Religious Ceremonies
26 Grade 7 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Religious Ceremonies, with worked marking schemes. 26 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markThe Hindu rites of passage that mark important stages of life, from birth to death, are collectively known as:
A. Samskaras
B. Vratas
C. Mantras
D. Yatras
(1 mark)
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4 marksHindu life is marked by rites of passage (samskaras). Name four samskaras and state at what stage of life each occurs.
(4 marks)
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1 markNavratri is a festival celebrated over how many nights, dedicated mainly to the worship of the goddess?
A. Three
B. Seven
C. Twelve
D. Nine
(1 mark)
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6 marksExplain three reasons why festivals such as Diwali and Holi are important to the Hindu community.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Any three, each explained for 2 marks: they strengthen faith and devotion by celebrating religious events (e.g. good over evil); they bring families and the community together in fellowship; they preserve Hindu culture and pass traditions to the young; they promote values such as forgiveness, joy and generosity (sharing food/gifts); they mark seasonal changes. (2 marks each, max 6).
Question 5
1 markThe festival Dussehra (Vijayadashami) mainly celebrates:
A. The start of the harvest season
B. The victory of good over evil, as Rama defeated Ravana
C. The birth of Lord Krishna
D. The bond between brothers and sisters
(1 mark)
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3 marksState three ways in which taking part in religious ceremonies helps a young Hindu grow in faith and character.
(3 marks)
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1 markThe festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna is called:
A. Diwali
B. Janmashtami
C. Holi
D. Dussehra
(1 mark)
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1 markDiwali, one of the most important Hindu festivals, is popularly known as the:
A. Festival of Harvest
B. Festival of Colours
C. Festival of Water
D. Festival of Lights
(1 mark)
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1 markDuring which festival do Hindus playfully throw coloured powder and water at one another to celebrate the arrival of spring?
A. Navratri
B. Raksha Bandhan
C. Holi
D. Diwali
(1 mark)
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1 markThe mark applied on the forehead during many Hindu ceremonies as a sign of blessing is called a:
A. Tilak
B. Kalash
C. Diya
D. Ghat
(1 mark)
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4 marksRead the scenario: The Patel family in Nairobi is preparing for their daughter's wedding (Vivaha).
(a) State two rituals commonly performed during a Hindu wedding. (2 marks)
(b) Explain two values that a Hindu wedding teaches the community. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any two: lighting the sacred fire (havan); the couple taking seven steps together (saptapadi); exchange of garlands; tying the mangalsutra; applying tilak; recitation of mantras by the priest. (1 mark each, max 2). (b) Any two, explained: commitment/faithfulness between husband and wife; unity of two families; respect for religious tradition; the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong bond. (1 mark each, max 2).
Question 12
4 marksIt is Diwali, and Priya's family cleans the whole house, lights many small oil lamps (diyas) along the windows, draws colourful rangoli at the doorway, and performs a special puja in the evening. Priya is excited but wants to understand why the festival is celebrated.
(a) State TWO reasons why Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in the Sanatan (Hindu) tradition. (2 marks)
(b) Diwali is called the festival of lights. Explain the spiritual meaning that the lighting of the diyas represents. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any TWO, e.g.: (i) It celebrates the return of Lord Rama (with Sita and Lakshmana) to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana; (ii) It honours the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, who is welcomed into clean, well-lit homes; (iii) It marks the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. (1 mark each = 2 marks) (b) The lighting of the diyas symbolises the victory of light over darkness and of knowledge/goodness over ignorance and evil — the inner light of wisdom and truth (the awakening of the soul) dispelling the darkness of ignorance. (2 marks)
Question 13
4 marks(a) Name the Hindu festival known as the Festival of Lights. (1 mark)
(b) Describe three ways in which Hindus in Kenya celebrate this festival. (3 marks)
(4 marks)
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1 markA Hindu family gathers to name their newborn child in a formal ceremony. This rite of passage is known as:
A. Antyeshti
B. Vivaha
C. Namakarana
D. Upanayana
(1 mark)
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1 markThe festival Raksha Bandhan mainly celebrates the bond between:
A. Brothers and sisters
B. Kings and subjects
C. Teachers and students
D. Farmers and merchants
(1 mark)
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1 markWhen a baby is born into a Sanatan family, the elders perform a series of sacred rites of passage to mark and bless important stages of life, such as the naming ceremony and the first feeding of solid food. What are these Hindu rites of passage collectively called?
A. Sanskaars
B. Asanas
C. Avatars
D. Vedas
(1 mark)
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1 markIn Kenya, Hindu communities often light lamps, decorate homes and share sweets during Diwali. The rows of small oil lamps lit during this festival are called:
A. Kalash
B. Ghats
C. Mandapas
D. Diyas
(1 mark)
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1 markA festival in which sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists in exchange for a promise of protection is:
A. Raksha Bandhan
B. Dussehra
C. Navratri
D. Janmashtami
(1 mark)
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4 marksA Grade 7 learner is invited to her Hindu neighbour's home during a festival. The family lights many small oil lamps (diyas), decorates the house and shares sweets, saying the festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness.
(a) Name the festival of lights being celebrated. (2 marks)
(b) Explain the main spiritual meaning of this festival. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) The festival is Diwali (Deepavali), the festival of lights. (2 marks) (b) Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness and of good over evil. Spiritually it celebrates the triumph of righteousness, knowledge and truth over ignorance and wrongdoing; the lighting of diyas represents driving away the darkness of ignorance and inviting the inner light of wisdom and goodness (and, in the Ramayana tradition, the joyful return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana). (2 marks)
Question 20
1 markDuring a Hindu wedding, the couple's taking of seven steps together before the sacred fire is called the:
A. Havan
B. Darshan
C. Aarti
D. Saptapadi
(1 mark)
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1 markA common feature of many Hindu ceremonies is a ritual in which offerings are made into a consecrated fire. This fire ritual is called a:
A. Ghat
B. Prasad
C. Havan / yajna
D. Kalash
(1 mark)
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4 marks(a) What is the Antyeshti ceremony? (2 marks)
(b) State two beliefs about life after death that this ceremony reflects. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Antyeshti is the Hindu funeral/last rite of passage, in which the body is usually cremated with prayers and rituals (2 marks). (b) Any two: belief in the soul (atman) being eternal/immortal; belief in reincarnation/rebirth of the soul; belief in the release of the soul from the body; hope for moksha (liberation). (1 mark each, max 2).
Question 23
1 markThe sacred thread ceremony that traditionally marks the beginning of a boy's formal religious education is called:
A. Upanayana
B. Vivaha
C. Namakarana
D. Mundan
(1 mark)
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1 markThe last rite of passage, the Hindu funeral ceremony, is known as:
A. Vivaha
B. Namakarana
C. Upanayana
D. Antyeshti
(1 mark)
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1 markA Hindu family gathers to perform the naming ceremony for their newborn, one of the traditional sacraments that mark important stages of life. By what general name are these Hindu rites of passage known?
A. Yajnas
B. Sanskaars
C. Pujas
D. Vratas
(1 mark)
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4 marksDuring many Hindu ceremonies a sacred fire ritual (havan/yajna) is performed.
(a) Describe what happens during a havan. (2 marks)
(b) State two occasions when a havan may be performed. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) A sacred fire is lit and offerings such as ghee, grains and herbs are poured into it while a priest recites mantras/prayers to the deities (2 marks). (b) Any two: weddings; house warming/opening a new home; naming ceremonies; festivals; blessings before starting a new venture; funerals. (1 mark each, max 2).
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