KCSE 2014 CRE Paper 1 Questions with Marking Scheme

1. 1. Explain why the Bible is considered as the word of God. (7 marks)
      
      
   2. State the effect of translating the Bible into African local languages. (7 marks)
      
      
   3. List six versions of the Bible used in Kenya today. (6 marks)
      
      
      
2. 1. Describe the call of Moses (Exodus 3:1-22). (8 marks)
      
      
   2. Outline seven plagues that God used to demonstrate his power in Egypt. (7 marks)
      
      
   3. Give five reasons why Christians are commanded not to steal. (5 marks)
      
      
      
3. 1. State the achievements of Solomon as the king of Israel. (7 marks)
      
      
   2. Outline the importance of the temple in Jerusalem to the Israelites. (7 marks)
      
      
   3. Give six lessons that modern political leaders in Kenya can learn from King Solomon. (6 marks)
      
      
      
4. 1. Explain three categories of true prophets in the Old Testament. (6 marks)
      
      
   2. Outline six similarities between the traditional African and true prophets in the Old Testament. (6 marks)
      
      
   3. State eight challenges which church leaders in Kenya face in their work. (8 marks)
      
      
      
5. 1. Describe the political background of Nehemiah. (5 marks)
      
      
   2. Identify seven occasions that Nehemiah prayed. (7 marks)
      
      
   3. State the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian. (8 marks)
      
      
      
6. 1.  How do the aged in traditional African communities prepare their family members before they die? (7 marks)
      
      
   2. State the traditional African understanding of spirits. (5 marks)
      
      
   3. What is the responsibility of the living towards the ancestors in traditional African communities? (8 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1.                          
   1. Why the Bible is considered as the word of God
      • The people/authors who wrote the Bible were under the influence of the Holy Spirit / inspired
      • Through it, God’s character / attributes / nature is revealed
      • God speaks / communicates to human beings through the Bible / it contains God’s spoken words
      • It shows the will / desire of God for human beings
      • Through the Bible God guides people in their daily lives
      • It transforms lives of people / source of moral values
      • Part of the Bible was directly written by God Himself i.e the Ten Commandments
      • Prophecies / promises made in the Bible have been / are being fulfilled
      • It reveals the actions done by God
      • It outlines God’s plan of salvation fulfilled through Jesus Christ
      • It remains relevant for all generations.
      • 7 x 1 = 7 marks
   2. Effects of translating the Bible into African local languages
      • Bible translation has led to the development of the African languages
      • It has led to the spread of the word of God to many people
      • Through the translations people are able to apply the Bible teachings in their lives
      • It has contributed to improved literacy levels among the Africans
      • It has led to emergence of African independent churches /schools / African leadership
      • It has contributed to the numerical growth of the church / expansion of the church membership
      • It gives people an opportunity to analyse the Bible in relation to their cultures
      • The translation of the Bible has made Africans to incorporate their cultural practices into Christian worship
      • It has enhanced the development of printing press / bookshops / creation of jobs
      • It has made people to carryout research in African beliefs / practices
      • It has led to ecumenical cooperation among Christian in Africa.
      • It has led to creation of jobs.
      • 7x1 = 7 marks
   3. Versions of the Bible used in Kenya today:
      • Revised Standard version
      • Good news Bible
      • Common Bible
      • New International version
      • King James Version
      • The African Bible
      • Jerusalem Bible
      • The Living Bible
      • The Gideons International Version
      • The New English Bible
      • The Holy Bible
      • Jerome Bible
      • The Youths Bible
      • Amplified Bible
      • 6 x 1 = 6 mark
2.                          
   1. The call of Moses. (EXODUS 3:1-22)
      • Moses was looking after his father-in-law’s sheep at Mt Horeb / Sinai
      • An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush which was not getting consumed
      • Moses turned to see the bush God called his name out of the bush
      • Moses responded to God by saying, “Here I am”
      • God commended Moses not to move near / to remove his shoes because the place was holy.
      • God revealed Himself to Moses as the God of his ancestors
      • Moses hid his face / was afraid to look at God
      • God told Moses that he had seen the suffering of his people in Egypt / had come to deliver them / wanted to sent Moses to Pharaoh to release his people
      • Moses was reluctant to be sent to Pharaoh / God promised to be with him
      • Moses sought to know the name of God who was sending him / God revealed his name as “Iam who I am”
      • God told Moses to go and gather the elders of Israel / tell them God’s message about their deliverance
      • Moses was told to go with the elders to Pharaoh to ask for their release from Egypt.
      • God promised to perform wonders to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
      • The Israelites will get favour from the Egyptians/will get jewellery.
      • 8 x 1 = 8 marks
   2. Plagues that God used to demonstrate his power in Egypt.
      • The waters of Egypt turned into blood
      • The land of Egypt was covered with frogs
      • The dust of Egypt became gnats
      • Swarms of flies covered the land
      • There was death of all Egyptian livestock
      • There was an outbreak of boils on human beings / animals
      • The plague of severe hailstorm
      • There were swarm of locusts
      • Darkness covered the land of Egypt for three days
      • Death of the first born males of the Egyptians.
      • 7 x 1 = 7 marks
   3. Reasons why Christians are commanded not to steal
      • Christians should trust in God to provide for their needs
      • So as to show respect for other peoples’ property
      • Christians should work to acquire their needs / laziness is discouraged
      • Christians should have others / should not make others suffer
      • They should uphold their dignity / self worth be role models
      • In order to promote peace / harmony among people / stealing causes conflict in society
      • In order to practise self control/ righteousness
      • Christians are expected to be contented with what they have / stealing is an act of greed. 5 x 1 = 5 marks
3.                            
   1. The achievements of Solomon as the King of Israel.
      • Solomon built a magnificent temple for God / brought the ark of the covenant to the temple
      • He promoted trade with neighbouring countries / had a navy of merchant ships.
      • He initiated a building programme / built the city of Megiddo / royal palaces / fortified the city of Jerusalem
      • He reorganized the country into districts for effective administration
      • He established good diplomatic relationships with other nations through inter marriages
      • He settled disputes among people wisely
      • He composed proverbs / songs
      • He initiated industrial activities within the Kingdom / exploited copper mines at Edom
      • He established a strong army for defence.
      • 7 x 1 = 7 marks
   2. The importance of the temple in Jerusalem to the Israelites.
      • The temple was a place of worship / prayers /sacrifices.
      • It was where major festivals were held.
      • It was used as a treasury / important objects kept there / foreign currency exchanged.
      • It was a source of unity among the people / gave a sense of security.
      • It symbolised the presence of God among the people / the ark of the covenant was kept there.
      • It was where people were taught the law.
      • It was used as residence / training centre for religious leaders.
      • It was a place where disputes were settled / law court.
      • It was a place where religious ceremonies / rites were performed.
      • It was a place of pilgrimage for the Jews.
      • 7 x 1 = 7 marks
   3. Lessons that modern political leaders in Kenya can learn from King Solomon
      • Political leaders should ask for wisdom from God to enable them to rule
      • They should trust in God / have faith in God / obey God
      • They should promote the worship of God / support Christian projects
      • They should rule with justice / fairness / should not oppress their subjects
      • They should exercise self control / be leaders of integrity
      • They should have good diplomatic / trading relations with other countries
      • They should make good use of the nation’s resources / not be extravagant
      • They should protect their nation’s territory / land.
      • (6 x 1 = 6 marks)
4.                          
   1. Categories of true prophets in the Old Testament:
      • Major prophets - their messages / books are elaborate / detailed
      • Minor prophets - they have short / brief messages
      • Canonical prophets - they are prophets whose utterances are recorded in books that bear their names
      • Non - canonical prophets - they are prophets whose oracles / messages have been compiled by other authors
      • Cultic / early prophets - they are prophets whose duties were associated with places of worship
      • 3 x 2 = 6 marks
   2. Similarities between the traditional African and true prophets in the Old Testament.
      • Both predicted future events / disasters
      • Both acted as mediators between God and the peopl.
      • Both had supernatural powers to exercise their duties
      • Both had a personal relationship with God / received revelations through visions / dreams
      • They were religious leaders who could offer sacrifices / prayers
      • Both played an advisory role to the political leaders /acted as the conscience of the leaders
      • Both urged their people to be morally upright / condemned evil in society
      • They led exemplary lives / were role models.
      • Both had prophets and prophetess.
      • 6 x 1 = 6 marks
   3. Challenges which Church leaders in Kenya face in their work.
      • Church leaders are rejected / persecuted
      • They have rivalry among themselves / inferiority/ superiority complex
      • They experience discrimination based on nepotism / tribalism / gender / status
      • There is hypocrisy among church members / religious syncretism
      • Inadequate finances / materials for their work
      • They encounter temptations in their duties
      • They encounter language barrier while spreading the word of God
      • There is conflicting interpretation of the Bible
      • There is political interference in their work
      • They are faced with competition from false prophets / cults
      • Permissiveness in society hinders their work
      • Poor infrastructure makes it difficult for them to access some areas.
      • 8 x 1 = 8 marks
5.                      
   1. The political background to Nehemiah.
      • The Kingdom of Judah had been taken over by Babylon
      • The Babylonians had destroyed the walls of the city / the temple / Jerusalem
      • The King / royal court officials / able people were deported / exiled to Babylon
      • Persia conquered Babylon / Jews came under the control of Persians
      • The Persian Kings ruled the subjects through governors
      • The conquered people were to pay tribute / taxes to Persia
      • The Persian King / Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Judah in three stages
      • Nehemiah led the third group of Jews back to Judah.
      • 5 x 1 = 5 marks
   2. Occasions when Nehemiah prayed
      • Nehemiah prayed when he got a bad report from the Jews that Jerusalem was in ruins
      • When he was about to ask for permission from King Artaxerxes I to go to Judah and rebuild the wall of Jerusalem
      • When Sanballat ridiculed the rebuilding of the wall
      • When Sanballat / Tobiah / Amonites threatened to fight the people of Jerusalem
      • He prayed for God’s favour after having forfeited his portion of food as governor for twelve years
      • When he was threatened to be killed by his enemies / Geshene the Arab
      • When he had purified the rooms in the house of God
      • After warning the people against ignoring the sabbath law
      • After he had stopped the Israelites from intermarrying with the foreigners.
      • 7 x 1 = 7 marks
   3. Importance of prayer in the life of a Christian.
      • Prayer is a way of communicating with God / Fellowship with God
      • Through prayer Christian faith in God is strengthened
      • Christians have opportunity to confess / seek for forgiveness through prayer
      • Through prayer Christians thank God for blessings received
      • Christians ask / petition God for their need through prayer
      • They use prayer to intercede / show concern for others
      • Prayers are made in obedience to the teachings of Jesus / the Bible
      • It is a way of emulating the example set by Jesus / the early Church
      • Christians praise / adore God through prayer
      • Prayer promote unity among believers.
      • 8x 1 = 8 marks
6.                          
   1. How the aged in traditional African community prepare their family members before they die.
      • Inviting the family members to share a common meal
      • Identifying the leader of the family
      • Disclosing to the members all the property owned
      • Sharing / distributing the property among family members
      • Giving advice to family members
      • Blessing the family members
      • Reconciling family members / resolving conflicts
      • Identifying the debtors /creditors
      • Identifying the burial site / giving instruction’s regarding the funeral.
      • 7 x 1 = 7 marks
   2. Traditional African understanding of spirits.
      • Spirits are invisible / do not have a physical form
      • Spirits are more powerful than human beings
      • they are believed to be residing in caves / rivers / trees/ rocks
      • Spirits can acquire physical form / appear to human beings in form of birds / animals
      • Spirits have the ability to enter human beings / and through them to convey messages / reveal certain truths
      • Spirits act as mediators between God and human beings
      • Spirits change according to the circumstances / they can bring either harm / good to people.
      • 5 x 1 = 5 marks
   3. The responsibility of the living towards ancestors in traditional African community:
      • Naming children after them
      • Pouring libation for them
      • Taking care of their graveyards
      • Making sacrifices to honour them
      • Consulting / communicating to them in times of need
      • Inviting / involving them in ceremonies
      • Invoking their names during prayers
      • Transmitting their wishes / visions
      • By holding commemoration ceremonies for them
      • Managing their property wisely.
      • Building shrines for them.
      • Teaching children about them.
      • 8 x 1 = 8 marks