RELIGIOUS STUDIES
PAPER 1
GRADE 12 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

QUESTIONS

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 

1. This question paper consists of SECTION A and SECTION B.
2. SECTION A: COMPULSORY
   SECTION B: Answer any TWO questions in this section. 
3. Read ALL the questions carefully.
4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this  question paper. 
5. Write neatly and legibly.

SECTION A (COMPULSORY) 
QUESTION 1  
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.  Write down the question number (1.1.1–1.1.10), choose the answer and make  a cross (X) over the letter (A–D) of your choice in the ANSWER BOOK. 
EXAMPLE: 
1.1.11 

1.1.1 To establish communication with ancestors, worshippers of the  African Traditional Religion must engage in … 

1. stories.
2. rituals.
3. miracles. 
4. ubuntu. (1) 

1.1.2 The Tao is … 

1. the universe.
2. the path of the universe. 
3. oscillation. 
4. All the above-mentioned (1) 

1.1.3 The mystical dimension of Islam is often called … 

1. a trance. 
2. Shi'ism.
3. Sufism. 
4. Zakaat/Zakat. (1) 

1.1.4 The founder of Taoism was … 

1. Tao-te Ching. 
2. Buddha. 
3. Chuang-Tzu.
4. Lao-tzu. (1) 

1.1.5 The collection of teachings of the Prophet Muhammad is called  the … 

1. Qur'an.
2. Vedas. 
3. Tripitaka.
4. Hadith. (1)

1.1.6 A ritual based on Jesus' last meal is … 

1. the Eucharist.
2. Christmas. 
3. Easter.
4. the Passover. (1) 

1.1.7 … is a world view based solely on human reasoning. 

1. Socialism
2. Natural Sciences
3. Secularism
4. Enlightenment (1) 

1.1.8 Zen Buddhism originated … 

1. in Iran.
2. from Theravada Buddhism.
3. from Hinduism.
4. from Mahayana Buddhism. (1) 

1.1.9 Catholics attend church services called the … 

1. hajj.
2. Mass.
3. Holy Communion.
4. Mitzvot. (1) 

1.1.10 A teaching not common to Judaism: 

1. Giving charity
2. Belief in the afterlife
3. Belief in the ancestors
4. The Sabbath (1)

1.2 Complete the following sentences by filling in the missing word(s). Write only  the word(s) next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.5) in the ANSWER BOOK. 

1.2.1 The Bahá'i faith originated in the country presently called … (1)
1.2.2 In Buddhism Tripitaka means … (1)
1.2.3 The German priest whose teachings led to Protestantism was … (1)
1.2.4 The two opposing forces in Taoism are called … (1)
1.2.5 Jews observe Divine Law called the … (1) 

1.3 Choose the word in each list below that does NOT match the rest. Write down  the word and a reason next to the question number (1.3.1–1.3.5) in the  ANSWER BOOK. 

1.3.1 Ancestors; Clan; Ilimo; Tanach (2)
1.3.2 Bahá'u'lláh; Haifa; Kitáb-i-Aqdas; Abu Bakr (2)
1.3.3 Brahma; Vishnu; Nirvana; Shiva (2)
1.3.4 Theravada; Pali Canon; Sanskrit, Mahayana (2)
1.3.5 Matthew; Mark; Jesus; John (2) 

1.4. Each of the statements below is FALSE. Change ONE term/concept in each  statement to make it TRUE. Write down the TRUE statement next to the  question number (1.4.1–1.4.5) in the ANSWER BOOK. 
EXAMPLE: Apples and grapes are vegetables. 
ANSWER: 1.4.6 Apples and grapes are fruit. 

1.4.1 The most well-known Bodhisattva is Chuang-Tzu. (2)
1.4.2 The Shi'a holy shrine of Karbala is in Saudi Arabia. (2)
1.4.3 The longest epic in Hinduism is the Vedas. (2)
1.4.4 The tangible expression of the oral Torah is Nervim. (2)
1.4.5 The highest goal of Buddhist practice is Darma. (2)

1.5 Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches the term in COLUMN A.  Write only the letter (A–G) next to the question number (1.5.1–1.5.5) in the  ANSWER BOOK. 

(5 x 1) (5) 
1.6 In the context of religion, write TWO facts about EACH of the following terms:

1.6.1 Zen (2)
1.6.2 Dogma (2)
1.6.3 Bahá'u'lláh (2)
1.6.4 Anthropomorphism (2)
1.6.5 Reincarnation (2) 

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B 
Answer any TWO questions in this section. 
QUESTION 2 
2.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. 

2.1.1 What role did religions play in the development of the Human  Rights Charter? Give examples to illustrate the answer. (18) 
2.1.2 Discuss the difference between respect and tolerance. (4) 
2.1.3 How is religious tolerance different in Western and Eastern  cultures? (8) 

2.2 Explain the terms below in a religious context and give ONE example of each:

2.2.1 Similarity (4)
2.2.2 Identity (4)
2.2.3 Colonialism (4)
2.2.4 Unity (4) 
2.2.5 Uniqueness (4)

[50]

QUESTION 3 
3.1 Read the article below and answer the questions that follow. 

3.1.1 Do you agree that 'religions are not always equally represented in  the media' in South Africa? Give reasons and use suitable examples  to illustrate your answer. (12) 
3.1.2 Discuss possible factors that may cause the media to be biased  against reporting religious issues. (8) 
3.1.3 Discuss the positive and negative effects of the Internet on religion. (14)

3.2 Read the newspaper article below and answer the questions that follow. 

3.2.1 Give TWO reasons why this particular cathedral was chosen for  the event. (4) 
3.2.2 What was this multifaith event called? (2)
3.2.3 What, do you think, were the goals of the function? (6) 
3.2.4 Do you think the report is fair and unbiased? Give TWO reasons  for your answer. (4)

QUESTION 4 
Study the extract below and answer the questions that follow. 

4.1 Do you think the article above refers to a religious conflict? Give reasons to  support your views. (12) 
4.2 Identify ONE area of recent conflict, anywhere in the world, and discuss:

4.2.1 The causes of the conflict (10)
4.2.2 The extent to which religion is involved in the conflict (10)
4.2.3 What religions can do to resolve the conflict (8) 

4.3 Discuss ONE religious leader who has worked to bring about interreligious  harmony. (10)

[50] 

QUESTION 5 
5.1 Use a suitable example to explain EACH of the following terms in the context  of religion: 

5.1.1 Belief (6)
5.1.2 Ideology (6)

5.2 Discuss any FIVE unique features of Taoism. (10) 
5.3 The World Conference of Religions for Peace is one organisation promoting  interreligious dialogue globally. Discuss FIVE functions of this organisation  in detail. (10) 
5.4 What role did interreligious co-operation play in South Africa prior to the  democratic election in 1994? (12) 
5.5 Name THREE African organisations that develop cordial relationships  between different religions. (6)

[50] 
TOTAL SECTION B: 100 
GRAND TOTAL: 150