Question 1: Describe the significance of prayer in a religious practice of your choice. How does it relate to the beliefs of that faith?

Answer: Prayer is a key practice that allows believers to communicate with God or gods, express gratitude, seek guidance, and find spiritual comfort. For example, in Christianity, prayer reinforces the believer's relationship with God and aligns their life with Christian teachings.

Question 2: List three different religious rituals or ceremonies and briefly explain their purpose.

Answer: 1. Baptism in Christianity - symbolises purification and initiation into the faith. 2. Salah (prayer) in Islam - five daily prayers to demonstrate submission to Allah. 3. Puja in Hinduism - offering prayers and fare to deities to seek blessings and show devotion.

Question 3: Explain the role of fasting as a religious practice, providing an example from a specific faith.

Answer: Fasting is a practice of abstaining from food, drink, or other physical needs to develop self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and empathy with those in need. For example, Muslims fast during Ramadan from dawn to sunset to purify the soul and grow closer to Allah.

Question 4: Compare and contrast two religious practices of pilgrimage and meditation, focusing on their purpose and significance.

Answer: Pilgrimage involves traveling to a sacred site as an act of faith, penance, or devotion, such as the Hajj to Mecca in Islam, which unites Muslims worldwide. Meditation, practiced in religions like Buddhism or Hinduism, involves quiet reflection or mental discipline to attain spiritual insight or enlightenment. While pilgrimage is outward and physical, meditation is inward and mental, but both aim to deepen spiritual connection.

Question 5: Draw a sketch of a religious symbol or artefact used during a ritual or ceremony. Label the parts and explain their significance.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a religious symbol such as a Christian cross, a Hindu Om symbol, or a Buddhist prayer wheel. Labels should identify key parts like the shape, material, and any inscriptions, with an explanation of what it represents or how it is used in practice.

Question 6: Identify and describe a religious practice that involves community participation. Why is community important in this context?

Answer: An example is attending a weekly worship service, such as a church service or synagogue gathering, where community members come together to pray, sing, and listen to teachings. Community participation reinforces shared beliefs, provides support, and strengthens faith through collective worship.

Question 7: Explain how a specific religious practice promotes moral or ethical behaviour among followers.

Answer: Fasting during Ramadan encourages self-control, discipline, and concern for the less fortunate, reinforcing ethical behaviour such as charity and patience in Islam. Such practices serve to shape character and promote social harmony.

Question 8: Describe the process and purpose of a rite of passage in a religion you have studied.

Answer: A rite of passage, such as Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Judaism, marks a transition from childhood to adulthood. It involves specific rituals, learning, and ceremonies that affirm the individual's new responsibilities within the faith community and are important for social and spiritual recognition.