Examination hints
- 1) The underpinning context of history in Grade 12 is the politics of the Cold War. This is reflected in the multiple perspectives on the same events that occurred throughout the Cold War (e.g. multiple perspectives on the Cuban Missile Crisis). Keep this in mind when interpreting sources.
- 2) Always refer to the attribution of every source and try to again as much information as you can about the origins of the source, its purpose, when it was made or written.
- 3) Look for clues in all sources and place it in its correct historical context. If there is a date, use it to assist you to place it in context.
- 4) Use the glossary and textboxes in the Learner’s Book to increase your understanding and vocabulary. Use historical terms and concepts confidently and in the correct context.
- 5) Try to identify leaders, symbols, clues, etc. and refer to these when you interpret sources. Ensure that you are able to link factions to the relevant leaders and their ideologies that shaped many Cold War conflicts (e.g. the Angolan Civil War).
- 6) Never assume the examiner, teacher or marker knows what you mean – state your point of view clearly.
- 7) Link sections to past knowledge. Your knowledge on the Cold War period and colonialism will be useful to interpret questions in this section.
- 8) Try to make the content knowledge your own and avoid merely memorising these summaries or sections from the Learner’s Book. Use your own words and make simple summaries to help you with your memorisation.
- 9) The Learner’s Book has many examples of types of questions to practise. By doing this regularly and consolidating daily, you will be successful.