Independent Schools Examinations Board COMMON ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AT 13+ RELIGIOUS STUDIES SYLLABUS A. Revised Specimen Paper

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1 Independent Schools Examinations Board COMMON ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AT 13+ RELIGIOUS STUDIES SYLLABUS A Revised Specimen Paper Please read this information before the examination starts. You should answer one question from Section 1 and one question from Section 2. If you have previously submitted coursework, your examination is 40 minutes long and you do not do Section 3. If you have not previously submitted coursework, you should also answer three questions from Section 3. Your examination is 60 minutes long. Answer each section on a separate piece of paper. Handwriting and presentation are important. Independent Schools Examinations Board

2 Answer ONE question. SECTION 1: OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS AND EVALUATION A. God, Human Nature and Covenant 1. The Fall (a) What is sin? (2) (b) Describe what happened at the Fall according to Genesis 3. (6) (c) Explain what the Fall teaches about human nature. (6) No one takes sin seriously today. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7) 2. The Ten Commandments (a) What is Sinai? (2) (b) Outline what the Ten Commandments teach about idol worship, the Sabbath and coveting. (6) (c) Explain why the Ten Commandments were so important for the covenant with Moses. (6) Civilized countries should never use capital punishment. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7) B. Leaders and Prophets of the Old Testament 3. Isiah (a) What is a prophet? (2) (b) Outline Isaiah s Song of the Vineyard. (6) (c) Explain the purpose of Isaiah s message. (6) Justice means getting rid of poverty. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7) 4. Nathan (a) What is atonement? (2) (b) Outline Nathan s parable which he told to David. (6) (c) Explain how David had failed as a king. (6) Leaders should be punished more than ordinary people if they misuse their power. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7). (Total marks: 21) 2

3 Answer ONE question. SECTION 2: NEW TESTAMENT TEXTS AND EVALUATION A. Jesus Teaching 1. The Calming of the Storm (a) What is salvation? (2) (b) Describe the Calming of the Storm. (6) (c) Explain what the Calming of the Storm teaches about faith. (6) Miracles do not prove anything. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7) 2. The Sower (a) What is repentance? (2) (b) Outline Jesus parable of the Sower. (6) (c) Explain what the Sower teaches about the Kingdom of God. (6) Coping with failure is more important than success. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7) B. Jesus Life, Death and Resurrection 3. The Transfiguration (a) What does Son of Man mean? (2) (b) Describe what happened at the Transfiguration. (6) (c) Explain the significance of the Transfiguration for the disciples. (6) Jesus did not have to die. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7) 4. Call of the Disciples (a) What is faith? (2) (b) Describe the call of the disciples. (6) (c) Explain the significance of the catch of fish and Peter s reaction. (6) Religious leaders should never doubt their faith in God. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. (7) (Total marks: 21) 3 Turn over

4 SECTION 3: WORLD RELIGIONS AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES Do not answer this section if you have submitted coursework. Answer THREE questions. A. Contemporary Issues 1. Explain what it means to be a steward of the environment. (6) 2. Describe what Martin Luther King taught about racism. (6) 3. Explain Christian teaching on the death penalty. (6) 4. Explain what is meant by creationism. (6) 5. Describe the work of Cicely Saunders. (6) B. Christianity 6. Explain why Jesus is called Christ and the Son of God. (6) 7. Describe and explain two different types of Christian prayer. (6) 8. Describe the main features of a Christian wedding ceremony. (6) 9. Describe and explain the importance of Good Friday and Easter Sunday for Christians. (6) 10. Describe one important place of Christian pilgrimage. (6) C. Judaism 11. Explain why Abraham is considered to be the father of Judaism. (6) 12. Describe the contents of the Tenach or Jewish Bible. (6) 13. Describe the main features of a typical synagogue. (6) 14. Explain the use of the mezuzah in the Jewish family home. (6) 15. Describe what happens when girls and boys become Bat and Bar Mitzvah. (6) 4

5 D. Islam 16. Explain what Muslims believe about God. (6) 17. Describe how the Qur an was put together. (6) 18. Describe Muslim prayer or salah. (6) 19. Explain family relationships in Islam. (6) 20. Describe the festival of Id-ul-Fitr. (6) E. Hinduism 21. What is ahimsa?. (6) 22. Describe some of the more important Hindu scriptures. (6) 23. Explain the Hindu teaching on the goal of life. (6) 24. Describe the main features of a Hindu wedding ceremony. (6) 25. Explain and describe Hindu worship at home. (6) F. Buddhism 26. Describe the early life of Siddhartha up to the time of his quest. (6) 27. Outline and explain the Four Noble Truths. (6) 28. Describe and explain the Buddhist teaching on the Sangha (community). (6) 29. Describe what happens at a Buddhist shrine. (6) 30. Describe some of the more important Buddhist scriptures. (6) G. Sikhism 31. Describe the life of Guru Nanak. (6) 32. Explain what it means for a person to become a member of the Khalsa. (6) 33. Explain the Sikh teaching about reincarnation and the goal of life. (6) 34. Describe a typical Gurdwara. (6) 35. Describe and explain the importance of the festival of Diwali for Sikhs. (6) (Total marks: 18) (Total marks for paper: 60, or 42 if submitting coursework) 5