Specification B: Paper 3
Religious Studies B
GCSE (9–1)
Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3A – Catholic Christianity Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Instructions • • • • •
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Answer all questions. Answer the questions in the space provided. Use a separate sheet of paper where instructed. Read each question carefully before you start to answer it. Try to answer every question. Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Information • •
The total mark for this paper is 102. The marks for each question are shown in brackets – use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question. Questions labelled with an asterisk (*) are ones where the quality of your written communication will be assessed. You should take particular care on these questions with your spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as the use of specialist terminology.
Question 1
50
(a)
Outline three features of the Big Bang Theory.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why Pentecost is important for Catholics.
(4)
GCSE Religious Studies
(c)
Explain two ways in which it can be argued that science has proven the Bible to be false. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
*(d)
(5)
Genesis 1:1–2, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. Now the Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Catholic Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 1 = 27 marks)
Question 2 (a)
Outline three purposes of marriage for Catholics.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why either directly or indirectly experiencing a miracle might help some people to believe in God.
(c)
(4)
Explain two reasons why some believe the Bible proves that there is an afterlife. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(5)
Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
51
(d)
“Near-death experiences help to prove God’s existence.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Catholic Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 2 = 24 marks)
Question 3 (a)
Outline three purposes of confession for Catholic Christians.
(3)
(b)
Explain two ways in which the Pope tries to set an example to Catholics.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why some believe that all Catholics should attend confession every week.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
*(d)
“The Catholic liturgy is now outdated and should be replaced.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Catholic Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 3 = 27 marks)
52
GCSE Religious Studies
Question 4 (a)
Outline three Church teachings about prejudice and discrimination.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why living in today’s society could be difficult for Catholic Christians.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why it can be argued that Catholics should give money to charity.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
(d)
“Money, more than any other factor, still splits the world and leads to discrimination.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Catholic Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 4 = 24 marks)
Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
53
Religious Studies B
GCSE (9–1)
Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3B – Christianity Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Instructions • • • • •
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Answer all questions. Answer the questions in the space provided. Use a separate sheet of paper where instructed. Read each question carefully before you start to answer it. Try to answer every question. Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Information • •
The total mark for this paper is 102. The marks for each question are shown in brackets – use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question. Questions labelled with an asterisk (*) are ones where the quality of your written communication will be assessed. You should take particular care on these questions with your spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as the use of specialist terminology.
Question 1
54
(a)
Outline three features of the Big Bang Theory.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why Pentecost is important for Christians.
(4)
GCSE Religious Studies
(c)
Explain two ways in which it can be argued that science has proven the Bible to be false. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
*(d)
(5)
Genesis 1:1–2, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. Now the Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 1 = 27 marks)
Question 2 (a)
Outline three purposes of marriage for Christians.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why either directly or indirectly experiencing a miracle might help some people to believe in God.
(c)
(4)
Explain two reasons why some believe the Bible proves that there is an afterlife. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(5)
Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
55
(d)
“Near-death experiences help to prove God’s existence.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 2 = 24 marks)
Question 3 (a)
Outline three purposes of confessing sins for Christians.
(3)
(b)
Explain two ways in which archbishops can try to set an example to Christians.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why Christians may read the Bible every day.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
56
GCSE Religious Studies
*(d)
“The traditional Christian liturgy is now outdated and should be replaced.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 3 = 27 marks)
Question 4 (a)
Outline three Church teachings about prejudice and discrimination.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why living in today’s society could be difficult for Christians.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why it can be argued that Christians should give money to charity.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
(d)
“Money, more than any other factor, still splits the world and leads to discrimination.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 4 = 24 marks) Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
57
Answers PRACTICE EXAM PAPERS
SPaG
For questions worth 15 marks, use the following mark scheme to assess your answers:
0 marks for:
• •
12 of the marks are for the quality of your evaluation 3 of the marks are for your spelling, punctuation and grammar and use of specialist terminology (SPaG).
• • •
writing nothing. a response that does not relate to the question. errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar that severely hinder meaning.
1–3 marks for:
1 mark for:
•
identifying information/issues and making superficial connections among a limited range of elements in the question, underpinned by isolated elements of understanding of religion and belief.
•
spelling and punctuating with reasonable accuracy.
•
using rules of grammar with some control of meaning and any errors do not significantly hinder meaning overall.
judgements that are supported by generic arguments to produce a conclusion that is not fully justified.
•
a limited range of specialist terms used as appropriate.
•
4–6 marks for:
• •
making superficial connections among many, but not all, of the elements in the question, underpinned by a limited understanding of religion and belief. making judgements of a limited range of elements in the question. Judgements are supported by an attempt to appraise evidence, much of which may be superficial, leading to a conclusion that is not fully justified.
7–9 marks for:
•
•
deconstructing religious information/issues, leading to coherent and logical chains of reasoning that consider different viewpoints. These are underpinned by an accurate understanding of religion and belief. Connections are made among many, but not all, of the elements in the question. constructing coherent and reasoned judgements of many, but not all, of the elements in the question. Judgements are supported by the appraisal of evidence, some of which may be superficial, leading to a partially justified conclusion.
10–12 marks for:
•
critically deconstructing religious information/issues, leading to coherent and logical chains of reasoning that consider different viewpoints. These are underpinned by a sustained, accurate and thorough understanding of religion and belief. Connections are made among the full range of elements in the question.
•
constructing coherent and reasoned judgements of the full range of elements in the question. Judgements are fully supported by the comprehensive appraisal of evidence, leading to a fully justified conclusion.
GCSE Religious Studies
2 marks for:
• • •
spelling and punctuating with considerable accuracy. using rules of grammar with general control of meaning overall. using a good range of specialist terms as appropriate.
3 marks for:
• •
spelling and punctuating with consistent accuracy.
•
using a wide range of specialist terms as appropriate.
using rules of grammar with effective control of meaning overall.
These answers list sample points that you might include in your responses. You may be able to provide other credit-worthy points not listed here.
PRACTICE EXAM PAPERS: SPECIFICATION B Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3A – Catholic Christianity Page 50 – Question 1 (a) The event happened by chance; there was no cause; the universe is still expanding; it happened roughly 13.7 billion years ago. (b) It saw the Holy Spirit descend to Earth following Jesus’ ascension; it allowed the 12 disciples to act within the power of God. (c) Science is now able to explain many things not known when the Bible was written; advances in technology have allowed scientists much greater insights; they can now see further into space and more closely at cellular level; this has, for some, raised questions about the accuracy of the Genesis creation story. (d) Catholics believe that God has always existed; He was the ‘cause’ for the universe; God may have used the Big Bang to start the creation of the universe; they also believe that the Trinity are equal parts of the same single God; despite the common mistake – God the Father did not create God the Son; the Holy Spirit was not created at Pentecost; Jesus was fully human and fully God, even at His birth; He had been present at the start of the universe and became flesh when He came to Earth.
Page 51 – Question 2 (a) To express love; to declare a commitment; to have sex; to have children. (b) They may feel closer to God by experiencing something of Him; confirm a belief that they did not have before; reassure them about the afterlife. (c) Heaven is described in many different ways throughout the Bible; it is depicted as being the place where God dwells; there are numerous descriptions in Revelation; hell is described as being the absence of God; hell is where Lucifer dwells with the fallen angels; the presence of heaven in the Bible helps to guide how Catholics live their lives in terms of judgement. (d) Many near-death experiences share similarities supporting their authenticity; a tunnel, a bright light, seeing their bodies below them, watching key events from their lives; sometimes visiting heaven and hell – whilst hearing the voice of God without seeing Him; these experiences can never be verified; they are always going to be personal only; in terms of evidence, they are often only seen as proof by those who already believe in God; Catholics could argue that the supernatural shows that there is something beyond this life; as medical thinking cannot explain near-death experiences, it strengthens the argument that God is responsible for them.
Page 52 – Question 3 (a) Confess sins committed; seek forgiveness; seek guidance for penance from their priest; Jesus called upon people to confess their sins. (b) Follows the teachings of the Bible and instructs all followers to do the same; Pope Francis has spent much of his time with those on the extremes of society, following the example of Jesus. (c) The Bible recognises that everyone but Christ sins; it is likely that all Catholics sin each week; confession is available for Catholics throughout the week, and can be used whenever sin is committed; even if no mortal sin has been committed, sins of the heart may have been committed; confession allows a Catholic to draw nearer to God. (d) The liturgy is primarily based on scripture; the Bible will never be outdated as it is the Word of God; Catholics find comfort and security in the routine of the liturgy; it allows them to find God in the same ways each week and to show their beliefs in almost any Catholic church without having
to learn a different way to worship; Catholics used to follow the liturgy when it was written in Latin; translating the liturgy to English brought much opposition; however, almost all Catholics are now able to follow the liturgy in their own language and worship God much more easily; some Catholic churches have changed and adapted the songs that they sing alongside the traditional liturgy to help make worship more relevant.
Page 53 – Question 4 (a) All are created equal; the Parable of the Good Samaritan shows how all are neighbours to each other; in Galatians 3:28 Paul states how all are equal; all humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). (b) Many of the Ten Commandments are easy to break, some online without anyone really knowing that sin has taken place; in the UK, only around 5% of the population attends church regularly, meaning that much of society leads a secular life, away from Christian teaching. (c) The Parable of the Widow’s Mite highlights the fact that money should not be held too tightly; when Jesus met with the rich young man, the man explained all the good he was doing; however, he could not let go of his money and this could separate him from God; many charities fighting poverty were either founded by Christians or are still run by them; allowing others to suffer because of poverty, when it could be changed, is not loving in any way. (d) Many people suffer with greed as almost an addiction; 1 Timothy 6:10: ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil’; this key verse illustrates that the desire for money causes people to sin; Matthew 6:24: ‘No one can serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other.’; making wealth the focus of your life will split you from God and split you from those who should be loved, as the Bible shows; 33% of the world’s wealth is held by 3% of the population; just 1% of the world’s wealth is held by 50% of the world’s population; even within countries, class and social situations can change the potential income that someone can achieve; areas of towns and cities can be restricted to those who are poor; a major cause of division is ignorance; racism could be argued to be the main factor; reference to major genocides that have occurred.
Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3B – Christianity Page 54 – Question 1 (a) The event happened by chance; there was no cause; the universe is still expanding; it happened roughly 13.7 billion years ago. (b) It saw the Holy Spirit descend to Earth following Jesus’ ascension; it allowed the 12 disciples to act within the power of God. (c) Science is now able to explain many things not known when the Bible was written; advances in technology have allowed scientists much greater insights; they can now see further into space and more closely at cellular level; this has, for some, raised questions about the accuracy of the Genesis creation story. (d) Christians believe that God has always existed; He was the ‘cause’ for the universe; God may have used the Big Bang to start the creation of the universe; they also believe that the Trinity are equal parts of the same single God; despite the common mistake – God the Father did not create God the Son; the Holy Spirit was not created at Pentecost; Jesus was fully human and fully God, even at His birth; He had been present at the start of the universe and became flesh when He came to Earth.
Answers
Answers Page 55 – Question 2
Page 57 – Question 4
(a) To express love; to declare a commitment; to have sex; to have children. (b) They may feel closer to God by experiencing something of Him; confirm a belief that they did not have before; reassure them about the afterlife. (c) Heaven is described in many different ways throughout the Bible; it is depicted as being the place where God dwells; there are numerous descriptions in Revelation; hell is described as being the absence of God; hell is where Lucifer dwells with the fallen angels; the presence of heaven in the Bible helps to guide how Christians live their lives in terms of judgement. (d) Many near-death experienecs share similarities supporting their authenticity; a tunnel, a bright light, seeing their bodies below them, watching key events from their lives; sometimes visiting heaven and hell – whilst hearing the voice of God without seeing Him; these experiences can never be verified; they are always going to be personal only; in terms of evidence, they are often only seen as proof by those who already believe in God; Christians could argue that the supernatural shows that there is something beyond this life; as medical thinking cannot explain near-death experiences, it strengthens the argument that God is responsible for them.
(a) All are created equal; the Parable of the Good Samaritan shows how all are neighbours to each other; in Galatians 3:28, Paul states how all are equal; all humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). (b) Many of the Ten Commandments are easy to break, some online without anyone really knowing that sin has taken place; in the UK, only around 5% of the population attends church regularly, meaning that much of society leads a secular life, away from Christian teaching. (c) The Parable of the Widow’s Mite highlights the fact that money should not be held too tightly; when Jesus met with the rich young man, the man explained all the good he was doing; however, he could not let go of his money and this could separate him from God; many charities fighting poverty were either founded by Christians or are still run by them; allowing others to suffer whilst living in luxury could be seen as being selfish. (d) Many people suffer with greed as almost an addiction; 1 Timothy 6:10: ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil’; this key verse illustrates that the desire for money causes people to sin; Matthew 6:24: ‘No one can serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other.’; making wealth the focus of your life will split you from God and split you from those who should be loved, as the Bible shows; 33% of the world’s wealth is held by 3% of the population; just 1% of the world’s wealth is held by 50% of the world’s population; even within countries, class and social situations can change the potential income that someone can achieve; areas of towns and cities can be restricted to those who are poor; a major cause of division is ignorance; racism could be argued to be the main factor; reference to major genocides that have occurred.
Page 56 – Question 3 (a) Jesus called upon people to confess their sins seek forgiveness; it helps Christians to examine their lives and consider where they are disobeying God. (b) Follow the teachings of the Bible and instruct all followers to do the same; spend time with those on the extremes of society, following the example of Jesus and showing others how to love. (c) Many Christians feel compelled to read the Bible in its entirety during their lifetime; reading even a few verses each day can allow God to speak to each Christian; by studying the Bible, Christians can learn more about the history and nature of God; as it is the Word of God, Christians believe that the Bible can guide their decision-making (2 Timothy 3:16); Colossians 3:16: ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.’ (d) The liturgy is primarily based on scripture; the Bible will never be outdated as it is the Word of God; many Christians find comfort and security in the routine of the liturgy; it allows them to find God in the same ways each week and to show their beliefs in almost any church without having to learn a different way to worship; Catholics used to follow the liturgy when it was written in Latin; translating the liturgy to English brought much opposition; however, almost all Catholics are now able to follow the liturgy in their own language and worship God much more easily; many churches have changed and adapted the songs that they sing alongside the traditional liturgy to help make worship more relevant; the liturgy has been modernised in many churches, with many looking at what was simply tradition and what was biblical.
GCSE Religious Studies
GCSE (9–1)
Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3A – Catholic Christianity Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Instructions • • • • •
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Answer all questions. Answer the questions in the space provided. Use a separate sheet of paper where instructed. Read each question carefully before you start to answer it. Try to answer every question. Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Information • •
The total mark for this paper is 102. The marks for each question are shown in brackets – use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question. Questions labelled with an asterisk (*) are ones where the quality of your written communication will be assessed. You should take particular care on these questions with your spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as the use of specialist terminology.
Question 1
50
(a)
Outline three features of the Big Bang Theory.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why Pentecost is important for Catholics.
(4)
GCSE Religious Studies
(c)
Explain two ways in which it can be argued that science has proven the Bible to be false. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
*(d)
(5)
Genesis 1:1–2, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. Now the Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Catholic Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 1 = 27 marks)
Question 2 (a)
Outline three purposes of marriage for Catholics.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why either directly or indirectly experiencing a miracle might help some people to believe in God.
(c)
(4)
Explain two reasons why some believe the Bible proves that there is an afterlife. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(5)
Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
51
(d)
“Near-death experiences help to prove God’s existence.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Catholic Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 2 = 24 marks)
Question 3 (a)
Outline three purposes of confession for Catholic Christians.
(3)
(b)
Explain two ways in which the Pope tries to set an example to Catholics.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why some believe that all Catholics should attend confession every week.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
*(d)
“The Catholic liturgy is now outdated and should be replaced.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Catholic Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 3 = 27 marks)
52
GCSE Religious Studies
Question 4 (a)
Outline three Church teachings about prejudice and discrimination.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why living in today’s society could be difficult for Catholic Christians.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why it can be argued that Catholics should give money to charity.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
(d)
“Money, more than any other factor, still splits the world and leads to discrimination.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Catholic Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 4 = 24 marks)
Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
53
Religious Studies B
GCSE (9–1)
Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3B – Christianity Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Instructions • • • • •
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Answer all questions. Answer the questions in the space provided. Use a separate sheet of paper where instructed. Read each question carefully before you start to answer it. Try to answer every question. Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Information • •
The total mark for this paper is 102. The marks for each question are shown in brackets – use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question. Questions labelled with an asterisk (*) are ones where the quality of your written communication will be assessed. You should take particular care on these questions with your spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as the use of specialist terminology.
Question 1
54
(a)
Outline three features of the Big Bang Theory.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why Pentecost is important for Christians.
(4)
GCSE Religious Studies
(c)
Explain two ways in which it can be argued that science has proven the Bible to be false. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
*(d)
(5)
Genesis 1:1–2, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. Now the Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 1 = 27 marks)
Question 2 (a)
Outline three purposes of marriage for Christians.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why either directly or indirectly experiencing a miracle might help some people to believe in God.
(c)
(4)
Explain two reasons why some believe the Bible proves that there is an afterlife. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(5)
Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
55
(d)
“Near-death experiences help to prove God’s existence.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 2 = 24 marks)
Question 3 (a)
Outline three purposes of confessing sins for Christians.
(3)
(b)
Explain two ways in which archbishops can try to set an example to Christians.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why Christians may read the Bible every day.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
56
GCSE Religious Studies
*(d)
“The traditional Christian liturgy is now outdated and should be replaced.” Evaluate this statement, considering more than one viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(15) (Total for Question 3 = 27 marks)
Question 4 (a)
Outline three Church teachings about prejudice and discrimination.
(3)
(b)
Explain two reasons why living in today’s society could be difficult for Christians.
(4)
(c)
Explain two reasons why it can be argued that Christians should give money to charity.
(5)
In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
(d)
“Money, more than any other factor, still splits the world and leads to discrimination.” Evaluate this statement. You must refer to both Christian and non-religious viewpoints in your answer. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
(12) (Total for Question 4 = 24 marks) Practice Exam Paper: Specification B
57
Answers PRACTICE EXAM PAPERS
SPaG
For questions worth 15 marks, use the following mark scheme to assess your answers:
0 marks for:
• •
12 of the marks are for the quality of your evaluation 3 of the marks are for your spelling, punctuation and grammar and use of specialist terminology (SPaG).
• • •
writing nothing. a response that does not relate to the question. errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar that severely hinder meaning.
1–3 marks for:
1 mark for:
•
identifying information/issues and making superficial connections among a limited range of elements in the question, underpinned by isolated elements of understanding of religion and belief.
•
spelling and punctuating with reasonable accuracy.
•
using rules of grammar with some control of meaning and any errors do not significantly hinder meaning overall.
judgements that are supported by generic arguments to produce a conclusion that is not fully justified.
•
a limited range of specialist terms used as appropriate.
•
4–6 marks for:
• •
making superficial connections among many, but not all, of the elements in the question, underpinned by a limited understanding of religion and belief. making judgements of a limited range of elements in the question. Judgements are supported by an attempt to appraise evidence, much of which may be superficial, leading to a conclusion that is not fully justified.
7–9 marks for:
•
•
deconstructing religious information/issues, leading to coherent and logical chains of reasoning that consider different viewpoints. These are underpinned by an accurate understanding of religion and belief. Connections are made among many, but not all, of the elements in the question. constructing coherent and reasoned judgements of many, but not all, of the elements in the question. Judgements are supported by the appraisal of evidence, some of which may be superficial, leading to a partially justified conclusion.
10–12 marks for:
•
critically deconstructing religious information/issues, leading to coherent and logical chains of reasoning that consider different viewpoints. These are underpinned by a sustained, accurate and thorough understanding of religion and belief. Connections are made among the full range of elements in the question.
•
constructing coherent and reasoned judgements of the full range of elements in the question. Judgements are fully supported by the comprehensive appraisal of evidence, leading to a fully justified conclusion.
GCSE Religious Studies
2 marks for:
• • •
spelling and punctuating with considerable accuracy. using rules of grammar with general control of meaning overall. using a good range of specialist terms as appropriate.
3 marks for:
• •
spelling and punctuating with consistent accuracy.
•
using a wide range of specialist terms as appropriate.
using rules of grammar with effective control of meaning overall.
These answers list sample points that you might include in your responses. You may be able to provide other credit-worthy points not listed here.
PRACTICE EXAM PAPERS: SPECIFICATION B Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3A – Catholic Christianity Page 50 – Question 1 (a) The event happened by chance; there was no cause; the universe is still expanding; it happened roughly 13.7 billion years ago. (b) It saw the Holy Spirit descend to Earth following Jesus’ ascension; it allowed the 12 disciples to act within the power of God. (c) Science is now able to explain many things not known when the Bible was written; advances in technology have allowed scientists much greater insights; they can now see further into space and more closely at cellular level; this has, for some, raised questions about the accuracy of the Genesis creation story. (d) Catholics believe that God has always existed; He was the ‘cause’ for the universe; God may have used the Big Bang to start the creation of the universe; they also believe that the Trinity are equal parts of the same single God; despite the common mistake – God the Father did not create God the Son; the Holy Spirit was not created at Pentecost; Jesus was fully human and fully God, even at His birth; He had been present at the start of the universe and became flesh when He came to Earth.
Page 51 – Question 2 (a) To express love; to declare a commitment; to have sex; to have children. (b) They may feel closer to God by experiencing something of Him; confirm a belief that they did not have before; reassure them about the afterlife. (c) Heaven is described in many different ways throughout the Bible; it is depicted as being the place where God dwells; there are numerous descriptions in Revelation; hell is described as being the absence of God; hell is where Lucifer dwells with the fallen angels; the presence of heaven in the Bible helps to guide how Catholics live their lives in terms of judgement. (d) Many near-death experiences share similarities supporting their authenticity; a tunnel, a bright light, seeing their bodies below them, watching key events from their lives; sometimes visiting heaven and hell – whilst hearing the voice of God without seeing Him; these experiences can never be verified; they are always going to be personal only; in terms of evidence, they are often only seen as proof by those who already believe in God; Catholics could argue that the supernatural shows that there is something beyond this life; as medical thinking cannot explain near-death experiences, it strengthens the argument that God is responsible for them.
Page 52 – Question 3 (a) Confess sins committed; seek forgiveness; seek guidance for penance from their priest; Jesus called upon people to confess their sins. (b) Follows the teachings of the Bible and instructs all followers to do the same; Pope Francis has spent much of his time with those on the extremes of society, following the example of Jesus. (c) The Bible recognises that everyone but Christ sins; it is likely that all Catholics sin each week; confession is available for Catholics throughout the week, and can be used whenever sin is committed; even if no mortal sin has been committed, sins of the heart may have been committed; confession allows a Catholic to draw nearer to God. (d) The liturgy is primarily based on scripture; the Bible will never be outdated as it is the Word of God; Catholics find comfort and security in the routine of the liturgy; it allows them to find God in the same ways each week and to show their beliefs in almost any Catholic church without having
to learn a different way to worship; Catholics used to follow the liturgy when it was written in Latin; translating the liturgy to English brought much opposition; however, almost all Catholics are now able to follow the liturgy in their own language and worship God much more easily; some Catholic churches have changed and adapted the songs that they sing alongside the traditional liturgy to help make worship more relevant.
Page 53 – Question 4 (a) All are created equal; the Parable of the Good Samaritan shows how all are neighbours to each other; in Galatians 3:28 Paul states how all are equal; all humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). (b) Many of the Ten Commandments are easy to break, some online without anyone really knowing that sin has taken place; in the UK, only around 5% of the population attends church regularly, meaning that much of society leads a secular life, away from Christian teaching. (c) The Parable of the Widow’s Mite highlights the fact that money should not be held too tightly; when Jesus met with the rich young man, the man explained all the good he was doing; however, he could not let go of his money and this could separate him from God; many charities fighting poverty were either founded by Christians or are still run by them; allowing others to suffer because of poverty, when it could be changed, is not loving in any way. (d) Many people suffer with greed as almost an addiction; 1 Timothy 6:10: ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil’; this key verse illustrates that the desire for money causes people to sin; Matthew 6:24: ‘No one can serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other.’; making wealth the focus of your life will split you from God and split you from those who should be loved, as the Bible shows; 33% of the world’s wealth is held by 3% of the population; just 1% of the world’s wealth is held by 50% of the world’s population; even within countries, class and social situations can change the potential income that someone can achieve; areas of towns and cities can be restricted to those who are poor; a major cause of division is ignorance; racism could be argued to be the main factor; reference to major genocides that have occurred.
Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice Option 3B – Christianity Page 54 – Question 1 (a) The event happened by chance; there was no cause; the universe is still expanding; it happened roughly 13.7 billion years ago. (b) It saw the Holy Spirit descend to Earth following Jesus’ ascension; it allowed the 12 disciples to act within the power of God. (c) Science is now able to explain many things not known when the Bible was written; advances in technology have allowed scientists much greater insights; they can now see further into space and more closely at cellular level; this has, for some, raised questions about the accuracy of the Genesis creation story. (d) Christians believe that God has always existed; He was the ‘cause’ for the universe; God may have used the Big Bang to start the creation of the universe; they also believe that the Trinity are equal parts of the same single God; despite the common mistake – God the Father did not create God the Son; the Holy Spirit was not created at Pentecost; Jesus was fully human and fully God, even at His birth; He had been present at the start of the universe and became flesh when He came to Earth.
Answers
Answers Page 55 – Question 2
Page 57 – Question 4
(a) To express love; to declare a commitment; to have sex; to have children. (b) They may feel closer to God by experiencing something of Him; confirm a belief that they did not have before; reassure them about the afterlife. (c) Heaven is described in many different ways throughout the Bible; it is depicted as being the place where God dwells; there are numerous descriptions in Revelation; hell is described as being the absence of God; hell is where Lucifer dwells with the fallen angels; the presence of heaven in the Bible helps to guide how Christians live their lives in terms of judgement. (d) Many near-death experienecs share similarities supporting their authenticity; a tunnel, a bright light, seeing their bodies below them, watching key events from their lives; sometimes visiting heaven and hell – whilst hearing the voice of God without seeing Him; these experiences can never be verified; they are always going to be personal only; in terms of evidence, they are often only seen as proof by those who already believe in God; Christians could argue that the supernatural shows that there is something beyond this life; as medical thinking cannot explain near-death experiences, it strengthens the argument that God is responsible for them.
(a) All are created equal; the Parable of the Good Samaritan shows how all are neighbours to each other; in Galatians 3:28, Paul states how all are equal; all humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). (b) Many of the Ten Commandments are easy to break, some online without anyone really knowing that sin has taken place; in the UK, only around 5% of the population attends church regularly, meaning that much of society leads a secular life, away from Christian teaching. (c) The Parable of the Widow’s Mite highlights the fact that money should not be held too tightly; when Jesus met with the rich young man, the man explained all the good he was doing; however, he could not let go of his money and this could separate him from God; many charities fighting poverty were either founded by Christians or are still run by them; allowing others to suffer whilst living in luxury could be seen as being selfish. (d) Many people suffer with greed as almost an addiction; 1 Timothy 6:10: ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil’; this key verse illustrates that the desire for money causes people to sin; Matthew 6:24: ‘No one can serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other.’; making wealth the focus of your life will split you from God and split you from those who should be loved, as the Bible shows; 33% of the world’s wealth is held by 3% of the population; just 1% of the world’s wealth is held by 50% of the world’s population; even within countries, class and social situations can change the potential income that someone can achieve; areas of towns and cities can be restricted to those who are poor; a major cause of division is ignorance; racism could be argued to be the main factor; reference to major genocides that have occurred.
Page 56 – Question 3 (a) Jesus called upon people to confess their sins seek forgiveness; it helps Christians to examine their lives and consider where they are disobeying God. (b) Follow the teachings of the Bible and instruct all followers to do the same; spend time with those on the extremes of society, following the example of Jesus and showing others how to love. (c) Many Christians feel compelled to read the Bible in its entirety during their lifetime; reading even a few verses each day can allow God to speak to each Christian; by studying the Bible, Christians can learn more about the history and nature of God; as it is the Word of God, Christians believe that the Bible can guide their decision-making (2 Timothy 3:16); Colossians 3:16: ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.’ (d) The liturgy is primarily based on scripture; the Bible will never be outdated as it is the Word of God; many Christians find comfort and security in the routine of the liturgy; it allows them to find God in the same ways each week and to show their beliefs in almost any church without having to learn a different way to worship; Catholics used to follow the liturgy when it was written in Latin; translating the liturgy to English brought much opposition; however, almost all Catholics are now able to follow the liturgy in their own language and worship God much more easily; many churches have changed and adapted the songs that they sing alongside the traditional liturgy to help make worship more relevant; the liturgy has been modernised in many churches, with many looking at what was simply tradition and what was biblical.
GCSE Religious Studies
