Religious Ceremonies
24 Grade 8 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Religious Ceremonies, with worked marking schemes. 24 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markThe nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the Goddess (Devi) in her various forms is called:
A. Navratri
B. Diwali
C. Raksha Bandhan
D. Holi
(1 mark)
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4 marksState four Hindu rites of passage (samskaras) and the life event each marks.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
1 mark each pairing (max 4): Namakarana - naming of a newborn; Upanayana - sacred thread/initiation into learning; Vivaha - marriage; Antyeshti - funeral/death rites; (also accept: Annaprashana - first feeding of solid food; Mundan - first hair cutting).
Question 3
1 markJanmashtami is a Hindu ceremony that celebrates the birth of which deity?
A. Lord Rama
B. Lord Shiva
C. Lord Krishna
D. Lord Ganesha
(1 mark)
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1 markThe Hindu 'festival of colours', during which people smear one another with coloured powder, is called:
A. Diwali
B. Holi
C. Dussehra
D. Janmashtami
(1 mark)
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1 markWhen a baby is born into a Sanatan Dharma family, a naming ceremony is held on an auspicious day where the child is formally given a name. This rite of passage (sanskaar) is called:
A. Upanayana
B. Namakarana
C. Vivah
D. Annaprashana
(1 mark)
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1 markThe Hindu funeral rites performed after a person's death are known as:
A. Upanayana
B. Vivaha
C. Namakarana
D. Antyeshti
(1 mark)
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4 marksState four values that Hindu children learn through taking part in religious ceremonies.
(4 marks)
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1 markThe Hindu naming ceremony performed for a newborn baby is known as:
A. Namakarana
B. Vivaha
C. Upanayana
D. Antyeshti
(1 mark)
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6 marksThe family of your classmate is preparing for the wedding (Vivah Sanskaar) of an elder sibling and you are invited to witness the ceremony.
(a) Identify the sacred ceremony in which the bride and groom take seven steps together before the sacred fire. (2 marks)
(b) Explain TWO values that the Vivah Sanskaar promotes in society. (4 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) The Saptapadi (the taking of seven steps together around the sacred fire / Agni), through which the marriage is solemnised. (2 marks) (b) Any TWO, explained: lifelong commitment and faithfulness between husband and wife; unity and harmony of two families; responsibility and shared duties (dharma) in raising a family; respect for elders and tradition; the sacredness of marriage as a sanskaar (sacrament) witnessed by Agni/God. (2 marks each = 4 marks)
Question 10
1 markMeena attends a ceremony where a young boy is invested with the sacred thread to mark the start of his formal religious education. This rite of passage is called:
A. Upanayana
B. Namakarana
C. Vivaha
D. Antyeshti
(1 mark)
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1 markDuring Diwali, many Hindu families in Kenya also perform worship of the goddess of wealth and prosperity, known as:
A. Saraswati
B. Lakshmi
C. Durga
D. Parvati
(1 mark)
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1 markDuring a Hindu wedding, the couple walks around a sacred fire. The fire (Agni) is present mainly to act as:
A. A cooking place
B. A source of light only
C. A divine witness to the marriage vows
D. A decoration
(1 mark)
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6 marksExplain three ways in which Hindus in Kenya celebrate the festival of Diwali.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Up to 2 marks per explained point (max 6): they light rows of lamps (diyas)/candles to symbolise victory of light over darkness; they clean and decorate their homes; they perform special puja, especially to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity; they wear new clothes; they share sweets and gifts with family and friends; they set off fireworks. Any three explained.
Question 14
1 markThe ceremony in which a sister ties a sacred thread (rakhi) on her brother's wrist to symbolise protection and love is called:
A. Janmashtami
B. Diwali
C. Raksha Bandhan
D. Holi
(1 mark)
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1 markThe Sharma family lights rows of diyas, cleans the house, and worships Goddess Lakshmi to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Which Hindu festival are they observing?
A. Holi
B. Diwali
C. Navratri
D. Raksha Bandhan
(1 mark)
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3 marksGive three reasons why Raksha Bandhan is important to Hindu families.
(3 marks)
Marking scheme
1 mark each (max 3): it strengthens the bond of love between brothers and sisters; the brother pledges to protect his sister; it promotes family unity; it reminds members of their responsibilities to one another; it is an occasion for exchanging gifts and blessings.
Question 17
1 markDuring Navratri, many devotees observe fasting. Fasting during a religious ceremony is mainly meant to:
A. Purify the body and mind and show devotion
B. Lose weight for sport
C. Punish the body harshly
D. Save money on food
(1 mark)
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1 markThe Hindu marriage ceremony is referred to as:
A. Vivaha
B. Antyeshti
C. Upanayana
D. Namakarana
(1 mark)
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1 markDuring Holi, people also light bonfires on the night before the day of colours. This bonfire mainly symbolises:
A. The start of the rainy season
B. The end of the school year
C. The burning away of evil
D. A cooking competition
(1 mark)
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1 markA ceremony that marks the transition from one stage of life to another (such as birth, initiation, marriage and death) is generally called a:
A. Samskara (rite of passage)
B. Bhajan
C. Puja
D. Kirtan
(1 mark)
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6 marks(a) Name the Hindu funeral rite.
(b) Explain two beliefs reflected in the way Hindus conduct funerals.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Antyeshti (2 marks). (b) Up to 2 marks per belief (max 4): cremation frees the soul from the body; belief in the immortality of the soul (Atman); belief in reincarnation/rebirth of the soul; prayers and rituals help the soul on its onward journey; the body returns to the five elements. Any two well explained.
Question 22
1 markThe Hindu festival of lights, celebrated widely in Kenya, is known as:
A. Holi
B. Diwali
C. Navratri
D. Raksha Bandhan
(1 mark)
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1 markThe most common method of disposing of the body in Hindu funeral rites is:
A. Cremation
B. Sea burial
C. Burial in a coffin
D. Mummification
(1 mark)
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4 marksDescribe the importance of the sacred fire (Agni) in a Hindu marriage ceremony.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Up to 2 marks per point (max 4): the fire acts as a divine witness before whom the couple make their vows; the couple take seven steps/rounds around it (saptapadi) to seal the marriage; it symbolises purity and the presence of God; it represents the light and warmth that should guide the new home. Any two well explained.
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