📚 AO1: knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of religion, beliefs and values. This is the correct terms, teachings and ideas that you use as evidence.
Answering the Exam Questions » The 12-Mark Evaluate Question
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Assessment
- What the 12-mark Evaluate question asks and why it is called synoptic
- A five-step plan for a two-sided answer with a justified conclusion
- How to build chains of reasoning and use teachings as evidence
- A full worked answer, with AO1 and AO2 marked, and the mistakes to avoid
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Unlock This CourseWhat the question asks
Every Paper 1 question ends with part (d), worth 12 marks, the biggest prize in the paper. It gives you a short statement and then tells you to evaluate it, showing that you have considered different points of view, and to refer to at least one religion. The spec describes Evaluate like this:
Evaluate [12 marks, AO1 and AO2]
Analyse the statement provided, considering different points of view and creating logical chains of reasoning that are underpinned by understanding of religion and belief. Reasoned arguments and judgements should be made, supported by the appraisal of arguments and leading to a justified conclusion.
In plain words: look at both sides, explain why each side's reasons matter, decide which is stronger, and finish with an answer that follows from your argument.
Key terms:
- Synoptic: drawing on knowledge from across the whole course, not one topic. The spec says the last part of each question is a synoptic item.
- Chain of reasoning: a series of linked steps, each one leading to the next, that ends in a point about the statement.
- Appraise: to weigh up how strong an argument is.
- Judgement (recap from Death and the Afterlife: Linear and Cyclical Views): your decision about which argument is stronger, and why.
Two assessment objectives, both rewarded
⚖️ AO2: analysis and evaluation
Analyse and evaluate beliefs, including their significance and influence. This is the linking, the weighing and the judgement.
Each is worth half of the qualification, so a list of facts cannot earn top marks. You need both. Because the question is synoptic, you can pull in ideas from any lesson you have studied, from the shared Paper 1 topics and from your own religion.
A plan that works
You have about 10 to 12 minutes. Spend the first minute planning.
- Unpick the statement. Circle the key words, especially words like "all", "only", "never" and "most important". They change what you must argue.
- Arguments that agree. Two or three, each with a reason.
- Arguments that disagree. Two or three. Include a non-religious view and, where it fits, differing views within the religion.
- Weigh them. Say which is stronger and why, as you go.
- Conclude. Choose a side and give the deciding reason.
Chains of reasoning
A fact on its own earns little. Link it to the statement with words that move the argument on: this means that, therefore, because and however.
❌ A list
"Many religions have a creation story. Some people believe in a first cause."
✅ A chain
"Everything has a cause, so the universe must have one, which means that some believers see God as that cause. However, others ask what caused God, so the argument does not settle the matter."
Use teachings as evidence, not description. Do not just say what a teaching says. Say what it shows about the statement. Add a teaching from your religion here, then say what it means for the question.
Worked answer
"Science has made belief in God unnecessary." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
Model answer
Science explains much that people once put down to God, such as storms, disease and the movement of the stars. This means that belief is not needed to explain how the world works, therefore some atheists say God has become unnecessary. This is a strong point, because it is true that many old explanations have been replaced. [AO1 and AO2]
Evolution and the Big Bang also give a scientific account of how life and the universe began. Humanists, for example, say we can live good lives without religion. However, science answers how, not why. It cannot say whether the universe has a purpose, so many believers say belief is still needed for meaning. [AO1 and AO2]
The design argument says the order and fine-tuning of the universe point to a designer. This means that the same science used against belief can also support it, because laws of nature may point to a lawgiver. Critics reply that this is only a "God of the gaps" idea, which shrinks as science explains more. This reply is quite strong, because it shows the design argument cannot be used as proof. [AO1 and AO2]
Add a teaching from your religion here. For example, many Christians believe God created the world and that humans are valued by God. This means that a believer's faith is about relationship and purpose as well as origins, so scientific explanations do not remove it. Some Christians accept evolution as God's method (theistic evolution), while creationists reject it, so even within one religion views differ. [AO1 and AO2]
Overall, I do not agree. Science has removed some old reasons for belief, which is a strong point, however it does not answer questions of meaning or purpose, and believers use it as part of their faith. Belief is unnecessary only for those who need God to explain nature, so the statement is too strong. [AO2]
Why this scores highly
- Both sides are covered, with a non-religious view (humanists) and differing views within a religion.
- Arguments are linked with "this means that", "therefore" and "however" (AO2).
- Terms such as design argument, God of the gaps and theistic evolution show AO1.
- Each argument is judged as it goes, not left until the end.
- The key word "unnecessary" is tackled directly, and the conclusion gives a deciding reason.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- One-sided answers. Even if you strongly agree, you must show the other view.
- A list of points with no weighing. Say which is stronger and why.
- Describing teachings instead of using them as evidence for or against the statement.
- A conclusion that only repeats your points. Pick a side and give the deciding reason.
- Ignoring a key word in the statement, such as "only" or "all".
- Only referring to a religion in passing. The question says to refer to at least one.
Exam-style question
Paper 1, part (d), AO1 and AO2. "The existence of evil and suffering proves there is no God." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
Model answer
Arguments for: if God is all-loving and all-powerful, God would stop suffering, which is the problem of evil. Natural evil such as earthquakes harms innocent people, so it is hard to see a loving God behind it. Some atheists say suffering is better explained by nature and human choices.
Arguments against: the free will defence says God gave humans free will, so moral evil comes from human choices. Some believers say suffering can build courage and compassion, and that it is not for humans to know God's reasons. Add a teaching from your religion here, such as an idea of karma or a belief in life after death, and say how it makes sense of suffering. Believers differ: some see a purpose in suffering, others find it very hard to understand.
Possible conclusion: "Proves" is too strong, because the arguments only make belief harder, they do not make it impossible, and many believers have a reasoned response.
Exam tip
Underline the key word in the statement before you plan. Here it is "proves", and your conclusion should say whether the arguments really reach that level. Aim for about 350 to 450 words in total, with a "this means that" link in every paragraph.