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GCSE · Christianity

RS.CP4 Pilgrimage and Celebrations

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 55 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used in Christian teaching about pilgrimage and celebrations.

(a)State what is meant by pilgrimage.(1)

(b)Name one place of Christian pilgrimage in Britain.(1)

(c)State what is meant by Advent.(1)

(d)State what is meant by Lent.(1)

(e)Name the day in Holy Week on which Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Give three reasons why Christians go on pilgrimage.

(Total for Question 2 is 3 marks)

Explain two reasons why Iona is an important site of Christian pilgrimage in Britain. Refer to Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Christian views on the importance of pilgrimage today. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

This question is about Christian celebrations. It is the AQA-style 24-mark, five-part question: parts (a) to (d) are worth 12 marks; part (e) is the 12-mark evaluation.

(a)State what Christians celebrate at Christmas.(1)

(b)Give two ways Christians celebrate Christmas.(2)

(c)Explain two reasons why Christmas is important for Christians today. Refer to scripture in your answer.(4)

(d)Explain two contrasting Christian views about how Christmas should be celebrated in Britain today. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.(5)

(e)Evaluate this statement: 'Pilgrimage is the most important way for Christians to show their faith.' In your answer you should: refer to Christian teaching, refer to different points of view, reach a justified conclusion.(12)

(Total for Question 5 is 24 marks)

Explain two ways the celebration of Easter is important for Christians today.

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

Give three events of Holy Week.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.CP4 Pilgrimage and Celebrations

Question 1

(a) B1 a journey made by a believer to a place of religious significance, oe
(a) Answer: A journey made by a believer to a place of religious significance.
(b) B1 e.g. Iona / Walsingham / Lindisfarne, oe
(b) Answer: E.g. Iona (or Walsingham, or Lindisfarne).
(c) B1 the period of preparation before Christmas, oe
(c) Answer: The period of preparation before Christmas.
(d) B1 the 40-day period of preparation before Easter, oe
(d) Answer: The 40-day period of preparation before Easter.
(e) B1 Good Friday, oe
(e) Answer: Good Friday.

Question 2

B1 to grow closer to God/deepen their faith, oe
B1 to visit a place associated with an important figure or event in Christian history, oe
B1 as an act of penance or thanksgiving (or to experience a sense of community with other pilgrims), oe
Answer: Any three: to grow closer to God; to visit a place linked to an important figure or event; as an act of penance or thanksgiving; for community with other pilgrims.

Question 3

B1 point 1: it is where St Columba founded a monastery in the 6th century, from which Christianity spread across Scotland, oe
B1 development: pilgrims visit to connect with this historic origin of British Christianity, oe
B1 point 2: the Iona Community today is an ecumenical Christian community welcoming visitors of different denominations, oe
B1 development: pilgrims can take part in shared worship there, reflecting Jesus's promise in Matthew 18:20, 'where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them', oe
Answer: E.g. its historic link to St Columba's 6th-century monastery; the modern ecumenical Iona Community, linked to Matthew 18:20.

Question 4

B1 belief 1: some Christians, especially in Catholic and Anglo-Catholic traditions, believe pilgrimage remains an important spiritual practice, following a long history of visiting holy places, oe
B1 development: shrines such as Walsingham, a site of Marian devotion since the medieval period, continue to attract many pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal, oe
B1 belief 2: other Christians believe pilgrimage is not essential, since God can be worshipped anywhere, oe
B1 development: based on John 4:21-24, in which Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that true worship is 'in the Spirit and in truth' rather than tied to one place, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: pilgrimage valued as an important tradition (e.g. Walsingham) vs pilgrimage seen as unnecessary since worship is 'in Spirit and truth' (John 4:21-24).

Question 5

(a) B1 the birth of Jesus Christ, oe
(a) Answer: The birth of Jesus Christ.
(b) B1 attending a Christmas Eve/midnight or Christmas Day church service, oe
(b) B1 giving and receiving gifts (or a nativity play, or carol singing), oe
(b) Answer: E.g. attending a Christmas Day church service, and giving/receiving gifts.
(c) B1 point 1: it celebrates the incarnation, the belief that God became human in the person of Jesus, oe
(c) B1 development: based on John 1:14, 'The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us', central to Christian belief about who Jesus is, oe
(c) B1 point 2: it is an opportunity for Christians to give thanks and show generosity to others, reflecting the gift of Jesus to the world, oe
(c) B1 development: many churches run Christmas outreach events, e.g. collecting gifts or food for those in need, oe
(c) Answer: E.g. celebrating the incarnation (John 1:14); an opportunity for thanksgiving and generosity.
(d) B1 belief 1: some Christians believe Christmas should focus mainly on its religious meaning, centred on church services and reflection on the incarnation, oe
(d) B1 development: based on Luke 2:10-11, the angel's announcement 'today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you', which some feel is at risk of being lost amid commercial celebrations, oe
(d) B1 belief 2: other Christians believe it is acceptable to combine religious worship with wider family and cultural traditions, since these can still express Christian generosity and joy, oe
(d) B1 development: they may point to the Magi bringing gifts to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11) as an early precedent for gift-giving at Christmas, oe
(d) B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
(d) Answer: Contrast: Christmas kept mainly religious (Luke 2:10-11) vs combined with wider family/cultural tradition, e.g. gift-giving (Matthew 2:11).
(e) L4 (10-12): A well-argued, balanced answer that considers more than one point of view in a developed way, using accurate and detailed references to Christian teaching and/or scripture to support each point, and reaches a clear, justified conclusion.
(e) L3 (7-9): A clear and reasoned answer that considers more than one point of view, supported by relevant references to Christian teaching and/or scripture, though the justification of the conclusion may be less developed.
(e) L2 (4-6): A reasoned answer that considers at least one point of view, with some relevant supporting evidence, but with limited or no consideration of an alternative view.
(e) L1 (1-3): One or more relevant points are made, but with little or no supporting evidence and no reasoned conclusion.
(e) L0 (0): No relevant content.
(e) Indicative content:
- Agree: pilgrimage involves real sacrifice of time, money and effort, which can be seen as a strong outward demonstration of faith and devotion.
- Agree: pilgrimage sites such as Iona and Walsingham have a long history in British Christianity, and visiting them connects believers to this tradition.
- Agree: for some Christians, the physical journey of pilgrimage mirrors and strengthens their spiritual journey towards God.
- Disagree: Jesus taught that true worship is 'in the Spirit and in truth' rather than tied to a place (John 4:24), suggesting no single practice like pilgrimage is essential.
- Disagree: daily practices such as prayer, reading the Bible, attending church and acts of service are followed by far more Christians and arguably show faith just as strongly, sustained over a lifetime rather than a single journey.
- Disagree: many Christians never go on pilgrimage, for example due to cost or ability, and this does not make their faith any less genuine.
- A balanced answer might conclude that pilgrimage can be a powerful and meaningful expression of faith for those who undertake it, but it is one option among many rather than the single most important way of showing faith.

Question 6

B1 point 1: it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, the central belief of the Christian faith, oe
B1 development: based on 1 Corinthians 15:14, 'if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith', showing how central the resurrection is considered to be, oe
B1 point 2: it gives Christians hope of eternal life, since Jesus's resurrection is seen as proof that death has been defeated, oe
B1 development: many churches hold special sunrise services on Easter Sunday to celebrate this hope, oe
Answer: E.g. celebrating the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:14); giving hope of eternal life, marked by sunrise services.

Question 7

B1 Palm Sunday (Jesus's entry into Jerusalem), oe
B1 the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday), oe
B1 Good Friday (the crucifixion) (or Easter Sunday, the resurrection), oe
Answer: Any three: Palm Sunday; the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday); Good Friday (crucifixion); Easter Sunday (resurrection).

Pilgrimage and Celebrations - Worksheets, Questions and Revision