Scriptural Texts

33 Grade 7 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Scriptural Texts, with worked marking schemes. 33 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   4 marks

   The Vedas are divided into the Samhitas and later portions. Name and briefly describe any two portions of the Vedas.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any two, each 2 marks (name + brief description): Samhitas – collections of hymns/mantras; Brahmanas – prose explaining rituals and their meanings; Aranyakas – 'forest texts' on the meaning of rituals for hermits; Upanishads – philosophical/spiritual teachings at the end of the Vedas. (2 marks each, max 4).

2. Question 2

   4 marks

   (a) What are the Upanishads mainly concerned with? (2 marks)

   (b) State two reasons why studying scriptures is important for a young Hindu today. (2 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) The Upanishads deal with philosophical/spiritual questions about the nature of the soul (Atman), the ultimate reality (Brahman) and the goal of liberation (moksha) (2 marks). (b) Any two: to learn moral values and how to live rightly; to strengthen faith and devotion; to understand worship and duties; to preserve religious identity/culture; to gain guidance in daily life. (1 mark each, max 2).

3. Question 3

   1 mark

   In a class discussion, a learner notes that one Sanatan text records a dialogue on the battlefield of Kurukshetra in which Shri Krishna teaches Arjun about duty, devotion and the eternal soul. Which scripture contains this teaching?

   A. The Bhagavad Gita

   B. The Atharva Veda

   C. The Manusmriti

   D. The Yajur Veda

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Which language were the Vedas and most classical Hindu scriptures originally composed in?

   A. Sanskrit

   B. Tamil

   C. Pali

   D. Hindi

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   The Upanishads are philosophical texts that appear at the concluding part of the Vedas. For this reason they are also called:

   A. Samhita

   B. Brahmanas

   C. Puranas

   D. Vedanta

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   The Puranas are best described as:

   A. Law codes governing daily conduct

   B. The four collections known as the Vedas

   C. Ancient narratives about gods, creation and legendary kings

   D. Hymns chanted during fire sacrifices

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   The Sama Veda is best described as a collection of:

   A. Melodies and chants for singing during rituals

   B. Instructions for building temples

   C. Codes of law for society

   D. Stories of kings and dynasties

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   A teacher describes a Hindu scripture set as a dialogue between Bhagwan Krishna and the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, teaching duty and devotion. Which text is this?

   A. The Bhagavad Gita

   B. The Rig Veda

   C. The Manusmriti

   D. The Yoga Sutras

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   A learner reads that the demon king who abducts Sita in the Ramayana is eventually defeated by Rama. What is the name of this demon king?

   A. Ravana

   B. Duryodhana

   C. Hiranyakashipu

   D. Kansa

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    A teacher explains that one Veda deals mainly with the correct procedures and formulas for performing sacrifices (yajna). Which Veda is being described?

    A. Yajur Veda

    B. Atharva Veda

    C. Rig Veda

    D. Sama Veda

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    During worship at the gurdwara, Sikhs treat their central scripture as the living, eternal Guru. Which scripture holds this revered status in the Sikh tradition?

    A. The Vedas

    B. The Tripitaka

    C. The Guru Granth Sahib

    D. The Bhagavad Gita

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    Which text is a code of law that traditionally set out duties and rules of conduct in Hindu society?

    A. The Sama Veda

    B. The Ramayana

    C. The Manusmriti

    D. The Bhagavad Gita

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Which of the following pairs correctly matches a Hindu scripture with its category?

    A. Ramayana – one of the four Vedas

    B. Bhagavad Gita – part of the epic Mahabharata

    C. Puranas – hymns sung during yajna

    D. Upanishads – a collection of law codes

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    4 marks

    (a) Name the four Vedas. (2 marks)

    (b) State two reasons why the Vedas are highly respected by Hindus. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda (any 4 = 2 marks; 1 mark for naming at least two). (b) Any two: they are believed to be revealed/divinely heard (Shruti); they are the oldest scriptures; they contain hymns/prayers to God; they guide worship and rituals; they are the foundation of Hindu teachings. (1 mark each, max 2).

15. Question 15

    1 mark

    A Grade 7 learner is asked to name the Veda that mainly contains hymns of praise recited to invoke the deities. Which Veda is this?

    A. Atharva Veda

    B. Sama Veda

    C. Yajur Veda

    D. Rig Veda

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    Which sacred syllable, described in Hindu scriptures as the primordial sound of the universe, is often chanted at the beginning of prayers?

    A. Namah

    B. Amen

    C. Shanti

    D. Om

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    The Vedas are considered the oldest and most authoritative Hindu scriptures. Into how many main collections (Samhitas) are the Vedas traditionally divided?

    A. Two

    B. Ten

    C. Four

    D. Six

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    5 marks

    A Grade 7 learner visits a Hindu temple and notices that the priest treats certain books with great reverence, wrapping them in clean cloth. The learner asks about the sacred Hindu scriptures.

    (a)(i) Name the FOUR Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of the Sanatan (Hindu) tradition. (2 marks)

    (a)(ii) State one reason why the Vedas are treated with great respect by Hindus. (1 mark)

    (b) The Upanishads form part of the Vedic literature. Explain what the Upanishads mainly teach about. (2 marks)

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a)(i) The four Vedas are: the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda. (2 marks for all four; 1 mark if only some are correct) (a)(ii) Any ONE reason (1 mark): they are regarded as 'shruti' (that which was heard/revealed) and are considered eternal divine knowledge; they are the oldest and most authoritative scriptures guiding worship, prayer and right living; they contain the hymns and mantras used in worship. (b) The Upanishads (also called Vedanta, 'the end of the Vedas') mainly teach about the deeper spiritual and philosophical truths: the nature of Brahman (the Supreme Reality/Universal Soul), the Atman (the individual soul), and the relationship between them. They teach that the ultimate goal of life is to realise the unity of Atman with Brahman and so achieve liberation (moksha). (2 marks)

19. Question 19

    4 marks

    Read the scenario: During a Religious Education lesson, a learner argues that all Hindu scriptures were written down at the same time.

    (a) Explain why this statement is incorrect. (2 marks)

    (b) Give two ways Hindus preserved their scriptures before they were written down. (2 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Hindu scriptures were composed over a very long period; the Vedas are the oldest while epics, Puranas and Smriti texts came later, so they were not all written at once (2 marks for a clear explanation). (b) Any two: oral transmission/memorisation; passing from guru to student (guru-shishya); precise chanting and repetition to preserve wording; recitation during rituals. (1 mark each, max 2).

20. Question 20

    1 mark

    While preparing a presentation, Anita explains that the philosophical portions found at the end of the Vedas, dealing with Brahman and Atman, are known by a particular name. What are these texts called?

    A. Upanishads

    B. Vedangas

    C. Sutras

    D. Agamas

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    1 mark

    A Grade 7 learner is told that the oldest and most authoritative Hindu scriptures, considered 'shruti' (that which was heard/revealed), are four in number. Which collection is being referred to?

    A. The Puranas

    B. The Vedas

    C. The Ramayana

    D. The Smritis

    (1 mark)

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22. Question 22

    1 mark

    A Sikh family invites Grade 7 learners to the gurdwara and explains that their holy scripture is treated as the living, eternal Guru and is placed with great respect on a raised platform. Which scripture do the Sikhs honour in this way?

    A. The Vedas

    B. The Tripitaka

    C. The Guru Granth Sahib

    D. The Upanishads

    (1 mark)

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23. Question 23

    4 marks

    Distinguish between Shruti and Smriti scriptures, giving one example of each.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Shruti means 'that which is heard/revealed' and is considered the most authoritative, e.g. the Vedas/Upanishads (1 mark meaning + 1 mark example). Smriti means 'that which is remembered', composed by sages and less authoritative than Shruti, e.g. the Ramayana/Mahabharata/Manusmriti (1 mark meaning + 1 mark example).

24. Question 24

    3 marks

    Outline three values that the epic Ramayana teaches about family and leadership.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any three: obedience/respect to parents (Rama honouring his father's word); loyalty and faithfulness in marriage (Rama and Sita); the duty of a just ruler to protect his people; brotherly love and loyalty (Lakshmana, Bharata); triumph of good (dharma) over evil (adharma). (1 mark each, max 3).

25. Question 25

    6 marks

    Aanya's grandmother keeps a set of sacred Sanatan (Hindu) scriptures wrapped in clean cloth on a high shelf in their home shrine. She tells Aanya that the oldest of these scriptures are the Vedas, and that another group of texts called the Upanishads come at the end of the Vedas.

    (a) Name the four Vedas. (4 marks)

    (b) Explain the meaning of the word 'Upanishad' and what the Upanishads mainly teach. (2 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The four Vedas are: (i) Rig Veda, (ii) Sama Veda, (iii) Yajur Veda, and (iv) Atharva Veda. (4 marks) (b) 'Upanishad' means 'to sit down near' (a teacher / guru), i.e. sitting close to receive sacred knowledge. The Upanishads mainly teach about Brahman (the Supreme Reality / Paramatma), the Atman (the soul), and the relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme — the philosophical/spiritual knowledge portion of the Vedas. (2 marks)

26. Question 26

    1 mark

    While comparing scriptures, learners discover that the philosophical texts which come at the 'end of the Vedas' and explore deep ideas about Brahman and the atma (soul) are given a special name. What are these texts called?

    A. Puranas

    B. Shastras

    C. Agamas

    D. Upanishads

    (1 mark)

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27. Question 27

    1 mark

    In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna delivers his teaching on duty (dharma) to a hesitant warrior on the battlefield. Who is that warrior?

    A. Bhima

    B. Arjuna

    C. Hanuman

    D. Rama

    (1 mark)

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28. Question 28

    1 mark

    Hindu scriptures are broadly classified into two groups based on how they were transmitted. The category meaning 'that which is heard' is known as:

    A. Shruti

    B. Purana

    C. Sutra

    D. Smriti

    (1 mark)

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29. Question 29

    1 mark

    The Ramayana narrates the life of Rama. Who is Rama's devoted wife in this epic?

    A. Parvati

    B. Draupadi

    C. Sita

    D. Radha

    (1 mark)

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30. Question 30

    1 mark

    A Grade 7 learner visits a Sanatan mandir and is shown the oldest and most authoritative scriptures of the tradition, described as revealed knowledge 'heard' by ancient sages and including the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva collections. These scriptures are known as the:

    A. Puranas

    B. Vedas

    C. Ramayan

    D. Smritis

    (1 mark)

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31. Question 31

    1 mark

    The two great Hindu epics that teach dharma through the lives of heroes are the Mahabharata and the:

    A. Manusmriti

    B. Bhagavata Purana

    C. Rig Veda

    D. Ramayana

    (1 mark)

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32. Question 32

    3 marks

    The Bhagavad Gita teaches learners about duty and right living. State three lessons a Grade 7 learner can draw from the Bhagavad Gita.

    (3 marks)

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33. Question 33

    1 mark

    The scriptures classified as Smriti mean 'that which is remembered'. Which of the following belongs to the Smriti category?

    A. The Rig Veda

    B. The Ramayana

    C. The Upanishads

    D. The Sama Veda

    (1 mark)

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