1. Rapid Recall Fill in the table with what you remember from memory!
Prizes for the first correctly filled in one!
What is Liturgical worship?
What does omniscient mean?
What is the Eucharist?
What does an inclusive Christian believe?
Explain one theodicy:
What is Private worship?

2. Exam Technique

3. GCSE Philosophy and Ethics Exam Information
The GCSE is split into two exams which will both be taken at the end of the second year.
Philosophy (Component 1): The study of religious beliefs, teachings and practices
What is assessed?
Beliefs, teachings and practices from Christianity and Buddhism.
How is it assessed?
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
96 marks (plus 5 marks for SPaG)
50% of GCSE
What type of question?
Each religion has a common structure of two five-part questions of 1, 2, 4, 5, 12 marks.
Each religion is marked out of 48.
Ethics (Component 2): Thematic studies
What is assessed?
Four ethical studies:
Theme B – Religion and life
Theme D – Religion, peace and conflict
Theme E – Religion, crime and punishment.
Theme F – Religion , human rights and social justice.
How is it assessed?
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
96 marks (plus 5 for SPaG)
50% of GCSE
What type of question?
Each theme has a common structure of one five-part question of 1, 2, 4, 5, 12 marks.
Each theme is marked out of 24.
SPaG
Up to 5 marks are given for correct spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) in your 12 mark answers.

4. Exam Skills Question 3 – Explaining question
In the exam you must only answer questions on only Christianity and Buddhism.
Question 1 – Multiple choice question
Worth 1 mark
This is a multiple choice question and you must chose the correct answer from 4 options.
Remember:
Read through the
question carefully as you may recognise all of the possible answers
Remember:
Read through the question carefully and make sure you know exactly what the question is looking for.
Question 2 – Short-answer
Worth 2 marks
You need to give a short-answer to the question which will ask for two facts. One mark will be given for each two correct points.
Question 3 – Explaining question
Worth 4 marks
These questions will ask for two ways in which beliefs influence a religious believer OR two contrasting ways in which religion is practices OR two contrasting beliefs about contemporary British society.
For each two ways / contrasts:
Two marks for a detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate way / contrast
Remember:
You need to include two separate ways / contrasts and explain them both fully with relevant examples.
Question 4 – Explanation question
Worth 5 marks
These questions will ask for two religious beliefs OR two religious practices OR two religious beliefs about a philosophical or ethical issue PLUS reference to a scripture or sacred writing.
For each of the two beliefs / practices:
Two marks for a detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate belief / practice. PLUS one mark for a relevant, accurate reference to scripture of sacred writing.
Remember:
Clearly separate the two parts of your answer
Give reasons to support your opinion
Explain where your reference has comer from e.g. The Bible
Question 5 – Evaluation question
Worth 12 marks
There will be a statement given for you to evaluate. To gain 12 marks you need to give a well-argued response, reasoned consideration of different points of view. Logical chains or reason leading to a judgement(s) supported by knowledge and understanding or relevant evidence and information.
Remember:
You need to show you understand the key word used in the statement so give a definition at the start of your answer.
Clearly separate the arguments in your answer.
Give examples to support your points.

5. Question 2 -WAGOLL
Give two religious beliefs about pollution. 1. It damages what God has created 2. Humans have been given the role of stewards to try and prevent the world from being spoilt e.g. through pollution. Correct – two marks (the e.g. is good but the answer would have got the two marks without it.)

6. Question 2 - WAGOLL
Give two religious beliefs about forgiveness. 1. By forgiving you are showing compassion 2. Unless we forgive, God will not forgive us (Lord’s Prayer) Correct – two marks

7. Question 2 - What mark would this get?
Give two religious beliefs about pollution.
Religious believers should carry out their duty of stewardship by doing everything in their power to prevent pollution, so if they were out for the day they would take their rubbish home. They might educate others to care for the environment, by preaching that it is God’s world and we need to look after it for Him.
Correct – two marks but far too long an answer.

8. Question 3- WAGOLL
Explain two similar religious beliefs about pacifism. In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions. Buddhists believe in the teaching of ahimsa which means do not harm a living thing and so are pacifists. The Society of Friends (Quakers) also believe that it is wrong to harm human beings and will not fight as the Ten Commandments say ‘Do not kill.’ Ahimsa is explained so there is a minimal development, so just worth two. The Quakers position is explained = 4 marks.

9. Developed points 2+2 = 4 marks
Question 3 - WAGOLL
Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about the right of freedom of belief. In your answer you should refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions.
1. Some Christians may reject the idea that everybody has the freedom to believe what they want. This is because Jesus taught that He was the only way to God (Gospel of John). This means that some exclusivist Christians may argue that everybody should be Christian to achieve salvation.
2. However, some Buddhists may support the idea that everybody is entitled to freedom of belief. This is because they are following the teaching of the Dalai Lama who said that everybody is entitled to follow or not follow a religion.
Developed points 2+2 = 4 marks

10. Question 3 - What mark would this get?
Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about the use of artificial contraception within marriage. In your answer you should refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions. 1. Roman Catholics are against the use of artificial contraception in marriage as its goes against the purpose of sex, which is to procreate. This goes against God’s plan. 2. The Church of England would disagree and sometimes accept artificial contraception if it is the most loving thing to do, such as if the parents are not financially stable.
Developed points 2+2 = 4 marks

11. Question 4 - WAGOLL
Explain two religious beliefs about the afterlife. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. One Christian belief about the afterlife is that you will be able to go to heaven if you trust in Jesus and have led a good life. The Bible states that you will have ‘eternal happiness in the presence of God.’ This would encourage people to be kind and helpful towards others s they will get to meet God as a reward. Sikhs believe in samsara, the cycle of birth, death and rebirth and also karma. Each person is rewarded or punished according to his or her actions. If they have done lots of evil things they will be reborn into a lower life form and wander through 8.4 million species (Guru Granth Sahib 88) but if they have done mostly good deeds then they will either get reborn as a human or be liberated from the samsara cycle. Another answer deserving maximum marks. Reference is made to two sources of religious belief and teaching from two different faiths.

12. Question 4 - WAGOLL
Explain two religious beliefs about the death penalty. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. Some Christians believe that the death penalty is just as bad as the original crime as it is murdering someone. The Ten Commandments say ‘Do not kill’ so it is disobeying this command to use the death penalty. It makes the prison guard a murderer. Other Christians believe that the death penalty is a deterrent and stops people from committing murder. They might argue that the Old Testament teaching of ‘an eye for an eye… a life for a life’ justifies having this as a punishment as it might prevent a potential murder. Another answer deserving maximum marks. Reference is made to two sources of religious belief and teaching. Both points are taken from one religion.

13. Question 4 - What mark would this get?
Explain two religious beliefs about justice. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. Jews believe that people should be dealt with fairly and not exploited. Amos the prophet challenged the people of his day because some were cheating the people by using false measures. He said, ‘Let justice roll on like a river and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.’ Christians believe that dealing justly will reduce suffering in the world.
This answer gets as the Christianity part is not developed.

14. Question 5 – A02 Mark scheme

15. A02 Discussion Question structure (12 marks)
In each paragraph:
Point
Evidence
Explanation
Link
You must aim to avoid listing the opinions .
You must refer to the question throughout your answer.
Introduction
(Explain the question and key words)
Show that you fully understand what you are being asked to debate!
For
Against
Conclusion
(your evaluation/ your opinion)
Note: Think of it like a zigzag – how long can you keep the thread of arguing back and forth going throughout your essay without breaking it?

16. Question 5 – WAGOLL “Evolution proves that religious beliefs about the origins of life are wrong.”
When Charles Darwin had his book published ‘The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’ many people thought that disproved all religious beliefs about the origins of life. Darwin believed that single-celled creatures appeared in the sea and over time gradually evolved into the species we see in the world today. Those that inherited characteristics which were an advantage survived and those that didn’t change died out – the survival of the fittest. To many people science has proved that this happened because of finding many fossils of early forms of life. Many say that we live in a scientific age so this theory must be right as it is logical. Other people are not so sure that the theory of evolution is correct as they would agree that species do adapt and change over time but there is little fossil evidence of one species turning into another. Also if humans try to create a new species by cross fertilising between species the offspring turn out to be infertile and will not breed on. Science too hasn’t always got things right as theories are constantly changing as more things are discovered. For example scientists once thought that the world was flat. So they have quite a strong argument to suggest that the evolution theory proves nothing. I would argue that the main Christian ideas about the origins of life are that it was created by God who was pleased with his creation (Genesis). Religions are concerned about ‘why’ it happened whereas science attempts to answer ‘how’ it occurred. I agree that some religious stories are myths as they try to explain something to which they do not know the answer - so scientifically they are wrong. However, who is to say that it wasn’t God who set in motion evolution if that is a correct theory. So I cannot agree with the statement as I think that evolution proves little and does not dismiss the idea of a creator who designed the different species.
10 marks (level 4) answer. This is a thorough and well-argued response. It contains reasons and judgements throughout and has a justified conclusion. It would have been useful to have tied the first paragraph more directly to the statement and have a great range of views .

17. Question 5 - What mark would this get?
“There are no good reasons for countries to possess nuclear weapons.” Christians are encouraged to work towards peace so many are not in favour of nuclear weapons. Following the peaceful example of Jesus would rule out nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons disobey the just war criteria as there is the potential for massive civilian casualties. Christians believe in the sanctity of life and the commandments ‘do not kill’ and ‘love your neighbour’. On the other hand, nuclear weapons have proved to be a deterrent and have helped to keep the peace. They could be used as a last resort in the most serious of circumstances, especially if they prevent further suffering. In conclusion I believe that nuclear weapons are a threat to the world. If used they will bring terrible destruction.
( 4 marks)Level 2. This answer lacks a little in its focus. The statement isn’t about using nuclear weapons but about countries possessing them. The focus isn’t directly on whether or not there are any good reasons for countries to possess nuclear weapons. The first sentence in the second paragraph was on the right lines and if developed would have greatly improved the answer. The answer could also benefit from more development of the reasons and judgements including amore detailed final paragraph.

18. 1) Which one of the following is the sacrament that commemorates Jesus’ last supper?
A) Marriage B) Baptism C) Eucharist D) Sunday [1 mark]
2) Give two examples of the work of the Church in the local community. [2 marks]
3) Explain two contrasting ways in which the eucharist (Holy Communion) is celebrated in Christianity. [4 marks]
4) Explain two ways in which Christians worship. Refer to Christian teaching in your answer. [5 marks]
5) ‘The best way for Christians to reach an understanding of God is by practising prayer.’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should:
refer to Christian teaching
give developed arguments to support this statement
give developed arguments to support a different point of view
reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks]