2024_AQA-GCSE Religious Studies A – Paper 1: Catholic Christianity (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Thursday 9 May 2024

2024_AQA-GCSE Religious Studies A – Paper 1: Catholic Christianity (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Thursday 9 May 2024 Candidate number I declare this is my own work. GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES A Paper 1 Catholic Christianity Thursday 9 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes Materials Before you open this book, you must ensure you also have: • the Question Paper/Answer Book for the other religion option you are entered for (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism). You will have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete both Question Paper/Answer Books. Instructions • Use black ink or black ball-point pen. • Fill in the boxes at the top of this page and on your other book. • Answer all questions. • If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). • Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. • You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages. Information • The maximum mark for this paper is 51. • The marks for the questions are shown in brackets. • Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) will be assessed in the 12-mark question in the Beliefs section. For Examiner’s Use Question Mark 01.1 01.2 01.3 01.4 01.5 02.1 02.2 02.3 02.4 02.5 TOTAL Advice You are advised to spend 50 minutes on this religion option and 50 minutes on your other religion option. GCSE Religious Studies A: Paper 1 - Catholic Christianity Summary The GCSE Religious Studies A: Paper 1 - Catholic Christianity, scheduled for May 2025, will assess students' understanding of the key beliefs, practices, and teachings of Catholic Christianity. This paper will cover a wide range of topics related to Catholic beliefs, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, Catholic practices such as worship and sacraments, and the role of the Church in the world today. Students will also explore Catholic teachings on moral issues and how they influence the lives of Catholics today. Key Areas Covered: 1. Catholic Beliefs about God  The Nature of God: Students will explore the Catholic understanding of God, including the belief in the Holy Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and how God is both transcendent (beyond human understanding) and immanent (present and active in the world).  Creation: The belief that God created the world out of nothing, and that creation is good, purposeful, and continues to be sustained by God.  Revelation: The idea that God reveals Himself to humanity through Scripture, Tradition, and ultimately through Jesus Christ.  The Problem of Evil and Suffering: The Catholic perspective on why evil and suffering exist, and how faith in God provides hope and comfort. 2. The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ  The Incarnation: The belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully human, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  The Death and Resurrection of Jesus: The centrality of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection in Christian belief, symbolizing salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life.  The Role of Jesus in Salvation: How Jesus' life, death, and resurrection provide the means for humanity to be reconciled with God and receive eternal life.  Jesus’ Teachings: Key teachings of Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount, the Parables, and the Great Commandment ("Love your neighbor as yourself").  The Role of Jesus in Catholic Worship: How Jesus' actions and teachings shape the liturgy and sacramental life of the Church. 3. The Sacraments  Sacramental Life: The role of sacraments in the life of Catholics. The seven sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders) are central to Catholic worship and life.  Baptism: The first sacrament of initiation, marking a person’s entry into the Church and their cleansing from sin.  Eucharist: The central sacrament of Catholic worship, where Catholics believe they receive the body and blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine, representing Christ's sacrifice.  Confirmation: The sacrament that strengthens the faith of a Catholic through the gift of the Holy Spirit, often received during adolescence.  Reconciliation: The sacrament through which Catholics confess their sins and receive absolution, restoring their relationship with God.  Marriage and Holy Orders: The two sacraments of vocation, where Catholics are called to live out their faith through marriage or the priesthood.  Anointing of the Sick: The sacrament that offers healing and comfort to those who are seriously ill or near death. 4. Catholic Practices and Worship  The Mass: The central act of Catholic worship, including the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. Students will explore the structure of the Mass and its significance.  Prayer: The importance of prayer in Catholic life, including formal prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary, and personal prayer. The role of prayer in daily life and in times of crisis.  The Role of the Church: The Church as the Body of Christ, serving as a place for worship, community, and spiritual growth. The role of priests, deacons, and bishops in leading the faithful.  Liturgical Seasons: Key seasons in the Catholic liturgical calendar, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. 5. Moral Teachings and Social Justice  Catholic Social Teaching: Key principles that guide Catholics in their social and ethical responsibilities, including the dignity of the person, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity.  The Sanctity of Life: The Catholic view on the sacredness of human life, including opposition to abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment.  Marriage and Family: Catholic teachings on the importance of marriage as a sacrament, the role of the family in society, and the Church’s teaching on sexual ethics.  Social Justice: The Church’s commitment to addressing poverty, inequality, and injustice. The role of Catholics in promoting peace, protecting the environment, and caring for the poor.  The Teachings of Pope Francis: The current Pope’s teachings on mercy, care for the environment, and the promotion of social justice, as outlined in documents like Laudato Si’ and Evangelii Gaudium. 6. Catholic Christianity in the Modern World  The Church in Society: How the Church engages with contemporary issues such as secularism, interfaith dialogue, and the challenges of living a Christian life in a multicultural, global society.  Evangelization: The mission of the Church to spread the Gospel message and make disciples of all nations.  The Role of the Laity: The role of ordinary Catholics in the mission of the Church, including the responsibility to live out their faith in everyday life and contribute to the work of the Church in the world. *JUN* IB/M/Jun24/G4005/E7 8062/12 2 0 1 0 1.1 0 1.2 Catholic Christianity: Beliefs Which one of the following is the meaning of the term ‘purgatory’? [1 mark] Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A A ceremony to celebrate the life of a dead person B A journey by a believer to a holy site C A state of cleansing to remove the effects of sin D A story with a religious message Give two Catholic beliefs about matrimony (marriage). [2 marks] 1 2 Do not write outside the box 1 2 *02* IB/M/Jun24/8062/12 3 . Explain two ways in which the Genesis accounts of creation influence 0 1 3 Christians today. [4 marks] Question 1 continues on the next page Do not write outside the box 4 Turn over ► *03* IB/M/Jun24/8062/12 4 0 1.4 Explain two Christian beliefs about the Incarnation. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer. [5 marks] Do not write outside the box 5 *04* IB/M/Jun24/8062/12 5 . 0 1 5 ‘For Catholics, the Eucharist is the most important sacrament.’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Catholic teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a