Mock exam

8th December

Unit: Life Issues

• Animal Rights• Planet Earth• Early Life• Prejudice• War and peace• Young people

These 6 topics will always be on the paper.

You only need to answer questions on 4 of them.

Animal RightsTopic area Key knowledge needed

Status of animals and humans

Are humans and animals equal or is one more important that the other? How are humans and animals similar and different?

Animal rights groups

Different animal rights organisations and what they do (RSPCA,WWF,PeTA)

Religious views on protecting and preserving animals

Christianity: Stewardship, dominion, assissi declaration.Buddhism: Karma, reincarnation, first precept.

Uses of animals and religious responses

Arguments for and against animals in sport, pets, ivory/fur trade, animal experiments, zoos.

Issues of slaughter and eating meat.

Halal meat. Vegetarian/vegan and arguments for and against.

Planet EarthTopic area Key knowledge needed

Origins of life The earth as seen as a gift, Creation stories from Christianity (Genesis stories and their interpretations) and Buddhism (cycle of decay, death and rebirth)

Planet Earth Mystery, awe and wonder found in the world, have we lost this? Is science explaining things away?

Caring for the planet God created the world with the right conditions for life and so that it could continue God’s work. Christian belief in Stewardship. Buddhist belief in Dhammapada (not to do evil, but to do good)Loving kindness to all.

Effects of modern Lifestyles

Green house effect, Global warming, Emissions, waste, recycling, Climate change debate.

Pollution Acid rain, Oil spills, toxic chemicals, pesticides religious responses.

Destruction of natural habitats

Deforestation and its effects, religious teachings.

Natural resources Population, non-renewable natural resources, renewable energy, religious attitudes.

Caring for the world Conservation, summits, reducing carbon emissions, sustainable development.

Early LifeTopic area Key knowledge needed

Sanctity of life Concept of life being sacred

Children as a blessing, gift and miracle

Does everyone had the right to a child? Of not, who and why not?

When does life begin?

Conception, heartbeat, backbone, viability, birth?

Quality of life Disabled children, poverty, unwanted children.

Views on abortion Religious vies for and against and pro-Life, Pro-choice views.

The law (1967/1990)

What is the law concerning abortion.

Rights of mum, dad and child

Who has a right to say that a child should/should not be aborted?

Alternatives Abortion, fostering.

PrejudiceTopic area Key knowledge needed

Types of prejudice and the effects

religion, race, colour, gender, age, disability, class, lifestyle, looks

Cause and origin of prejudice and discrimination.

ignorance, stereotyping, scapegoating, influence of parents or media, victims of prejudice, experience;

Important concepts tolerance, justice, harmony and the value of the individual

Religious attitudes Western religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism)and Eastern religions (Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism) what are the main differences-if any?

Religious believers who fought against prejudice and discrimination

Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu.