0 · 🆕 THE NEW FORMAT (2026 circular) — read this first
The paper is now organised by the four strands — all compulsory: Strand 1 Social Organisation & Processes (26 marks): Multiple Choice, Matching, Comprehension Passage, Paragraph Writing · Strand 2 Time, Continuity & Change (22): Multiple Choice, True/False, Fill in the Blanks, Resource Interpretation · Strand 3 Place & Environment (26): Multiple Choice, Matching, Short-Answer Questions, Resource Interpretation · Strand 4 Resources & Economic Activities (26): Multiple Choice, Matching, Comprehension Passage, Paragraph Writing. Total 100 marks; 1½ hours + 10 minutes reading. Write your FEMIS ID top-right; blue/black pen; pencil only for drawing. The content is unchanged — only the packaging! Watch the featured video lesson on the home page for the full explanation, and practise with the 30 new-format papers in exam_papers/.
1 · The Syllabus — Strands, Sub-strands & Achievement Indicators
The Years 7 & 8 Social Science Syllabus (2016) has 4 strands × 2 sub-strands. Your exam questions map directly onto the achievement indicators below — every past-paper question from 2015–2025 fits one of these boxes.
| Strand / Sub-strand | Learning outcome (code) | Achievement indicators — you should be able to… | Scope the exam tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS1 Social Organisation & Processes SS1.1 Personal, Social Groups & Processes | SS8.1.1.1 Research the different World Organisations and express their influences on the world and our lives | ① identify & gather data on origins, roles and characteristics of world organisations ② select & describe how they have influenced the world socially, economically and culturally ③ demonstrate ability to respond to changes and hazards | Types of organisations; systems of government; characteristics; origin; roles; impact (social, economic, cultural); response to hazards |
| SS1.2 Cultural Identity, Diversity & Cohesion | SS8.1.2.1 Research how people of the world co-exist; ways of life of cultural groups (Pacific focus) | ① describe different groups of people in the world and their origins/roots ② describe how groups establish themselves and evolve with others ③ examine reasons and extent of evolvement ④ value their place in the world | Groups of people; establishment & evolution; identity; development; trade; ethnic, religious, geographic, cultural, socio-economic, linguistic, political, occupational groups |
| SS2 Time, Continuity & Change SS2.1 Understanding the Past | SS8.2.1.1 Collect information about famous people of the world and discuss their influences on history | ① compile information & investigate famous people ② discuss their influences ③ examine natural events — floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions ④ examine health events — epidemics, pandemics ⑤ construct a timeline of order of events | Famous people (leaders, inventors, sportspeople, humanitarians); disasters; epidemics/pandemics; impacts on health, environment, economy, people; timelines |
| SS2.2 Continuity and Change | SS8.2.2.1 Investigate significant world events and express their impacts on people and history | ① investigate significant world events ② express impacts on lives and history ③ compare life before and after events | Wars (WWI, WWII); colonisation; Olympic, Commonwealth & Pacific Games; independence; development & change in communities |
| SS3 Place & Environment SS3.1 Features of Places | SS8.3.1.1 Investigate the main climatic regions of the world and their effects on people’s lives and work | ① identify climatic zones & their characteristics ② sort & select reasons for different climates and contributing factors ③ describe effects of climate on people’s lives and work | Climatic regions (tropical, dry, mountain/highland, temperate, polar); Equator; Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn; latitude/longitude; weather vs climate |
| SS3.2 People and Care of Places | SS8.3.2.1 Gather information on major global climatic issues and advocate ways to alleviate their impacts | ① describe effects of each climatic issue on environment, people, economy & agriculture ② reveal each region’s vulnerability ③ discuss roles of government, citizens & NGOs ④ discuss policies & regulations; advocate strategies | Global warming; climate change; sea-level rise; ozone depletion; pollution; traditional knowledge vs contemporary measures; agencies (Greenpeace); care of reefs, mangroves, rainforests |
| SS4 Resources & Economic Activities SS4.1 Use & Management of Resources | SS8.4.1.1 Collect information on the influence of money and time on daily lives; express good practices | ① discuss how time & money influence our lives and their effects ② sort positive & negative influences ③ gather good management practices ④ describe role of budgeting, time management, timetabling & education ⑤ draw up a budget/timetable | Income & expenditure; saving; spending wisely; impulse buying; budgets; shopping lists; resource depletion & sustainability; renewable vs non-renewable |
| SS4.2 People and Work | SS8.4.2.1 Investigate the concept of globalisation and express its effects from Fiji’s and the region’s point of view | ① discuss examples of globalisation ② discuss causes and effects ③ describe advantages & disadvantages at national & international level ④ express influences from country & regional view | Definition; characteristics & formation; MNCs; trade; tourism; aid & donors; brain drain & migration; Fiji, the Pacific & globalisation |
2 · ANNEX 1 Explained in Detail — with Pictures
⭐ ANNEX A — The Ten Famous People SS2.1
Timeline you must recite (SS2.1–2.2)
- 1863 Red Cross founded (Henry Dunant) · 1894 IOC founded (Baron Pierre de Coubertin)
- 1914–18 World War I · 1930 first Commonwealth Games (Hamilton)
- 1933–45 Hitler rules Germany · 1939–45 World War II
- 1942 & 1946 Commonwealth Games cancelled (WWII)
- 1944 IMF & World Bank · 1945 UN, UNESCO, FAO · 11 Dec 1946 UNICEF (Ludwik Rajchman) · 1948 WHO
- 1963 first South Pacific Games, Suva · 1969 Moon landing · 1970 Fiji independence · 1987 first President (Ratu Penaia Ganilau)
- 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic (FY8E cancelled) · 2026 Commonwealth Games — Glasgow
🌐 ANNEX B — The Eight Main Groups of People SS1.2
| Group | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ethnic | Shared ancestry, culture & identity | i-Taukei, Indo-Fijians, Chinese, Europeans |
| 2. Religious | Shared faith & worship | Christians, Hindus, Muslims |
| 3. Geographic | Where people live | Pacific Islanders, Africans, Asians |
| 4. Cultural | Shared customs, dress, food, dance | Rotuman, Banaban, Fijian, Tongan |
| 5. Socio-economic | Wealth & income level | low-, middle- & high-income groups |
| 6. Linguistic | Shared language | iTaukei, Fiji Hindi, English speakers |
| 7. Political | Shared politics & governance ideas | political parties, movements, parliament |
| 8. Occupational | Shared type of work | farmers, teachers, fishers, nurses |
The classification the exam loves
Caucasoid — light skin, blonde hair (Europe). Negroid/Africans — dark skin, curly hair (Africa). Mongoloid/Asians — straight black hair, inner eye fold (Japan, China, Philippines, Indonesia). Australoid — wavy/curly hair (Aborigines of Australia). Melanesians (Fiji, PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia) · Micronesians (Kiribati, Marshall Is., Nauru) · Polynesians (Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, NZ Maori, Easter Is.). Indigenous: Aborigines (Australia), Maori (NZ), i-Taukei (Fiji), American Indians.
🏛 ANNEX C — The Seven World Organisations SS1.1
FY8E 2025
FY8E 2022
FY8E 2023| Organisation | Founded | Role to memorise |
|---|---|---|
| United Nations (UN) | 1945 | International peace & security (Kosovo NOT a member) |
| World Health Organisation (WHO) | 1948 | Highest possible standard of health for all |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) | 1944 | Global financial stability & cooperation |
| World Bank | 1944 | Loans & projects to reduce poverty |
| European Union (EU) | 1993 | Free trade + political cooperation |
| NATO | 1949 | Military defence alliance (North Atlantic) |
| Red Cross / Red Crescent | 1863 | Disaster relief & protection of war victims (Henry Dunant) |
| UNICEF | 1946 | Children’s rights & emergency help (founder: Ludwik Rajchman) |
| UNESCO | 1945 | Peace through education, science, culture (World Heritage — Levuka!) |
| FAO | 1945 | Defeats hunger — “Fiat Panis” |
| ILO · WEO · UNFCCC · Greenpeace | 1919 · — · 1992 · NGO | World of work · protects biodiversity · climate convention · NGO protecting oceans (NOT governmental!) |
🌡 ANNEX D — The Three Main Climatic Regions SS3.1
FY8E 2023| Region (Annex) | Where | Characteristics | Effect on people & work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical climate | Around the Equator | Hot & humid all year; heavy rainfall; heat-surplus zone; rainforests | Grow crops year-round (sugar, taro); heavy rain affects outdoor work |
| Dry climate | Arid lands — Sahara, outback | Very little rain; extreme day heat; deserts | Farming difficult; nomadic herding; water must be managed |
| Mountain (highland) climate | High mountains | Temperature falls as altitude rises — “higher you go, colder it becomes” | Cloud cover & rain on windward slopes; cooler-season crops |
| Temperate (also examined) | Between tropics & poles | Moderate — neither very hot nor cold; mild seasons | Four growing seasons; comfortable living |
| Polar (also examined) | Arctic & Antarctic circles | Extreme low temperatures; harsh winters, heavy snow | Very short farming season; special homes & clothing |
🔬 ANNEX E — The Five Research Topics (your 5 guaranteed marks!) Skills
- The influence of social media on youths in Fiji — the official top-scoring 2025 sample topic. Study how Facebook/TikTok affect study, behaviour and communication.
- Natural disasters and their impact on Fiji — investigate cyclones/floods: causes, effects, preparedness in your community.
- Fiji’s role in the United Nations — peacekeeping troops, climate leadership, membership since 1970.
- Sustainable development in Fiji — renewable energy, protecting reefs/forests, meeting needs without destroying resources.
- The impact of climate change in your locality — sea-level rise, coastal erosion, changing rainfall in your own tikina.
Recipe for the 5 marks: name the topic (1) → two methods of gathering information (2) → two problems faced or lessons learnt (2). The topic MUST link to a syllabus strand — in 2017, students who wrote “bullying” scored ZERO.
3 · Everything Else You Must Know — by topic, with real exam pictures
🗺 Mapping mastery (7 marks every year)
2018 = 2024
FY8E 2025
FY8E 2015
FY8E 2016🌍 Geography quick facts (SS3.1)
Latitude runs east–west (Equator = 0°, the longest). Longitude runs north–south (Prime Meridian = 0° — a favourite T/F trap!). Tropics at 23.5° N & S; polar circles at 66.5°. Weather = day-to-day; climate = ~30-year pattern; two big factors = temperature + rainfall. The sea moderates coastal climate; mountains make it colder.
🔥 Climate change & care of places (SS3.2)
FY8E 2019
FY8E 2024
FY8E 2018
FY8E 2016
FY8E 2015
FY8E 2023Causes→Effects→Fixes: deforestation, fossil fuels, greenhouse gases (CO2, methane), CFCs→ozone → sea-level rise, heat waves, droughts/floods, crop failure→higher food prices, asthma → afforestation, renewable energy, 3Rs (reduce–reuse–recycle), Cap-and-Trade. Helpers: Greenpeace (NGO), UNFCCC, governments, every citizen. Traditional knowledge + contemporary measures work together.
📊 Data skills — graphs & budgets (SS4.1 + Skills)
FY8E 2025
FY8E 2024
FY8E 2016
FY8E 2022Money & time golden rules: budget = plan of income & expenditure; spend less than you earn; shopping list stops impulse buying; credit/debit cards increase spending; bank = financial institution; wages = income; time cannot be stored; fortnight = 2 weeks; sustainability = conserve to avoid depletion; coal/oil = non-renewable.
🌐 Globalisation (SS4.2)
Definition: the interchange of world views, products, ideas and culture — an interconnected “global village”. Features: connectedness, MNCs, technology, trade. Advantages: technology spread, international markets, higher living standards, better transport. Disadvantages: loss of cultural identity, worker exploitation, vulnerable small economies, brain drain (qualified people moving abroad). Fiji & Pacific: tourism, trade, remittances; aid (not repaid) from donors — Australia, NZ, Japan, China, USA; Pacific Islands Forum issues a forum communiqué.
Worksheet map — achievement indicators → practice
| Worksheet | Sub-strand / focus | File |
|---|---|---|
| W01 | SS1.1 World Organisations | |
| W02 | SS1.2 Groups of People | |
| W03 | SS2.1 Famous People | |
| W04 | SS2.2 Significant Events | |
| W05 | SS3.1 Features of Places | |
| W06 | SS3.2 Care of Places | |
| W07 | SS4.1 Money & Time | |
| W08 | SS4.2 Globalisation | |
| W09 | Resource Interpretation & Skills | |
| W10 | Vocabulary & Command Words |
Exam papers, booklets & detailed solutions (new format)
30 complete sets in exam_papers/ — e.g. Revision_Paper_01.pdf + Answer_Booklet_01.pdf + Detailed_Solution_01.pdf (papers 01–30 follow the same naming).
4 · How to use this workspace
- Watch the video lessons (return to Home).
- Learn this guide section by section — one strand per day.
- Do the matching topic worksheet for each strand.
- Then sit one Revision Paper under exam conditions — 90 minutes, no notes.
- Mark it with the Answer Key; record your score; redo weak topics.