GCSE RS at STM

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)

I have uploaded a number of slideshows/presentations to the excellent slide sharing site, www.slideshare.net. Other students who are sitting your exams have left messages to say that they have found some of them helpful (and some not so!). Here they all are in one post. Remember, they are all intended just to support your other revision, and do not simply “play” them, but click through each slide at your own paste. Feel free to leave a comment to say whether or not you have found them useful!

Unit J Overview

J1: Beliefs and Values

J2: Community and Tradition

J2: C&T Revision Tasks

J4.1 10 Commandments

J4.2 10 Commandments

J4.3 Law of Moses

J4.4 Displaying Religion

J4.6 Judgement

J4.7 Golden Rule

J4.9 Helping those in need

Unit C Revision Slide

C3 Marriage and Family Life

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!

This post is for all new Year 10s. I have uploaded a new podcast welcoming you to the start of your GCSE, and briefly outlining what you will be studying this year.

To listen to this episode, click the following link:
Listen to this episode

To download this episode (probably a good idea … it is over 10 mins long, so you might want to listen to it in bits!), click the following link:
Download this episode (right click and save)

I hope this gives you a good idea of what you will be learning about this year!