Specimens of actual exam papers.

 

Exam Paper 1 – set in year 2000. Religion and Life from a Muslim Perspective.

Time 2 hours

 

Section One – Believing in Allah.

You must answer ONE question from this section.

 

Either Question 1

1. (a) Name TWO of the five pillars of Islam.       (2)

(b) Outline the response of Islam to the problem of evil and suffering.     (6)

(c) Explain Muslim beliefs about the nature of Allah.         (8)

(d) ‘The world must have been made by Allah.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 2.

2. (a) Name ONE miracle in Islam.       (2)

(b) Describe the main features of a religious upbringing in Islam.     (6)

(c) Explain how the appearance of design and order in the world provides evidence for Allah’s existence.        (8).

(d) ‘If Allah really loved us, He would not allow suffering.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section 2. Matters of Life and death.

You must answer ONE question from this section.

 

Either Question 3

3. (a) What is meant by voluntary euthanasia?      (2)

(b) Outline Islamic teaching on the sanctity of life.       (6)

(c) Explain why some people do not believe in life after death.      (8)

(d) ‘Religious people should not use contraceptives.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 4

4. (a) What is meant by contraception?       (2)

(b) Outline the teaching of Islam on euthanasia.        (6)

(c) Explain Muslim teaching about life after death.        (8)

(d) ‘No Muslim can agree with abortion.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section Three – Marriage and Family Life.

You must answer ONE question from this section.

 

Either Question 5

5. (a) What is pre-marital sex?     (2)

(b) Outline the purposes of marriage in Islam.    (6)

(c) Explain Muslim attitudes to divorce.    (8)

(d) ‘Arranged marriages work best.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 6.

6. (a) What is a nuclear family?     (2)

(b) Describe how attitudes to marriage have changed in recent times.     (6)

(c) Explain the teaching of Islam on homosexuality.      (8)

(d) ‘Muslim parents should send their children to an Islamic school.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section Four – Social Harmony.

You must answer ONE question from this section.

 

Either Question 7

7. (a) What is meant by a multi-faith society?    (2)

(b) Outline the teaching of Islam on racial harmony.    (6)

(c) Explain the different attitudes to the roles of men and women amongst Muslims.    (8)

(d) ‘It is wrong to try to convert people to your religion.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 8.

8. (a) Give one example of the growth of equal rights for women.     (2)

(b) Outline Muslim attitudes to other religions.       (6)

(c) Explain how living in a multi-faith society may cause problems for Muslims.    (8)

(d) ‘Islam should have women imams.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section Five – Options – Extended Writing.

You must answer ONE question from this section.

 

Either Question 9

Religion and the Media

9. (a) Describe the range of religious programmes on terrestrial television.       (4)

(b) Choose ONE religious programme and explain why some viewers would like it and some would dislike it.       (8)

(c)  ‘Television soaps never treat religious or moral issues fairly.’

      ‘Newspapers never treat religious or moral issues fairly.’ Choose ONE of the above quotations and say whether you agree with it. Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.         (8)

 

Or Question 10

Religion, Wealth and Poverty

10.(a) Outline the causes of world poverty.      (2)

(b). Explain how ONE Muslim agency tries to remove some of these causes.    (8)

(c). ‘There would be no poor Muslims in Great Britain if Muslims took their religion seriously.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (8)

 

Or Question 11

Religion and the Environment.

 

11. (a) Describe the work of ONE Muslim person, community, or organisation in caring for the environment.     (4)

(b) Explain how Islamic beliefs might lead people to do this work.     (8)

(c) ‘Science, not religion, will solve the problem of pollution.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (8)

 

(The third option was dropped for 2003 onwards)

 

 

 

Exam Paper 2 – 2000 – The Beliefs of Islam.

Time 2 hours.

You must answer ONE question from each section.

 

Section One – The beliefs of Islam

You must answer one question from this section

 

Either Question I

1. (a) What does the word akhirah mean?.     (2)

(b) Outline the teaching of Islam about Tawhid.        (6)

(c) Explain who Muslims believe that the Qur’an is more important than other holy books.      (8)

(d) ‘Only good Muslims will go to heaven.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 2

2. (a) What does the word Islam mean?      (2).

(b) Outline Muslim beliefs about the prophets of Allah.        (6)

(c) Explain Muslim beliefs about Qadar (Allah’s foreknowledge).       (8)

(d) ‘Muslims should not have posters of pop-stars.’  Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section Two – Authority and Values.

You must answer one question from this section

 

Either Question 3

3. (a) What is the Ummah?     (2)

(b) Describe how Muslims show respect for the Qur’an.      (6)

(c) Explain why Shi’ah Muslims have different attitudes to leadership from Sunni Muslims.      (8)

(d) ‘Everyone should live by the teachings of the Qur’an.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 4

4. (a) What is a Surah?     (2)

(b) Outline the sources of the Shari’ah.       (6)

(c) Explain why unity is important in Islam.        (8)

(d) ‘Muhammad is the perfect example for everyone, not just for Muslims.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section Three – Serving Allah.

You must answer one question from this section

 

Either Question 5

5. (a) What does the word ibadah mean?       (2)

(b) Describe what Muslims do during Ramadan.    (6)

(c) Explain how the events of Hajj are connected with the prophets.   (8)

(d)  ‘It does not matter which direction you face to pray.’  Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 6

6. (a) What does the word sawm mean?   (2)

(b) Outline Islamic laws on dress.     (6)

(c) Explain why salah is important for Muslims.    (8)

(d)  ‘All of Allah’s creation is holy, not just Makkah.’  Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section Four – Being a Muslim in Great Britain.

You must answer one question from this section

 

Either Question 7

7. (a) State TWO activities that take place in a mosque.    (2)

(b) Describe what happens at a Muslim wedding.    (6)

(c) Explain how work may make it difficult for Muslims in Britain to practise their religion.     (8)

(d)  ‘The Government should provide Muslim schools for all Muslim pupils.’  Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

Or Question 8

8. (a) What does the word halal mean?   (2)

(b) Outline Islamic teaching on riba.        (6)

(c) Explain how funeral rituals show Muslim beliefs about life after death.       (8)

(d)  ‘It’s easy for a person to be a good Muslim in Great Britain.’  Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (4)

 

 

Section Five – Options – Extended Writing.

You must answer one question from this section

 

Either Question 9

9. The Mosque.

(a) Describe the role of an imam in a Sunni mosque.      (4)

(b) Explain the differences between mosque organisations in Britain.      (8)

(c) ‘All Muslims should go to their nearest mosque for Jumu’ah prayers every Friday.’

Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view.       (8)

 

Or Question 10.

10. Sufism

(a)                Outline the methods used by Sufis to draw nearer to Allah.  (4)

(b) Explain how Ghazzali has influenced the understanding of Sufism.  (8)

(c ) ‘Sufism has little influence on Islam in Britain.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing you have considered another point of view.  (4)