DRAFT SAMPLE QUESTIONS

The sample questions which follow are designed as a guide to teachers during the implementation process of the new syllabus. The questions have been prepared for both higher and ordinary level students. Each question is linked to the syllabus objective from which it is drawn, and to a mark allocation within a wider marking scheme. All of these questions were pre-tested in junior cycle classrooms, and some sample answers from this pre-testing are included at the end of the paper. These answers have been marked and the criteria for the award of the marks are included.

As well as offering guidance to teacher, the draft has a consultative function. Feedback from this draft will inform the preparation of sample papers for ordinary and higher level students closer to the time of the first examination.

The questions should also be seen as a resource bank for classroom formative and summative assessment.

DRAFT SAMPLE PAPER OUTLINE AND DRAFT MARKING SCHEME

SECTION 1

Choose three of the following pictures and answer the questions in relation to each.
(5 marks each at Ordinary level, 4 at Higher)
PICTURE A
a Name the religious tradition to which the men in this picture belong?
b What is the significance for them of the wall in this picture?
c What caption/heading would you put on this picture?
Syllabus objective: C.3.1 Exploring the ritual events and times of the tradition and the celebration of these in the life of the community.
PICTURE B
a Name one famous Irish book of the type pictured here?
b Who would have produced this type of book?
c Why was so much work put into the production of this type of book?
Syllabus objective: B.2.2 The gospels as documents of faith rather than history.
PICTURE C
a What is this type of painting called?
b What is the meaning/significance of this type of painting?
c What caption/heading would you put on this picture?
Syllabus objective: E.4. 4a Encountering some religious symbols and their meanings.
PICTURE D
a Who is the religious leader in this prison picture?
b What is the meaning/significance of their handshake?
c What caption/heading would you put on this picture?
Syllabus objective: F.4.4 Examining the methods by which religious traditions offer the possibility for the restoration of relationships.

SECTION 2

Read the following article and answer the questions below:

FARMERS REFUSE TO SELL MILK OUT OF RESPECT FOR LOCAL SAINT

An amazing tradition going back to the middle of the seventh century is still being observed in the midlands. A group of farmers there will not sell the milk produced by their
cows. These farmers live in the town land of Leamonaghan, near Ferbane, Co. Offaly and while milk is produced there, they refuse to sell it because of a tradition about a cow belonging to the local saint, St. Manchan. The tradition is observed to this day by the locals, who believe that if they sell the milk they show disrespect to their local patron saint.
They will give any surplus milk away but will not accept any payment for it. They make their living by rearing suckler cows, beef cattle and sheep. There is also intense devotion to St. Manchan, whose feast day is celebrated on January 24th when Masses are celebrated in local churches. St. Manchan who died in 664, had a famous cow which gave milk to all who came to milk her. She fed the saint and his community, which he set up after leaving Clonmacnois. According to a local historian, Mr. Seámus Corcoran, St. Manchan set up his community at Leamonaghan in the middle of the seventh century. "His famous cow kept everyone alive and from that day to this, no one in the town land will produce milk for sale. It is a mark of respect to the saint." He said one man who moved into the area refused to believe the tradition and in the 1940s set up a dairy herd. Eleven of his cows died overnight, and the calves were born with eads like sheep. The man gave up dairying. He said outsiders who moved into the area now respected the tradition and he expected this would continue despite all the changes in farming. "Local people still have great devotion to the saint and visit a well called after him seeking cures. A famous shrine, said to contain his bones is currently in the National Museum. "Tradition has it that the saint's cow was stolen by some people in Kilmonaghan, which is nearby, and by the time the saint arrived the cow had already been slaughtered and was in the pot. The saint however worked a miracle and the cow was restored to health except for one of her thighbones,
but she continued to give milk. Tradition also says that the saint tracked his missing cow because she left her hoof prints in the rocks, and one of those rocks bearing the hoof prints of a cow used to be kept at the local school." Locals also believe that St. Manchan's well, which is normally visited on January 24th has curative powers and will prevent disease. A tree beside the well is festooned with ribbons and rosary beads and other tokens left by pilgrims from all over the midlands.
(Adapted from The Irish Times Mar 4th 1999)

Questions - The Holy Well of St. Manchan
a. Why do the people of Leamonaghan still follow the old tradition? (9 Marks)
b. How do outsiders who move into the area react to the custom? (9 Marks)
c. Why do people visit St. Manchan's Holy Well? (9 Marks)
d. In what ways did St. Manchan support the people in his local community? (9 Marks)
e. Explain three of the following words and phrases: Pilgrim, Shrine, Devotion,
Holy Well, Patron Saint, Rosary Beads, and Tradition. (9 Marks)
Syllabus objectives:
E.3.1 have an awareness of the impact of the experience of mystery in human life. (Higher level only)
E.1 .1 have an understanding of how particular places and times come to be significant.

SECTION 3

10 of the following questions to be answered.
(6 marks each at Ordinary level, 5 at Higher level)

1. A religious icon is ______________________________
2. Monotheism is belief in many gods. True or False (Circle one)
3. Circle the odd one out - Matthew Luke Isaiah
4. Name two places of religious pilgrimage in Ireland. _________________ and _________________
5. An agnostic is someone who _______________
6. Intercession, Meditation, Petition and Praise are all forms of _____________
7. Using arrows connect the correct name with the correct religion.
Jesus of Nazareth Islam
Mohammed Buddhism
Siddartha Guatama Christianity
8. Of which Irish community of faith is Robin Eames the leader?
9. What is the sacred text of Islam? __________________________
10. Hatred of another person because of their religious belief is sectarianism ecumenism pluralism (Circle one)
11. Name the site of any monastery in Ireland and the saint who founded it.
Monastery: _________________Founded by:________________
12. Using arrows match the holy day with the religion.
Sunday Islam
Saturday Judaism
Friday Christianity
13. The followers of which religion celebrate Hanukkah?
14. Which saint had a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus?
15. Name the three synoptic gospels in the Christian traditions.
16. Name one source of historical evidence for Jesus of Nazareth?
17. An atheist is a person who ____________________________
18. Name a religious ritual and the community of faith with which it is associated
19. What does the title 'Buddha' mean?
20. Name a religious symbol used in worship by at least two major world religions.

Syllabus Objective
1. an understanding of the meaning of religious symbols (E.4.2.)
2. able to identify evidence of religious belief (D.4.2.)
3. able to name sources of information about Jesus (B. 2. 1.)
4. understanding of how particular places and times come to be significant (E.1.1)
5. awareness of the variety of world views in today's culture (D.5.1)
6. differentiate between different types of prayer (E.5.2.)
7. recognise founders of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism (A.3.3.)
8. name religious groups found in Ireland (A.3.1)
9. differentiate between faith documents and historical documents (C.2.2.)
10. understand the implications of sectarianism (A.4.2)
11. understanding of how particular places and times come to be significant (E.1.1)
12. identify elements of worship (E.2.1)
13. aware of the place of sign and symbol in religious traditions (E.4.1.)
14. recognise and be able to retell stories about the founders/earlier followers of Christianity (A.3.3.)
15. trace the development of the Gospels (B.2.3)
16. name sources of information about Jesus (B.2.1.)
17. awareness of the variety of world views in today's culture (D.5.1)

18. to identify elements of worship (E.2.1)

19. able to identify key elements of the beliefs of a
major world religion (C.3.1)

20. have an understanding of the power and meaning
of religious symbols (E.4.2)

SECTION 4

Five of the following questions to be answered.
(30 marks each question)

Question 1 Communities and Communities of Faith.
a List four qualities of a good leader.
b In the case of two of these qualities say why they are important in a leader of a community of faith.
c Jesus of Nazareth, Abraham, Mohammed and Siddhartha Guatama were religious leaders. Pick one of these and -
i Name the religion in which he is a leader.
ii Mention two qualities he had which made him a good leader.
iii Describe two events from his life, which show how he used those qualities
in his life and teaching.

Question 2 Answer either A or B
A Foundations of Religion - Christianity
"All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed." (Acts 2: 44- 45 Good News Bible) * Note that in the examination three versions of scriptural texts will be given -the NRSV and the Jesrusalem texts will also be included.
a What was the attitude of the early Christians to wealth?
b Did the believers live out the message of Christ? Explain.
c Why might a person have become a Christian at this time?
d How are the characteristics of the first Christian communities seen in Christian communities of faith today?
B Foundations of Religion - major world religions
Many communities of faith have important stories which can be retold at festivals or particular times of the year. In the case of ONE of these:
a Briefly summarise the story.
b Name the religious tradition with which it is associated and the sacred text in which it occurs (if appropriate).
c Explain why the story is important.
d Tell how this story is used in festivals/celebrations/special times.

Syllabus objectives
recognise the variety of roles within communities, including leadership roles (A.2.2) recognise and be able to retell stories about the founders/earliest followers of Christianity
Islam,Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism (A.3.3) aware of the emerging identity and development of the first Christian communities (B.5.1)
recognise and be able to retell the stories of the earliest followers of Chritianity (A.3.3)
compare and contrast those early faith communities with modern faith communities (B.5.2)
be able to recognise important moments in the story of the chosen major world religion (C.4.1)
be able to differentiate between faith documents and historical documents (C.2.2)
be able to identify essential elements of the belief of the chosen major world religion (C.3.2)

Question 3 The Moral Challenge - Sources of Morality
A by-pass is planned for your town and the building of the new road will involve the cutting down of some ancient oak trees in a nearby forest. A small group of protesters have set up a camp in the forest and have promised to do everything they can to stop the building. You have been to interview three of them for a school newsletter . One of them is a Christian, the other a Buddhist and the third is an atheist.
For each one interviewed right down the answer you would expect to the question 'Why are you undertaking this protest?'.
Question 4 Sign and Symbol
Answer A and either B or C.
A
a Name four symbols used in religious celebrations.
b Explain how one of these symbols is used in
i ordinary life
ii the religious celebration.
B
a Name any religious festival and the community of faith in which it is celebrated.
b Explain the origin and significance of this festival for the community of faith.
c Describe any ritual associated with the festival and explain the meaning of the ritual.
C
a Name a sacrament associated with one Christian tradition.
b Name three symbols used in the celebration of this sacrament and explain their meaning.
c Why do followers of this tradition celebrate this sacrament?
Question 5 The Situation of Faith Today
a Describe how any two factors influence the religious faith and practice of adolescents today
b Read this short 'letter to God' written by a seven year old child
Dear God
Thank you for making the sun shine on my birthday. We could play with the bouncing castle all day. I prayed for a new bike but got a scooter. That is okay anyway.
Love from Janice
How might the religious faith of a teenager differ from the kind of faith demonstrated by this child?
c Suggest two reasons for the change in attitude.
d This letter reflects the following themes: celebration, thanksgiving, prayer.
Many communities of faith have stories about these themes. Write one of these and name the community it comes from.

Syllabus objectives
understand the meaning and implications of a moral vision (F.2.2)
describe the vision articulated in different sets of rules and moral codes (F.2.3)
know how religious moral visions can influence the moral decisions of believers (F.4.2)
be aware of the place of sign and symbol in human life and in religious traditions (E.4.1) be able to identify key elements of the belief and symbols of the chosen major world religion (C.3.1)
have an understanding of the power and meaning of religious symbols (E.4.2)
be able to identify elements of worship (E.2.1)
recognise these beliefs and symbols in the words and actions of followers past and present (C.3.2)
be familiar with the Christian understanding of sacrament and have a detailed understanding of the place of sacrament in two Christian denominations (E.4.3)
identify factors that influence the religious beliefs of adolescents (D.1.2)
differentiate between childhood and adult faith (D.3.3)
be aware of the changing patterns of religious belief and practice in Ireland (D.1.1)

Question 6 Foundations of Religion - Christianity
a Write the correct name in the spaces on the map below:
Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, Emmaus, Province of Judea, Province of Galilee, Province of Samaria, Mediterranean Sea
b Choose any four of the above and write a short paragraph describing how that place was associated with the life of Jesus.

Syllabus objectives
understanding of the context into which Jesus was born (B.1.1)

SECTION 5
HIGHER LEVEL ONLY
Answer one of the following questions (50 Marks):

1. Write a newspaper article about "Religious Belief and Young People" incorporating the following:
- past attitudes
- present attitudes
- how religion affects modern life
- development of faith/belief

Syllabus Objectives
identify factors that influence the religious beliefs of adolescents (D.1.2)
differentiate between the faith of the child and the faith of the adult and have a sense of the development from one to the other (D.3.3)

2. Write the life story of any religious founder, which you have studied, making reference to:
- Biography
- Inspiration
- Reactions of ear1y followers
- Reactions of followers today
- Reactions of those outside the community today

Syllabus Objectives
recognise and be able to retell stories about the founders/earlier followers of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism; (A.3.3)
recognise the importance of respecting their own beliefs and the beliefs and convictions of others. (A.4.1)

3. Describe a religious celebration or festival which you attended/observed with reference to:
- Worship as a response to mystery
- Other celebrations of that community of faith
- How did this festival relate to the lives of the people involved?

Syllabus Objectives
identify elements of worship. (E.2.1)

4. In discussions about morality, what is 'the golden rule'? In the case of two religious traditions show how the 'golden rule' is expressed in the moral code of each religious tradition, and show how it is lived out in the lifestyle of the followers of that tradition.

Syllabus Objectives
understand the meaning and implications of a moral vision (F.2.3)
know how religious moral visions can influence the moral decisions of believers (F.4.2)

5. Write an essay on the topic "We are symbolic people" making reference to:
- The importance of symbols in the practice of religion
- Why symbols are used?
- An account of the use of symbols by one community of faith in either worship or dress.

Syllabus Objectives
identify key elements of the beliefs and symbols of the chosen major world religion (C.3.1)
recognise these beliefs and symbols in the words and actions of followers past and present (C.3.2)
awareness of the impact of experience of mystery in human life (E.3.1)
identify participation in worship as response to that experience (E.3.2)

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR DRAFT SAMPLE QUESTIONS

SECTION 1

Marks:
Picture A
5/4 a Identify the religious tradition of Judaism
5/4 b Knowledge of the significance of the Holy Wall in Jerusalem.
5/4 c A caption/heading for the picture and explanation which reflects awareness and understanding of the elements of the picture and their meaning.
A Total = 15/12
Picture B
5/4 a Identify it as a page from Book of Kells
5/4 b Knowledge of the work of monastic scribes.
5/4 c Understanding of the faith and work of monastic scribes.
B Total = 15/12
Picture C
5/4 a Recognise the painting as an icon
5/4 b Knowledge of the meaning/significance of icons
5/4 c A caption/heading for the picture and explanation which reflects awareness and understanding of the elements of the picture and their meaning.
C Total = 15/12
Picture D
5/4 a Identify Pope John Paul II with the prisoner (Ali Agca who tried to kill the Pope in 1982) in the picture.
5/4 b Knowledge of how they are involved in the restoration of their relationships.
5/4 c A caption/heading for the picture and explanation which reflects awareness and understanding of the elements of the picture and their meaning.
D Total = 15/12
TOTAL 3 PICTURES = 45 MARKS (O.L.)
36 MARKS (H.L.)

SECTION 2

Marks:
4 a Knowledge and understanding of the events which gave rise to the tradition
5 awareness of the respect for the memory of the saint or fear of possible consequences of not acting according to the tradition
4 b Knowledge and understanding of the reported fate of the outsider who did not follow the tradition
5 awareness of the impact of this incident on the local people
9 c Knowledge and understanding of the significance of Holy Wells
9 d Knowledge and understanding of the role of religious leaders within a community
3 x 3 e Rosary Beads - Prayer, guide, symbols, ritual/repetition
Pilgrim - Journey, penance, healing sacred place
Holy Well - Local saint, healing, pilgrimage, patron/pattern
Tradition - Old, handed down, belief, action/act
Patron Saint - Holy man/woman, miracle, devotion, exemplar
Shrine - Sacred place, saint, exemplar, pilgrimage
Devotion - Saint, sacred place, miracle, prayer
TOTAL = 45 MARKS

SECTION 3

Marks:
6/5 1 An understanding of the meaning of religious symbols (E.4.2)
6/5 2 Able to identify evidence of religious belief. (D.4.2)
6/5 3 Able to name sources of information about Jesus (B. 2. 1)
6/5 4 Understanding of how particular places and times come to be significant.(E.1.1)
6/5 5 Awareness of the variety of world views in today's culture (D.5.1)
6/5 6 Differentiate between different types of prayer. (E.5.2)
6/5 7 Recognise founders of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism (A.3.3)
6/5 8 Name religious groups found in Ireland. (A.3.1)
6/5 9 Differentiate between faith documents and historical documents (C.2.2)
6/5 10 Understand the implications of sectarianism (A.4.2)
6/5 11 Understanding of how particular places and times come to be significant.(E.1.1)
6/5 12 Identify elements of worship. (E.4.2)
6/5 13 Aware of the place of sign and symbol in religious traditions (E.4.1)
6/5 14 Recognise and be able to retell stories about the founders/earlier followers of
Christianity. (A.3.3)
6/5 15 Trace the development of the Gospels (B.2.4)
6/5 16 Name sources of information about Jesus (B.2.1)
6/5 17 Awareness of the variety of world views in today's culture (D.5.1)
6/5 18 To identify elements of worship (E.2.1)
6/5 19 Able to identify key elements of the beliefs of a major world religion (C.3.1)
6/5 20 Have an understanding of the power and meaning of religious symbol (E.4.2)
60 (O.L)
50 (H.L.)

SECTION 4

Question One
Marks
5 a Recognise leadership roles within their community.
10 b Recognise the qualities of a good leader
5 c Recognise the religious leaders of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism.
5 d Recognise their leadership qualities.
5 e Re-tell events from their lives
30

Question Two A
Marks
7 a Aware of the emerging identity of the first Christian communities
8 b Aware of the development of the first Christian communities
8 c Recognise and be able to retell the stories about the earliest followers of Christianity
7 d Compare and contrast those early faith communities with modern faith communities.
30
Question Two B
10 a Able to re-tell the stories of chosen major world religion
5 b Able to recognise important moments in the story of chosen major world religion
7 c Be able to differentiate between faith documents and historical documents
8 d Be able identify essential elements of the belief of the chosen major world religion
30
Question Three
10 a Identify sources of morality, especially sources of morality in their own lives
10 b Understand the meaning and implications of a moral vision
10 c Describe the vision articulated in different religious traditions
30
Question Four A
4 a aware of the place of symbol in religious traditions
3 b aware of the place of symbol in human life
3 c identify key element of the belief and symbols of the chosen major world religion
10
Question Four B
2 a Name a particular place and time which is significant as a religious festival
9 b Understanding of the power and meaning of religious symbols
9 c Recognise the significant beliefs and symbols in this religious festival
20
Question Four C
2 a Familiar with the Christian understanding of sacrament
9 b Understand the place of sacrament in a Christian denomination
9 c Understand the place of symbol in the Christian denomination
20
Question Five
5 a Aware of the changing patterns of religious belief and practice in Ireland. awareness of the variety of world views in today's culture
5 b Understand the challenge posed by some of these views to religious belief; identify points of conflict and points of contact between the scientific and religious world view of creation
10 c Name and identify the factors which influence the religious beliefs of the adolescent
10 d Identify evidence of religious belief in stories from two religious traditions
30
Question Six
10 a Identify 10 places on a map of the Holy Land
(4x5) b Describe four places associated with the life of Jesus
30

SECTION 5

50 1 Articulate images of God and identify their sources
Differentiate between the faith of the child and the faith of the adult and have a sense of the
development from one to the other
50 2 Recognise and retell stories about the founders/earlier followers of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism
Recognise the importance of respecting their own beliefs and the beliefs and convictions
of others
50 3 Identify elements of worship
50 4 Understand the process of moral decision making
50 5 Identify key elements of the beliefs and symbols of the chosen major world religion;
Recognise these beliefs and symbols in the words and actions of followers past and present; Awareness of the impact of experience of mystery in human life and identify participation in worship as response to that experience

SAMPLE ANSWERS

In the preparation of these guidelines, a number of schools pre-tested the sample questions. This pretesting gave rise to the sample answers below. In an effort to show how the questions and markin scheme arise from the syllabus objectives, these answers were marked and the results of the marking process shown below. In the course of implementation, further samples will be collected and marked for discussion and guidance for teachers, students and parents. The samples below relate to the questions in section two.