Hello again third years,
I hope you have had a chance to look at The Question of Faith, Chapters 14 – 18 and the blue notes I posted.
Here are some past exam questions from 2011 back to 2008 from section 4 (paragraph answers 50 marks) and section 5 (essay answer 70 marks). Have a look at the questions and see if you can notice any similarities between them – what kinds of things are the examiners looking for? If you have a chance try to answer parts of a question or a complete question (or two). The most important thing is to look at the questions and see if you know where in Section D (and beyond) and in the blue notes you can find helpful points for the answers.
Here are the questions – good luck looking at them (and trying a few if you have time). I will post one or two sample answers by 1pm on Tuesday 3rd April.
Section D – The Question of Faith – Past Exam Questions
2011
Section 4 Question 4 (Only part of this question relates to section D)
4A a In religious traditions the term ‘polytheism’ refers to …. (5)
4A b Outline one example of how polytheism can be seen in a world religion you have studied. (15)
4B a i. ATHEISM ii. AGNOSTICISM
Describe what is meant by each of the terms listed above. (10)
4B b Explain how the religious belief of a person could be challenged by either atheism or agnosticism. (20)
Section 5 Question 4
You are taking part in a school debate about the challenges to religious faith in Ireland today. Outline what you would say about the way in which each of the following could challenge a person’s religious faith:
l MATERIALISM l SECULARISM
2010
Section 4 Question 4
4A Some of the experiences that can give a person a sense of awe and wonder – the beauty of nature, the birth of a child, the power of nature
Outline how an experience of life could make a person wonder and ask questions about the meaning of life. (16)
4B a Explain two reasons why reflection is important when a person is searching for the meaning of life. (16)
4B b In searching for answers to questions about the meaning of life people sometimes turn to – FAMILY FRIENDS MUSIC WORK
Choose two of the above and explain how each can help people to find answers in their search for the meaning of life. (18)
Section 5 Question 4
l ADOLESCENT FAITH l MATURE FAITH
Outline the main characteristics of each of the above stages of faith development using the following headings:
i. Relationship with God/the Divine (35)
l ADOLESCENT FAITH l MATURE FAITH
Outline the main characteristics of the above stages of faith development using the following headings:
ii. Main Influences on Faith (35)
2009
Section 4 Question 4
4A Family Friends Media School
Choose three of the above and explain how each can influence the religious beliefs of a teenager. (15)
4B a In religious traditions the term ‘monotheism’ means …. (5)
4B b Outline one example of how monotheism can be seen in a world religion you have studied. (12)
4C Describe one way in which humanism could challenge a person’s religious belief.
(18)
Section 5 Question 4
Explain how the religious belief of a person could be challenged by each of the following:
i Agnosticism ii Atheism
(35 x 2)
2008
Section 4 Question 4
4A Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Judaism Islam
Imagine you are doing a project on the creation of the world. Choose one of the above world religions and outline two points it teaches about the creation of the world.
(8 x 2)
4B Outline two points that science teaches about the creation of the world. (8x 2)
4C Describe one similarity between what a religion says and what science says about the creation of the world. (18)
Section 5 Question 4
Imagine you are preparing a talk about religious belief in Ireland today. Outline what you would say about each of the following points:
i Changing patterns in religious belief in Ireland today
ii Changes to religious belief in Ireland today
(PS Apologies if the formatting is not up to scratch.)