GCSE Short Course RE Understanding the Marking Criteria to Optimise Success

The Structure of the Exam paper Five Sections: B1: Believing in God B2: Matters of Life and Death B3: Marriage and the Family B4: Social Harmony B5: Religion and the Media

Structure of Each Section Four questions: (a) Keyword question – 2 marks (b) Descriptive question – 6 marks (c) Analytical question – 8 marks (d) Evidence based opinion question – 4 marks

Levels Some question is divided up into three or four levels, subdivided into marks: E.g. − Level 4 (7-8 marks) − Level 3 (5-6 marks) − Level 2 (3-4 marks) − Level 1 (1-2 marks)

What to Include… Bible Quotes Different kinds of Christians Two or three differing opinions Examples Key vocabulary Evidence based opinions

What to avoid… Opinions without reasons Preaching Prejudice Ill-thought out humour Writing too little Writing too much

Believing in God Part a) Being able to correctly define religious terminology will help you answer part a) style questions. However, do NOT rely on these terms alone - study everything! Define the following terms: a. numinous b. conversion c. miracle d. prayer e. design f. causation g. agnosticism h. atheism i. moral evil j. natural evil k. omnipotent l. benevolent m. omniscient

Part b) style questions - worth 6 marks * Outline what is meant by natural evil. * Outline the problem of evil.

Part c) style questions - worth 8 marks * Explain how a religious experience could lead a person to believe in God. * Explain how a religious upbringing could lead a person to believe in God.

Part d) style questions - worth 4 marks * "The world is too well designed to be a fluke". Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing you have considered another point of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.

Issues of Life and Death Define the following terms: a. sanctity of life b. sacredness of life c. resurrection d. immortality of the soul e. abortion f. abortion on demand g. doctrine of double effect h. suicide i. euthanasia j. voluntary euthanasia k. not striving to keep alive l. paranormal m. assisted suicide

Part b) style questions - worth 6 marks * Outline the Christian teachings on life after death * Outline the Christian teachings on euthanasia

Part c) style questions - worth 8 marks * Explain why Christians are against abortion. * Explain the Christian teachings on life after death.

Part d) style questions - worth 4 marks * "Life begins at conception so abortion is murder". Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing you have considered another point of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.

Marriage and the Family You have three big areas to study in this topic: Marriage – Society’s view - Christianity’s view (Catholic, Protestant, Liberal) - Other religion’s view Divorce - Society’s view - Christianity’s view (Catholic, Protestant, Liberal) - Other religion’s view The Family - Society’s view - Christianity’s view (Catholic, Protestant, Liberal) - Other religion’s view

Marriage and the Family With each of these you need to be able to · EXPLAIN what it is they teach · PROVE what they teach with at least one scriptural reference and church teaching · ANAYLSE what they teach by giving a reasoned opinion.

Start with your key terminology Part a) Being able to correctly define religious terminology will help you answer part a) style questions. However, do NOT rely on these terms alone - study everything! Define the following terms: a. Marriage b. Divorce c. Cohabitation d. Promiscuity e. Adultery f. Nuclear family g. Extended family h. Reconstituted family

PLEASE NOTE!! These ARE NOT the questions you will get on your exams. They are meant to help you revise for your exam and have practice answering the types of questions you should expect. Try to time yourself as you answer them. Part b) style questions - worth 6 marks 1. Describe how Christianity may help parents bring up their children. 2. Describe how Christianity helps keep a family together.

Part c) style questions - worth 8 marks 1. Explain why Christians still believe that marriage is important. 2. Explain how a Christian marriage service may help a marriage to succeed.

Part d) style questions - worth 4 marks 1. 'People should only have sex if they are married to each other' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer, showing you have considered another point of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.

Social Harmony Part a) Being able to correctly define religious terminology will help you answer part a) style questions. However, do NOT rely on these terms alone - study everything! Define the following terms: a. sexism b. racism c. racial prejudice d. discrimination e. religious plurality f. mono-faith g. multi-faith h. racial harmony

Part b) style questions - worth 6 marks 1. Outline Christian attitudes to other religions 2. Outline the attitudes of one religion other than Christianity to other religions

Part c) style questions - worth 8 marks 1. Explain why there are different attitudes to the roles of men and women among Christians.

Part d) style questions - worth 4 marks 'It is wrong to try to convert other people to your religion' Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing you have considered another point of view. In your answer, you should refer to at least one religion.