2023 CCEA GCSE Religious Studies 4610 Practice Paper with Answers

(i) At Caesarea Philippi, Peter answers Jesus' question 'Who do you say I am?' with 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matt. 16: 16). (ii) The birth narratives include Gabriel's announcement to Mary (Luke 1), the angel's message to Joseph, the shepherds coming to the stable, and the wise men bringing gifts (Matt. 2). (iii) Matthew 17: 1 states Jesus led Peter, James and John 'up a high mountain'. (iv) When John hesitates to baptise Jesus, Jesus replies it is proper 'to fulfil all righteousness' (Matt. 3: 15).
Final answers: (i) The Christ, the Son of the living God (ii) any two valid birth events (iii) a high mountain (iv) to fulfil all righteousness.

1 mark per correct point, to a maximum of 5: (i) 1 mark for 'the Christ'/'Son of the living God' or equivalent; (ii) 1 mark each for any two valid birth events (max 2); (iii) 1 mark for 'a high/large mountain' (accept 'a mountain', do not require a specific name); (iv) 1 mark for 'to fulfil all righteousness' (accept reasonable paraphrase, e.g. 'to do what God required'). Reject unsupported or invented answers.

(i) Matthew 6: 25–34 records Jesus teaching the disciples not to worry about food, drink or clothing, since God provides for the birds and the flowers. (ii) In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt. 18: 21–35), Jesus tells Peter to forgive 'seventy times seven' and warns that God will not forgive those who refuse to forgive others. (iii) The Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13: 1–9, 18–23) describes seed falling on the path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil. (iv) Matthew 6: 24 states no one can serve both God and money.
Final answers as listed above.

1 mark per correct point, to a maximum of 5: (i) 1 mark for 'food/drink/clothing' or 'material needs/possessions'; (ii) 1 mark each for any two valid points about forgiveness (max 2); (iii) 1 mark for any one of the four types of ground named; (iv) 1 mark for 'God and money/Mammon'. Accept reasonable paraphrase; reject vague or scripturally unsupported answers.

(i) Luke 19: 1–10 names the chief tax collector Jesus meets in Jericho as Zacchaeus. (ii) Matthew 23 records Jesus condemning the religious leaders' hypocrisy — for example, doing good deeds to be seen, and being outwardly clean but inwardly corrupt; they respond with hostility and try to trap him. (iii) In John 8: 1–11 the religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery and ask Jesus to confirm she should be stoned, as required under the Law of Moses. (iv) Luke 17: 12–19 records Jesus cleansing ten men with leprosy, of whom only one returns to give thanks.
Final answers as listed above.

1 mark per correct point, to a maximum of 5: (i) 1 mark for 'Zacchaeus'; (ii) 1 mark each for any two valid reactions (max 2); (iii) 1 mark for 'stone her'/'have her killed'; (iv) 1 mark for 'ten'. Accept reasonable paraphrase; reject unsupported invented detail.

(i) Matthew 26: 36 records Jesus going with his disciples to Gethsemane to pray. (ii) At the Last Supper Jesus institutes the bread and cup as symbols of his body and blood, and foretells both Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. (iii) Matthew 27: 32 states the soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus' cross. (iv) Luke 24: 50–53 (and Acts 1) record Jesus ascending into heaven forty days after the resurrection.
Final answers as listed above.

1 mark per correct point, to a maximum of 5: (i) 1 mark for 'Gethsemane'; (ii) 1 mark each for any two valid Last Supper events (max 2); (iii) 1 mark for 'Simon of Cyrene'; (iv) 1 mark for 'the ascension'. Accept reasonable paraphrase; reject unsupported invented detail.

The transfiguration was significant because a voice from heaven declared, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him' — directly confirming Jesus' identity as the Son of God to Peter, James and John. The appearance of Moses and Elijah alongside Jesus linked him to the Law and the Prophets, showing that he fulfilled the whole of Jewish scripture rather than opposing it. Seeing Jesus in glory, before witnessing his arrest and crucifixion, strengthened the disciples' faith and gave them a foundation to hold on to when Jesus' identity as God's Son seemed most in doubt, during his suffering and death.
Final answer: it confirmed Jesus' divine sonship, connected him to the Law and the Prophets, and strengthened the disciples' faith before the Passion.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — a simple, undeveloped statement, e.g. 'it showed Jesus was special.' Level 2 (2–3 marks) — some relevant explanation with limited development, e.g. reference to the voice from heaven or the presence of Moses and Elijah without full explanation of significance. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — a well-developed explanation showing clear understanding, referring to at least two of: the voice confirming divine sonship, the link to the Law and the Prophets through Moses and Elijah, and the strengthening of the disciples' faith before the Passion. Accept any accurate theological point; reject explanation with no reference to the biblical account.

In Matthew 6: 24–34 Jesus teaches that 'no one can serve two masters' — a person cannot serve both God and money — and tells his followers not to worry about food, drink or clothing, since God cares for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field; instead they should 'seek first his kingdom and his righteousness'. In Matthew 19: 16–30 a rich young man asks what he must do to inherit eternal life; when told to sell his possessions and give to the poor, he goes away sad because he is very wealthy. Jesus then tells his disciples it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, showing how attachment to wealth can prevent someone from fully following him, though he adds that with God all things are possible.
Final answer: Jesus taught that money must not be put before God, that his followers should trust God rather than worry about possessions, and that wealth can be a serious obstacle to discipleship.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — a brief, general statement, e.g. 'Jesus said money isn't important.' Level 2 (2–3 marks) — some accurate description of the teaching with limited detail or scriptural reference. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — a detailed, accurate description covering at least two of: serving God not money, trusting God instead of worrying, and the rich young man/camel and needle teaching. Accept any accurate theological point; reject description with no reference to the biblical account.

The religious leaders bring the woman to Jesus intending to trap him: if he said she should not be stoned he would appear to reject the Law of Moses, but if he agreed to the stoning he would contradict his message of mercy. Jesus' reply, that whoever is without sin should cast the first stone, turns the leaders' attention back onto their own guilt, and one by one they leave, beginning with the oldest. This challenges their attitude of self-righteous condemnation and their willingness to use the Law to publicly humiliate a person while ignoring their own faults. At the same time, Jesus does not excuse the sin: he tells the woman to 'leave your life of sin', showing that mercy and moral seriousness can be held together, unlike the leaders' harsh legalism.
Final answer: it exposed the leaders' hypocrisy and forced self-examination, replacing their harsh legalism with a combination of genuine mercy and a call to change.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — a simple statement, e.g. 'Jesus was kind to her.' Level 2 (2–3 marks) — some relevant explanation, e.g. reference to 'let him who is without sin' without full development. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — well-developed explanation referring to at least two of: the leaders' attempt to trap Jesus, the exposure of their own guilt/hypocrisy, and Jesus combining forgiveness with a call to stop sinning. Accept any accurate theological point; reject explanation unsupported by the text.

For Christians, the resurrection confirms that Jesus truly was who he claimed to be — the Son of God — since God raised him from death after his crucifixion. It demonstrates Jesus' victory over sin and death, which Christians believe opens the way for humanity to be forgiven and reconciled with God. Because Jesus was raised, Christians hold the hope that they too will share in resurrection and eternal life. The resurrection also validates everything Jesus taught and did during his ministry, giving his words lasting authority, and it is the event Christians remember and celebrate above all others at Easter, shaping Christian worship throughout the year.
Final answer: the resurrection confirms Jesus' divine identity and victory over death, gives Christians hope of eternal life, validates his teaching, and is the foundation of Christian faith and worship.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — a brief general statement, e.g. 'it shows Jesus is alive.' Level 2 (2–3 marks) — some relevant explanation with limited development. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — well-developed explanation referring to at least two of: confirmation of Jesus' divine identity, hope of eternal life for believers, validation of his teaching, and its place as the foundation of Christian faith/Easter. Accept any accurate theological point; reject explanation with no clear link to Christian belief.

Agreeing: Peter's declaration is significant because it is the first time a disciple openly names Jesus as 'the Christ, the Son of the living God', marking a turning point after which Jesus begins to teach openly about his coming death and resurrection; it shows human recognition, not just divine announcement, of who Jesus is. Disagreeing/balanced view: other events reveal Jesus' identity just as clearly — at his baptism a voice from heaven itself declares him God's Son; at the transfiguration the same declaration is repeated with greater authority, alongside Moses and Elijah; and the resurrection is widely seen as the ultimate proof of his identity and victory over death. A well-reasoned response might conclude that Peter's declaration is important as a turning point in the disciples' understanding, but that the resurrection carries greater theological weight as final proof of who Jesus is.
Final answer: either a reasoned 'agree' or 'disagree'/balanced conclusion is acceptable, provided it engages with at least one alternative event.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO2): Level 1 (1 mark) — a simple opinion with little or no justification. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — an opinion supported by one relevant, reasonably developed argument. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — a well-reasoned opinion supported by at least two developed points, which may include reference to an alternative event (e.g. baptism, transfiguration, resurrection) that also reveals Jesus' identity. Credit any well-argued position, whether agreeing, disagreeing, or balanced.

Agreeing: some may argue that without an apology there is no evidence of genuine change, and that forgiveness offered too easily could seem to excuse harmful behaviour, so it feels psychologically impossible to fully forgive. Disagreeing: Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18: 21–35 tells Peter to forgive 'seventy times seven', suggesting forgiveness should not depend on the other person's response, and the parable warns that refusing to forgive brings serious consequences; many Christians argue forgiveness is primarily about the forgiver's own freedom from bitterness and reflects the mercy God has already shown them, so it does not require the other person to say sorry first. A balanced response might accept that forgiving without an apology is very difficult in practice while still holding that Christian teaching calls believers to attempt it.
Final answer: either a reasoned 'agree' or 'disagree'/balanced conclusion is acceptable, provided it engages with Jesus' teaching on forgiveness.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO2): Level 1 (1 mark) — a simple opinion with little or no justification. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — an opinion supported by one relevant, reasonably developed argument, which may include reference to Jesus' teaching. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — a well-reasoned opinion supported by at least two developed points, showing consideration of Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and a counter-argument. Credit any well-argued position.

Agreeing: Jesus repeatedly reaches out to those excluded by his society — he eats with Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised for collaborating with Rome and cheating people; he protects the woman caught in adultery from execution; and he heals ten people with leprosy, who were forced to live outside the community. These encounters suggest Jesus valued every person regardless of their social status or past behaviour, and modern Christians often use this to argue against excluding people today. Disagreeing/qualifying: Jesus' acceptance is not unconditional approval — he tells Zacchaeus' changed generosity is praised, and he tells the woman to 'leave your life of sin', showing that inclusion in Jesus' ministry went alongside a call to change; some might argue this means the statement oversimplifies Jesus' approach.
Final answer: either a reasoned 'agree' or 'disagree'/balanced conclusion is acceptable, provided it engages with at least one specific encounter.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO2): Level 1 (1 mark) — a simple opinion with little or no justification. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — an opinion supported by one relevant, reasonably developed argument referring to a specific encounter. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — a well-reasoned opinion supported by at least two developed points, referring to specific encounters and considering a different point of view. Credit any well-argued position.

Agreeing: Christians believe the resurrection proves Jesus' victory over sin and death and his identity as the Son of God; it transformed the disciples from a frightened, scattered group after the crucifixion into confident witnesses willing to risk their lives proclaiming the Christian message, and it is the basis of the Christian hope of eternal life. Without it, many argue there would be no reason for the early Church to have grown as it did. Disagreeing/qualifying: some might argue Jesus' moral teaching and example of self-sacrificial love could still have inspired a movement even without belief in a literal resurrection, in the way other religious and ethical teachers have inspired followers; however, this response should recognise that Christianity as it is traditionally defined explicitly centres on faith in the risen Christ.
Final answer: either a reasoned 'agree' or 'disagree'/balanced conclusion is acceptable, provided it engages with the role of the resurrection in Christian belief.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO2): Level 1 (1 mark) — a simple opinion with little or no justification. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — an opinion supported by one relevant, reasonably developed argument. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — a well-reasoned opinion supported by at least two developed points, showing understanding of the role of the resurrection in Christian belief and consideration of a different point of view. Credit any well-argued position.

The Mass in the Catholic Church begins with the Introductory Rites, including a greeting, an act of penitence and (on Sundays) the Gloria. This is followed by the Liturgy of the Word: readings from the Old Testament, a psalm, a New Testament reading, the Gospel reading (for which the congregation stands), and a homily from the priest explaining the readings, followed by the Creed and prayers of intercession. The Liturgy of the Eucharist follows: the offertory (bread and wine are brought forward), the Eucharistic Prayer in which the priest consecrates the bread and wine, the Lord's Prayer, the Sign of Peace, and the distribution of Holy Communion. The Mass ends with the Concluding Rites: a blessing and dismissal, sending the congregation out to live their faith. (A candidate describing a Protestant order of service should instead cover, in order, elements such as opening praise/hymns, prayers, Bible readings, a sermon, a closing hymn and a blessing.)
Final answer: a clear, ordered description of the stages of the Mass or a Protestant service, e.g. Introductory Rites → Liturgy of the Word → Liturgy of the Eucharist → Concluding Rites for the Mass.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — a brief, general description with little detail or structure. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — a description covering some correct stages of the service, with limited detail. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — a clear, well-ordered description covering the main stages of either the Mass or a named Protestant order of service, using accurate terminology. Accept a description of either the Catholic Mass or one Protestant Church's service; do not require both.

One way the Church contributes to the community is through practical charitable outreach, such as running food banks, night shelters or debt-advice services for people in financial hardship, meeting immediate needs regardless of a person's religious background. A second way is by providing spaces and activities that bring people together across ages and backgrounds — for example, toddler groups, youth clubs and lunch clubs for older or isolated people held in church halls, which build friendships and reduce loneliness. Churches may also promote community cohesion by hosting ecumenical or interfaith events, encouraging understanding and cooperation between different Christian denominations and other religious communities within the same area.
Final answer: any two well-developed examples such as charitable outreach (e.g. food banks) and community-building activities (e.g. youth/older people's groups) that bring different groups together.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — one example stated with little development. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — two examples given but with limited development, or one example well developed. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — two clearly described examples, each showing how the activity builds community cohesion or supports those in need. Accept any accurate, relevant example.

The altar or communion table is significant because it is where the bread and wine are consecrated and shared in the Eucharist or Communion, reminding worshippers of Christ's sacrificial death and his continuing presence with his Church; its central position in most churches reflects the centrality of this sacrament to Christian worship. The baptismal font is significant because it holds the water used in baptism, symbolising the washing away of sin and the beginning of new life as a member of the Church; its position, often near the entrance, can symbolise that baptism is the point of entry into the Christian faith. (A candidate could instead choose the pulpit, symbolising the centrality of preaching and teaching Scripture, or the lectern, from which the Bible is read as the word of God carried out to the congregation.)
Final answer: explanation of the religious significance of any two named items, e.g. the altar/communion table (Eucharist, Christ's sacrifice) and the baptismal font (cleansing from sin, entry into the Church).

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — identifies an item with minimal explanation of significance. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — explains the significance of one item well, or two items with limited development. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — explains the religious significance of two items clearly and accurately, linking each to its role in worship or Christian belief. Accept any two of the four listed items.

One significant challenge is secularisation — as fewer people in society regularly attend church or see religion as important to daily life, the Church finds it harder to pass on Christian belief and practice to younger generations, and its voice on moral and social questions carries less automatic authority than in the past. This challenges the Church to find new ways of engaging people, for example through community outreach, social media, or emphasising the relevance of its teaching to modern concerns such as poverty or the environment, rather than assuming its traditional role in society will continue unquestioned.
Final answer: a fully explained challenge such as secularisation/declining attendance making it harder to pass on faith, or changing attitudes to family/sexuality creating tension around traditional teaching.

Levels of response (5 marks, AO1): Level 1 (1 mark) — names a challenge with little or no explanation. Level 2 (2–3 marks) — explains a challenge with some development. Level 3 (4–5 marks) — explains a challenge in a detailed, well-developed way, showing clear understanding of how changing moral or social trends affect the Church. Accept any accurate, relevant challenge.

Those who value traditional worship might argue that its structure and continuity connect worshippers to centuries of Christian practice, that set liturgy and traditional hymns carry deep theological meaning that has stood the test of time, and that the solemnity of formal worship (e.g. the Mass, robed clergy, traditional church architecture) creates a sense of reverence and the sacred that can be lost in more casual settings. Those who prefer contemporary worship might argue that modern worship songs and informal styles are more accessible and engaging, particularly for young people who may find traditional language and formality distant from their everyday lives; that greater lay participation (e.g. worship bands, testimonies) helps people feel personally involved rather than passive observers; and that Christianity has always adapted its style of worship across cultures and centuries, so contemporary styles are simply a natural continuation of that flexibility rather than a loss of meaning. A well-argued response should weigh both views — for example concluding that meaning depends more on the sincerity and understanding of the worshipper than on the style itself, while still reaching a clear, supported personal judgement, whether favouring tradition, contemporary worship, or a balanced view that both can be meaningful for different people.
Final answer: either a reasoned 'agree', 'disagree', or balanced conclusion is acceptable, provided both traditional and contemporary worship are considered with developed, accurate reasoning.

Levels of response (10 marks, AO2): Level 1 (1–2 marks) — a simple, undeveloped opinion with little or no justification. Level 2 (3–4 marks) — a one-sided opinion with some relevant, developed reasoning but little or no consideration of an alternative view. Level 3 (5–6 marks) — a reasoned opinion that shows some awareness of a different point of view, though development may be uneven. Level 4 (7–8 marks) — a well-argued response that explicitly considers different points of view (traditional and contemporary worship) in a balanced, developed way, reaching a supported conclusion. Level 5 (9–10 marks) — a sophisticated, mature response with well-formed arguments on both sides, insightful religious justification, a clearly supported conclusion, and excellent spelling, punctuation and grammar (QWC).

Those who agree the Church has lost relevance might point to falling church attendance across Northern Ireland and the wider UK, growing secularisation and religious diversity meaning fewer people look automatically to the Church for moral guidance, and controversies that have damaged public trust in some Church institutions. Those who disagree might point to the Church's continuing practical contribution to community life through food banks, debt advice, youth work and support for isolated or vulnerable people; its role in providing chaplaincy in schools, hospitals and prisons; its voice in public debate on issues such as poverty, the environment and peace-building, particularly significant in Northern Ireland's history of reconciliation work; and evidence that some forms of church, including contemporary and community-focused congregations, continue to grow even as traditional attendance declines elsewhere. A well-argued response should weigh both sets of evidence, perhaps concluding that the Church's traditional social authority has reduced while its practical community role remains significant, reaching a clear, supported personal judgement.
Final answer: either a reasoned 'agree', 'disagree', or balanced conclusion is acceptable, provided evidence for both declining and continuing relevance is considered with developed, accurate reasoning.

Levels of response (10 marks, AO2): Level 1 (1–2 marks) — a simple, undeveloped opinion with little or no justification. Level 2 (3–4 marks) — a one-sided opinion with some relevant, developed reasoning but little or no consideration of an alternative view. Level 3 (5–6 marks) — a reasoned opinion showing some awareness of a different point of view, though development may be uneven. Level 4 (7–8 marks) — a well-argued response that explicitly considers different points of view (decline vs continuing relevance) in a balanced, developed way, reaching a supported conclusion. Level 5 (9–10 marks) — a sophisticated, mature response with well-formed arguments on both sides, insightful religious justification, a clearly supported conclusion, and excellent spelling, punctuation and grammar (QWC).