Free Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0) Exam Questions and Answers
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0) is Pearson Edexcel's GCSE Religious Studies A qualification, specification 1RA0, taken in England. The questions here come from Pearson Edexcel's published question papers from June 2018 to June 2025, plus its specimen papers, with answers and marking guidance taken from Pearson Edexcel's own mark schemes. Written-answer questions let you work out your answer and then reveal what the mark scheme accepts; diagrams, graphs and source material appear with the questions that use them.
Candidates comparing Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0) exam dumps, ExamTopics and other practice tests use this page for the answers and explanations behind each question. Download the free PDF, then sit the timed exam simulation before booking with Pearson Edexcel.
Last updated: October 16, 2026
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Question #1
Outline three Catholic beliefs about life after death.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Any three: people will be judged after death; the Church believes in resurrection of the body; impure souls will be cleansed in purgatory; heaven is an eternal state of being with God; hell is a place of total separation from God.
Explanation
One mark for each belief identified, up to three marks. Accept any other valid response.
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Question #2
Explain two ways the Creation account can be understood.
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Correct answer: Two ways, each developed. E.g. (1) Literally: the biblical accounts are the true account of how the universe and humans were created. (2) Symbolically: the account is symbolic and people may look to science to help understand how God made the universe. (3) Creation ex nihilo: God brought the universe into being from nothing, showing God's omnipotence.
Explanation
One mark for each way and one mark for developing each way, up to four marks. Accept any other valid response. Lists earn a maximum of one mark. Do not credit a repeated way or development, or a development that does not relate to both the way and the question.
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Question #3
Explain two reasons why the resurrection of Jesus is important. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
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Correct answer: Two reasons, each developed, with a source. E.g. (1) It shows Jesus overcame death, giving assurance of eternal life (John 3:16: 'that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life'). (2) It proves Jesus was God's Son, as only God can rise from the dead (Luke 24:7: 'be crucified and on the third day be raised again'). (3) It allows salvation from sin, as God accepted Jesus' sacrifice for humanity (Acts 4:12: 'salvation is found in no one else...').
Explanation
One mark for each reason or belief. Further marks for developing each, up to four marks in total. One further mark for a relevant source of wisdom or authority. Accept any other valid response. Do not credit a repeated reason or development, a development that does not relate to both the reason and the question, or a source that does not relate to the reason given.
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Question #4
In this question, 3 of the marks awarded will be for your spelling, punctuation and grammar and your use of specialist terminology. *(d) "Catholics must care for the world." Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should: • refer to Catholic teachings • reach a justified conclusion.
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Correct answer: A balanced evaluation with a justified conclusion. For: the world is God's creation and a gift humans must respect; humans are stewards, not exploiters, and co-creators with God; care for creation is care for fellow humans, as a matter of solidarity and justice; it is an unquestionable duty of the Christian life. Against: humans were given dominion, which could be read as justifying exploiting resources; environmental abuse results from human sinfulness; individuals have free will and are accountable to God, so should not be forced to be stewards, and caring for people may matter more.
Explanation
15 marks in total: 12 for AO2 and 3 for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG). Accept any other valid response. Responses that do not consider different viewpoints within the religious tradition cannot score above Level 2. Level 1 (1–3): superficial connections, isolated knowledge, generic arguments, conclusion not justified. Level 2 (4–6): superficial connections among many elements, limited understanding, an attempt to appraise evidence, conclusion not fully justified. Level 3 (7–9): coherent chains of reasoning considering different viewpoints, accurate understanding, judgements on many elements, partially justified conclusion. Level 4 (10–12): critical deconstruction, sustained, accurate and thorough understanding, the full range of elements covered, fully justified conclusion. SPaG: 1 mark for reasonable accuracy and a limited range of specialist terms; 2 marks for considerable accuracy and a good range; 3 marks for consistent accuracy and a wide range of specialist terms. 0 if nothing is written, the response is irrelevant, or errors severely hinder meaning.
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Question #5
Outline three purposes of a pilgrimage.
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Correct answer: Any three: a public declaration of faith; to feel closer to God; to visit places where Jesus lived; to seek healing from illness; to renew and strengthen faith.
Explanation
One mark for each point identified, up to three. Lists score a maximum of one mark. Accept any other valid response.
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Question #6
Explain two ways that Catholics can evangelise.
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Correct answer: Any two developed ways, e.g. (1) in their chosen career, showing love and compassion to others through their job; (2) through charitable actions, either physical work or speaking out for the oppressed; (3) through the sacrament of marriage and family life, raising a Catholic family and living out the Gospel by loving each other.
Explanation
One mark for each way, plus one mark for development of each way, up to four. Repeated ways or developments, and developments that don't relate to both the way and the question, get no credit. Accept any other valid response.
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Question #7
Explain two reasons why CAFOD carries out its work. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
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Correct answer: Two developed reasons, plus a source. E.g. CAFOD believes all humans have a right to dignity and respect and that the world's resources are a gift to be shared, as Evangelii Gaudium 183 says: 'the earth is our common home and all of us are brothers and sisters.' Or Jesus taught compassion for those in need, e.g. the Sheep and the Goats, so Catholics must see Jesus in everyone and help those who suffer. Or Catholics should follow Jesus' example of compassion, and it is unfair that some lack basic rights, because 'God's heart has a special place for the poor' (Evangelii Gaudium 197).
Explanation
One mark for each reason or belief, with further marks for developing each, up to four. One further mark for a relevant source of wisdom or authority. Repeated reasons or developments, developments that don't relate to the reason and the question, and sources unrelated to the reason given get no credit. Accept any other valid response.
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Question #8
“The sacraments are the best way to feel close to God.” Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should: • refer to Catholic teachings • refer to different Christian points of view • reach a justified conclusion.
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Correct answer: Open evaluation. For: sacraments give grace from God through the Holy Spirit; they are outward signs of invisible grace that deepen the relationship with God; baptism begins the faith journey, washes away original sin and opens a deeper relationship with God. Against: some Christians accept only adult baptism, so those too young can be close to God in other ways; Quakers have no sacraments and focus on prayer and doing God's work; most Protestant churches recognise only baptism and Holy Communion, so sacraments are one way but not the only way. A justified conclusion is needed.
Explanation
Marked by levels for 12 marks. Level 1 (1–3): superficial connections, generic arguments, conclusion not justified. Level 2 (4–6): limited understanding, attempt to appraise evidence, conclusion not fully justified. Level 3 (7–9): coherent, logical reasoning considering different viewpoints, accurate understanding, partially justified conclusion. Level 4 (10–12): critical, sustained and thorough reasoning on different viewpoints, full range of elements, fully justified conclusion. Responses that don't consider different viewpoints within the religious tradition cannot score above Level 2. Accept any other valid response.
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Question #9
Outline three changes that happened because of the Second Vatican Council.
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Correct answer: Any three: the Mass is celebrated in the local language; the Eucharist can be received in both forms; liturgy reform allowed the laity to participate more; the Bible was confirmed as inspired by the Holy Spirit; the role of the laity became more important.
Explanation
One mark for each point identified, up to three. Accept any other valid response.
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Question #10
Explain two reasons why the Bible has authority.
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Correct answer: Any two developed reasons, e.g. it is inspired by the Holy Spirit, so it is holy and authoritative for Catholics; it contains God's commands, which Christians need to know how to live and make decisions; it reveals what God is like, and only by knowing this can Christians fulfil the commandment to love God.
Explanation
One mark for each reason, plus one mark for development of each, up to four. Repeated reasons or developments, and developments that don't relate to both the reason and the question, get no credit. Accept any other valid response.
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