FULL 6 MARKS - Model Answer Analysis

Hover over the lists on the left/right, the essay text, or the underlined parts of the source to see how they connect.

Key Exam Tip: Own Knowledge vs. Copying
Notice how the student selectively quotes small fragments from the source (underlined below) but immediately expands on them using their own knowledge to show the actual impact on behaviour and society. To get full marks, you must not simply list or copy elements of the passage.

Source A: How relevant is religion to young people in the UK?

People’s identities can be defined in many ways. For a long time, religion has been a central focus of young people’s identity and it helps them develop their moral values.

Religion has been with them at major stages and events in their life such as births, marriages and deaths and it constantly brings them together in the community at seasonal festivals and celebrations.

For many young people, religion is an integral part of their schooling, and is such an important part of our society that it is a compulsory element of education until the age of 16. However, statistics show that a quarter of young people are brought up in homes where religion is absent.

A lack of faith does not mean they have no morals or fail to value truth and honesty. Young people also know the importance of showing respect and tolerance to everyone they meet in society.

Explain the significance of religion for young people in the UK today. (6)
Criteria
  • Explains how religion influences behaviour and thinking
  • Shows impact and not just stating a fact
  • Clearly a different second point (not repetitive)
  • Focus on community/social aspect
  • Again, relevant and integrated
  • Supports the idea of relationships/community
  • Develops impact further (role models, positive behaviour)
  • Keeps linking back to why it is significant
Student Response

One significance of religion for young people in the UK is that it helps them identify what is right and wrong [1] for example the Source says "it helps them develop their moral values" [1] which is important as it is significant in the way they look the world around them and also how they think they should behave and act [1] This shows that the significance of religion for young people today is important as the role of religion is important to help identify what they believe is right and will guide them to make an impact on the people and starts surrounding them [1].

Another significance of religion for young people in the UK today is that it helps build up relationships [1] for example the source says 'Connecting bring them together in the community' [1] which is important as young people would like to build up connections with people which have the same ideas as them and bring them up to a community event [1] where they feel safe as it is important. The same thought is significance to young people in the UK as it brings them closer together with people. This is important so they can have consistency in their lives and help each other with good choices [1]

(Total for Question 2 = 6 marks)

Analysis & Feedback
  • Clear, valid first significance
  • Directly answers the question
  • Source is used, not just copied
  • Supports the point about morality
  • Reinforces "significance" (key command word)
  • Extends impact beyond the individual → society
  • Explains how relationships are formed
  • Adds real-life application/context
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