Section B – Foundations of Religion – Christianity – Past Exam Questions

Greetings third years,

I hope you have had a chance to look at Foundations of Religion – Christianity, Chapters 5– 8 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 B (and beyond) and in the blue notes you can find helpful points for the answers. Keep studying the chapters and the notes.

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 4pm on Saturday 14th April.

Section D – Foundations of Religion – Christianity – Past Exam Questions

2011

Section 4 Question 2

A. Name the sea marked a) and the river marked b) on the map of Palestine below (6)

(a = Sea of Galilee b = River Jordan)

 

 

B. Describe an incident in the life of Jesus that is associated with one of the places which you have named on the map above. (18)

C. a) In the Christian tradition, the term ‘sacrifice’ refers to …. (5)

b) Outline how sacrifice can be seen in one event from the life of Jesus. (21)

Section 5 Question 2

MEMORIAL                         MISSION

Examine how the experience of one of the above played a part in the development of the first Christian Communities.

2010

Section 4 Question 2

A. Examine the way in which the Jewish religion was structured in Palestine at the time of Jesus. (16)

B. a) Describe two difficulties the first Christians faced after the death of Jesus. (18)

b) Outline one way in which the first Christians dealt with the difficulties they faced after the death of Jesus. (16)

Section 5 Question 2

MESSIAH                              NEW CREATION

Examine one of the above titles for Jesus referring to the following points:

(i)                 The meaning of the title for the Jewish people at the time of Jesus.

(ii)               The new understanding of Jesus seen in the use of the title by the first Christians.

2009

Section 4 Question 2

A.  a) Name one parable that Jesus told to his early followers. (5)

b) Outline two points that Jesus taught his followers in a parable you have studied. (Name the parable as well.) (12)

B. a) Explain two reasons why the Gospels are described as documents of faith. (18)

b) Outline what was involved in three stages in the development of the Gospels. (15)

Section 5 Question 2

Describe life in Palestine at the time of Jesus referring to each of the following:

(i)                 The political structures

(ii)               The religious structures

 2008

Section 4 Question 2

A. a) Each of the different religious groups described below lived in Palestine at the time of Jesus. Choose the name of the religious group that correctly matches the description. PHARISEES        ZEALOTS     SADDUCEES           (The first one is done.) (8)

We are wealthy aristocrats and have strong links with the Temple in Jerusalem. We accept Roman rule and have power in Palestine. SADDUCEES

We reject Roman rule in Palestine and are ready to fight the Romans. _______________

We do not co-operate with the Romans. We run the local synagogues and are strict about keeping all the laws of Judaism. ________________

b) Choose two of the above groups and say why each one came into conflict with Jesus. (14)

B. a) Give two reasons why the Sanhedrin was important in Palestine at the time of Jesus. (14)

b) Outline what happened when Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin. (14)

Section 5 Question 2

Examine the way in which Jesus celebrated the Last Supper as both a Passover Meal and Eucharist.

Section D – The Question of Faith – Past Exam Questions

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.)