GCSE (9–1) Religious Studies (Short Course)
J125/01 Religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world
Time allowed: 2 hours
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answers to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer two questions in Section A, one in Section B and one in Section C.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 126.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ( ).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) Religion, philosophy
and ethics in the modern world (J125/01) Question Paper and Mark
Scheme summer 2026
, 2
Section A
Choose two religions from this section.
Answer all parts of the question for the two religions you choose.
1 Christianity
(a) State three Christian beliefs about judgement. [3]
(b) Describe what Christians mean when they say Jesus is the Son of God. [3]
(c) Describe the role of Christ in salvation. [3]
(d) Describe different Christian beliefs about purgatory. [6]
(e) ‘The Holy Spirit is the most important part of the Trinity.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• analyse and evaluate the importance of points of view, referring to common and divergent
views within Christianity
• refer to sources of wisdom and authority.
[15]
Spelling, punctuation and grammar [3]
2 Islam
(a) Describe the significance of holy books for Sunni Muslims. [3]
(b) Outline the meaning of Tawhid. [3]
(c) State three Islamic beliefs about Adam. [3]
(d) Describe why Isa is important to Muslims. [6]
(e) ‘Predestination (al-Qad’r) means that humans cannot be judged for their actions.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• analyse and evaluate the importance of points of view, referring to common and divergent
views within Islam
• refer to sources of wisdom and authority.
[15]
Spelling, punctuation and grammar [3]
© OCR 2025 J125/01 Jun25
, 3
3 Judaism
(a) Give three examples of ways that G-d intervenes in the world. [3]
(b) Describe what is meant by the term Mitzvot. [3]
(c) Outline the concept of resurrection in Judaism. [3]
(d) Describe the significance of the obligation to save life (Pikuach Nefesh) in Judaism. [6]
(e) ‘The Messiah is the most important concept in Judaism.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• analyse and evaluate the importance of points of view, referring to common and divergent
views within Judaism
• refer to sources of wisdom and authority.
[15]
Spelling, punctuation and grammar [3]
This is the end of Section A
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J125/01 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
Choose one of the religions that you answered in Section A.
Answer all parts of the question for your chosen religion.
4 Christianity
(a) Describe one purpose of marriage for Christians. [3]
(b) Describe different Christian teachings about gender equality. [6]
(c) Explain why Christians might have different views about divorce.
You should refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer. [6]
(d)* ‘Raising children as Christians is the most important purpose of a Christian family.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• draw on your learning from across your course of study, including reference to beliefs,
teachings and practices within Christianity
• explain and evaluate the importance of points of view from the perspective of Christianity.
[15]
5 Islam
(a) Describe one purpose of marriage for Muslims. [3]
(b) Describe different Muslim teachings about gender equality. [6]
(c) Explain why Muslims might have different views about divorce.
You should refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer. [6]
(d)* ‘Raising children as Muslims is the most important purpose of a Muslim family.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• draw on your learning from across your course of study, including reference to beliefs,
teachings and practices within Islam
• explain and evaluate the importance of points of view from the perspective of Islam.
[15]
© OCR 2025 J125/01 Jun25
J125/01 Religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world
Time allowed: 2 hours
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answers to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer two questions in Section A, one in Section B and one in Section C.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 126.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ( ).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) Religion, philosophy
and ethics in the modern world (J125/01) Question Paper and Mark
Scheme summer 2026
, 2
Section A
Choose two religions from this section.
Answer all parts of the question for the two religions you choose.
1 Christianity
(a) State three Christian beliefs about judgement. [3]
(b) Describe what Christians mean when they say Jesus is the Son of God. [3]
(c) Describe the role of Christ in salvation. [3]
(d) Describe different Christian beliefs about purgatory. [6]
(e) ‘The Holy Spirit is the most important part of the Trinity.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• analyse and evaluate the importance of points of view, referring to common and divergent
views within Christianity
• refer to sources of wisdom and authority.
[15]
Spelling, punctuation and grammar [3]
2 Islam
(a) Describe the significance of holy books for Sunni Muslims. [3]
(b) Outline the meaning of Tawhid. [3]
(c) State three Islamic beliefs about Adam. [3]
(d) Describe why Isa is important to Muslims. [6]
(e) ‘Predestination (al-Qad’r) means that humans cannot be judged for their actions.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• analyse and evaluate the importance of points of view, referring to common and divergent
views within Islam
• refer to sources of wisdom and authority.
[15]
Spelling, punctuation and grammar [3]
© OCR 2025 J125/01 Jun25
, 3
3 Judaism
(a) Give three examples of ways that G-d intervenes in the world. [3]
(b) Describe what is meant by the term Mitzvot. [3]
(c) Outline the concept of resurrection in Judaism. [3]
(d) Describe the significance of the obligation to save life (Pikuach Nefesh) in Judaism. [6]
(e) ‘The Messiah is the most important concept in Judaism.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• analyse and evaluate the importance of points of view, referring to common and divergent
views within Judaism
• refer to sources of wisdom and authority.
[15]
Spelling, punctuation and grammar [3]
This is the end of Section A
Turn over for Section B
© OCR 2025 J125/01 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Section B
Choose one of the religions that you answered in Section A.
Answer all parts of the question for your chosen religion.
4 Christianity
(a) Describe one purpose of marriage for Christians. [3]
(b) Describe different Christian teachings about gender equality. [6]
(c) Explain why Christians might have different views about divorce.
You should refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer. [6]
(d)* ‘Raising children as Christians is the most important purpose of a Christian family.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• draw on your learning from across your course of study, including reference to beliefs,
teachings and practices within Christianity
• explain and evaluate the importance of points of view from the perspective of Christianity.
[15]
5 Islam
(a) Describe one purpose of marriage for Muslims. [3]
(b) Describe different Muslim teachings about gender equality. [6]
(c) Explain why Muslims might have different views about divorce.
You should refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer. [6]
(d)* ‘Raising children as Muslims is the most important purpose of a Muslim family.’
Discuss this statement. In your answer, you should:
• draw on your learning from across your course of study, including reference to beliefs,
teachings and practices within Islam
• explain and evaluate the importance of points of view from the perspective of Islam.
[15]
© OCR 2025 J125/01 Jun25
