Chapter 8: Empowering Yourself with Knowledge (History and Politics)
I. Careers
J. Deliver
K. Reckon
Part 4: Comprehension Skills for Transformation
VIII. Empowering Yourself with Knowledge (History and Politics)
Strategies for Empowering Yourself with Knowledge
Chapter 8
Reading is an essential vehicle for you to obtain knowledge while you improve your comprehension skills. Through the acquisition of this knowledge, you are able to impart your knowledge to others and preserve it for future generations. To empower yourself with knowledge, it is important that you apply the following strategies provided to aid your retention and comprehension of the readings in this chapter:
Surround yourself with knowledgeable people.
Read as much as you can and research information that you are eager to learn more about.
Become actively involved in policy and decision making.
Observe critical events and document significant information.
Never allow yourself to stop learning.
Improve on existing knowledge by contributing to it.
Your Reading Tasks
1973 Independence Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
Do you think The Bahamas has made sufficient progress since its independence in 1973?
What do you think defines a true Bahamian?
Although The Bahamas in an independent nation, do you think that we as a people are truly free?
How would you describe Bahamian pride?
Do you think the vision of our forefathers for an independent Bahamas has been fully realized?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Independence
B. Constitution
C. Momentous
D. Significance
E. National Anthem
F. Watershed
G. Annals
H. Government
I. Strides
J. Govern
K. Celebrate
L. Splendor
M. Nation
Parliament Square Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
Why do you think Parliament Square is so significant to the history of The Bahamas?
Do you think Parliament Square should be modernized or should it remain the same?
What is your fondest memory of Parliament Square?
Where do you think Parliament Square ranks among all the historical sites in the Bahamas?
What do you think The Bahamas government should do to preserve this historical site for future generations of Bahamians?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Parliament
B. Distinguished
C. Political
D. Historical Era
E. prorogue
F. Assemble
G. National Events
H. Archaic
I. Monarch
J. Major Attraction
Civil Service Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
How important do you think is the efficient functioning of civil service to The Bahamas?
What do you think can be done to improve the quality of services that civil servants offer to the general public?
Do you think that civil servants are still committed to their jobs as they used to be in the past?
Do you think that downsizing civil service would be an effective solutions to improving many of its problems?
In the next decade, do you think the government will still be able to sustain the levels of employment for Bahamians that it currently does?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Service
B. Employer
C. Servant
D. Oversight
E. Authority
F. Salaries
G. Recipients
H. Resources
I. Ministries
J. Capital
K. Challenges
L. Pride
From College of The Bahamas (COB) to University of The Bahamas (UB) Open matching textbook reading
Reach question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
How would you rank the University of The Bahamas among other tertiary institutions in the country?
Since becoming the University of The Bahamas, how has this change in its status benefited Bahamians?
How could the University of Bahamas improve its courses and programs it offers to students?
What DO YOU think could be done to encourage more Bahamian students to study here at home?
Why do you think earning a university degree is so important to the future success of Bahamians?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Matriculate
B. Institution
C. Associates
D. Bachelors
E. Masters
F. Doctoral
G. College
H. University
I. Tertiary
J. Foresight
K. Exemplary
L. Visionary
M. Adulation
N. Faculty
Talk Show Fever Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
Do you think that opening the airwaves was a good move for the country?
How do you think that the proliferation of radio stations in The Bahamas has helped to enhance freedom of expression for Bahamians?
Since the issuance of licenses for private radio stations throughout The Bahamas, do you think that the quality of news reporting in the country has improved?
As a result of the transformation of the airwaves, do you think that accountability and transparency in public affairs have improved?
Since the introduction of talk shows to the Bahamian culture, do you think that Bahamians are now more comfortable with their role as advocates with voices for and of change?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Airwaves
B. Media
C. Political
D. Rife
E. Competition
F. Commentary
G. Bevy
H. Provocative
I. Intriguing
J. Topics
K. Advocates
L. Comfortable
Value Added Tax (VAT) Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
Do you think that VAT is a good way for The Bahamas to make money?
As a Bahamian, how have you been affected by this new tax system?
Instead of VAT, What other form of taxation do you think could have been better for The economy of The Bahamas?
Do you think that VAT has moved The Bahamas into a better place financially?
Understanding the importance of revenue for a country, what other ways do you think could help The Bahamas to make more money to meet the needs of and to care for its people?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Taxation
B. Essential
C. Economy
D. Improve
E. Strengthen
F. Vote
G. Majority
H. Prime Minister
I. Unanimously
J. House of Parliament
The Political Triumvirate Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
Why do you think the author chose this title?
What is the significance of these three men to Bahamian politics?
Do you think that The Hon. Hubert Ingraham could be considered the pace setter for the other two men?
Out of these three men, who do you think made the most significant contributions to The Bahamas and why?
How do you think the legacies of these three political giants will be remembered?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Triumvirate
B. Scholars
C. Political
D. Influence
E. Peregrination
F. Public Life
G. Agents of change
H. Fathom
National Insurance Board (NIB) Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
Do you agree with the author’s opening statement?
How has NIB help to provide for the Bahamian people?
Considering the many achievements in the history of The Bahamas, where would you rank the establishment of NIB?
How does NIB make its money?
After reading the passage, what have you learned about NIB that you never knew before?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. National Initiative
B. Blossomed
C. Envision
D. Establish
E. Support
F. Resident
G. Forefathers
H. Industry
I. Overseas
J. Civil Servants
Super Value Open matching textbook reading
Read each question carefully. Then, provide clear and thoughtful responses.
Do you think that Super Value is important to The Bahamas?
Where do you think Super Value ranks among its competitors?
What do you think cause so many Bahamians to shop at this local food market?
Since its early days, Super Value has substantially increased its prices, why do you think this has happened?
How do you think that more local food production could help to minimize the cost of rising food prices?
Using Words in Context:
Provide the meaning for the following vocabulary words in the passage. Then, use the words in sentences to demonstrate your understanding of their definition.
A. Establishment
B. Decade
C. Inflation
D. Manufacturer
E. Crippling
F. Pandemic
G. Mailboat
H. Gasoline
I. Soared
J. Prices