Total marks: 100 · Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
Instructions to candidates
- This paper consists of TWO sections, A and B.
- Section A consists of FOUR questions worth 14 marks each. Answer ALL FOUR questions. Questions 1 and 2 are on Individual, Family and Society; Questions 3 and 4 are on Sustainable Development and Use of Resources.
- Section B consists of TWO essay questions worth 22 marks each. Answer BOTH questions. Question 5 is on Individual, Family and Society; Question 6 is on Sustainable Development and Use of Resources.
- Where a question asks you to explain, suggest, discuss or assess, develop your response fully.
- Show your working in any calculation.
- In the January 2027 sitting this paper is "hybrid": you read the questions on screen and write your answers in the answer booklet.
- You are advised to spend about 20 minutes on each question in Section A and 35 minutes on each question in Section B.
Paper
Section A (56 marks)
Answer ALL FOUR questions in this section.
Question 1 — Individual, Family and Society
Read the information below.
The Riverside Youth Club was formed in 2019 by young people from three neighbouring villages. It has a written constitution, elects a president, secretary and treasurer every year, and holds a general meeting on the first Saturday of each month. Members pay a small fee and run a homework centre, a football league and an annual clean-up of the river bank. Within the club, many members also belong to small circles of close friends who meet every day after school.
(a) Define the term "social group". (2 marks)
(b) Distinguish between a primary group and a secondary group, giving ONE example of each from the information above. (4 marks)
(c) Identify TWO characteristics of a formal group shown by the Riverside Youth Club. (2 marks)
(d) Explain TWO ways in which members of the club could resolve a conflict between them. (4 marks)
(e) State TWO qualities of a good leader. (2 marks)
Total 14 marks
Question 2 — Individual, Family and Society
The table below shows the results of a general election in St Marlo, a Caribbean territory with 15 constituencies. In each constituency the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.
| Party | Votes received | Seats won |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Alliance (PA) | 84,000 | 9 |
| National Movement (NM) | 72,000 | 6 |
| Independent candidates | 4,000 | 0 |
| Total | 160,000 | 15 |
(a) Name the electoral system used in St Marlo. (1 mark)
(b) Calculate the percentage of the votes received by the Progressive Alliance. (2 marks)
(c) Calculate the percentage of the seats won by the Progressive Alliance, and comment on the difference between its share of the votes and its share of the seats. (3 marks)
(d) Explain TWO functions of the legislature (Parliament) in a Caribbean territory. (4 marks)
(e) Describe TWO ways in which the Opposition helps to keep the government accountable to the people. (4 marks)
Total 14 marks
Question 3 — Sustainable Development and Use of Resources
The table below shows labour force data for a Caribbean territory.
| Year | Labour force | Number employed | Unemployment rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 650,000 | 591,500 | 9.0 |
| 2023 | 660,000 | 607,200 | 8.0 |
| 2024 | 672,000 | 624,960 |
(a) Define the term "labour force". (2 marks)
(b) Calculate the number of persons unemployed in 2024. (1 mark)
(c) Calculate the unemployment rate for 2024. (2 marks)
(d) Describe the trend in the unemployment rate from 2022 to 2024. (1 mark)
(e) Distinguish between seasonal unemployment and structural unemployment, giving a Caribbean example of EACH. (4 marks)
(f) Explain TWO measures a government could take to reduce unemployment among young people. (4 marks)
Total 14 marks
Question 4 — Sustainable Development and Use of Resources
Read the case study below.
In September, Hurricane Leona, a Category 4 storm, passed directly over the island of San Teodoro. Twelve people died and about 3,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Landslides blocked roads in the hilly interior, cutting off several farming villages for over a week. Most of the island's banana crop was flattened, and the international airport was closed for five days, forcing hotels to cancel bookings. The total damage was estimated at US$420 million, equal to about 30% of the island's gross domestic product (GDP).
(a) Distinguish between a natural hazard and a disaster. (2 marks)
(b) Identify TWO economic effects of Hurricane Leona described in the case study. (2 marks)
(c) Using the information in the case study, estimate the GDP of San Teodoro. (1 mark)
(d) Explain TWO reasons why small island states such as San Teodoro are especially vulnerable to the effects of hurricanes. (4 marks)
(e) Describe THREE measures that households or communities can take to prepare for the hurricane season. (3 marks)
(f) State TWO ways in which a regional agency such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) can assist a territory after a disaster. (2 marks)
Total 14 marks
Section B (44 marks)
Answer BOTH questions in this section.
Question 5 — Individual, Family and Society
(a) Define the term "juvenile delinquency". (2 marks)
(b) Explain THREE causes of juvenile delinquency in Caribbean societies. (9 marks)
(c) "Harsher punishment is the most effective way to reduce crime among young people in the Caribbean."
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. (11 marks)
Total 22 marks
Question 6 — Sustainable Development and Use of Resources
Read the extract below.
Between 2010 and 2024 the government of a Caribbean territory doubled its spending on technical and vocational education, built two new community colleges and offered free tuition at the national university. Adult literacy rose to 97%, and life expectancy reached 76 years. However, a survey found that four in ten recent graduates in nursing, teaching and information technology planned to emigrate within five years, mainly to North America and the United Kingdom, where salaries for the same jobs can be three to five times higher.
(a) Define the term "human resource development". (2 marks)
(b) Identify TWO indicators of development mentioned in the extract. (2 marks)
(c) Explain TWO ways in which investment in education contributes to a country's economic development. (4 marks)
(d) Discuss THREE effects of the emigration of skilled workers ("brain drain") on Caribbean countries. (6 marks)
(e) Recommend TWO measures that Caribbean governments could take to reduce the loss of skilled workers, and justify EACH recommendation. (8 marks)
Total 22 marks