Interpreting beliefs and teachings 'discuss/evaluate' questions

Religious education

Structuring 'explain' questions

Structuring 'discuss/evaluate' questions

Interpreting thematic 'discuss/evaluate' questions

Standalone lessons (Examination Technique)

All examination boards use the command word 'discuss.'

2. All examination boards will award 12 marks for this type of question.

For 'beliefs and teachings' or a 'practices' discuss/evaluate question, you can refer to different religions.

Explain why prayer is important, with examples. Talk about other ways of understanding God like reading the Bible

Only talk about reasons why prayer isn't the best way of understanding God

Which of the approaches below is the best one for the following question? 'The best way for Christians to reach an understanding of God is by praying.’ Discuss

Focus on talking about the Shahadah as this is the most important pillar

Talk about the other pillars and why they could be more important than the Shahadah

Which of the approaches below is the best one for the following question? ‘The most important pillar of Islam is the Shahadah.’ Dicuss

You need to include different points of view in these types of question.

You need a conclusion for these types of question.

This lesson will be removed by the end of the Spring Term 2026.

Interpreting beliefs and teachings 'discuss/evaluate' questions

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by the end of the Spring Term 2026.