Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) Paper 1

Section 1: The Universe, Creation and the Place of Human Beings

Creation of the Universe

Sample (2019)

2a) Identify three beliefs about the origins of the universe.

2019

2c) Choose one religion and explain what its followers believe about the creation of the
universe.

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1b) Choose one religion. Outline two beliefs about the origin of the universe in this religion.

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2d) “God is the only possible reason the world exists.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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1d) “Science explains the world we live in; there is no need for God.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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Nature and Uniqueness of Human Beings

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2d) “Humans are more important than animals.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your
answer you should refer to at least one religion.

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1a) Identify three beliefs about the nature of human beings.

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Design Argument

Sample (2019)

1c) Explain why some people believe the world appears to be designed.

Cosmological Argument

Sample (2019)

2d) “God caused the world to exist.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your
answer you should refer to at least one religion.

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Characteristics of God

Sample (2019)

1b) Outline two characteristics of God.

2020

1a) Identify three characteristics of God.

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Stewardship

2019

2a) Identify three ways humans can protect the environment.

2021

1b) Choose one religion. Outline two reasons why its followers believe they have a
responsibility to look after the world.

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1c) Choose one religion. Explain why its followers believe they have a responsibility to care
for the planet.

Animal Rights

2020

1b) Choose one religion. Outline two ways its followers should treat animals.

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2a) Identify three rights animals should have.

Root Causes of Human Wrongdoing (Selfishness, greed, ignorance and sin)

Sample (2019)

2b) Choose one religion. Outline two teachings about greed in this religion.

2019

1a) Identify three examples of selfishness.

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2c) Explain the causes of human wrongdoing.

2021

1a) Identify three root causes of wrongdoing.

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1d) “Humans will always cause conflict.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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2c) Choose one religion. Explain what its followers believe about sin.

Free Will, Determinism and Predestination

Sample (2019)

1d) “If God is omnipotent then we have no free will.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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2c) Explain religious beliefs about free will.

2019

2b) Outline two religious beliefs about free will.

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1c) Explain non-religious beliefs about free will.

2022

1a) Identify three beliefs about predestination.

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1b) Outline two contrasting beliefs about freewill.

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2d) “If everything is predestined there is no point in trying to live a good life.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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Immortality of the Soul

2019

1d) “Everyone has an immortal soul.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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2b) Choose one religion. Outline two beliefs about the immortality of the soul in this
religion.

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1d) “There is more to life than the physical world.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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2c) Explain religious beliefs about immortality.

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2b) Choose one religion. Outline two of its beliefs that may give life purpose.

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2c) Explain why some people believe there is nothing more than the physical world
(=physicalism).

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Ultimate Reality (monotheism and polytheism)

2019

1d) “There is only one God.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your
answer you should refer to at least one religion.

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1c) Explain why some people believe there is more than one god.

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2b) Outline two non-religious attitudes to the existence of an ultimate reality.

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Existence of God (Theism, agnosticism and atheism)

2019

1b) Outline two reasons why some people are atheists.

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2d) “There is no proof that God exists.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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2a) Identify three reasons why some people do not believe in God.

The Problem of Evil and Suffering

Sample (2019)

1a) Identify three examples of moral evil.

2019

1c) Choose one religion and explain how its followers explain the existence of suffering in the
world.

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1d) “Everyone suffers; therefore God cannot exist.”

Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer
you should refer to at least one religion.

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1c) Explain how religious people may respond to the problem of evil and suffering.

2b) Choose one religion. Outline two ways its followers explain the existence of evil and
suffering.

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2a) Outline three possible responses to suffering.

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2a) Identify three examples of natural evil.

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