CRE Paper 1 Questions and Answers - Lanjet Joint Mock Exams 2023

Instructions to candidate

• Answer any five questions
• All answers must be written in English.

1.  
   1. State the benefits of learning Christian Religious education in secondary schools. (8 marks)
   2. Explain the differences between Biblical causes of sin and Traditional African understanding of evil. (7 marks)
   3. Identify Ways in which the Bible is misused in Kenya today. (5 marks)
2.  
   1. Explain seven characteristics of the covenant between God and Abraham. (7 marks)
   2. Outline the activities carried out by the Israelites on the night of the Passover. (6 marks)
   3. What do Christians learn about the nature of God from the Exodus? (7 marks)
3.  
   1. Explain four factors that led to the spread of idolatry in Israel during the time of Elijah. (8 marks)
   2. How did God manifest his power during Prophet Elijah’s ministry? (6 marks)
   3. Give six reasons why Christians build churches. (6 marks)
4.  
   1. Explain the role of prophets in the Old Testament. (7 marks)
   2. Identify the social injustices condemned by prophet Amos in Israel. (7 marks)
   3. How is the church promoting justice in the society today? (6 marks)
5.  
   1. What did the Jews promise before Ezra the priest during the renewal of the covenant? (7 marks)
   2. Identify final reforms carried out by Nehemiah to restore worship of God in Judah. (6 marks)
   3. Identify seven ways in which Christians observe the day of worship. (7 marks)
6.  
   1. Explain the roles performed by ancestors in traditional African communities. (8 marks)
   2. Outline six requirements for a sacrifice to be offered. (6 marks)
   3. Give three changes that have taken place in the traditional African understanding of property. (6 marks)

                                                                              MARKING SCHEME

1.  
   1. Benefits of learning Christian Religious education in secondary schools (8 marks)
      • To get a better understanding of God.
      • It helps the learner to make appropriate decisions.
      • To appreciate your own religion and that of others.
      • To help the learner to develop a sense of self-worth and identity for ourselves and others.
      • To promote international consciousness.
      • To help the learner live new life in Christ.
      • It equips the learner with an understanding of God / spiritually growth
      • The learner acquires life skill to handle challenges in life
      • It helps one to respect his/ her own / other people’s religious beliefs
      • It helps one to acquire basic principles for Christian living / moral values
      • It enables ones to understand how to relate with other people
      • It gives answers to questions / mysteries of life
      • It explains the origin / purpose of human beings on earth
      • To help leaner further their studies and develop their careers.
      • To contribute to the achievement of the national goals of education.      1x 8 = 8 marks
   2.  Differences between Biblical causes of sin and Traditional African understanding of evil. (7mks)
      • In Bible, man sinned when he disobeyed God while in Traditional African communities, evils were caused by evil spirits beyond human control.
      • In Bible, all human beings are born sinners as Adam sinned while in Traditional African communities a child is born pure / free from sins.
      • In Bible, there is eternal punishment of sinners in hell while in Traditional African communities evil are punished here on earth.
      • In Biblical sinners are forgiven through blood of Jesus while in Traditional African, evil were kept away by offering sacrifice.
      • In Biblical view, righteous people went to heaven permanently while in Traditional African communities, good people were accepted in ancestral spiritual world and they had influence over people living on earth.
      • In Biblical view, it is God alone who punishes sinners while in Traditional African communities, ancestors and spirits punished evil people.
      • In Bible, Christians are provided with Holy Spirit to avoid sinning while in Traditional African communities people were provided with protective charms to keep off evil and also were guided by specialist on how to keep off evil.
      • In Biblical view, sinners can repent and be forgiven their sins permanently while in Traditional African communities, evil people were ex-communicated / evil was passed on from one generation to another. (7 x 1 = 7 marks)
   3. Ways in which the Bible, is misused in Kenya today. (5 marks)
      • It is used to take oaths in courts or offices by people who may not be believers or not saying the truth.
      • It is kept in places associated with evil.
      • There is distortion of the Biblical teachings / specific verses are picked to fulfill individual demand / misinterpretation
      • Some people use the Bible like an ordinary text book.
      • Others use it in witchcraft / cults to mislead people
        some people use it to enrich themselves / it is a tool of trade
      • Some new version translated have changed the original meaning of the Bible
      • The Bible is not read for spiritual growth but it is kept for display
      • Some people use the Bible to threaten others/ administer curses   5x1 = 5 marks
2.  
   1. Characteristics of the covenant between God and Abraham. (7 marks)
      • A covenant is made between two parties who enter into a mutual agreement. God and Abraham were the two parties that entered into a mutual agreement.
      • In a covenant promises are made. God made several promises of what He would do for Abraham
      • The covenant is solemnized through rituals. Abraham offered animal/and birds as sacrifices and offerings to God.
      • A covenant has an outward sign. Abraham was to circumcise all his male children/descendants to show that he made a covenant with God.
      • Covenant has conditions/obligations to be met. The covenant between God and Abraham was not be broken. It bound even his descendants generations later.
      • During covenant making, there were witnesses. God as the sole initiator passed through the sacrifice as the witness to the covenant
      • A covenant is sealed. It was sealed through the blood of animals.
        Mark for mention
        Mark for explanation     (1x 7=7 marks
   2. Activities carried out by the Israelites on the night of the Passover. (6marks)
      • On the tenth day of the month, each man chose a lamb or a young goat for his family.
      • The chosen animal chosen was to be slaughtered on the evening of the fourteenth day of that month.
      • The slaughtered animal was to be roasted whole.
      • The meat was to be eaten that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
      • They ate while fully dressed for the journey / in a hurry.
      • The Israelite women asked for jewellery , silver and clothing from the Egyptian women on the eve of departure.
      • Everyone was to remain indoors until morning in order to be protected from the angel of death..
      • The Passover was to be commemorated annually and its significance taught to the coming generations.
      • They burnt all the leftovers of the meat.  (1 x 6 = 6marks
   3. What Christians learn about the nature of God from the Exodus? (7marks)
      • God is caring.
      • He communicates
      • He provides (iv) He is powerful
      • He guides
      • He protects
      • He commands
      • He is to be obeyed
      • He punishes those who disobey him / justice.
      • He is holy
      • He is faithful / keeps promise
      • He is patient / slow to anger
      • He is merciful
      • He is jealous           (7 x 1 = 7 marks
3.  
   1. Four factors that led to spread of idolatry in Israel during the time of prophet Elijah.    (8mks)
      • Influence from the local Canaanite religion
      • Intermarriages. King Ahab married Jezebel a Phoenician princess who introduced Baalism in Israel.
      • Religious schism between Judah and Israel.
      • Transition from pastoral life to agricultural life
      • The belief that a god was only powerful in his own land.
      • The Israelites’ failure to affect God’s command to destroy all the cultic objects and temples used in the worship of the Canaanite gods.
      • Earlier exposure to paganism or idol worship in Egypt.
      • Baalism was made a state religion.      2 x 4 = 8 marks. Points must be explained for the candidate to score.
   2. How God manifested his power during Prophet Elijah’s ministry. (6 marks)
      • God sent fire to burn the sacrifice during the contest at mount Camel with baal prophets.
      • God miraculously fed Elijah at brook of Cherith / wilderness.
      • God brought rain after the drought.
      • At mount Horeb, He manifested His presence through a storm, earthquakes and lightning.
      • He brought judgment on King Ahab and his wife Jezebel.
      • He raised the widow’s son at Zarephath through God’s power.
      • Elijah went up in a chariot of fire. 6 x 1 = 6 marks
   3. Reasons why Christians build churches. (6 marks)
      • Churches are used for worshiping God.
      • They signify God’s presence / house of God.
      • They are used for meetings / a place of gathering for members.
      • Religious functions take place there.
      • They are places where members receive religious instructions/ preaching.
      • Churches are signs of prestige / recognition / identification.
      • To demonstrate their faith in the existence of God
      • To follow the tradition of the Old Testament teachings on the temple as a house of God
      • It can be used as a place of refuge in times of danger /calamity
      • As a sign of growth in faith.   1 x 6 = 6 marks
4.  
   1. Give the role of prophets in the Old Testament. (7marks)
      • They communicated God’s message to the people/mediators between God and the people.
      • Prophets Spoke to the people about the future., Or predicted the future.
      • They condemned idolatry and preached practical monotheism.
      • They acted as conscience of kings who consulted them and the prophets confronted them if they did evil.
      • Some acted as priests. For example, Moses and Samuel.
      • They were leaders of righteousness.
      • They foretold about punishment which God would give his people.
      • They gave people hope of being restored to God if they repented their sins.
      • They taught people about keeping the law of God and how to follow it.
      • They condemned social evils and ritual sins.
      • The talked about the Messiah who was eagerly awaited for.    7 x 1=7 marks
   2. Social injustices condemned by prophet Amos in Israel. (7marks)
      • There was oppression of the poor by the rich.
      • There was cheating in business or use of false weights/measures in business.
      • They sold fellow Israelites into slavery
      • There was robbery with violence/robbery and land grabbing
      • The rich lived in luxury/were selfish/ greedy
      • There was bribery in courts and the poor could not get fair hearing.
      • There was sexual immorality and temple prostitution in the land.
      • There was misuse or garments secured as pledges / Breaking God’s law on garment secured as pledges.
      • There was murder as innocent.               7x1=7 marks
   3. How the church promoting justice in the society today? (6marks)
      • The church preaches/teaches the need for justice in the society.
      • The church condemns all forms of injustice.
      • It prays for justice to prevail in the land.
      • Christians lead exemplary lives/act as role models.
      • The church initiates income generating activities to create employment.
      • The church assists the needy
      • By guiding and counseling the victims of influence.
      • By advocating for just laws.                  5x1=5marks
5.  
   1. The promises that Jews made before Ezra during the renewal of the covenant. (7marks)
      • Not to intermarry with foreigners
      • Not to carry out business during the Sabbath
      • Contribute towards the maintenance of the temple
      • Preserve the integrity of the community
      • Pay tithes in line with Mosaic Law
      • Let land rest every seventh year.
      • Dedicate all first fruits of their harvest to God
      • Cancel all debts every seventh year
      • Dedicate all first born sons and animals to God.           7×1=7marks
   2. Final reforms carried out by Nehemiah to restore worship of God in Judah. . (6marks)
      • Cleansing of the temple
      • Reinstatement of the Levites and other temple workers
      • Reforms of the Sabbath observance
      • Purification of the priesthood and office of the Levites
      • Separation from foreigners
      • He denounced mixed marriages between Jews and foreigners         6 × 1= 6 marks
   3. Seven ways in which Christians observe the day of worship. (7 marks)
      • Preaching to others
      • Repent their sins
      • Going to church
      • Visiting the needy
      • Engaging in Bible study
      • Giving church contributions
      • Participating in singing for the lord
      • Attending fellowships
      • Reading Christian literature
      • Listening to preaching
      • Offering guidance counseling services
      • Solving family problems
      • Resting from routine work.              (7× 1=7 marks
6.  
   1.  
      • The roles performed by ancestors in traditional African communities. (8 marks)
      • They act as mediators between God and the people.
      • They give instructions to the living as to what should be done during certain occasions
      • They warn the living of the impending punishments in case of a wrong doing
      • They appear to people in dreams/visions to deliver a message from the spirit world
      • They provide people with a sense of identity
      • They act as custodians of the cultural/religious practices of the community
      • They punish those who break customs or taboos
      • They create a sense of security/protection for the community
      • They intercede for the community’s needs to God.      1 x 8 = 8 marks
   2. Requirements for a sacrifice to be offered. (6marks)
      • The ritual leader or person to perform the sacrifice. For example, a priest an elder or prophet.
      • The victim or sacrificial animal or object.
      • The instrument or tools to perform the sacrifice.
      • The recipient of the sacrifice/God /deity
      • Witness/witnesses.
      • The ground or place where a sacrifice is to be performed.          1 x 6 = 6 marks
   3. Changes that have taken place in the traditional African understanding of property. (6 marks)
      • Women and children may own property unlike in Traditional African Communities where only men would.
      • Many children and women are seen as liability rather than an asset as it was in Traditional African Communities.
      • Acquisition of wealth sometimes is done through unjust/unfair ways such as grabbing of land/swindling/theft unlike in Traditional African Communities.
      • There is too much stress on individual ownership as opposed to communal ownership in Traditional African Communities
      • Some men sell everything leaving the children with nothing to inherit unlike in Traditional African Communities. 2 x 3 = 6 marks