How to Get 8/8 in Question 1 of Paper 1

 

How to get 8 marks out of 8 in Question 1 of Paper 1

CAIE Syllabus

5.1 Paper 1

Major themes of the Qur’an

Three groups of passages are set for close study. These relate to the themes of:

•      God in himself

•      God’s relationship with the created world 

•   God’s Messengers.

Candidates should explore:

•      the major theme or themes of the Qur’an that appear in each passage, and

•      the importance of these themes in the lives of Muslims today.

Candidates should study the passages in a recognised English translation, but with reference to the original Arabic text. In the examination passages will be set in both Arabic and English. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of the original as well as the translation.

Appendix 1 lists the passages for examination in 2022 and 2023. These are reviewed periodically and may change. 

Exam Question

1          Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur’an, and

(a) Briefly describe the main theme(s) in each passage. [4]

(b) Briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim’s life today. [4]

 

NOTE: Three passages will be set from the list in Appendix 1, of which candidates may choose any two. [8 marks]

 

You MUST NOT Lose Marks in this Question

Very important to comprehend this question because many students do not understand what examiners are demanding and what they want to see in your answers. Let’s examine the exact words used in this question. I write every important point one by one. Please give some time, read every point very carefully. Once you understand the requirements of the examiners, I assure you that you will get the best marks, perhaps full marks, in this simple question. Following this question, my explanation or ready-made answer, along with Quran references, will make you the winner of the exam. In this blog, I will also provide you the copy of the marking scheme of CAIE. My ready answer and marking scheme will be the same.

The Management of the Paper

·  There are fifteen (15) passages of the Quran that are a part of your CAIE O Level Islamiat 2058 syllabus.

·  These fifteen passages are divided into three (3) major themes.

·  Three groups of passages are set for close study. These relate to the themes of:

Ø  God in himself                  

Ø  God’s relationship with the created world 

Ø  God’s Messengers.

 

o   Five passages for Theme 1, Passages 1-5 

o   Five passages for Theme 2, Passages 6-10 

o   Five passages for Theme 3, Passages 11-15

Explanation

 

·         This is question 1 of paper 1.

·         You will be given three passages.

·         You have to choose any two.

·         The question will be divided into two parts that is (a) and (b).

·         Part (a) will have 4 marks: 2 marks for passage1; 2 marks for passage 2; passages you have chosen.

·         Part (b) will have 4 marks; 2 marks for passage1; 2 marks for passage 2; passages you have chosen.

·         In other words, you can also say: 4 marks for (a) and 4 marks for (b).

·         The space that will be provided in the answer booklet is two pages. If you are lucky, you will find some space at the end of the passages, if the passages are short.

·         In one page, there are 26 lines.

·         It means you only have one page to write (a) and (b), both the parts of one selected passage.

·         Similarly, you only have one page to write (a) and (b), both the parts of the selected passage.

·         If you get space after the passages, use it.

 

Requirements of the Question and Answer

(a)    Briefly describe the main theme(s) in each passage. [4]

•       Briefly means the space that has been given to you that is around 13 lines or a little more for (a) part of passage 1. The same space of 13 lines or a little more is for (b) part of the same passage. 
•        Similar will be applied to 2^nd passage.
•        It means that you must complete your answer in the space above mentioned. 
•         Try not to utilize any other space given the question paper. 
•         Do not ask for any extra sheets to complete your work. Even if you get the extra sheet, you only irritates your examiner who has provided a specific space to write your answer. 
•        It simply means, you lose a good grade

·         Main Theme/s: Main theme is the theme allocated by the Cambridge for that passage.

     EXAMPLE

·         BISMILLAH ARREHMAN ARRAHIM             

·         Then will Allah say: ‘Jesus, son of Mary! Recount My favour to you and to your mother. Behold! I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit, so you spoke to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the law and the Gospel. And behold! you make out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and you breathe into it and it becomes a bird by My leave, and you heal those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! You bring forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I restrained the children of Israel from you when you showed them the clear signs, and the unbelievers among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic’.

(a)        Sura 5.110      (From Marking Scheme)

     ·    This passage talks about God’s relationship with his messengers,

•    in this case the prophet Jesus.

     ·    Candidates could talk about God’s power and authority over all things,

     ·    that it is He who allows all things to happen.

     ·    He gives his prophets miracles and powers as a reflection of His power,

     ·    but also to help them.

     ·    Just as He helps them in their guidance for people,

     ·    He also protects them from harm.

 

o   This example shows that this passage is about the third theme ‘God’s Messengers’. You will write in your very first line that the passage is about this theme.

o   Following this main theme, discuss other themes as mentioned in the marking scheme. For example the other themes are; the power and authority of Allah, His permission, miracles and their purpose, miracles make the work of prophets easy, Allah protects His prophets and add more.

o   If you want to add any of your own valid points as themes of these Ayaat, you can.

(b)   Briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim’s life today. [4]

·         Briefly means the space provided to you.

·         Now in part (b) you have to give importance of the themes you have mentioned in part (a). (see example above)

·         Importance of WHAT? Importance for a Muslim to follow.

·         It means that you will take each theme one by one and say how they are beneficial for a Muslim or what lessons Muslims are learning from those themes.

Example (Points from Marking Scheme)

(b)     Sura 5.110       (From marking scheme)

o    Candidates could mention that

o    these teachings reaffirm for Muslims the prophethood of Jesus

o    and the power of God to do as He wills.

o    It helps Muslims understand that God will always help them when in need,

o    so they should remember Him often,

o    by praying, supplicating or doing good deeds, etc.

o    They should remember that God is able to do anything

o    so Muslims should have faith when asking for His help,

o    and ask for anything that they need.

 

Ø  Explain these points in your own words. If you have some other valid points, mention them.

Ø  What fatal mistakes students make in writing, I will mention when I explain the answer in coming days.

Ø  Summary: In part (a), provide the main theme and other themes. In part (b) provide what you learn for your life from the themes you mentioned in part (a).