AQA GCSE Religious Studies A Paper 2A: Thematic studies June 2023 question paper 8062/2A

Which one of the following means an unmarried couple living together?

A Procreation

B Cohabitation

C Divorce

D Polygamy

Give two reasons why many religious believers accept remarriage.

Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about gender equality.

In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions.

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of children within the family.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

‘Married couples should not use contraception.’

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer you:

• should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement

• should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view

• should refer to religious arguments

• may refer to non-religious arguments

• should reach a justified conclusion.

[Plus SPaG 3 marks]

Theme B: Religion and life

Which one of the following terms may be used when describing the general well-being of a person?

A Length of life

B Purpose of life

C Quality of life

D Sanctity of life

Give two reasons why some religious people are against experimenting on animals.

Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about an afterlife.

In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions.

Explain two reasons why many religious people believe they have a duty to look after the world.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

‘Euthanasia is never the best option.’

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer you:

• should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement

• should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view

• should refer to religious arguments

• may refer to non-religious arguments

• should reach a justified conclusion.

[Plus SPaG 3 marks]

Theme C: The existence of God and revelation

Which one of the following is a form of special revelation?

A Being brought up to believe in God

B Learning of God through what humans do

C Meeting God directly

D Seeing God through nature

Give two reasons why some people do not believe that revelations about God are real.

Explain two contrasting beliefs about miracles.

In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions.

Explain two religious beliefs about the omnipotence of God.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

‘The only way to know God is by being enlightened.’

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer you:

• should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement

• should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view

• should refer to religious arguments

• may refer to non-religious arguments

• should reach a justified conclusion.

[Plus SPaG 3 marks]

Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict

Which one of the following best expresses the idea of accepting someone’s apology for what they have done wrong?

A Forgiveness

B Justice

C Protest

D Punishment

Give two reasons why a conflict may be said to be a ‘holy war’.

Explain two similar religious beliefs about a country using weapons of mass destruction.

In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions.

Explain two reasons why some religious believers choose to work for an organisation that helps victims of war.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

‘All religious believers should be pacifists and never fight.’

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer you:

• should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement

• should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view

• should refer to religious arguments

• may refer to non-religious arguments

• should reach a justified conclusion.

[Plus SPaG 3 marks]

Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment

Which one of the following aims of punishment can be described as taking revenge?

A Deterrence

B Protection

C Reformation

D Retribution

Give two different types of crime.

Explain two contrasting religious views about the treatment of people who have committed evil actions.

In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions.

Explain two reasons why some religious believers might break the law.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

‘Community service does not punish the criminal enough.’

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer you:

• should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement

• should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view

• should refer to religious arguments

• may refer to non-religious arguments

• should reach a justified conclusion.

[Plus SPaG 3 marks]

Theme F: Religion, human rights and social justice

Which one of the following means treating people fairly?

A Exploitation

B Hatred

C Inequality

D Justice

Give two causes of poverty.

Explain two similar religious beliefs about freedom of religion.

In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions.

Explain two reasons why religious believers should challenge racial prejudice.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

‘People living in poverty must help themselves to overcome any difficulties they face.’

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer you:

• should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement

• should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view

• should refer to religious arguments

• may refer to non-religious arguments

• should reach a justified conclusion.

[Plus SPaG 3 marks]