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GCSE · Thematic Studies

RS.TA4 Divorce and Remarriage

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 42 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used when discussing divorce.

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

(b)State what is meant by annulment.(1)

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

(d)State what is meant by the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage.(1)

(e)State what is meant by no-fault divorce.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Give three facts about divorce law in England and Wales.

(Total for Question 2 is 3 marks)

Explain two religious teachings that might lead a believer to be opposed to divorce. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Christian beliefs about divorce and remarriage. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

Give three reasons why some religious believers support the availability of divorce.

(Total for Question 5 is 3 marks)

Explain the importance of supporting people through divorce for religious communities today.

(Total for Question 6 is 6 marks)

Explain two non-religious views about divorce. Refer to Humanist or other non-religious beliefs in your answer.

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

State two possible effects of divorce on a family, and for each, briefly explain the effect.

(Total for Question 8 is 4 marks)

Give three reasons why divorce has been a topic of ongoing debate in Britain.

(Total for Question 9 is 3 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TA4 Divorce and Remarriage

Question 1

(a) B1 the legal ending of a marriage, oe
(a) Answer: The legal ending of a marriage.
(b) B1 a legal or religious declaration that a marriage was never validly formed in the first place, oe
(b) Answer: A legal or religious declaration that a marriage was never validly formed in the first place.
(c) B1 marrying again after a previous marriage has ended, through divorce or the death of a spouse, oe
(c) Answer: Marrying again after a previous marriage has ended, through divorce or the death of a spouse.
(d) B1 when a marriage has broken down to the point that it cannot realistically be saved, oe
(d) Answer: When a marriage has broken down to the point that it cannot realistically be saved.
(e) B1 a system of divorce where a couple does not need to prove one partner is to blame for the marriage ending, oe
(e) Answer: A system of divorce where a couple does not need to prove one partner is to blame for the marriage ending.

Question 2

B1 since 2022, couples have been able to get a no-fault divorce, without needing to prove blame, oe
B1 a couple must usually have been married for at least one year before they can apply for a divorce, oe
B1 a divorce can be applied for by one partner alone, or jointly by both partners, oe
Answer: Any three: no-fault divorce since 2022; must have been married at least one year to apply; can apply as a sole or joint application.

Question 3

B1 point 1: many Christians believe marriage is intended to be a lifelong, unbreakable union, oe
B1 development: Mark 10:9 teaches 'what God has joined together, let no one separate', which many Christians use to argue against divorce, oe
B1 point 2: many Muslims see marriage as a serious, sacred commitment that should not be ended lightly, oe
B1 development: Islamic teaching describes divorce as permitted but strongly discouraged, to be used only as a last resort after attempts at reconciliation, oe
Answer: E.g. Christian teaching from Mark 10:9 that marriage should not be separated; Islamic teaching that divorce is permitted but strongly discouraged, a last resort.

Question 4

B1 belief 1: the Roman Catholic Church teaches that a valid marriage cannot be dissolved, so it does not recognise remarriage in church while a former spouse is still living, oe
B1 development: this is based on teaching that marriage is a lifelong bond, reflected in Mark 10:9's teaching that what God has joined together should not be separated; the Church may instead grant an annulment where a marriage was never validly formed, oe
B1 belief 2: many other Christians accept divorce and remarriage, believing God offers forgiveness and a fresh start when a marriage has genuinely broken down, oe
B1 development: some point to Matthew 19:9, where Jesus allows an exception to the teaching against divorce in the case of sexual immorality, as evidence that divorce is not treated as absolutely forbidden, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: Catholic teaching against remarriage after divorce, using annulment instead (Mark 10:9) vs other Christians accepting divorce and remarriage as an act of forgiveness (Matthew 19:9's exception clause).

Question 5

B1 it can protect a partner or children from an abusive or dangerous relationship, oe
B1 it recognises that a marriage may have genuinely and irretrievably broken down, oe
B1 it reflects a belief in compassion and forgiveness, allowing people a fresh start, oe
Answer: Any three: protects a partner/children from harm; recognises irretrievable breakdown; reflects compassion and forgiveness.

Question 6

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well-organised answer that explains several reasons for the importance of supporting people through divorce, supported by accurate reference to religious teaching, with clear links made between the reasons given.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains some reasons for the importance of this support, with some relevant supporting detail, though links between points may be limited.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two isolated relevant points are made, with little supporting detail or explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Divorce can be emotionally difficult, so pastoral support (e.g. from clergy, imams or community members) can help people cope with grief, guilt or loss.
- Many religious communities offer counselling or mediation to help couples decide whether reconciliation is possible before a divorce goes ahead.
- Where children are involved, faith communities can support families in managing the practical and emotional impact of divorce on children.
- Compassion and forgiveness are shared values across many religious traditions, and supporting divorced members reflects these values in practice rather than judgement.
- Support helps people who remarry to feel welcomed and included, rather than excluded, by their faith community.
- It reflects the belief that a person's worth and place within a faith community should not depend on their marital history.

Question 7

B1 point 1: many non-religious people, including Humanists, believe divorce should be available whenever a marriage has genuinely broken down, oe
B1 development: this reflects a belief that couples should not be forced to stay in an unhappy or harmful marriage, out of respect for personal wellbeing and autonomy, oe
B1 point 2: some non-religious people focus on minimising harm, especially to any children, when a marriage ends, oe
B1 development: on this view, a well-managed, no-fault divorce process is preferable to a marriage that continues in conflict or unhappiness, oe
Answer: E.g. divorce as respecting personal wellbeing/autonomy (Humanist argument); minimising harm, especially to children, over staying in an unhappy marriage.

Question 8

B1 effect 1: emotional impact, oe
B1 explanation 1: divorce can cause grief, stress or upset for partners and, where they are involved, for children, oe
B1 effect 2: financial and practical impact, oe
B1 explanation 2: a household's income, property and living arrangements usually need to be divided or reorganised between the two former partners, oe
Answer: E.g. emotional impact (grief, stress, upset); financial/practical impact (dividing income, property and living arrangements).

Question 9

B1 concern for the wellbeing of any children affected by divorce, oe
B1 religious and non-religious people in Britain hold a range of different views about whether and when divorce is acceptable, oe
B1 changes to divorce law, such as the introduction of no-fault divorce, have prompted public discussion about how easy or difficult divorce should be, oe
Answer: Any three: concern for children's wellbeing; a range of religious/non-religious views; discussion prompted by changes to divorce law.

Divorce and Remarriage - Worksheets, Questions and Revision