Part c questions are "explain" questions.  They are worth 6 marks, and require you to show some kind of understanding of the text.  You will need to refer to the passage, and make four or five different points - you are NOT simply re-telling the story.  Re-read the question regularly, and make sure that you are always answering what it asks.  To get the best marks, your answer will need to give a coherent and comprehensive interpretation, showing excellent knowledge and a mature development of the main themes and ideas.  The standard of your written English is important, too.

Remember: Try to make five different points, not one point in five different ways!

Whichever question you pick, please copy and paste it into the top of the writing box before you start your answer.


Old Testament

The Creation Accounts
*  Explain what the first creation account teaches about God.
*  Explain what the second creation account teaches about God and humanity.

 

The Nature of Man and the Fall
*  Explain what the punishments teach about men's and women's relationships.
*  Explain what Genesis 2 teaches about the nature of humanity.

 

Cain and Abel
*  Explain what this story teaches about the character of God.
*  Explain what you think the author of this story was trying to show.


The Near Sacrifice of Isaac
*  Explain what this story teaches about the nature of God.
*  Explain what kind of faith Abraham had in God.

 

The Ten Commandments
*  Explain how the first four commandments are different from the remaining six.
*  Explain what a covenant is.  Why was this covenant so important for the Israelites?

 

David and Jonathan
*  Explain what can you learn about the character of David from this story.
*  Explain what can you learn about the character of Jonathan from this story.

 

David and Bathsheba
*  Explain what you can learn about the character of David from this story.
*  Explain the purpose of Nathan's parable.

 

Solomon's Wisdom
*  Explain what you can learn about the character of Solomon from this story.
*  Explain why Solomon's reply is a clever and wise response.

 

Elijah Stories
*  Explain what this story teaches about Elijah as a prophet.
*  Explain what this story teaches about God.




New Testament

The Temptations of Jesus
*  Explain what you think this story teaches about the character of Jesus, and the way he understood his work.
*  Explain the significance of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days.



Jesus and the Outcasts
*  Explain the meaning of Jesus' teaching to Simon the Pharisee.
*  Jesus stood in Zacchaeus' house and said "Salvation has come to this house today"?  Explain what he meant, and why he said this.

 

On Being a Follower of Jesus
*  Explain what Jesus meant when he told his disciples that if one of them wanted to be great, he must be the servant of the rest.
*  Explain why the rich young man reacted in the way he did, after having spoken to Jesus.

 

Miracles of Healing
*  When Jesus healed the paralysed man, he said that the Son of Man had authority to forgive sins.  Explain what he meant.
*  Explain why Jesus called the officials "hypocrites" when he healed the crippled woman.


Who was Jesus?
*  After both Peter's declaration and the transfiguration, Jesus ordered his disciples to keep to themselves what they had learned.  Explain why.
*  Explain the purpose of the story of Jesus' transfiguration.


Parables
*  Explain why Jesus taught using parables.
*  Explain what the parable of the lost son teaches about forgiveness.


Jesus' Teaching
*  Explain what this teaching tells us about God.
*  Explain Jesus' teaching about whether or not we should judge others.

 

The Sentence, Crucifixion and Burial
*  Explain the significance of the centurion's comment, and the Temple curtain tearing in two.
*  Explain the significance of the events between noon and three in the afternoon, on the day Jesus died.

 

The Resurrection
*  Explain the significance of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene before he appeared to his disciples
*  Explain what this story teaches about the disciples.

 

The Early Christians
*  Explain the meaning of Gamaliel's statement to the council.
*  Explain what this teaches about the early Christians.

 

Exam Practice

 

Whichever question you pick, please copy and paste it into the top of this writing box before you start your answer.




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