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)

Homework due on Monday 9 March.

Imagine you are Peter. Write the diary entry entries for each day during Holy Week. There are sentence starters below to help you. (If you prefer, you could choose Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Caiaphas the High Priest, Pontius Pilate or a Jewish pilgrim to Jerusalem instead.)

Sunday. What an amazing day! We walked into Jerusalem, Jesus riding on a donkey, with people waving palm branches and …

Monday. I’m really nervous. I’ve never seen Jesus like this before. He …

Tuesday. Today Jesus taught us …

Wednesday. It was nice to stay at home today.

Thursday. What a terrible, terrible day. I’ll never be able to look Jesus in the eye again. I’m so, so scared. It had all started off so pleasantly, when we …

You could include some of the following emotions:

Excited
Powerful
Nervous
Worried
Scared
Indignant
Sad
Depressed
Happy
astonished

This homework was due last Monday, 2 March 2009.

“Christmas is the most important Christian festival.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered another point of view.

(Remember to compare Christmas to Easter – which do you think is more important, and why? Why might people think each is the most important?)

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 is due on Thursday 5 February.

a) What is absolution? (2 marks)
b) Outline how the sacrament of reconciliation is celebrated. (6 marks)
c) Explain why very ill Catholics may want to receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick. (8 marks)
d) “You don’t need the liturgical year to remember and celebrate the beliefs of Christianity.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4 marks)

Homework due in on Thursday 29 January.

a) What is the Real Presence? (2 marks)
b) Outline the structure of the Mass. (6 marks)
c) Explain why there are different Christian beliefs about the Eucharist. (8 marks)
d) “You don’t need symbols of bread and wine to feel God’s presence.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. Refer to Catholic Christianity in your answer. (4 marks)

Homework is due on Thursday 22 January.

a) What is the Liturgy of the Eucharist? (2 marks)
b) Outline how the sacrament of confirmation is celebrated. (6 marks)
c) Explain why confirmation is important for Catholics. (8 marks)
d) “You can’t be a real Catholic if you are not confirmed.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4 marks)

1) Fill in the gaps.
2) Sort into reasons for and against the statement. Add some more of your own on both sides.
3) Which statements describe the Apostolic Tradition, which describe the Magisterium and which refer to the Papacy?

Homework is due on Thursday 15 January.

Answer in the homework booklet.

a) What is chrism? (2 marks)
b) Outline the Catholic Sacraments of Initiation. (6 marks)
c) Explain why Catholics want to have their babies baptised. (8 marks)
d) “You don’t have to be baptised to be a good Christian.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4 marks)