(c) type questions (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
📚Revision Notes
(c) type questions
What are (c) type questions?
(c) type questions are a specific style of exam question worth 5 marks that focus on explaining important aspects of Christian or Islamic faith. These questions ask you to demonstrate your understanding of key religious beliefs, teachings, practices, or concepts within these faith traditions.
You should allocate approximately 4 minutes to answer each (c) type question during your exam. This timing allows you to provide a thorough response whilst managing your overall exam time effectively.
Note
The 4-minute allocation is crucial for exam success - it provides enough time for thorough development while ensuring you can complete all questions within the exam timeframe.
Essential skills for success
To excel in (c) type questions, you need to master three key components that work together to create a comprehensive answer:
State two clear points: Begin by identifying two distinct beliefs, teachings, or reasons that directly relate to the question. These should be specific to either Christian or Muslim perspectives, depending on what the question asks for.
Develop your points thoroughly: Each point you make must be expanded with additional explanation. This development should include further information that clarifies your initial statement, provides relevant context, or offers concrete examples that demonstrate your understanding of the concept.
Include a source of authority: This crucial element distinguishes (c) type questions from other question types. You must reference at least one source of wisdom and authority to support one of your two points. This could include quotations from holy texts like the Bible or Qur'an, or references to important religious writings and teachings. Remember, this component is worth 1 mark and can be paraphrased if you cannot recall the exact wording.
Important
The source of authority component is worth a full mark and is what distinguishes (c) type questions from other question types. Never omit this element from your response.
Understanding through examples
Let's examine how these skills work in practice through two contrasting responses to help you understand the difference between basic and developed answers.
Example
Worked Example: Analysing Response Quality
Question: Explain two reasons why some Muslims will not accept the use of contraception.
Basic response analysis: A simple answer might state: "One belief is that Allah is forgiving: 'Allah is Forgiving and Merciful' (Surah 64:14). Another is that they must follow the example of Muhammad who forgave others."
What's wrong with this response: This response demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding. Whilst it includes a source of authority, the reasons given relate to forgiveness rather than contraception, showing the student has not properly addressed the question.
Developed response analysis: An improved answer explains: "Muslims believe that Allah is forgiving, and so it is important for them to be forgiving in their own lives. As the Qur'an says: 'Allah is Forgiving and Merciful' (Surah 64:14). Muslims also believe that they must follow the example of Muhammad by forgiving others. If they don't, they cannot expect forgiveness from Allah."
Why this is better: This response shows proper development of points with additional explanation and successfully incorporates a relevant source of wisdom and authority. Each reason is expanded with further information that demonstrates genuine understanding of Islamic teachings about forgiveness.
Key strategies for exam success
When approaching (c) type questions, focus on creating connections between your points and the specific religious tradition being examined. Your explanations should show how beliefs influence practices, or how teachings guide behaviour within the faith community.
Remember that sources of wisdom and authority can include various religious texts and teachings. For Christianity, this might involve references to the Bible, church teachings, or important Christian thinkers. For Islam, you could reference the Qur'an, Hadith, or significant Islamic scholars and their interpretations.
Note
Source Variety: Don't limit yourself to just holy texts. Religious authorities can include church teachings, scholarly interpretations, religious leaders' guidance, and traditional religious practices that have scriptural basis.
Ensure your language clearly indicates which faith tradition you're discussing. Use appropriate religious terminology and demonstrate your understanding of how these beliefs are meaningful to believers within their religious context.
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- (c) type questions require two developed points plus a source of authority - this structure is essential for achieving full marks
- Development means adding explanation, context, or examples - don't just list beliefs, show you understand their significance
- Sources of authority distinguish (c) questions from other types - always include at least one relevant religious reference
- Focus on the specific question being asked - ensure your religious examples directly relate to the topic
- Time management is crucial - aim for approximately 4 minutes per question to allow thorough coverage