GCE O/L History study plan

Build a dated timeline of Sri Lanka's pre-colonial phases from the arrival of early settlers through the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods, placing at least 15 key events in correct sequence.

Explain the hydraulic civilisation of the dry zone by describing how irrigation works such as tanks and canals supported settlement, agriculture and state formation.

Identify the main early settlement sites and their significance, and state what archaeological and literary evidence tells us about each.

Describe the administrative and religious role of the monarchy in the Anuradhapura kingdom, using at least three specific rulers as examples.

Trace the shift of the political centre from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa and then to the south-western kingdoms, giving a reason for each move.

Compare the three colonial powers - Portuguese, Dutch and British - by the territories they controlled, their economic interests and their administrative methods.

Explain the causes and consequences of key anti-colonial uprisings, naming the leaders and outcomes of at least two.

Evaluate how colonial rule changed land use, taxation, transport and labour in Sri Lanka, citing at least three concrete changes.

Sequence the main milestones of the independence movement from early religious and social revival to the granting of independence, with correct dates.

Explain the contribution of at least four key figures or organisations to constitutional and political agitation.

Describe the constitutional reforms of the early twentieth century and explain how each expanded or limited local representation.

Distinguish between religious revival, social reform and political nationalism, and show how they interacted.

Outline the main political developments of the post-independence decades, including changes of government and constitutional change.

Explain the major nation-building challenges - citizenship, language, devolution and ethnic relations - and the policies adopted in response.

Assess the economic policy shifts from a welfare-oriented economy toward liberalisation, naming the periods involved.

Link at least three post-independence issues back to their colonial or pre-colonial origins.

Locate the major ancient civilisations on a blank map and state one defining geographic advantage for each.

Compare two river-valley civilisations by government, religion, writing and technology, using at least four points of comparison.

Describe the political organisation and lasting contributions of one classical empire in each of the following: South Asia, the Mediterranean and East Asia.

Explain how trade routes and cultural contact spread ideas, religions and technologies between civilisations, giving three examples.

Explain the causes and consequences of the fall of at least two major empires, distinguishing internal from external factors.

Define the Renaissance and identify its main features in art, learning and patronage with named examples.

Explain the causes of the Reformation and distinguish the main doctrinal positions that emerged.

Describe the technological and commercial drivers of the Age of Exploration and assess its consequences for both Europe and the regions it reached.

Compare the political, social and economic causes of two major revolutions and explain how their outcomes differed.

Explain how industrialisation changed work, class structure, cities and everyday life, with at least three specific examples.

Sequence the causes, main events and consequences of both world wars, keeping the two chronologies distinct.

Explain the main drivers of decolonisation after 1945 and how the Cold War shaped newly independent states.

Analyse primary and secondary sources by identifying origin, purpose, audience and bias, and state how each affects reliability.

Evaluate the strengths and limits of different source types, such as official records, memoirs, newspapers and archaeology.

Construct written answers that use evidence, explain causation and reach a supported judgement, within exam time limits.

Complete a full timed mock paper and identify the three weakest areas to revisit before the exam.