AQA GCSE Religious Studies: every topic, by paper

What is the Trinity?

The Christian belief that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit.

What is the Christian holy book called, and what are its two main parts?

The Bible: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

What does 'omnipotent' mean?

All-powerful: Christians believe God can do anything consistent with his nature.

What is worship?

Showing love, respect and devotion to God, through prayer, praise and ritual.

What is liturgical worship?

Formal worship following a set order and set prayers, as in Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican services.

What is non-liturgical worship?

Worship without a fixed structure, often with spontaneous prayer and Bible readings, as in many evangelical churches.

What is Tawhid?

The belief in the oneness of God (Allah); the most important belief in Islam.

What is the Muslim holy book called?

The Qur'an.

How do Muslims believe the Qur'an was revealed?

Allah revealed it to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel), starting in 610 CE.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakah (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage).

What is the Shahadah?

The declaration of faith: there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (Shi'a add a phrase about Ali).

How many times a day do Muslims pray, and what are the prayers called?

Five times: Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha.

What is the Shema?

The central Jewish prayer beginning 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One' (Deuteronomy 6:4).

What is the Jewish holy book called, and what are its three parts?

The Tenakh: the Torah (Law), the Nevi'im (Prophets) and the Ketuvim (Writings).

What is the Torah?

The first five books of the Tenakh, containing God's law given to Moses; the most important part of Jewish scripture.

What is a synagogue?

A Jewish place of worship, study and community.

What is the Aron Hakodesh (Ark)?

The cabinet in the synagogue where the Torah scrolls are kept, facing Jerusalem.

What is the ner tamid?

The ever-burning light above the Ark, symbolising God's eternal presence.

What is cohabitation?

A couple living together in a sexual relationship without being married.

What is a nuclear family?

Two parents and their children living together.

What is an extended family?

A family that includes relatives beyond parents and children, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles.

What is the Big Bang theory?

The scientific theory that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago from an extremely hot, dense point and has been expanding ever since.

What is evolution?

The process by which living things develop and change over many generations through natural selection.

What is stewardship?

The idea that humans have a God-given duty to look after the world and its creatures.

What is a theist?

Someone who believes in God.

What is an atheist?

Someone who believes there is no God.

What is an agnostic?

Someone who believes it is not possible to know whether God exists.

What is pacifism?

The belief that all violence and war is wrong.

What is terrorism?

The use of violence and threats, usually against civilians, to intimidate people for political aims.

Give three reasons why wars happen.

Any three of: greed (land or resources), self-defence, retaliation, and religion or ideology.

What is a crime?

An offence that is punishable by law.

What is punishment?

Something legally done to somebody as a result of being found guilty of a crime.

Name the three aims of punishment.

Retribution, deterrence and reformation.

What are human rights?

The basic rights and freedoms that every person should have simply because they are human.

What is the UDHR and when was it adopted?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

What is prejudice?

Unfairly judging someone before the facts are known, often based on a group they belong to.