HOW TO ANSWER GCSE QUESTIONS Understanding how to tackle different styles of questions: There are five questions - a,b,c,d and e The total = 24 marks

Questions a), b) c) and d) Assessment Objective One (AO1) requires you to describe explain and analyse, demonstrating knowledge and understanding. Question e) Assessment Objective Two (AO2) – requires you to use evidence and reasoned argument to express and evaluate personal responses, informed insights, and differing viewpoints.

Part A) is a very short question based on explaining a key word/term. Your answer will be short – it is only worth one mark so don’t spend a long time on it!! Examples: What is a marriage? What is purgatory? What is abortion? What is meant by redemption? PART a) – 1 MARK

The (b) question will often ask you to add detail to the answer in part (a). It is a temptation to use bullet points but try not to: good exam style says that your answers should be given in full sentences. As you can see, there are two marks available so you’ll need to give two reasons to get top marks Examples: Give two forms of artificial contraception Give two features of a marriage ceremony Give two features of a Christian funeral service PART b) - 2 MARKS

The ( c ) question will ask a more open question. The previous two parts were quite narrow but this offers more scope. You’ll need to show that there is more than one opinion. Try to use a specific Christian/biblical teaching in support Examples: What does Christianity teach about divorce? Why do Christians oppose fertility treatment? PART c) - 3 MARKS

The (d) question is an ‘explain’ question. You will be asked to explain how Christians’ beliefs influence their decision-making or attitudes. Often there will be different sides to the argument so you’ll need to stick to the P.E.E. formula (see later) in your answers. You will need to provide arguments and explanations to support the different reasons for Christian action/faith and how behaviour is affected by faith in God PART d) - 6 MARKS

Explain how gender roles have changed within a Christian family? What do Christians feel about civil partnerships? Explain why Christians believe in God Explain some Christians attitudes towards abortion Examples: D Questions

The most important question because it is 50% of the marks. The (e) question always follows the same format – you will have to discuss a statement ensuring that you include; An outline of the issues that arise from the statement Your opinion with explanation and reasons Christianity (that is what you are examined on) Differing views – for and against Produce evidence or example to support a belief Spiritual implications PART e) - 12 MARKS

Examples: E Questions ‘Leading the church is a man’s job.’ Discuss the statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer ‘Marriage is just a piece of paper.’ ‘If there was a God we would know it.’ ‘Children are a gift not a right’

The statement Christian opinion is divided I think…. This is because…. supporting evidence or an example …. Other people would disagree … This is because… supporting evidence or an example On the one Hand, some Christians would say …. because …. supporting evidence/ biblical quotation church teaching On the other Hand, other Christians would argue… because supporting evidence/ biblical quotation/ church teaching Remember that you are showing your understanding of the issues and Christian beliefs behind the statement. It must be detailed and you must explain your points/ideas fully

P oint E vidence E xplanation A Christian funeral service reflects belief by Emphasising Jesus’ promise that Christians will Join him in Heaven. In the service the words ‘I am the Resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies’ are spoken by the priest These words remind the congregation about eternal life with God which awaits believers. This would comfort the bereaved by helping them to accept that their loved one has left earth but is on his next journey to God. The words reinforce the Christian belief of an afterlife and that death is not the end