✝️ AQA GCSE Religious Studies A – Paper 2A:
Thematic Studies
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes | Total marks: 96
Answer four themes. Each theme is worth 24 marks.
✅ THEME A: Relationships and Families
Q1. Explain two religious beliefs about the purpose of marriage. (5 marks)
Q2. Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about contraception. (4 marks)
Q3. “Sex before marriage is always wrong.” Evaluate this statement. (12
marks)
Include:
Arguments for and against
Religious teachings
Your reasoned conclusion
✍ Model Answers – Theme A:
Q1 Answer:
Marriage is considered a sacred covenant by many religious believers.
1. In Christianity, it is seen as a lifelong union blessed by God (Genesis 2:24
– "they become one flesh").
2. In Islam, marriage (nikah) is a legal contract that helps avoid sinful
behaviour and creates family stability.
Q2 Answer:
1. Catholics oppose contraception as it goes against the natural purpose of sex
(Humanae Vitae, 1968).
2. Protestants, like Anglicans, allow contraception to plan families
responsibly.
Thematic Studies
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes | Total marks: 96
Answer four themes. Each theme is worth 24 marks.
✅ THEME A: Relationships and Families
Q1. Explain two religious beliefs about the purpose of marriage. (5 marks)
Q2. Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about contraception. (4 marks)
Q3. “Sex before marriage is always wrong.” Evaluate this statement. (12
marks)
Include:
Arguments for and against
Religious teachings
Your reasoned conclusion
✍ Model Answers – Theme A:
Q1 Answer:
Marriage is considered a sacred covenant by many religious believers.
1. In Christianity, it is seen as a lifelong union blessed by God (Genesis 2:24
– "they become one flesh").
2. In Islam, marriage (nikah) is a legal contract that helps avoid sinful
behaviour and creates family stability.
Q2 Answer:
1. Catholics oppose contraception as it goes against the natural purpose of sex
(Humanae Vitae, 1968).
2. Protestants, like Anglicans, allow contraception to plan families
responsibly.
