Places of Worship

29 Grade 7 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Places of Worship, with worked marking schemes. 29 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   4 marks

   (a) Name the innermost part of a Hindu temple where the main deity is placed. (1 mark)

   (b) Give three activities that take place in a Hindu temple. (3 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Garbhagriha / sanctum / inner shrine (1 mark). (b) Any three: prayer/worship (puja); offering of food and flowers to the deity; aarti (waving of lamps); darshan (viewing the deity); singing devotional songs (bhajans); reading of scriptures; religious ceremonies/festivals; distribution of prasad. (1 mark each, max 3).

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Which of the following best describes the pillared hall in a temple where worshippers gather for prayers and ceremonies?

   A. Mandapa

   B. Kalash

   C. Ghat

   D. Garbhagriha

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

3. Question 3

   6 marks

   Describe three features you would expect to see in a typical Hindu temple.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any three, each named and described for 2 marks: the garbhagriha/sanctum housing the main deity; the mandapa/prayer hall where devotees gather; the shikhara/tower above the shrine; a gopuram/gateway tower; murtis (images) of deities; a bell at the entrance; lamps/altar for aarti. (2 marks each, max 6).

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   The tall, ornate gateway tower found at the entrance of many South Indian Hindu temples is called a:

   A. Garbhagriha

   B. Mandapa

   C. Kalash

   D. Gopuram

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

5. Question 5

   4 marks

   Rivers and natural sites are also regarded as places of worship in Hinduism. Give two examples of sacred natural places and explain why Hindus regard them as holy.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any two examples with reason (2 marks each): the River Ganga – believed to purify sins and be sacred/divine; sacred mountains such as the Himalayas – dwelling of the gods; holy cities like Varanasi/Haridwar on riverbanks – places of pilgrimage and blessing. (Example 1 mark + reason 1 mark each, max 4).

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   The act of respectfully viewing the image of the deity in the temple, believed to bring blessings, is called:

   A. Havan

   B. Darshan

   C. Prasad

   D. Arti

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A Buddhist guide explains that monks live, study and meditate together in a special monastery, and lay people also visit it to learn the dharma. What is a Buddhist monastery commonly called?

   A. Mandir

   B. Vihara

   C. Gurdwara

   D. Derasar

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

8. Question 8

   4 marks

   State four ways in which a Hindu is expected to behave respectfully when visiting a temple (mandir).

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

9. Question 9

   1 mark

   The curved or pyramid-shaped tower built directly above the main shrine of a Hindu temple is called the:

   A. Ghat

   B. Mandapa

   C. Shikhara

   D. Gopuram

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

10. Question 10

    6 marks

    Explain three reasons why the temple is important to the Hindu community in Kenya.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any three, each explained for 2 marks: a place for communal worship of the deities; a centre for religious festivals and ceremonies; a place where scriptures and values are taught to the young; it preserves Hindu culture and identity in Kenya; it promotes unity and fellowship among Hindus; it can serve charitable/social functions. (2 marks each, max 6).

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    In many Hindu temples a small pot or vessel, often placed at the top of the tower or used in rituals as a symbol of abundance, is called a:

    A. Ghat

    B. Gopuram

    C. Kalash

    D. Mandapa

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    The blessed food offered to the deity and then shared among worshippers in a temple is known as:

    A. Prasad

    B. Darshan

    C. Aarti

    D. Yajna

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

13. Question 13

    4 marks

    A Grade 7 learner keeps a small home shrine for daily prayers.

    (a) State two items commonly found at a Hindu home shrine. (2 marks)

    (b) Explain two benefits of worshipping at home. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Any two: images/murtis of deities; oil lamp/diya; incense sticks; bell; flowers; offerings of food/fruit; sacred pictures. (1 mark each, max 2). (b) Any two, explained: builds a daily habit of devotion; brings the family together in worship; is convenient and accessible any time; teaches children religious values at home. (1 mark each, max 2).

14. Question 14

    1 mark

    The person who performs rituals, offerings and worship on behalf of devotees in a Hindu temple is the:

    A. Sadhu ascetic

    B. Yogi

    C. Guru of the Vedas

    D. Pujari (priest)

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

15. Question 15

    1 mark

    The Hindu place of worship where devotees go to offer prayers and see the deity is called a:

    A. Gurdwara

    B. Vihara

    C. Mandir

    D. Synagogue

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

16. Question 16

    5 marks

    On a class trip, Grade 7 learners visit a Sikh place of worship. They are welcomed warmly, asked to cover their heads and remove their shoes, and afterwards are served a free communal meal.

    (a) Name the Sikh place of worship. (2 marks)

    (b)(i) Identify the free communal kitchen and meal served to all visitors regardless of caste or religion. (1 mark)

    (b)(ii) Explain one value that this communal meal teaches the community. (2 marks)

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The Sikh place of worship is the Gurdwara, where the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib is installed and honoured. (2 marks) (b)(i) The free communal kitchen and meal is called the Langar. (1 mark) (b)(ii) Any ONE value, well explained (2 marks): equality, because all people sit together on the floor and eat the same food regardless of caste, religion, wealth or status; selfless service (seva), because volunteers prepare and serve the food freely; sharing and generosity, because the food is given free to everyone; community/unity and hospitality, because all are welcomed without discrimination. (2 marks)

17. Question 17

    1 mark

    A visitor to a Hindu temple in Nairobi notices a bell hung near the entrance. Worshippers ring it as they enter mainly to:

    A. Signal the end of prayers only

    B. Call people to a meeting

    C. Announce their arrival and focus the mind on the deity

    D. Warn others of danger

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

18. Question 18

    1 mark

    A family sets aside a small room or corner in their home for daily prayers and images of the deities. This area is best described as a:

    A. Gopuram

    B. Garbhagriha of a temple

    C. Home shrine (puja room)

    D. Ghat

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

19. Question 19

    1 mark

    On a study tour, a Hindu family visits a building containing a sanctum with images of the deities (murtis), where devotees offer prayers and aarti. What is this Hindu place of worship called?

    A. Vihara

    B. Mandir

    C. Gurdwara

    D. Stupa

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

20. Question 20

    4 marks

    (a) What is 'darshan' in the context of temple worship? (2 marks)

    (b) Give two things a worshipper may offer to the deity during puja. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

21. Question 21

    1 mark

    The ceremony of waving lighted lamps before the deity while singing devotional songs is known as:

    A. Darshan

    B. Aarti

    C. Prasad

    D. Havan

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

22. Question 22

    1 mark

    A Sanatan family invites their neighbour to their place of worship, where images (murtis) of deities are housed in a shrine and worshippers offer prayers and aarti. What is this Hindu place of worship called?

    A. Gurdwara

    B. Vihara

    C. Mandir

    D. Stupa

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

23. Question 23

    1 mark

    Before entering the prayer hall of a Hindu temple, worshippers are usually expected to:

    A. Sign a register at the altar

    B. Wear a helmet

    C. Remove their shoes

    D. Light a bonfire

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

24. Question 24

    4 marks

    A Grade 7 class goes on an educational trip to a Sikh Gurdwara. Before entering, the guide asks all visitors to cover their heads and remove their shoes. Inside, they see the holy scripture placed on a raised platform under a canopy, and afterwards everyone is served a free meal in a common dining hall.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Expected response (4 marks, 1 mark each or as guided): - The place of worship is the Gurdwara, the Sikh house of worship which means 'the doorway/gate to the Guru'. - Visitors cover their heads and remove their shoes as a sign of respect and humility before the holy scripture. - The holy scripture placed on the raised platform (under the canopy/palki) is the Guru Granth Sahib, regarded as the living/eternal Guru. - The free common meal served to everyone is the Langar, which teaches equality, sharing and selfless service (seva) — all people eat together regardless of caste, religion or status.

25. Question 25

    1 mark

    On a study tour, learners enter a Sikh place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib is enthroned and where all visitors share a free communal meal in the langar. What is this place of worship called?

    A. Gurdwara

    B. Mandir

    C. Derasar

    D. Stupa

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

26. Question 26

    1 mark

    Kenya has several Hindu temples serving the community. Which Kenyan city is well known for large Hindu temples such as the Shree Sanatan Dharm and Swaminarayan temples?

    A. Nairobi

    B. Lodwar

    C. Garissa

    D. Marsabit

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

27. Question 27

    1 mark

    A class learns that the Sikh place of worship, whose name means 'door to the Guru', always houses the Guru Granth Sahib and serves free meals through the langar. What is it called?

    A. Mandir

    B. Vihara

    C. Gurdwara

    D. Derasar

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

28. Question 28

    1 mark

    In a Hindu temple, the innermost shrine where the main deity's image is kept is known as the:

    A. Mandapa

    B. Shikhara

    C. Garbhagriha

    D. Gopuram

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

29. Question 29

    1 mark

    Rivers such as the Ganga are regarded as sacred, and steps leading down to the water where Hindus bathe and worship are called:

    A. Mandapas

    B. Shikharas

    C. Ghats

    D. Mandirs

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

30. 22 more marking schemes are on this page. A free account opens all of them, and lets you build your own paper on the topics you have actually taught, laid out in KNEC format with its full marking scheme.

    Create a free account

More Grade 7 Religious Education (HRE) topics