New Curriculum Second Term Christian Religious Studies examination for SS 1

Class: SSS 1
Term: Second Term
Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: OBJECTIVES (40 Marks)
Instruction: Answer ALL 40 questions. Each question carries 1 mark.

1. A student joins worship but continues to provoke quarrels. Which improvement most closely fits Paul’s teaching? (a) Avoid all relationships to escape disagreement    (b) Show repentance through changed behaviour and peacemaking    (c) Increase publicity without changing conduct    (d) Treat jealousy as evidence of maturity
2. A pupil interprets ‘living water’ only as an improved water supply. Which detail makes this reading inadequate? (a) The woman carries a container    (b) The conversation happens beside a well    (c) The dialogue mentions thirst    (d) Jesus speaks of water springing up to eternal life
3. The separation of sheep and goats in Matthew 25 illustrates that ________. (a) good intentions eliminate all duties    (b) political office secures acceptance    (c) animals determine a person’s moral value    (d) outward claims are weighed alongside practical treatment of others
4. A sports captain changes rules mid-game to help friends. What is the main social effect of this partiality? (a) Stronger belief in fair competition    (b) Automatic agreement among opposing teams    (c) Loss of trust in the process and its leadership    (d) More reliable assessment of players
5. Which conclusion is NOT supported by the lesson on forgiveness? (a) Reconciliation may require honest acknowledgement    (b) Forgiveness requires restoring unsafe access without conditions    (c) Bitterness can damage relationships    (d) Mercy is central to Christian conduct
6. A Christian performs good acts to earn applause but neglects Jesus’ teaching. The vine illustration suggests the missing element is ________. (a) a larger audience for the good deeds    (b) abiding in Christ so that conduct grows from the relationship    (c) membership of a gardening club    (d) public evidence of personal success
7. Which claim about gifts is inconsistent with 1 Corinthians 12? (a) Gifts differ among members    (b) A gifted member has no need of other members    (c) The community benefits from coordinated service    (d) One Spirit is presented as their source
8. The teacher asks students to connect gifts and talents to social need. Which project offers the strongest application? (a) Refusing help from less visible volunteers    (b) Ranking members by the price of their clothes    (c) Excluding learners who ask questions    (d) Combining teaching, organising and practical skills in a literacy programme
9. What central hope for Christian faith is supported by the resurrection? (a) an exemption from ethical responsibilities    (b) hope that death does not have the final word    (c) the claim that disciples never doubted    (d) a denial that Jesus underwent suffering
10. Why does James 2 connect favouritism with moral inconsistency? (a) It contradicts the command to love one’s neighbour    (b) It concerns only architectural design    (c) It guarantees equal wealth in every community    (d) It removes the need for fair judgement
11. A pupil apologises after spreading rumours. Which response best combines forgiveness with responsible action? (a) Release personal vengeance while rebuilding trust through truthful conduct    (b) Permit the behaviour to continue unchecked    (c) Demand public humiliation as permanent punishment    (d) Pretend the rumours never harmed anyone
12. Which of these is NOT justified by the Golden Rule? (a) considering another person’s vulnerability    (b) treating others with dignity    (c) giving oneself special treatment denied to others    (d) acting with consistency
13. The main reason John 15 compares disciples to branches attached to a vine is that ________. (a) branches are valued only for their appearance    (b) individual effort makes spiritual connection unnecessary    (c) fruitful discipleship depends on remaining in Christ    (d) religious life is unrelated to conduct
14. Which response best reflects the equality of humans before God? (a) Assess character and need without privileging the rich    (b) Give wealthy people automatic moral authority    (c) Ignore injustice to prevent disagreement    (d) Assume poverty indicates wrongdoing
15. Why might the vine, bread and water metaphors be taught together? (a) Each describes an identical physical miracle    (b) Each denies the value of spiritual commitment    (c) Each identifies a compulsory occupation    (d) Each uses a basic human need to explain a spiritual relationship
16. A skilled singer assumes technical training alone makes every skill a spiritual gift. What distinction should be made? (a) Every talent automatically makes its owner a leader    (b) Talents and gifts can never overlap in practice    (c) A talent may be learned; a spiritual gift is understood as empowered for ministry    (d) Gifts are defined only by musical skill
17. The singular expression ‘fruit of the Spirit’ supports which interpretation? (a) Only one virtue can ever be developed    (b) Character is expressed through interconnected virtues    (c) Virtue removes the need for moral choice    (d) Every virtue is a separate public office
18. What partly determines the value of public spiritual expression, according to 1 Corinthians 14? (a) whether the community is strengthened and understands    (b) how unfamiliar the expressions sound    (c) how long the meeting can be extended    (d) whether one speaker gains admiration
19. Which practice would NOT demonstrate preparation for the second coming? (a) assisting those in need    (b) remaining watchful and accountable    (c) choosing honesty during temptation    (d) exploiting vulnerable people while making religious claims
20. Why is the role of the women in the resurrection narratives significant? (a) appear as early witnesses and messengers of the news    (b) are described as the Roman soldiers who sealed it    (c) perform the political trial of Jesus    (d) refuse to tell any disciple what they learned
21. A committee uses the same published eligibility criteria for every applicant. Which principle is illustrated? (a) Judgement by clothing and status    (b) Preference for influential relatives    (c) Changing rules for personal friends    (d) Impartiality in applying standards
22. The comparison of vine and bread is strongest in which statement? (a) Both teach that money purchases spiritual life    (b) Both are instructions for commercial agriculture    (c) Both images present Christ as necessary for sustained spiritual life    (d) The vine rejects relationship, while bread rejects faith
23. What wrongdoing does James 2 identify in an usher who favours only wealthy visitors? (a) proper equality before God    (b) partiality based on social status    (c) responsible organisation of seating    (d) evidence of impartial hospitality
24. Decision-makers who ________ are applying the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, rather than merely quoting it. (a) avoid reviewing the effects of their actions    (b) treat the weak as less deserving    (c) expect others to favour their relatives    (d) consider how they would wish to be treated in the other’s position
25. When Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman about living water, the contrast is between ________. (a) ordinary water and the lasting life He offers    (b) river water and bottled water    (c) Israelite wells and modern pipelines    (d) rainfall and irrigation methods
26. For what purpose are leadership gifts given in Ephesians 4? (a) remove responsibility from ordinary members    (b) establish permanent divisions between members    (c) equip believers and build up the community    (d) reward public popularity
27. Someone publishes a precise date for Christ’s return and neglects the poor. Which criticism follows from the lesson on preparation? (a) Faithful readiness involves responsible living, not date-setting alone    (b) Public confidence proves the prediction correct    (c) Prediction always replaces moral duty    (d) Concern for others is unrelated to judgement
28. ________ is exemplified when a classmate exercises self-control under provocation. (a) fruit of the Spirit    (b) a public reward for winning arguments    (c) works of the flesh    (d) a spiritual title without conduct
29. Ephesians 4:32 connects forgiving one another with ________. (a) the example of God’s forgiveness in Christ    (b) financial compensation as the only remedy    (c) the absence of any need for accountability    (d) an obligation to approve every harmful act
30. Luke 24 stresses recognition of the risen Jesus. Which event most clearly reflects this emphasis? (a) The feeding of five thousand before the crucifixion    (b) The calling of fishermen at the start of ministry    (c) The disciples’ recognition of Him in the breaking of bread    (d) The temptation in the wilderness
31. All these are constructive uses of a gift EXCEPT ________. (a) serving without demanding credit    (b) assisting those in need    (c) strengthening group understanding    (d) using it to silence and humiliate less confident members
32. How does Matthew 25:31-46 evaluate readiness for final judgement? (a) public status within religious institutions    (b) accurate prediction of the date    (c) care shown to hungry, sick and vulnerable people    (d) wealth accumulated during one’s life
33. A member speaks eloquently but discourages others from contributing. Which correction best reflects Romans 12? (a) Demand that all members imitate the speaker    (b) Measure gifts only by audience size    (c) Use the gift humbly in service while recognising others’ contributions    (d) Stop every form of speaking permanently
34. Matthew, Mark and Luke present different details about the tomb. What is the soundest way to compare them? (a) Treat only one named witness as historically relevant    (b) Identify shared central claims while noting each account’s details    (c) Merge all details without noting their sources    (d) Assume every difference erases the central message
35. Why does the woman’s repeated need to draw from the well help explain Jesus’ promise of living water? (a) the well must have dried up permanently    (b) the discussion concerns only village infrastructure    (c) every drink produces moral perfection    (d) physical needs recur, whereas the life He gives has enduring significance
36. According to 1 Corinthians 12, diverse gifts come from one Spirit. What follows for a church community? (a) Only one type of ability should be valued    (b) Different abilities should cooperate for a shared good    (c) Abilities have no relationship to service    (d) Gifts justify competition for superior status
37. What kind of need does Jesus redirect the crowd toward when He presents Himself as the Living Bread in John 6? (a) the requirement to travel for every meal    (b) lasting spiritual life received through Him    (c) a permanent exemption from eating food    (d) a new method of baking
38. The correct step for a scholarship panel wishing to apply the Golden Rule is to ________. (a) reserve appeals for influential applicants    (b) select candidates solely by family connections    (c) use clear criteria and hear every candidate fairly    (d) conceal the scoring rubric from all applicants
39. In Matthew 18:21-35, the unforgiving servant is condemned chiefly for ________. (a) asking his master for patience    (b) acknowledging his debt    (c) expressing concern about fairness    (d) refusing mercy after receiving substantial mercy himself
40. Which contrast accurately reflects Galatians 5:19-23? (a) Envy and rivalry oppose patience and kindness    (b) Self-control is unrelated to conduct    (c) Jealousy and peace are identical virtues    (d) Love and gentleness are works of the flesh

SECTION B: THEORY (30 Marks)
Instruction: Answer Question 1 and any other TWO questions. Each question carries 10 marks. Each sub-question carries 5 marks.

Question 1 (10 Marks)
(a) Compare the images of Christ as the True Vine, Living Bread and Living Water, noting the human need addressed by each. (5 marks)
(b) Explain two consequences of ‘abiding’ in John 15 and describe three practical examples of discipleship. (5 marks)

Question 2 (10 Marks)
(a) Identify shared claims in the resurrection accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke, while distinguishing how their narratives mention the women and disciples. (5 marks)
(b) Interpret Matthew 25:31-46 as a guide to readiness for the second coming. Give five specific actions. (5 marks)

Question 3 (10 Marks)
(a) Contrast four fruits of the Spirit with corresponding works of the flesh using Galatians 5. (5 marks)
(b) Explain the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift and state three principles for using abilities in community service. (5 marks)

Question 4 (10 Marks)
(a) Analyse the unequal treatment of rich and poor worshippers in James 2 and give three procedures that make a church welfare scheme impartial. (5 marks)
(b) Interpret the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18 and recommend three steps for reconciliation after a genuine injury. (5 marks)

OBJECTIVE MARKING SCHEME (40 Marks)
Question 1 – ✅ (b) Show repentance through changed behaviour and peacemaking
Question 2 – ✅ (d) Jesus speaks of water springing up to eternal life
Question 3 – ✅ (d) outward claims are weighed alongside practical treatment of others
Question 4 – ✅ (c) Loss of trust in the process and its leadership
Question 5 – ✅ (b) Forgiveness requires restoring unsafe access without conditions
Question 6 – ✅ (b) abiding in Christ so that conduct grows from the relationship
Question 7 – ✅ (b) A gifted member has no need of other members
Question 8 – ✅ (d) Combining teaching, organising and practical skills in a literacy programme
Question 9 – ✅ (b) hope that death does not have the final word
Question 10 – ✅ (a) It contradicts the command to love one’s neighbour
Question 11 – ✅ (a) Release personal vengeance while rebuilding trust through truthful conduct
Question 12 – ✅ (c) giving oneself special treatment denied to others
Question 13 – ✅ (c) fruitful discipleship depends on remaining in Christ
Question 14 – ✅ (a) Assess character and need without privileging the rich
Question 15 – ✅ (d) Each uses a basic human need to explain a spiritual relationship
Question 16 – ✅ (c) A talent may be learned; a spiritual gift is understood as empowered for ministry
Question 17 – ✅ (b) Character is expressed through interconnected virtues
Question 18 – ✅ (a) whether the community is strengthened and understands
Question 19 – ✅ (d) exploiting vulnerable people while making religious claims
Question 20 – ✅ (a) appear as early witnesses and messengers of the news
Question 21 – ✅ (d) Impartiality in applying standards
Question 22 – ✅ (c) Both images present Christ as necessary for sustained spiritual life
Question 23 – ✅ (b) partiality based on social status
Question 24 – ✅ (d) consider how they would wish to be treated in the other’s position
Question 25 – ✅ (a) ordinary water and the lasting life He offers
Question 26 – ✅ (c) equip believers and build up the community
Question 27 – ✅ (a) Faithful readiness involves responsible living, not date-setting alone
Question 28 – ✅ (a) fruit of the Spirit
Question 29 – ✅ (a) the example of God’s forgiveness in Christ
Question 30 – ✅ (c) The disciples’ recognition of Him in the breaking of bread
Question 31 – ✅ (d) using it to silence and humiliate less confident members
Question 32 – ✅ (c) care shown to hungry, sick and vulnerable people
Question 33 – ✅ (c) Use the gift humbly in service while recognising others’ contributions
Question 34 – ✅ (b) Identify shared central claims while noting each account’s details
Question 35 – ✅ (d) physical needs recur, whereas the life He gives has enduring significance
Question 36 – ✅ (b) Different abilities should cooperate for a shared good
Question 37 – ✅ (b) lasting spiritual life received through Him
Question 38 – ✅ (c) use clear criteria and hear every candidate fairly
Question 39 – ✅ (d) refusing mercy after receiving substantial mercy himself
Question 40 – ✅ (a) Envy and rivalry oppose patience and kindness

THEORY MARKING SCHEME (Answer 3 × 10 = 30 Marks)
Question 1 (10 Marks)
(a) 5 marks: Vine dependence/fruitfulness 2, Bread spiritual sustenance 1, Water enduring life 1, common significance 1.
(b) 5 marks: fruitfulness 1, ongoing relationship 1, service 1, integrity 1, mutual love 1.
Question 2 (10 Marks)
(a) 5 marks: empty tomb 1, resurrection proclaimed 1, women as witnesses 1, distinctive account detail 1, fair comparison 1.
(b) 5 marks: feed needy, offer hospitality, clothe needy, attend sick, care for imprisoned/vulnerable; 1 each with ethical explanation.
Question 3 (10 Marks)
(a) 5 marks: four valid contrasted pairs 1 each, overall moral interpretation 1.
(b) 5 marks: talent described 1, spiritual gift described 1, serve common good 1, humility 1, cooperation/edification 1.
Question 4 (10 Marks)
(a) 5 marks: partiality identified 1, scriptural contradiction 1, transparent criteria 1, unbiased assessment 1, appeal/accountability 1.
(b) 5 marks: received mercy 1, refusal of mercy 1, honest acknowledgment 1, relinquish vengeance 1, fair restoration/boundaries 1.