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Mock HSC Exam: Studies of Religion II
1. How it is marked
Instructions (as on the HSC paper): reading time 5 minutes; working time 3 hours; total 100 marks. Only the Buddhism, Christianity and Islam questions are printed, since those are your traditions. In the real paper you must NOT choose the same tradition in Section II and Section III.
Why these questions:
- Section I: uses the overdue topics: religious landscape and changing patterns (last asked 2020); new religious expressions (2018); comparison on the human person (never a 5-marker).
- Section II: follows the post-2021 three-part format with a new rotation (person → practice → ethics).
- Section III: a practice question (last set for Islam in 2017).
- Section IV: inner peace with sacred texts, combining the 2022–2025 focus with the overdue sacred-texts type (last asked 2020).
Section I: 30 marks (allow about 50 minutes)
Part A: Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945 (15 marks)
Questions 1–10 (1 mark each). Answers are at the end.
- Which of the following is an example of ecumenical dialogue?
- A. A meeting of the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations
- B. Catholic and Uniting Church members holding a joint service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- C. A Muslim–Jewish youth exchange
- D. A Buddhist temple hosting a school visit
- Which High Court decision held that native title could coexist with pastoral leases?
- A. Mabo (1992)
- B. Wik (1996)
- C. Native Title Act 1993
- D. Native Title Amendment Act 1998
- In the 2021 Census, approximately what percentage of Australians reported "No religion"?
- A. 22%
- B. 30%
- C. 39%
- D. 44%
- Which change best illustrates denominational switching?
- A. An Anglican who now attends a Pentecostal church
- B. A Catholic who now reports no religion
- C. A migrant who brings Hinduism to Australia
- D. A Buddhist who converts to Islam
- The system of relationships that determines a person's obligations to people, country and ceremony in Aboriginal spirituality is
- A. totemism
- B. kinship
- C. the Dreaming track
- D. native title
- Which religion recorded the largest numerical increase between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses?
- A. Islam
- B. Buddhism
- C. Hinduism
- D. Sikhism
- In which year did Catholics first outnumber Anglicans in the Census?
- A. 1947
- B. 1971
- C. 1986
- D. 2006
- The National Council of Churches in Australia was significant in 1994 because
- A. it was the first interfaith body in Australia
- B. the Catholic Church became a full member for the first time
- C. it replaced the World Council of Churches
- D. it was founded by the Uniting Church alone
- Which report documented the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children?
- A. Bringing Them Home (1997)
- B. The Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017)
- C. The Mabo judgment (1992)
- D. The Wik judgment (1996)
- Which statement about the period since 1945 is most accurate?
- A. Christianity has grown as a percentage of the population.
- B. Migration is the main reason for the growth of "No religion".
- C. Migration increased religious diversity, while secularism grew mainly among the Australian-born.
- D. Buddhism is now larger than Christianity.
Question 11 (5 marks).
"Australia is no longer a Christian country; it is a multifaith and increasingly secular one."
With reference to census data, how accurate is this statement in describing Australia's current religious landscape?
Part B: Religion and Non-Religion (15 marks)
Questions 12–21 (1 mark each).
- Belief that spirits inhabit natural features such as rivers and mountains is
- A. monotheism
- B. polytheism
- C. animism
- D. humanism
- Which describes agnosticism?
- A. God does not exist.
- B. The existence of God cannot be known.
- C. Science alone defines morality.
- D. There are many gods.
- According to the Pew Research Center (2025), which religious group grew the fastest between 2010 and 2020?
- A. Christians
- B. Muslims
- C. Hindus
- D. Buddhists
- Which major religious group declined in number between 2010 and 2020 (Pew 2025)?
- A. Buddhists
- B. Hindus
- C. Jews
- D. Muslims
- Growing ecological awareness has most directly contributed to the rise of
- A. Rational Humanism
- B. nature-based spiritualities such as Neo-Paganism
- C. denominational switching
- D. ecumenism
- Which is an example of social transformation rather than social cohesion?
- A. A weekly community meal at a mosque
- B. A shared interfaith prayer service
- C. Religious activists campaigning to abolish slavery
- D. A parish youth group
- Scientific Humanism holds that
- A. human progress is best achieved through science and evidence
- B. reason must be guided by revelation
- C. God is unknowable
- D. nature is sacred
- Which response most accurately compares Christianity and Humanism on the human person?
- A. Both believe in an immortal soul.
- B. Both affirm human dignity, but only Christianity grounds it in a transcendent God.
- C. Neither supports social responsibility.
- D. Humanism grounds dignity in revelation.
- Which is a reason people seek new religious expressions?
- A. To obey a fixed hierarchy
- B. To search for personal fulfilment
- C. To avoid ethical questions
- D. To join a world religion
- The term "religious dimension" refers to
- A. only organised churches
- B. the human search for meaning through belief in the transcendent and its expression
- C. non-religious worldviews only
- D. census categories
Question 22 (5 marks). Explain how TWO influences have contributed to the growth of new religious expressions and spiritualities.
Section II: 30 marks (answer TWO questions, one per tradition; about 30 minutes each)
Question 23: Buddhism (15 marks)
(a) (4 marks) Outline how ONE significant person or school of thought, other than the Buddha, has shaped the expression of Buddhism.
(b) (5 marks)
"Wherever the Buddha walked, Buddhists follow."
With reference to the stimulus, analyse how ONE significant practice expresses the beliefs of Buddhism. In your answer, refer to ONE of: Pilgrimage, Temple Puja, Wesak.
(c) (6 marks) To what extent do TWO ethical teachings in Buddhism guide adherents in ONE of: bioethics, environmental ethics, sexual ethics?
Question 24: Christianity (15 marks)
(a) (4 marks) Outline how ONE significant person or school of thought, other than Jesus, has shaped the expression of Christianity.
(b) (5 marks)
"Do this in memory of me." (Luke 22:19)
With reference to the stimulus, analyse how ONE significant practice expresses the beliefs of Christianity. In your answer, refer to ONE of: Baptism, Marriage ceremony, Saturday/Sunday worship.
(c) (6 marks) To what extent do TWO ethical teachings in Christianity guide adherents in ONE of: bioethics, environmental ethics, sexual ethics?
Section III: 20 marks (about 35 minutes; ~800 words)
Question 31: Islam
"And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah." (Qur'an 2:197)
With reference to the stimulus, evaluate how ONE significant practice in Islam assists adherents to grow in taqwa (God-consciousness). Refer to ONE of: Friday prayer at the mosque, Funeral ceremony, Hajj.
Section IV: Religion and Peace, 20 marks (about 35 minutes)
Question 33
"Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." (Qur'an 13:28) "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
With reference to TWO religious traditions, explain how sacred texts guide adherents to achieve inner peace.
MARKING GUIDELINES (modelled on NESA criteria and wording, 2022–2025)
MC answers:
| Q | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ans | B | B | C | A | B | C | C | B | A | C |
| Q | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ans | C | B | B | A | B | C | A | B | B | B |
Q11 / Q22 (5 marks):
| Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|
| Provides a detailed and accurate response to the question (Q11: a sustained judgement on accuracy). Supports it with relevant, accurate examples and data. Uses relevant terminology. | 5 |
| Provides a sound response, with relevant examples and data | 4 |
| Provides some relevant information about the topic | 3 |
| Makes general statements about religion in Australia / new religious expressions | 2 |
| Makes a statement about religion | 1 |
- Q11 answers could include: Christianity 43.9% (still the largest grouping) vs no religion 38.9%; Islam 3.2%, Hinduism 2.7%, Buddhism 2.4%; Hinduism +243,700; Catholic 20%; Anglican 9.8%. A judgement: "partly accurate".
- Q22 answers could include: materialism, scientific progress, ecological awareness and disenchantment.
Section II part criteria (pattern from the 2025 MG):
- 4 marks (Outline):
- 4: clear, accurate outline with an example.
- 3: sound outline.
- 2: general statements.
- 1: a relevant point.
- 5 marks (Analyse with stimulus):
- 5: a detailed, accurate analysis of the relationship between the practice and beliefs; integrates the stimulus; accurate terminology and evidence.
- 4: a sound analysis with some stimulus.
- 3: describes the practice with some link to beliefs.
- 2: general statements about the practice.
- 1: a statement.
- 6 marks (To what extent, TWO teachings):
- 6: a sustained, reasoned judgement on the extent; TWO teachings clearly identified and applied to ONE area; detailed evidence and sacred texts.
- 4–5: a sound judgement; both teachings with some application.
- 2–3: describes the teaching(s) or issue(s) with limited judgement.
- 1: general statements.
- Note: one teaching only, max 3. Describing issues without naming teachings, max 3. (These caps are pack guidance based on the 2015 and 2023 feedback, not NESA rules.)
Section III / Section IV (20 marks):
Presents a comprehensive, sustained and logically sequenced response that directly addresses the question and integrates the stimulus. Demonstrates detailed, accurate knowledge, with relevant sacred texts and contemporary evidence. Uses accurate terminology throughout.
- 17–20
Presents a thorough, logically sequenced response that addresses the question and uses the stimulus. Demonstrates accurate knowledge with relevant evidence and terminology.
- 13–16
Presents a sound response that partially addresses the question. Demonstrates some knowledge with some relevant evidence.
- 9–12
Describes aspects of the practice / peace with limited reference to the question
- 5–8
Makes general statements about Islam / peace
1–4
Q31 answers could include:
- Taqwa: 2:197 (the best provision is fear of Allah); 22:37 ("what reaches Him is piety").
- Hajj: ihram; tawaf; sa'y (2:158); Arafat; Bukhari 1521 and 1773; Muslim 1218.
- Friday prayer: 62:9–10.
- Funeral: 2:156; Muslim 1631.
- Evaluation: whether the practice changes conduct after it ends.
Q33 answers could include:
- Christianity: John 14:27; Phil 4:6–7; Ps 46:10; Matt 11:28; Gal 5:22; Rom 5:1; prayer; Lectio Divina; the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Islam: 13:28; 2:208; 89:27–28; 2:153; 94:5–6; Tirmidhi 3375; Muslim 2675; salat; dhikr; sabr.
- Marker warning: do not drift into world peace (2025).
Self-marking tips: time yourself strictly (50 / 60 / 35 / 35 minutes). Then compare against the notes for each area and highlight every sentence that does not answer the question.
2. Answer guidance
Model answers for every question type are in the section documents: Part A (Q11 → Section I Part A doc, A4/A5), Part B (Q22 → Part B doc, B4), Section II (Buddhism and Christianity docs), Section III (Islam doc, Hajj essay), Section IV (Peace doc, 2A).