The following exam question is written by OCR:
(a) Explain how a follower of Natural Law might respond to issues raised by abortion. [33]
(b) ‘A Natural Law approach is the best approach to abortion.’ Discuss. [17]
This question is from June 2005:
(a) Explain how belief in the sanctity of life may influence an ethical approach to abortion. [33]
(b) 'A foetus is not a person.' Discuss. [17]
This AS question is from January 2006:
(a) Explain how Bentham's version of Utilitarianism can be used to decide on the right course of action. [33]
(b) Evaluate a Utilitarian approach to abortion. [17]
This question came up in the June 2006 AS paper:
(a) Explain how a follower of Natural Law might approach the issue of abortion. [33]
(b) ‘A woman has the right to choose an abortion.’ Discuss. [17]
This wasan exam question in January 2007:
(a) Explain objections to abortion in the religious ethics you have studied. [33]
(b) ‘A foetus is a person and should be protected at all costs.’ Discuss. [17]
(taken from the OCR website)
You could substitute 'Natural Law' with any ethical theory - answering exam questions is the very best preparation for your exam. Why not try writing an answer for each theory. If you get each question marked, you should learn how to improve your technique and get a better grade for the next one!
At a different location on OCR's site, the following is an A2 question (it is possible, but uncommon, to take Religious Ethics 2 for AS and Religious Ethics 1 for A2). The style of question is more challenging, but well worth having a go at for AS students:
‘Every pregnant woman has an absolute right to choose to have an abortion.’ Discuss. [45]
We now have an interactive diagram showing how to answer an ethics exam question, The 'structure' of the paragraph will be different for 'ethical theory' questions, but the basic principles are the same. Try filling it in yourself and print out the completed diagram.
