1 Unit HSC sample examination paper no answers

HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

sample examination paper

Studies of Religion I

General instructions

Total marks 50

Section I
Pages 26
15 marks
Attempt questions 111
Allow about 25 minutes for this section

Reading time 5 minutes

Working time 1 hours
Write using blue or black pen
Write your student number at the top
of this page

Section II
Pages 710
15 marks
Attempt ONE question from questions 15
Allow about 30 minutes for this section
Section III
Pages 11 & 12
20 marks
Attempt ONE question from questions 15
Allow about 35 minutes for this section

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Section I Religion and belief systems in Australia post-1945

15 marks
Attempt questions 111.
Allow about 25 minutes for this section.
Use the multiple choice answer sheet to record your responses to questions 110.

Which of the following is an important aspect of Aboriginal spiritualities?

(A)

Finding water

(B)

The Dreaming

(C)

Terra nullius

(D)

Church buildings

In the year 2000, hundreds of thousands of people crossed the Sydney Harbour
Bridge as a sign of solidarity with Aboriginal people. This was an example of:

(A)

Reconciliation

(B)

Ecumenism

(C)

Kinship

(D)

Land rights.

The Bringing them home report was the final report in the investigation into
which issue?
(A)

Kinship

(B)

Native title

(C)

Immigration

(D)

The Stolen Generation

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4

What has been the most obvious change in the religious landscape of Australia
since 1945?

(A)

Christianity has grown dramatically.

(B)

Immigration has brought different religious expressions to Australia.

(C)

Family size has increased.

(D)

The White Australia policy has been reinstated.

How has dispossession evidenced itself in Aboriginal communities?

(A)

Aboriginal culture has disappeared.

(B)

Aboriginal people have been assimilated into the white community.

(C)

Aboriginal spirituality often includes aspects of Christian teaching and

practices.

(D)
6

Aboriginal people refuse to talk to white Australians.

Aboriginal ceremonial life includes the following features:

(A)

Corroborees, initiation and balance rituals

(B)

Elaborate church services often held in cathedrals

(C)

Kinship, country and ecumenism

(D)

The Freedom Ride and native title.

Secularism has become a noticeable feature in the Australian religious landscape

because of:
(A)

Immigration

(B)

Changing from one Christian church to another

(C)

The abolition of the White Australia policy

(D)

The increase in response to the No religion category in the Australian

census.

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8

The National Council of Churches in Australia and the National Church Life
Survey are examples of:
(A)

Denominational switching

(B)

Interfaith dialogue

(C)

The influence of the Uniting Church of Australia

(D)

Ecumenism.

Use the following data to answer questions 9 and 10.

Percentages of religious traditions
2001
68%
1.9%
1.5%
0.5%
0.4%

2006
63.9%
2.1%
1.7%
0.7%
0.4%

Actual % growth 9606

Christianity
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism
Judaism

1996
70.9%
1.1%
1.1%
0.4%
0.4%

No religion
Not stated

16.6%
8.7%

15.5%
9.8%

18.7%
11.2%

25.7%
43.4%

0.8%
109.6%
69.4%
120.2%
11.3%

Which of the following best explains the growth in Hinduism between 1996 and
2006?
(A)

Denominational switching

(B)

Christianity as the major religious tradition

(C)

Immigration

(D)

Secularism

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10

What is the best description of the information contained in the table?

(A)

There has been a large increase in the Jewish percentage of the population.

(B)

Christianity has grown.

(C)

There is little change in the No religion category.

(D)

Migration has had little impact on the Muslim faith.

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Section I (continued)
Attempt question 11.
Answer the question in the space provided. This space provides guidance for the expected length
of response.

Question 11 (5 marks)
Explain the significance of the Native Title Act (1993).

Section II Religious tradition depth study

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15 marks
Attempt ONE question from questions 15
Allow about 30 minutes for this section.
Answer the question in a SEPARATE answer booklet. Extra answer booklets are
available.
Marks
Question 1 Buddhism (15 marks)
(a)

Describe ONE principal ethical teaching of Buddhism.

(b)

Explain Buddhist ethical teaching with particular reference to ONE of the

following areas:

(c)

bioethics

environmental ethics

sexual ethics.

Analyse the significance of ONE of the following practices in Buddhism:

pilgrimage

temple worship

Wesak.

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Question 2 Christianity (15 marks)
(a)

List THREE contributions to Christianity of ONE significant person or

school of thought, other than Jesus Christ.

(b)

Explain the impact of ONE significant person or school of thought

other than Jesus Christ, on Christianity.

(c)

Analyse the ethical teachings of Christianity on ONE of the following areas:

bioethics

environmental ethics

sexual ethics.

Question 3 Hinduism (15 marks)

(a)

(b)

Describe ONE significant practice within Hinduism drawn from:

marriage ceremony

pilgrimage

temple worship.

Discuss the significance of ONE of the following significant practices

for the Hindu community:

(c)

marriage ceremony

pilgrimage

temple worship.

Evaluate the contribution of ONE significant person or school of thought,

other than the Vedas, to Hinduism.

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Question 4 Islam (15 marks)
(a)

(b)

Describe ONE of the following significant practices in Islam:

Friday prayers at the Mosque

funeral ceremony

Hajj.

Demonstrate how ONE of the following practices expresses the

beliefs of Islam:

(c)

Friday prayers at the mosque

funeral ceremony

Hajj.

Describe and explain Islamic ethical teachings on ONE of

the following areas:

bioethics

environmental ethics

sexual ethics.

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Question 5 Judaism (15 marks)
(a)

(b)

Describe Jewish ethical teachings in ONE of the following areas:

bioethics

environmental ethics

sexual ethics.

Explain, using examples, the application of Jewish ethical teachings

in ONE of the following areas:

(c)

bioethics

environmental ethics

sexual ethics.

Analyse the significance of ONE of the following practices in Judaism:

death and mourning

marriage

synagogue services.

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Section III Religious tradition depth study

20 marks
Attempt ONE question from questions 15.
Choose a DIFFERENT religious tradition to the one you chose in Section II.
Allow about 35 minutes for this section.
Answer the question in a writing booklet. Extra writing booklets are available.
In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

demonstrate knowledge and understanding relevant to the question

incorporate significant elements of religion to illustrate your answer

communicate using language and terminology appropriate to the study of religion

present ideas clearly in a cohesive response.

Question 1 Buddhism (20 marks)

Beyond these routines, however, Buddhists read, pray and meditate to shape
their behaviour ever more closely to the model of the awakened one, the Buddha
From the Geography of Religion
With reference to the quotation, evaluate the influence of Buddhism on the lives of the
individual adherent and the Buddhist community.
Question 2 Christianity (20 marks)
Christianity trains the minds and hearts of men and women to worship and serve
the one God.
From the Geography of Religion
With reference to the quotation, evaluate the influence of Christianity on the lives of the
individual adherent and the Christian community.

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Question 3 Hinduism (20 marks)
Hinduism, ever indefinable, is redefined by each generation of Hindus for itself
From the Geography of Religion
With reference to the quotation, evaluate the influence of Hinduism on the lives of the
individual adherent and the Hindu community.
Question 4 Islam (20 marks)
Wherever they settle, Muslims must live according to the rules and rituals
declared by the Quran, fulfilling the obligations of their desert-based religion
even in urban settings.
From the Geography of Religion
With reference to the quotation, evaluate the influence of Islam on the lives of the
individual adherent and the Muslim community.
Question 5 Judaism (20 marks)
Jewish religious practice regulates daily life to make every action meaningful
From the Geography of Religion
With reference to the quotation, evaluate the influence of Judaism on the lives of the
individual adherent and the Jewish community.
End of paper

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