) Marriage
(B) Common-law union
(C) Consanguine
(D) Visiting relationship
3. If only brothers and sisters lived on their own at the same residence, this would be called a:
(A) Nuclear family
(B) Joint family household
(C) Sibling family
(D) Extended family
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

4. The main functions of the Caribbean family may best be described as:
I Socialisation
II Providing for emotional needs
III Procreation
IV Providing for financial needs
(A) I & III only
(B) I, II & III only
(C) I, III & IV only
(D) All of the above
Questions 56 relate to the following information:
Karen was born into a family made up of her mother and father, but from age 6 she grew up with her
grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousins. Her parents migrated but thought she was better off doing her
schooling in the Caribbean. She joined her parents when it was time to go to college, although by then
they had divorced. When she migrated, her grandmother came to live with her and her father one
year later.
5. Which of the following family types did Karen live in?
I Extended
II Single parent
III Nuclear
IV Sibling
(A) I & III only
(B) I, II & IV only
(C) I, II, and III only
(D) I, III & IV only
6. Karens parents divorced before she migrated to meet them. Which of the following BEST
describes divorce?
(A) The declaration that a marriage is null and void
(B) The legal separation of a married couple
(C) The division of property between a married couple
(D) The legal end to a marriage
7. Which of the following BEST describes monogamy?
(A) The marriage of a woman to more than one man
(B) The marriage of a woman to one man
(C) The decision of a woman to remain unmarried
(D) The marriage of a man to more than one woman
Questions 89 refer to the following information:
Josh is a carpenter. He and his girlfriend Sally live together with their five children. He is proud that, as
the only income earner in the house, he is able to provide for their needs.
8. Which term BEST describes Joshs status in the home as described above?
(A) Matrifocal
(B) Breadwinner
(C) Patriarch
(D) Supplier
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

9. Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between Josh and his girlfriend?
(A) Marriage
(B) Polygamy
(C) Common-law union
(D) Visiting relationship
10. A family arrangement where the male has more power and authority is called:
(A) Patriarchal
(B) Matrilineal
(C) Patrilocal
(D) Matrifocal
11. From early infancy, children begin to learn how to operate in society. They learn simple norms and
mores which are expected in daily behavior. This statement suggests that:
(A) The media is the first agent of socialization.
(B) Church plays a key role in socialization.
(C) Socialization of children begins in the home.
(D) School takes priority in socialization.
12. Caribbean family life has changed in all of the following ways EXCEPT:
(A) Families are smaller
(B) Families are having more children
(C) There are fewer extended families
(D) More women are going out to work
13. All of the following are forms of child abuse EXCEPT:
(A) Children being left alone for days
(B) Disciplining children
(C) Showing children pornographic material
(D) Causing physical harm to children
14. Deciding how many children to have and when to have them is called:
(A) Family planning
(B) Debating
(C) Monogamy
(D) Procreation
15. Which of the following practices would be MOST likely to increase the risk of a person
contracting AIDS?
I Promiscuity
II Unprotected sex
III Sharing needles
IV Touching someone with AIDS
(A) I & III only
(B) I, III & IV only
(C) I, II, III & IV
(D) I, II & III only
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

16. Which of the following is NOT a primary group?
(A) A family
(B) A political party
(C) A peer group
(D) A class in school
17. Forms of social control, or standards of behavior, that are socially approved but not of great
moral importance are:
(A) Norms
(B) Mores
(C) Folkways
(D) Laws
Questions 1820 relate to the picture below.
18. The group above may be described as:
(A) Formal & primary
(B) Informal & secondary
(C) Formal & secondary
(D) Informal & primary
19. The group above provides all of the following functions for its members EXCEPT:
(A) Providing for financial needs
(B) A sense of belonging
(C) A sense of security
(D) Sets standards of behavior
20. On a regular basis, the group above may use all of the following to control its members EXCEPT:
(A) Norms
(B) Laws
(C) Mores
(D) Customs
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

21. Which of the following BEST describes the way in which an autocratic leader exercises authority?
I Through an inherited position
II Through rigidly applied rules
III Through mild persuasion
IV Through leader-driven decision making
(A) All of the above
(B) I, II & III only
(C) II & III only
(D) II & IV only
22. Which of the following leadership styles is most likely to be successful in a community group designed
to develop friendships and cooperation among residents?
I Democratic
II Autocratic
III Laissez-faire
IV Charismatic
(A) II & III only
(B) I, III & IV only
(C) I & III only
(D) All of the above
23. Which of the following BEST describes an institution?
(A) The headquarters of an organization
(B) A sports organization that is formally structured
(C) A well-established social organization for meeting specific human needs
(D) A place where sick people are cared for
24. Which of the following BEST explains why people may join the Red Cross?
(A) To make friends
(B) To wear a uniform
(C) To do service to society
(D) To pass leisure time
25. All of the following are functions of government EXCEPT:
(A) Managing the countrys financial affairs
(B) Protecting citizens against threats from other countries
(C) Keeping order and preventing anarchy
(D) Discouraging opposition
26. What is the correct order for the political development of most English-speaking
Caribbean countries?
I Representative government
II Crown colony government
III Independence
(A) II, I, III
(B) III, I, II
(C) I, III, II
(D) II, III, I
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

Questions 2728 refer to the statement below:
The president vetoed the bill which was passed by the national assembly.
27. The action above can occur in:
(A) Constitutional monarchy
(B) Parliamentary republic
(C) Presidential republic
(D) Limited monarchy
28. The action above can be taken by:
(A) A titular president
(B) An executive president
(C) A governor general
(D) A prime minister
Items 2930 refer to the statement below:
The elections in a country produced the following results: NPP 49.9% votes and 18 seats while NUC
won 18 seats with 46.5 % of the votes.
29. Which of the following BEST describes the election results?
(A) A hung parliament
(B) A unicameral parliament
(C) A bicameral parliament
(D) Proportional parliament
30. In which of the following is the result described above possible?
(A) The first-past-the-post electoral system
(B) The proportional representation electoral system
(C) The Westminster parliamentary system
(D) A parliament with an even number of seats
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

31. The term resource is defined as a factor which:
(A) Can be used to produce secondary products.
(B) Can be used to meet human needs and wants, and contribute to economic activity.
(C) Will last forever.
(D) Cannot be used for purposes which are destructive to us as human beings.
32. All of the following can lead to deforestation EXCEPT:
(A) Mining for bauxite
(B) Large-scale agriculture
(C) Redevelopment of urban areas
(D) Forest fires caused by intense heat
33. Pollution is the release of a substance which causes undesirable changes to the environment. Which
one of the examples below is NOT an example of pollution in the Caribbean region.
(A) The release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere
(B) Nuclear waste production and dumping
(C) Dumping of untreated sweage into rivers and the sea
(D) Noise from industrial and construction equipment
Questions 3435 refer to the following statement:
The Caribbean is ideally placed for the use of renewable energy sources. A switch to this type of energy
would be more sustainable and cheaper in the long run.
34. Which TWO sources of renewable energy are available in the Caribbean?
(A) Oil and solar
(B) Solar & geothermal
(C) Coal & oil
(D) Solar & coal
35. The statement above suggests that:
(A) Energy is used to sustain our lives
(B) Renewable energy is free
(C) Countries with oil are more sustainable
(D) Renewable energy will always be available
36. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?
(A) Soil
(B) Forests
(C) Fish
(D) Natural gas
37. Which of the following practices are in keeping with sustainable development?
I Recycling
II Improper disposal of waste
III Using green energy
IV Using fossil fuels
(A) I & III only
(B) I, II & III only
(C) I, III & IV only
(D) All of the above
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

38. Depopulation in an area is LEAST likely to occur when:
(A) All its people migrate.
(B) The death rate increases.
(C) Immigration is greater than emigration.
(D) There is a net decrease in population.
39. Peter is head boiler at a sugar factory and earns a great salary, but he is only employed for 6 months
of the year. This type of employment is:
(A) Contemporary
(B) Seasonal
(C) Cyclical
(D) Structural
40. When skilled people leave a country in large numbers, it is called:
(A) Under-employment
(B) Depopulation
(C) Brain drain
(D) Urbanization
41. If a country is 10 000 square kilometers in size and has a population of 5 000 000 people, its
population density would be:
(A) 10 per square kilometer
(B) 5 per square kilometer
(C) 10 000 per square kilometer
(D) 500 per square kilometer
42. All of the following affect the size of a countrys population EXCEPT:
(A) Birth rate
(B) Death rate
(C) External migration
(D) Internal migration
43. A Caribbean country which can be regarded as underpopulated is:
(A) Guyana
(B) Jamaica
(C) Barbados
(D) Trinidad and Tobago
44. The ratio of children and old people to the population of working age is referred to as the:
(A) Population increase
(B) Population distribution
(C) Dependency ratio
(D) Fertility rate
45. Where in the Caribbean can bauxite and diamonds be found?
(A) Dominica
(B) Jamaica
(C) Haiti
(D) Guyana
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

46. Which of the following introduced free trade to the region?
(A) CARICOM
(B) OECS
(C) CARIFTA
(D) Globalization
47. Which of the following countries are not members of the Caribbean Common Market?
I Suriname
II The Bahamas
III Haiti
IV Guyana
(A) I & II only
(B) II & III only
(C) III & IV only
(D) I & IV only
48. Which of the following BEST describes globalization?
(A) The process by which the worlds separate economies are becoming disconnected.
(B) The process by which the worlds separate economies are becoming interconnected and
interdependent.
(C) The removal of trade practices that restrict the free flow of goods, services and capital.
(D) The removal of trade practices that restrict the free flow of goods only.
49. Which of the following are likely to result from the imposition of a uniform rate of duty on goods
imported from countries which are not members of the Caricom Single Market?
I Protection of regional producers
II Increase in the cost of imported goods
III Increase in extra-regional exports
IV Discrimination against foreign producers
(A) I, II & IV only
(B) II & III only
(C) III & IV only
(D) II & IV only
Questions 5051 refer to the following statement:
We prefer trade rather than aid.
This statement was made by Caricom leaders to leaders of the developed world
50. Which of the following reasons would influence Caricom leaders to prefer trade to aid?
I To reduce the debt burden
II To increase employment
III To improve development
IV To reduce poverty
(A) I & II only
(B) II, III & IV only
(C) III & IV only
(D) I, II, III and IV
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

51. Which of the following factors would enable Caricom countries to increase extra-regional trade?
I Improved competitiveness of their products
II Economic partnership agreements
III Reduced production costs
IV Increased overseas marketing
(A) I & II only
(B) II, III & IV only
(C) III & IV only
(D) I, II, III and IV
52. Caricom nationals may help to promote regional integration by doing all the following things EXCEPT:
(A) Seeking jobs outside of the region
(B) Starting businesses that provide employment
(C) Keeping up to date with regional developments
(D) Supporting other Caribbean nationals
53. Which of the following agreements is Caricom?
(A) Unilateral
(B) Bilateral
(C) International
(D) Multilateral
54. Which of the following is the policy-making body of Caricom?
(A) The Caricom Secretariat
(B) The Heads of Government Conference
(C) The Standing Committee of Ministers of Agriculture
(D) The Community Council of Ministers
55. Which of the following factors favor regional integration?
I The need to improve competitiveness
II The need to share scarce skills and resources
III The need to improve the standard of living
IV The need to increase intra-regional trade
(A) I & III only
(B) I, II & III only
(C) I, III & IV only
(D) I, II, III and IV
56. Place the following regional organizations in the order in which they were established:
I West Indies Federation
II Caricom
III CARIFTA
IV OECS
(A) I, II, III, IV
(B) I, IV, III, II
(C) IV, III, I, II
(D) I, III, II, IV
57. The Caribbean Common Market promoted the free movement of:
(A) Goods and services
(B) Goods only
(C) Labor and capital
(D) Services only
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Sample CSEC-style exam papers
Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC

Copyright Oxford University Press 2012

58. Which of the following categories of workers are entitled to free movement under the Revised
Treaty of Chaguaramas?
I Domestics
II Media workers
III Entertainers
IV Nurses
(A) I & III only
(B) I, II & III only
(C) I, III & IV only
(D) All of the above
59. Which organization does not chiefly promote economic integration?
(A) A federation
(B) A common market
(C) A free trade area
(D) An economic union
60. Which is the correct sequence in which the following institutions were established?
I The West Indies Associated States Council of Ministers (WISA)
II The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
III The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Economic Union
IV The Eastern Caribbean Common Market (ECCM)
(A) I, II, III, IV
(B) II, III, I, IV
(C) I, IV, II, III
(D) IV, III, II, I
Paper Total 60 marks