1. QUESTION STRUCTURE a) definition – simple basic knowledge
b) knowledge – more detail needed
c) understanding – why questions
d) evaluation – a balanced two-sided argument which contains religious viewpoint and your own opinion

2. PART (a) QUESTIONS
These are short-answer knowledge questions, for example, ’What is environment?’
You do not need to write full sentences for your answers.
You will need to know the meanings of the key words for these questions.
Remember, each question is worth 2 marks i.e. 8 marks in total

3. PART (b) QUESTIONS
These are knowledge questions, which require a one or two paragraph answer.
They will usually begin with the words outline or describe:
Outline means you answer in breadth. This means you write one or two sentences about a number of issues. For example ‘Outline THREE types of religious experience’ means to write one or two sentences on each of numinous, miracles and conversion.
Describe means to write in depth about one particular issue. For example, ‘Describe ONE religious experience’ means write one or two paragraphs on one particular religious experience someone has had.
If you are asked to outline different attitudes, it means you must write about at least two attitudes.

4. PART (c) QUESTIONS
These are all understanding questions and usually begin with the word explain.
You must go through the question and highlight the key words which tell you how to write your answer:

5. EXPLAIN WHY QUESTIONS
Why means you must use the word ‘because’ and give reasons
E.g. ‘Explain why some Christians are against divorce’ means you must answer in a way such as ‘Catholics are against divorce because they believe that the marriage vows are between the couple and God as well as each other...’
You then go on and give at least 3 more reasons as 4 reasons = 8 marks).

6. EXPLAIN HOW QUESTIONS How means you must connect two ideas
E.g. ‘Explain how Catholic teachings help to promote racial harmony’ means you must answer by writing out one teaching of Catholic Christianity and explaining how it could lead Catholics to promote racial harmony.
You should then go on to give at least three more teachings and explain how they promote racial harmony.
Remember 4 teachings explained = 8 marks

7. Explain why there are different attitudes questions
These questions mean you need to look at least two different attitude and give at least two reasons for each attitude.
E.g. ‘Explain why there are different attitudes to the roles of men and women in Christianity’ means you could explain that Catholics give equal rights to women because of the example of Jesus and the teachings of the Bible, but don’t allow women priests because Jesus and the Apostles were male.
You could then go on to explain how some Protestant Christians allow women priests because they think the Bible should be interpreted in terms of modern life and that Jesus treated women as his equals.
Remember 2 attitudes with 2 reasons for people having attitude 1, and 2 reasons for people having attitude 2 = 8 marks.

8. PART (d) QUESTIONS
These are evaluation questions. They begin with a statement in quotation marks and then ask: Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.
Even though the question asks, ‘Do you agree?’, it is not enough just to give your opinion. You must:
look at a view which is different from your opinion and give at least two reasons why people have this view;
state why you disagree with this view giving at least two reasons;
come to a conclusion restating whether you agree with the question or not with a brief reason.
It is very important that one of the points of view should be a Catholic one using religious examples from the course.

9. Jesus What is a parable? (2 marks)
“We need lots of titles to understand Jesus.” Do you agree? Give two reasons for your point of view. (4 marks)
Explain, with examples, how Jesus lived a Jewish life. (8 marks)
“Historical evidence is important when studying Jesus.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
Give reasons why some people may disagree with you . (3 marks)