Answer Structures
4 & 5 markers
The only difference between a 4 and 5 mark question is that in the 5 marker you must provide a clear
and explicitly relevant religious teaching (preferably from scripture) either after paragraph 1 or after
paragraph 2 dependent upon which paragraph the teaching is relevant to.
To score 4 marks you must write two paragraphs
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Each paragraph should consist of two sentences
Sentence 1 should make a relevant point
Sentence 2 should develop the point made in Sentence 1 (making an unrelated second point will
score no marks)
Development could be explaining why the belief is held or what its implication or influence is –
depending on the precise topic of the question
Example:
Some Christians believe that homosexual relationships are wrong because it is sinful, which means it
is contrary to the will of God. They believe this because in the Bible, which is inspired by God, there
are texts that condemn homosexual relationships and make it clear that sex should only happen in
marriage between a man and a woman.
In Leviticus it says that if a man lies with another man as he would with a woman then it is an
“abomination” and the men should be put to death.
Christians oppose gay marriage because it is cannot lead to procreation. This means that because no
children can be produced by the relationship it is sinful as it is against God’s perfect plan for humans
(for man and woman to have sex and reproduce and continue the species).
This answer could be the three paragraphs of a 5 mark answer to the question “Explain two religious
beliefs about homosexual relationships. Refer to religious teachings in your answer”
Notice that both main paragraphs use the “because….because….” structure to make sure that two clear
points are being given to the examiner.
12 mark PRQs
PARAGRAPH 1 – FOR VIEW 1 (SUPPORTING THE TITLE)
 Explain two points that can be used to support the view that the claim made in the title is right
 Open with a phrase like “I think there are some potentially good points to be made in support
of this claim”
 Signpost the points, e.g. “First, it could be argued ...” and “Also supporters could argue”
 Make sure points are developed (as in 4 and 5 mark answers)
PARAGRAPH 2 – WEAKNESSES OF VIEW 1
 Explain one or two criticisms of VIEW 1
 Open with a phrase like “However I think there are possible responses to these points.”
 These must be criticisms of the view in Paragraph 1, NOT positive reasons for a different
view
 E.g. “First it is wrong to say that because the Bible teaches that all life is sacred we can never
take a life, for example in the Old Testament God often requires Israel to kill their enemies”
 Make sure points are developed (as in 4 and 5 mark answers)
PARAGRAPH 3 – FOR VIEW 2 (OPPOSING THE TITLE)
 Explain two points that can be used to support the view that the claim made in the title is
wrong
 Open with a phrase like “Therefore, some people could offer strong arguments to disagree with
the claim that ***** because . . . ”
 These must be positive reasons to support this view and not just criticisms of the reasons
offered in paragraph 1
 Signpost the points, e.g. “First, they would say” and “Also they would argue”
 Make sure points are developed (as in 4 and 5 mark answers)
PARAGRAPH 4 – WEAKNESSES OF VIEW 2
 Explain one or two criticisms of VIEW 2
 Open with a phrase like “However I think there are possible responses to these points.”
 These must be criticisms of the view in Paragraph 3, NOT positive reasons for a different
view
 E.g. “First it is wrong to say that capital punishment offers no chance of reform because a
criminal can repent and reform at any point during the trial and while they are on death row
awaiting execution – their impending death might even encourage them to do so”
PARAGRAPH 5 – MY CONCLUSION
 State and explain where YOU stand on the issue
 Open with a phrase like “On reflection I would argue that …”
 Explain ONE or TWO reasons why the view in Paragraph 1 OR Paragraph 3 is more convincing
 Connect your reasons to a fundamental religious or ethical principle
 This is a good time to use your KILLER POINT (the point that you think is the best one to
support this view – don’t waste the killer point in paragraph 1 or 3!!)
Example:
“Religious people should not support polygamy”
Evaluate this claim. In your answer you
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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
I think there could be some good arguments for Christians to oppose polygamy. First, a total and loving
commitment to a spouse requires focus on just that one person, nobody else. As it says in the wedding
vows, a Christian should love their spouse “forsaking all others”. Polygamy requires you to split your
focus among many spouses, so falls short of this ideal. Second, we know from the Christian principle of
‘one flesh’ (found in the book of Genesis) that God made one man for one woman to be joined together
in marriage. This is demonstrated by Adam and Eve in the beginning before they sin being the perfect
example of a marriage situation – just one spouse each.
However, I think you could respond to this position by arguing that the one flesh principle is not about a
single and unique marital union, it is about man and woman completing each other physically in the
sexual act. This leaves open the possibility of having multiple spouses with whom you can be
‘complete’, and so would allow for polygamy.
Furthermore, I think there could be some good Christian arguments in favour of polygamy. First, if you
are able to show fairness and equality to all spouses, then polygamy would be loving and rewarding for
all people involved. One of the Christian purposes of marriage is to provide mutual support to one
another: polygamy might allow this to happen for more people if there is no restriction to just one
spouse. Second, a key purpose of marriage is to provide a strong, stable, nurturing and loving
environment to raise children. The more adults in a family, the greater the opportunity for that to be
achieved and for the child to have a range of good role models and people to turn to in times of need,
and possibly more financial stability.
However, I think you could respond to this position by arguing that in practice it would be impossible to
treat all partners equally, and that jealousy and rivalry and arguments are likely to increase in a
polygamous relationship. This would cause greater instability for children in the family and would be
unloving and unkind, which would make it contrary to basic Christian beliefs.
On reflection, I think that in principle Christians could reasonably support polygamy, not least because
the Bible shows important figures like Kings David and Solomon having many wives without any
condemnation from God, and lays down rules, as in Exodus 21, for managing polygamous marriages.
However, in practice I think it would be best for Christians to avoid supporting polygamy it as it is
unnecessary, is likely to leave first spouses feeling unloved or inadequate or replaced by other spouses,
is very often actually something that is driven by lust, and possibly by sexism since almost always it is
multiple wives not husbands that we see in these situations