GCSE RS at STM

GCSE Unit 3.1 Exam Questions

Hopefully you will find this helpful with your revision for your end of unit test!

a) What does (KEYWORD) mean? (2)

1 b) Do you think children should follow the same religions as their parents? Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
2 b) Do you think miracles prove that God exists?
3 b) Do you think God designed the world?
4 b) Do you think God is the cause of the universe?
5 b) Do you think science shows that God did not design the world?
6 b) Do you think the scientific explanation of the universe shows that God exists?
7 b) Do you think unanswered prayers prove that God does not exist?
8 b) Do you think prayer is a waste of time?
9 b) Do you think evil and suffering show that God does not exist?
10 b) Do you think God allows us to suffer?
11 b) Do you think programmes about religion can affect your belief in God?
12 b) Do you think numinous experiences prove that God exists?

1 c) Explain how a Catholic upbringing can lead to, or support, belief in God. (8)
2 c) Explain how religious experience can lead to, or support, belief in God. (8)
3 c) Explain why the design argument leads some people to believe in God. (8)
4 c) Explain how the argument from causation proves that God exists. (8)
5 c) Explain why the scientific explanation of the world leads some people to become atheists or agnostics. (8)
6 c) Explain how Catholics respond to scientific explanations of the world.
7 c) Explain why unanswered prayers may lead some people to become atheists.
8 c) Explain how Catholics respond to unanswered prayers.
9 c) Explain how the existence of evil and suffering may lead some people to deny God’s existence.
10 c) Explain how Catholics respond to the problem of evil and suffering.
11 c) Choose one programme and explain how it might affect someone’s belief about God.
12 c) Explain why some people do not believe in God.

1 d) “A Catholic upbringing leads children to believe in God.”
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
2 d) “Religious experiences prove that God exists.”
3 d) “The design argument proves that God exists.”
4 d) “The argument from causation proves that God exists.”
5 d) “Science proves that God did not create the universe.”
6 d) “Science needs God to explain the universe.”
7 d) “God always answers prayers.”
8 d) “Unanswered prayers prove that God does not exist.”
9 d) “A loving God would not let us suffer.”
10 d) “Evil and suffering in the world prove that God does not exist.”
11 d) “Religious programmes on television or the radio encourage you to believe in God.”
12 d) “Considering the evidence, everyone should be an agnostic.”
13 d) “Ideas like the Big Bang make it impossible to believe in God.”
14 d) “If God really loved us, there would be no evil and suffering.”
15 d) “God does not answer prayers.”
16 d) “Miracles do not happen today.”
17 d) “Children should be allowed to make up their minds about whether to believe in God.”
18 d) “There is plenty of evidence that God exists.”
19 d) “No one can be sure that God exists.”
20 d) “The world has been designed by God.”
21 d) “Religious education helps people believe in God.”

Owing to popular demand, I have managed to complete another couple of revision slideshows, and if I manage to complete the fifth one, then I will add it here too. Then there will be a complete set of overview slideshows, one for each topic, showing four key points about each subheading in the syllabus, as well as a wide range of exam questions for you to practice. I know it’s short notice, but you never know, if even one of you finds something here that then helps you get a few extra marks in the exam, or reassures you that you know what you are talking about, then it will have been worth it.

Please leave a comment to let me know how you got on with these.

J1 Beliefs and Values

J2 Community and Tradition

J3 Worship and Celebration

J4 Living the Christian Life

J5 A Place of Christian Worship

Here are the exam questions from last year’s exam paper. I suggest that you look at the 2006 paper first, though, since I would not expect as much repetition from last year’s paper.

1.
a) What is the incarnation? (2)
b) Outline Christian beliefs about God as creator. (6)
c) Explain why the resurrection of Jesus is important for Christians. (8)
d) “All Christians should believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4)

2.
a) What is reconciliation? (2)
b) Outline the parable of the Good Samaritan. (6)
c) Explain why the belief in God as Father is important for Christians. (8)
d) “It doesn’t matter if you sin, as long as you say sorry to God.” Do you agree? (4)

3.
a) What is celibacy? (2)
b) Outline Catholic beliefs about the Bible. (6)
c) Explain why Christians describe the Church as the Body of Christ. (8)
d) “The Church needs women priests.” (4)

4.
a) What is dogma? (2)
b) Outline the role of the laity. (6)
c) Explain why the Pope is important for Catholics. (8)
d) “The Church shouldn’t be called ‘One’ because there are so many different Christian Churches.” Do you agree? (4)

5.
a) What are vows? (2)
b) Outline the main features of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (6)
c) Explain why celebrating Holy Week is important for Catholics. (8)
d) “All Christians should celebrate the Eucharist in the same way.” Do you agree? (4)

6.
a) What is chrism? (2)
b) Outline the main features of the Sacrament of Confirmation. (6)
c) Explain why Catholics celebrate Christmas. (8)
d) “Only adults should be baptised.” Do you agree? (4)

7.
a) Who are the oppressed? (2)
b) Outline what the Sermon on the Mount teaches about displaying religion. (6)
c) Explain how keeping the Ten Commandments shows respect for God. (8)
d) “Serving others is too difficult.” (4)

8.
a) What is compassion? (2)
b) Outline how one twentieth century Christian has shown service to others. (6)
c) Explain why the Golden Rule is important for Christians. (8)
d) “The Ten Commandments are out of date.” (4)

9.
a) Describe the main features of a Catholic Church or cathedral. (4)
b) Explain why there are differences in Christian places of worship. (8)
c) “The priest has no role to play in the local community today.” (8)

I am copying the questions here for you to use in your revision over the next couple of days. All the best!

2006 Exam Paper

1.
a) What is forgiveness? (2)
b) Outline Christian beliefs about Jesus. (6)
c) Explain why salvation is important for Christians. (8)
d) “It is impossible to believe in the Trinity today.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4)

2.
a) What is the Trinity? (2)
b) Outline Christian beliefs about God as Father. (6)
c) Explain why the love of others is important for Christians. (8)
d)”The crucifixion of Jesus was a waste of his life.”

3.
a) What is apostolic succession? (2)
b) Outline the role of a bishop. (6)
c) Explain why Christians say that the Church is catholic. (8)
d) “Catholics pay too much attention to the Virgin Mary.” Do you agree?

4.
a) What is the communion of saints? (2)
b) Outline Catholic beliefs about the Church. (6)
c) Explain why the celibacy of the clergy is important for Catholics. (8)
d) “The Church is the only way to God.”

5.
a) What is Easter? (2)
b) Outline how Catholics celebrate Holy Week. (6)
c) Explain why the Mass is important for Catholics. (8)
d) “Confirmation is the most important sacrament.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4)

6.
a) What is meant by the real presence? (2)
b) Outline what happens during the sacrament of anointing of the sick. (6)
c) Explain why Lent is important for Catholics. (8)
d) “True Catholics go to Mass every Sunday.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4)

7.
a) What is the Sermon on the Mount? (2)
b) Outline what the Ten Commandments say about showing respect for God. (6)
c) Explain why Christians should serve others. (8)
d) “Jesus is the only example Christians should follow.” (4)

8.
a) What is service to others? (2)
b) Outline the teachings of The Sermon on the Mount about Christians and money. (6)
c) Explain how keeping the Ten Commandments shows respect for other people. (8)
d) “Catholics should never judge other people.”

9.
a) Outline the role and function of the church in the local community, or of the cathedral in the local diocese. (4)
b) Choose a Catholic church or cathedral, and explain why it has certain architectural and other features. (8)
c) “All Christians should worship in the same way.” Do you agree? (4)

To practice your KEY WORDS (for both Year 10s and Year 11s) – Click here.

To purchase Revision Podcasts, click here.

To download free Revision Podcasts that I have recorded – click here.

To download the Year 10 overview Revision Podcast – click here.

Unit J Revision Slideshare – Click here.

J1 Beliefs and Values Revision Slideshare – Click here.

J2 Community and Tradition Revision Slideshare – Click here.

Unit C Revision Slideshare – Click here.

C3 Marriage and Family Life Revision Slideshare – Click here.

C2 Matters of Life and Death GCSE Bitesize – Click here for beliefs in life after death and click here for the sanctity of life.

To view a variety of Year 10 and Year 11 exam questions – click here.

I am slowly uploading all the key words as flash cards on an excellent site that I have found called Quizlet. You can practice your words, then test yourself, and they seem to really work. I now know that the capital of Alaska is Juneau, which I’ll probably never forget after having a go with another set of cards. You can also sign up and create your own flashcards for any subject that you need to learn either key words for, or you could just make them questions and answers.

Click on the link for the set of key words you want to practice:

Year 10/Resits – Unit J

J1 Beliefs and Values

J2 Community and Tradition

J3 Community and Tradition

J4 Living the Christian Life

Year 11 – Unit C

C1 Believing in God – Click here for a variety of games to test these words.

C2 Matters of Life and Death

C3 Marriage and Family Life

C4 Social Harmony

Drop me a line to let me know how you get on!

Homework is due on Thursday 12 February.

a) What is Holy Week? (2 marks)
b) Outline what Catholics do to mark Lent. (6 marks)
c) Explain why Christmas is important for Christians. (8 marks)
d) “Easter is more important than Christmas.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4 marks)

Homework due on Friday 13 February.

a) What is promiscuity? (2 marks)
b) Outline the attitude of the Catholic Church to homosexuality. (6 marks)
c) Explain how Churches help to keep the family together. (8 marks)
d) “No Christian can be a homosexual.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4 marks)

Very basic revision notes.

Homework due on Friday 6 February.

a) What is a reconstituted family? (2 marks)
b) Outline ways in which the Church helps with the upbringing of children. (6 marks)
c) Explain how the marriage service shows the purposes of marriage for Christians. (8 marks)
d) “Without religion, family life would collapse.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4 marks)