Theme B: Religion and Life | AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062)
Theme B: Religion and Life
- 93 questions
- 7 subtopics
- Paper 2
- Paper 2
Theme B: Religion and Life is examined in Paper 2, Thematic studies — one of the four themes chosen, marked out of 24.
It covers the origins of the universe, stewardship, dominion and the value of the world, the use and abuse of the environment, the use and abuse of animals, the origins of human life: creation and evolution, sanctity of life, quality of life and abortion and euthanasia, death and life after death.
Sample questions from Theme B: Religion and Life
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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The origins of the universe
What is meant by the Big Bang theory?
Show the answer
The Big Bang theory states that the universe began from a single extremely hot, dense point. Space has been expanding ever since. -
The origins of the universe
What does the Qur'an teach about how the universe began?
Show the answer
Surah 21:30 teaches that the heavens and the earth were once joined together and were then separated by Allah. Many Muslims see this as fitting the Big Bang. -
Stewardship, dominion and the value of the world
Explain the difference between dominion and stewardship.
Show the answer
Dominion gives human beings authority over creation. Stewardship makes that authority a responsibility to care for creation on God's behalf. -
Stewardship, dominion and the value of the world
Which hadith teaches Muslims about stewardship?
Show the answer
A hadith in Sahih Muslim calls the world green and beautiful and names human beings as Allah's stewards over it. Muslims use the hadith to argue for care of the environment. -
The use and abuse of the environment
Why do Christians treat pollution as a religious issue?
Show the answer
Pollution damages a world Christians believe God made and called good. Damage to creation then breaks the duty of stewardship. -
The use and abuse of the environment
What is meant by conservation?
Show the answer
Conservation is the protection and careful management of natural resources and wildlife. Nature reserves and recycling schemes are examples. -
The use and abuse of animals
Give one religious argument in favour of animal experimentation.
Show the answer
Genesis 1:28 gives human beings dominion over animals, so many Christians allow experiments that save human lives. Human life is valued above animal life. -
The use and abuse of animals
What are halal and kosher slaughter?
Show the answer
Halal and kosher are methods of slaughter required by Islamic and Jewish law. The animal's throat is cut with a sharp blade and the blood is drained.
The 7 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| The origins of the universe | The subtopic covers creation ex nihilo in Genesis and the Qur'an, literal and non-literal readings, the Big Bang theory and the age of the universe, Christian responses to it, the humanist view, and whether science and religion conflict. | 14 |
| Stewardship, dominion and the value of the world | These questions explain dominion and stewardship with the Genesis texts, Psalm 24 on who owns the earth, awe and wonder, the Muslim idea of the steward and the mizan, judgement for care of the earth, and non-religious reasons. | 13 |
| The use and abuse of the environment | Students learn renewable and non-renewable resources, types of pollution, climate change, Pope Francis's teaching, conservation and the pull of economic growth, Qur'anic teaching on waste, and the humanist case for action. | 12 |
| The use and abuse of animals | The subtopic covers animal experimentation, UK law and the three Rs, religious and non-religious arguments for and against testing, the Buddhist objection, vegetarianism, halal and kosher slaughter, and factory farming. | 14 |
| The origins of human life: creation and evolution | These questions explain the creation of humans in Genesis and the Qur'an, the imago Dei, evolution and Darwin, creationism and intelligent design, how Christians relate evolution to God, and the humanist view. | 12 |
| Sanctity of life, quality of life and abortion | Students learn the sanctity and quality of life with biblical support, UK abortion law and viability, Christian arguments for and against abortion, double effect, the Islamic position, pro-life and pro-choice cases, and humanist views. | 14 |
| Euthanasia, death and life after death | The subtopic covers voluntary, non-voluntary, active and passive euthanasia, assisted suicide and UK law, Christian and Islamic teaching, hospices and palliative care, and Christian, Muslim and humanist views of life after death. | 14 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA GCSE Religious Studies A Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 1,734 questions with their answers.