GCSE BITESIZE Examinations General Certificate of Secondary Education RELIGIOUS STUDIES Marking Scheme Total: 80 marks For each question, you should mark your answer according to levels of response. Below is a table showing how many marks are available for each type of answer at each of four levels. You need to use this along with the content marking scheme for each answer. (a) Your answers will be: Level 1 An attempt to answer the question with a small amount of relevant material. (1- 2 marks) Level 2 A valid attempt to answer the question with some more relevant material. (3- 4 marks) Level 3 A competent attempt to answer the question. (5- 6 marks) Level 4 A good answer to the question. A good selection of relevant material. (7- 8 marks) (b) Your answer will be: Level 1 An attempt to answer the question with very little understanding. (1-2 marks) Level 2 A valid attempt to answer the question with some understanding. (3- 4 marks) Level 3 A competent attempt to address the question with a wider level of understanding. (5-6 marks) Level 4 A good answer to the question with good understanding. (7 marks) (c) Your answer will be: Level 1 An attempt to answer the question with little argument. (1-2 marks) Level 2 A valid attempt to answer the question with an opinion. (3 marks) Level 3 A competent attempt to address the question with two opinions. (4 marks) Level 4 A good answer to the question with different opinions supported. (5 marks) Part A Philosophy Death and the Afterlife 1. Buddhism (a) Describe Buddhist beliefs about what happens to evil people after death. (8 marks) In your answer you might describe what Buddhists believe about karma and rebirth, and the ways in which the effects of evil deeds are passed on to the next life. You may describe the idea of samsara (cycle of rebirth) and how evil deeds can be worked out in future lives. (b) Explain how a Buddhist funeral service might comfort someone whose close friend has died. (7 marks) You may say that ceremonies for funerals vary from country to country depending on where Buddhists live. Many Buddhists follow the Indian custom of burning the body at death. While the body is being prepared for the funeral fire, monks help release the soul from the body. The monks come with the family to the funeral. (c) ‘It cannot be true that there is life after death, because there is no evidence 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 Buddhism in your answer. (5 marks) In you answer you might say that although there is little evidence for life after death there is very little evidence suggesting that there is no life after death. On the other hand you could say that life after death is just wishful thinking. You need to refer to Buddhist beliefs about rebirth. 2. Christianity (a) Describe Christian beliefs about what happens to evil people after death. (8 marks) You might give different Christian views about life after death for evil people – you could say that some people think of hell as a place of suffering and punishment from the devil. You might also say that good people are united with God but evil ones are not. You might include Roman Catholic views about purgatory. (b) Explain how a Christian funeral service might comfort someone whose close friend has died. (7 marks) You should show that you understand the main elements of a Christian funeral service including the promise of eternal life and the idea that the dead person is resting with God. You might say that death is not the end and the separation from friends and loved ones is only temporary. (c) ‘It cannot be true that there is life after death, because there is no evidence 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 marks) You might say that Christians believe there is life after death because Jesus came back from the dead. You could also say that although there is little evidence for life after death there is very little evidence suggesting that there is no life after death. On the other hand you could say that life after death is just wishful thinking. 3. Hinduism (a) Describe Hindu beliefs about what happens to evil people after death. (8 marks) In your answer you might describe what Hindus believe about karma and rebirth, and the ways in which the effects of evil deeds are passed on to the next life. You may describe the idea of samsara (cycle of rebirth) and how evil deeds can be worked out in future lives. (b) Explain how a Hindu funeral service might comfort someone whose close friend has died. (7 marks) Here you should explain the main elements of a Hindu funeral, including the pyre on which the body is burnt and the eldest son whose responsibility is to set it alight. Death is seen as the next stage to the next life and people may be comforted to believe that the atman of the person they knew is now being released to be reborn. (c) ‘It cannot be true that there is life after death, because there is no evidence 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 Hinduism in your answer. (5 marks) In your answer you might say that there is some evidence for past lives through hypnosis etc. You could also say that although there is little evidence for life after death there is very little evidence suggesting that there is no life after death. On the other hand you could say that life after death is just wishful thinking. You need to refer to Hindu beliefs about rebirth. 4. Islam (a) Describe Muslim beliefs about what happens to evil people after death. (8 marks) In your answer you should mention Muslim belief in a Day of Judgement and that, according to the will of Allah, evil people will go to hell to be punished while good people will live in paradise with Allah. (b) Explain how a Muslim funeral service might comfort someone whose close friend has died. (7 marks) Here you should explain the main elements of a Muslim funeral. You may show how the service makes clear the way in which Allah has control over life and death. The good will be rewarded and this may comfort those left behind. (c) ‘It cannot be true that there is life after death, because there is no evidence 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 Islam in your answer. (5 marks) You may say that, for Muslims, the revelation of the Qur’an and the teachings in it are themselves evidence for life after death. You could also say that although there is little evidence for life after death there is very little evidence suggesting that there is no life after death. On the other hand you could say that life after death is just wishful thinking. 5. Judaism (a) Describe Jewish beliefs about what happens to evil people after death. (8 marks) Jewish teaching about life after death is not clear and you should consider this in your answer. Not all Jews agree on what may happen to them when they die. There is teaching about Sheol as a place of waiting and a belief that G-d will judge people according to their behaviour on earth. (b) Explain how a Jewish funeral service might comfort someone whose close friend has died. (7 marks) You need to explain the main elements of a Jewish funeral service, and possibly the mourning rituals of sitting shiva which follow. A Jewish funeral shows that G-d is in control of life and death, and also that death is part of G-d’s plan for the world. (c) ‘It cannot be true that there is life after death, because there is no evidence 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 Judaism in your answer. (5 marks) In your answer you may say that there is evidence for life after death in some of the teachings of the Torah. You could also say that although there is little evidence for life after death there is very little evidence suggesting that there is no life after death. On the other hand you could say that life after death is just wishful thinking. 6. Sikhism (a) Describe Sikh beliefs about what happens to evil people after death. (8 marks) In your answer you might describe what Sikhs believe about karma and reincarnation, and the ways in which the effects of evil deeds are passed on to the next life. You may describe the idea of samsara (cycle of rebirth) and how evil deeds can be worked out in future lives. (b) Explain how a Sikh funeral service might comfort someone whose close friend has died. (7 marks) Here you should explain the main elements of a Sikh funeral, including the pyre on which the body is burnt and the close relative whose responsibility is to set it alight. Death is seen as the next stage to the next life and people may be comforted to believe that the atman of the person they knew is now being released to be reborn. (c) ‘It cannot be true that there is life after death, because there is no evidence 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 Sikhism in your answer. (5 marks) In you answer you might say that although there is little evidence for life after death there is very little evidence suggesting that there is no life after death. On the other hand you could say that life after death is just wishful thinking. You need to refer to Sikh beliefs about reincarnation. Part B Philosophy Belief and worship 7. Buddhism (a) Describe how Buddhists worship in a temple. (8 marks) In your answer you need to show that Buddhists do not worship God but are seeking enlightenment. They are honouring the Buddha and praying to the Buddha within themselves. Some Buddhists go to temples to make offerings. For some Buddhists they pray and chant mantras whilst for others meditation is the main way in which they worship. (b) Explain how Buddhists use symbols in a place of worship. (7 marks) You need to select some of the common Buddhist symbols for your answer. You may write about statues of the Buddha and the use of candles, flowers and incense to help people to focus their prayer and meditation. You might also write about other objects such as mandalas, yantras and prayer wheels. (c) ‘Prayer is the most important part of worship.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Buddhism in your answer. (5 marks) Here you are free to argue either way. You might say that, for Buddhists, it is a whole way of life which is important rather than just prayer. You could say that although prayer may help people reach enlightenment, for some Buddhists, meditation is equally or more important. 8. Christianity (a) Describe how Christians worship in a church. (8 marks) In your answers you may have written about formal or informal church services. You might have given information from a particular denomination (group of Christians). You may also have mentioned various types of services such as the eucharist and the different forms of worship such as prayer, hymns, readings, sermons that may happen. (b) Explain how Christian use symbols in a place of worship. (7 marks) Here you should have mentioned some of the common symbols found in a church such as, cross, crucifix, fish, chi-ro etc. The importance is that you have explained what these are and how they are used. You may also have mentioned objects such as a rosary and explained how this is used for prayer and meditation. It is possible that you have written about Christian groups such as the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who do not have any symbols in their meeting houses. (c) ‘Prayer is the most important part of worship.’ 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 marks) You are free to agree or disagree with this statement. You may argue that that most important aspect of worship is Christian witness or the performance of good deeds. On the other hand you may agree with the statement and belief that the power of prayer is a very important aspect of Christianity. 9. Hinduism (a) Describe how Hindus worship in a mandir. (8 marks) Remember that the question asks about worship in a mandir rather than at home. However, you might point out that much Hindu worship does take place in the home and that Hindus do not necessarily go to a mandir regularly. You may comment on listening to the scriptures being read whilst and on offerings being made and worship taking place in front of murtis (statues), and ringing a bell on arrival to wake the gods in public. (b) Explain how Hindus use symbols in a place of worship. (7 marks) There are many symbols which are used in a mandir. You might write about things such as, murti, bells, conch shells, arti trays, om etc. The importance is that you explain what they are and how they are used. You might also write about the role of particular objects in puja and on the use of the syllable Om in worship and meditation. (c) ‘Prayer is the most important part of worship.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Hinduism in your answer. (5 marks) Here you are free to argue either way. You might say that, for Hindus, it is a whole way of life which is important rather than just prayer. You could say that although prayer may help strengthen faith and invoke the help of the gods, the whole of Hindu life lived according to dharma is worship in itself. 10. Islam (a) Describe how Muslims worship in a mosque. (8 marks) In your answer you might concentrate particularly on specific prayer in the mosque such as on Fridays and might write about listening to the sermon from the Imam. You can also comment on prayer in the mosque in general and include such things as preparation for prayer, prayer positions and rakahs. (b) Explain the design of a mosque shows Muslim beliefs. (7 marks) In your answer you should focus on some of the following: minarets pointing to heaven and being the place for the call to prayer, the dome over the prayer hall representing the heavens above, the plainness of the prayer hall so as not to distract from worship and the absence of any representations of living beings, use of calligraphy, arabesque patterns, position of the quiblah wall. The importance is that you explain what they are and how they represent beliefs. (c) ‘Prayer is the most important part of worship.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Islam in your answer. (5 marks) Here you are free to argue either way. You might say that Islam is a whole way of life and that it is this which is important rather than just prayer on its own. However, you should also comment on the fact that although prayer may help strengthen faith, invoke the help of Allah and is one of the Five Pillars, the whole of Muslim is worship in itself. 11. Judaism (a) Describe how Jews worship in a synagogue. (8 marks) In your answers you will probably may focus on regular prayer and worship in the synagogue or, in particular, on worship on the Sabbath or festivals. You should consider the importance of set prayers and ways of praying as well as the centrality of the Torah service. You might write about singing in the synagogue but also add that this is unaccompanied on the Sabbath because the use of musical instruments would represent work. (b) Explain how Jews use symbols in a place of worship. (7 marks) Here you are free to choose any symbols such as, the Ten Commandments, the menorah, the decoration on the ark or the mantles of the Sefer Torah etc. The importance is that you explain what they are and how they are used. You could also say that there are no representations of living things because of the restrictions of the Ten Commandments. (c) ‘Prayer is the most important part of worship.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer. (5 marks) Here you are free to answer either way. You might say that Judaism is a whole way of life and that it is this which is important rather than just prayer on its own. However, you should also comment on the fact that although prayer may help strengthen faith and