Past Exam Papers

The current style of exam questions date back to 1996.  Question 1 is compulsory, and may focus on any section of the syllabus.  You then have to answer two of Q2-5.  In general, there is usually one question from each of the five sections outlined on the Christian Perspectives page.

Personal relationships

Birth 

and death

Prejudice and

 discrimination

Peace 

and Justice

World 

Community

 

1996 1 2 3 4 5
1997 1 2 3 4 5
1998 1 2 3 4 5
1999 1 2 3 4 5
2000 1 2 3 4 5
2006 1 2 3 4 5

 

1996    Q1

"I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage.  With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you."        The Marriage Service from the Alternative Service Book

(a)    Explain what a wedding ring means to a Christian.    [2]

(b)    Give an account of Christians teaching in the marriage service about the role of Christians who are married.    [6]

(c)    Explain how a Christian marriage service might help to support a couple through difficulties in their marriage.    [7]

(d)    'The marriage vows must be kept until death."  

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1996    Q2

(a)    Explain what Christians mean when they say that life is sacred.    [4]

(b)    State one Christian denomination and describe it's attitude towards contraception.    [4]

(c)    Why might Christians disagree about the advice that they would give to an unmarried teenager who wants an abortion?    [7]

(d)    'Abortion is not a moral issue, it is a practical one.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

1996    Q3  see sample answer

(a)    Describe two ways in which people might suffer from discrimination because of their gender.    [4]

(b)    Explain the attitudes Christians may have towards members of another religion.    [4]

(c)    Describe how and explain why one well-known Christian or group of Christians has worked to get rid of racism.    [7]

(d)    'Children learn to be prejudiced from their parents, Christianity can't fight that.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.    [5]

 

1996    Q4

(a)    What Christian teaching might a pacifist use to support their views?    [4]

(b)    Explain why some Christians believe that a nuclear war could never be a 'just war'.    [4]

(c)    Describe how and explain why some Christians have been involved in assisting prisoners of conscience.    [7]

(d)    'War has never solved anything.'    [5]

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

1996    Q5   see sample answer

(a)    Explain the reasons which a Christian might give for being concerned about:

    (i)    pollution;        [4]

    (ii)    hunger and disease in the world.        [4]

(b)    Give an account of how and why one well-known Christian organisation has worked to relieve human suffering in the poor countries of the world.    [7]

(c)    'Charities achieve little in the poor countries; only governments can make a real difference.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1997    Q1

'I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the sort of person they are.  I have a dream, that one day . . . all God's children, black men, white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the black people's old song, Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last!'    Rev Dr Martin L King, Quoted in J Jenkins Contemporary Moral Issues

(a)    (i)    Give an account of Biblical teaching which Christians might use in forming their views about racism.

        (ii)    Explain how these teachings are important for Christians today.    [8]

(b)    Describe how and explain why one well-known Christian has helped to fight prejudice.    [7]

(c)    'Women and men are not equal!'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

 

1997    Q2

(a)    (i)    Explain what Christians mean when they use the word 'love'

        (ii)    Describe how a local Christian group might help and support families in its area.    [8]

(b)    Explain how holding Christian moral values might affect the way a Christian family treats elderly relatives.    [7]

(c)       'A Christian family needs to worship together to stay together'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.      [5]

 

1997    Q3

(a)    (i)    Give an account of Christian teaching about life after death.

        (ii)    Explain why Christians say that life is sacred.    [8]

(b)    A Christian husband is asked by his wife to help her to die because she is suffering great pain from a cancer which will eventually kill her.

Explain how his Christian beliefs might affect the way he deals with this situation.    [7]

(c)    'A funeral is one of the most important occasions for a Christian family.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.     [5]

 

1997    Q4

(a)    (i)    Describe Biblical and Church teaching on which Christian pacifism is based.

        (ii)    Explain two ways in which a Christian might justify a war.    [8]

(b)    Explain how and why Christians might support the rights of prisoners of conscience.    [7]

(c)    'People who are serious about peace must be prepared to fight for it.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1997    Q5

(a)    (i)    Describe Biblical and Church teaching which Christians might use in deciding how the environment should be used.

        (ii)    Explain what Christians mean when they speak about 'stewardship'.    [8]

(b)    Describe and explain why one Christian organisation has responded to disease and hunger in developing nations.    [7]

(c)    'As God put people in charge of the planet, they can do whatever they want with it.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1998    Q1

(a)    Describe and explain the Christian teaching about helping people suffering from hunger and disease.    [8]

(b)    Describe how and explain why some Christians support organisations which are trying to preserve the environment.    [7]

(c)    'Christians should set an example in caring for the environment.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.     [5]

 

1998    Q2

(a)    Describe how and explain why the Church can play an important role in the life of a Christian family.    [8]

(b)    Describe and explain the reasons for two different Christian attitudes towards divorce.    [7]

(c)    'Being able to forgive is the most important thing in any relationship.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

1998    Q3

(a)    Describe and explain the Christian teaching which a Christian might use when thinking about euthanasia.    [8]

(b)    Describe the work of an organisation which tries to prevent suicides and explain how Christian teaching might support this work.    [7]

(c)    'Christians should not be afraid of death.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.     [5]

 

1998    Q4

(a)    Describe and explain the Christian teaching about helping a neighbour.    [8]

(b)    Describe how and explain why a well-known Christian has tried to achieve justice for people who have been threatened by racism.    [7]

(c)    'If you want justice you have to fight for it.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1998    Q5

(a)    Describe and explain the Christian teachings which Christians might use when they are thinking about taking part in a war.    [8]

(b)    Describe how and explain why some Christians work to make peace.    [7]

(c)    'Violence is sometimes necessary.'   

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1999    Q1

(a)    Describe and explain Christian teaching about life after death.    [8]

(b)    Describe and explain two different attitudes of Christians towards birth control.    [7]

(c)    'The right to die with dignity is just as important as the right to live.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1999    Q2

(a)    Describe and explain Christian teaching about forgiveness.    [8]

(b)    Describe and explain the reasons for two different Christian attitudes towards the remarriage of divorced people.    [7]

(c)    'Love is all you need in a relationship.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1999    Q3

(a)    Describe and explain Christian teaching about how other people should be treated.    [8]

(b)    Describe how and explain why some Christians work to help people with disabilities.    [7]

(c)    'Men and women are equal.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1999    Q4

(a)    Describe and explain what some Christians mean when they use the phrase 'a Just War'.    [8]

(b)    Explain why some Christians are prepared to die for their beliefs.    [7]

(c)    'Pacifism is just an excuse for being a coward.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.  [5]

 

1999    Q5

(a)    Describe and explain Christian teaching about the importance of taking care of the environment.    [8]

(b)    Explain why Christians have set up organisations such as Christian Aid or CAFOD.    [7]

(c)    'There should be no such thing as a rich Christian.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.      [5]

 

2000   Q1  (SAMPLE ANSWER)

They will beat their swords into ploughshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war any more.                         [Micah 4:3b]

(a)   Describe and explain Christian teaching about war.       [8]

(b)   Describe how and explain why some Christians have used non-violent protest when working for justice.       [7]

(c)   'Christians are not respected when they use violence.'        

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.            [5]

2000   Q2

(a)   Describe and explain Christian attitudes to remarriage after divorce.     [8]

(b)   Explain how a Christian couple might find the support of other Christians helpful in keeping their marriage together.       [7]

(c)   'Friendship is just as important as love in marriage.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.       [5]

2000   Q3

(a)   Describe and explain Christian attitudes towards the use of embryos for research.     [8]

(b)   Describe how and explain why a Christian funeral service can be helpful to the people who have lost a loved one.   [7]

(c)   'People should be kept alive at all costs.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.    [5]

2000   Q4

(a)   Explain what Christians mean when they say that people are stewards of the earth.   [8]

(b)   Describe how and explain why many Christians work to get rid of hunger and disease in the world.    [7]

(c)   'Christians should not send money to other countries when there are so many poor people in their own.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.     [5]

2000   Q5

(a)   Describe and explain Christian teaching about the roles of men and women.   [8]

(b)   How might a couple's Christian faith affect the way they bring up their children?     [7]

(c)   'Christians need the support of others to keep their faith strong.'

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.     [5]

2006   Q1 

Headline from a local newspaper

‘MAN ATTACKED FOR LOOKING ‘FOREIGN’

(a) Describe the teachings which Christians might use in a discussion about the issue of race. [8]

(b) Explain how Christians might work to overcome discrimination [7]

(c) ‘You can’t be a Christian and be prejudiced.’

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.            [5]

2006   Q2

(a) Describe Christian teachings, which might help a Christian couple who are having problems in their marriage. [8]

(b) Explain Christian teachings the relationship between children and parents. [7]

(c) ‘Divorced people who want to get married should not be allowed a Christian marriage ceremony.’

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.        [5]

2006   Q3

(a) Describe the Christian teachings which might be used in a discussion about fertility treatment. [8]

(b) Explain how Christian teachings might support Christians who are caring for people who are terminally ill. [7]

(c) ‘Every woman has the right to have a child.’

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.  You must refer to Christianity in your answer.    [5]

2006   Q4

(a) Describe Christian teachings about stewardship of the environment. [8]

(b) Explain the reasons a Christian might give for fighting in a war. [7]

(c) ‘Christians should take the lead in dealing with issues like war or the environment.’

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.     [5]

2006   Q5

(a) Describe Christian teachings about helping poor people. [8]

(b) Explain how one Christian aid organisation puts Christian teaching into practice. [7]

(c) ’Christians should not help the poor in countries where the government wastes money on war.’

Do you agree?  Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.     [5]