GCSE Practice exam questions

GCSE Practice Questions

Try working through these GCSE style questions and hand into your teacher to check

Christianity:

What is meant by omnipotence? a. All loving b. all knowing c. all powerful d. all creative
Where was Jesus born? [1] a.Bethlehem b. Rome c. Corinth d. Jerusalem
What does incarnation mean? [1] a. Coming to life b. embodiment of God c. Jesus d. from God
What is meant by atonement? [1] a. To make amends for sin b. to forgive c. to say sorry d. to put to death
What is meant by salvation? [1] a. To substitute b. the third part of the Trinity c. to do wrong to God d. to save the soul
Name two characteristics of God [2]
Explain two reasons why Jesus had to die. [2]
Name 2 persons of the Trinity [2]
Name two types of salvation [2]
State two things that Christians believe about judgement. [2]
Explain two ways in which belief in the resurrection of Jesus influences Christians today [4]
Explain two ways in which beliefs about the creation of the world might influence Christians today. [4]
Explain two ways in which believing that God is all loving might influence Christians today. [4]
Explain two ways in which believing in Judgement Day might influence Christians today. [4]
Explain two Christian teachings about judgement. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]
Explain two Christian teachings about creation. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]
Explain two Christian teachings about God. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5
Explain two Christian teachings about salvation. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]
‘For a Christian, believing that God is all powerful is not that important’ Evaluate this statement [12]
‘Christians should focus on living life here and now rather than focusing on an afterlife’ Evaluate this statement [12]
‘It is more important to follow Jesus’ example that to spend time in worship’ Evaluate this statement [12]
‘If God were loving there would be no suffering. Evaluate this statement [12]
What is meant by liturgical worship? [1] a. Free worship b. set pattern c. worship in private c. prayers and hymns
What is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples? [1] a. Our Father b. Christian prayer c. Jesus’ prayer d. the Lord’s prayer
Which of these is not a sacrament? [1] a. Baptism b. marriage c. funeral d. confirmation.
Give two reasons why Holy Week is important to Christians. [2]
Explain briefly the term ‘street pastor’ [2]
Explain briefly one reason why someone might have a believer’s baptism. [2]
Explain two contrasting Christian view about the importance of pilgrimage [4]
Explain two contrasting ways in which Christians celebrate the Eucharist [4]
Explain two contrasting ways Christians play a role in the local community. [4]
Explain two ways in which Christians celebrate Easter. Refer to Christian teachings in your answer. [5]
Explain two ways in which pilgrimage is important to Christians. Refer to Christian teachings in your answer. [5]
‘No child should be baptized’ Evaluate this statement [12]
‘Charities should focus more on helping the poor in Britain’ Evaluate this statement [12]
‘It is more important to help the poor than to worship in church’ Evaluate this statement [12]

Judaism:

What is meant by Shechinah? [1] a. section of Judaism b. Jewish Holy Day c. Divine presence d.G-d

What is the name of the Jewish homeland? [1] a. Jordan b. Israel c. Jerusalem d. Galilee

What is the Jewish Statement of Belief called? [1] a. Shabbat b. Shema c. Declaration of Faith d. Torah

What is mean by pikuach nefesh? [1] a. Justice b. Coming of the Messiah c. Saving a life d. a Jewish charity

Give two Jewish beliefs about the Messiah [2]

Name two key moral principles of Judaism [2]

Name two of the 10 Commandments [2]

Explain two ways in which belief in pikuach nefesh influences Jews today [4]

Explain two ways in which believing in the sanctity of life influences Jews today [4]

Explain two ways in which beliefs about mitzvot might influence Jews today [4]

11. Explain two Jewish teachings about the creation. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]
12. Explain two Jewish teachings about G-d. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]

13. Explain two Jewish teachings about chesed (living kindness). Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]

14. ‘All Jews should live in Israel’ Evaluate this statement [12]

15. Every Jew should be a Reform Jew. Evaluate this statement [12]

What is the Talmud? [1] a. Five books of Law b. Books of Moses c. Jewish Civil and religious laws d.Jewish Prayer shawl

What two food can Jews not eat together?[1] a. Fruit and milk b.pulses and chicken c. fish and vegetables d. meat and milk

Where is the Torah kept in the synagogue? [1] a.In the gallery b. in the ner tamid c. in the Ark d. in the bimah

Give two religious reason why most Jews marry. [2]

Name two of the three parts of the Tenakh [2]

Name two key features of a synagogue [2]

Explain two contrasting Jewish views about the importance of the synagogue [4]

Explain two contrasting ways in which worship is carried out in the synagogue by reform and orthodox Jews. [4]

Explain two contrasting Jewish rituals which are carried out during Pesach [4]

Explain two ways in which Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]

Explain two ways in which pilgrimage to the Western Wall in Jerusalem is important to Jews. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]

Explain two ways in which Jews considered Shabbat to be important. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer. [5]

‘Festivals just remember the past and are pointless in modern life’ Evaluate this statement [12]

‘Prayer is more important than action in the world today’ Evaluate this statement [12]

‘Jews should be able to live as they want, not be dictated to by tradition’. Evaluate this statement [12]

Themes:

‘Only married couples should have sex’ [12]
‘There is nothing wrong with divorce for religious believers’ [12]
‘Gender prejudice cannot be ended’ [12
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about contraception [4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about sex before marriage. [4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about homosexual relationships [4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about remarriage. In your answer you should refer to the main religious tradition of GB and 1 or more other religious traditions. [4]
Explain two religious beliefs about gender equality. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer [5]
Explain two religious beliefs about adultery. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer [5]
Explain two religious beliefs about the role of parents. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer [5]
‘Religion is about ideas not truths’ [12]
‘Both science and religion are valuable in our world today’ [12]
‘Pollution is a fact of life; it cannot be stopped’ [12]
‘Religious believers should work harder to fight climate change’ [12]
‘When God gave humans dominion over the world, it means we could do what we like’ [12]
‘Everyone should have the right to die if that is what they want’ [12]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about abortion [4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about euthanasia [4
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about animal experimentation [4]
‘The most difficult thing to do is reconcile after conflict’ [12]
‘Religious people should always forgive those who do wrong to them’ [12]
‘It is always wrong for religious believers to protest violently’ [12]
‘Terrorism is never right’ [12]
‘there can be no such thing as a just war, because the innocent always suffer’ [12]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about violence [4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about weapons of mass destruction. [4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society pacifism [4]
Explain two religious beliefs about peace. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer [5]
‘Following a religion prevents evil from happening’ [12]
‘Hate crimes are the worst type of crime’ [12]
‘Protecting people from criminals is the most important aim of punishment’ [12]
‘It is the religious duty of all victims to forgive’ [12]
‘Religious believers should never agree with corporal punishment’ [12]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about corporal punishment [4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society about the death penalty[4]
Explain two contrasting beliefs from contemporary British society forgiveness [4]
Explain two religious beliefs about the treatment of offenders. Refer to scripture or sacred writings in your answer [5]