Total marks: 102 · Duration: 120 minutes
Instructions to candidates
• Answer ALL questions in Section A and Section B. • Write your answers in the spaces provided in the question-and-answer booklet. • The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question. • In Section A, you should spend approximately 70 minutes and aim to score 61 marks. • In Section B, you should spend approximately 50 minutes and aim to score 41 marks. • Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
Paper
Section A — Structured Questions (61 marks)
Theme 1: Issues of Relationships
Question 1
(a) What is meant by the term 'cohabitation'? (2 marks)
(b) Describe Christian teachings about the purpose of marriage. (5 marks)
(c) Explain why some religious believers oppose same-sex marriage. (8 marks)
Question 2
Study the source below and answer the questions that follow.
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number.'"
Genesis 1:27-28
(a) According to the source, how did God create human beings? (2 marks)
(b) Explain Christian beliefs about the roles of men and women in the family. (5 marks)
(c) "Religious teachings about gender equality are no longer relevant in modern Britain."
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Christian teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion. (15 marks)
Theme 2: Issues of Life and Death
Question 3
(a) What is meant by 'quality of life'? (2 marks)
(b) Describe Christian beliefs about what happens after death. (5 marks)
(c) Explain why many religious believers are opposed to euthanasia. (8 marks)
Question 4
Study the source below and answer the questions that follow.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart."
Jeremiah 1:5
(a) According to the source, when does God know a person? (2 marks)
(b) Explain Christian beliefs about the sanctity of life. (5 marks)
(c) "Abortion should always be a woman's personal choice."
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Christian teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion. (15 marks)
Section B — Extended Response (41 marks)
Question 5
Read the following statement:
"Religious believers should accept scientific theories such as evolution because there is evidence to support them."
In your answer you should: • explore the relationship between science and religion • refer to Christian teaching • consider arguments from different points of view • reach a justified conclusion.
(15 marks)
AO1 – 6 marks | AO2 – 9 marks
Question 6
Study the information below.
Case Study: Capital Punishment
In 2023, 55 countries around the world retained the death penalty for serious crimes such as murder and terrorism. However, the death penalty was abolished in the United Kingdom in 1965. Some people argue that capital punishment is the only appropriate response to the most serious crimes, while others believe it is morally wrong for the state to take a life under any circumstances.
"The death penalty is never justified, no matter what crime has been committed."
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Christian teaching • consider different religious and non-religious perspectives • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.
(15 marks)
AO1 – 6 marks | AO2 – 9 marks
Question 7
Read the following statement:
"Religious people have a duty to help the poor and suffering in the world, but this should be through charity, not political action."
In your answer you should: • refer to Christian teaching about wealth, poverty and charity • refer to examples of religious responses to poverty • consider arguments from different points of view • reach a justified conclusion.
(11 marks)
AO1 – 4 marks | AO2 – 7 marks