Scriptural Texts

32 Grade 8 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Scriptural Texts, with worked marking schemes. 32 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Which category of scriptures contains stories of gods, creation and ancient kings, and is easier for ordinary devotees to understand?

   A. The Puranas

   B. The Aranyakas

   C. The Shruti

   D. The Samhitas

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Meera is preparing a presentation on the oldest scriptures of Sanatan Dharma. She learns that the four collections regarded as the most ancient revealed knowledge, beginning with the Rigveda, are called the:

   A. Puranas

   B. Upanishads

   C. Vedas

   D. Agamas

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   Hindu scriptures are broadly classified into two categories based on how they were transmitted. Which pair correctly names these two categories?

   A. Shruti and Smriti

   B. Bhajans and Kirtans

   C. Karma and Dharma

   D. Vedas and Puranas

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   A teacher explains that one Veda is known chiefly as the 'Veda of melodies and chants' used in worship. Which Veda is being described?

   A. Atharva Veda

   B. Rig Veda

   C. Sama Veda

   D. Yajur Veda

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Which of the following best describes the language in which most of the ancient Hindu scriptures were originally written?

   A. Arabic

   B. Sanskrit

   C. Greek

   D. Latin

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   During a discussion about the Bhagavad Gita, Riya notes that the teachings are given by Lord Krishna to a warrior on the battlefield of Kurukshetra who is hesitant to fight. That warrior is:

   A. Bhima

   B. Arjuna

   C. Karna

   D. Yudhishthira

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A Grade 8 learner is asked to name the oldest of the four Vedas, which is a collection of hymns of praise to the deities. Which Veda should she name?

   A. Yajur Veda

   B. Sama Veda

   C. Atharva Veda

   D. Rig Veda

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   3 marks

   Give three reasons why the Ramayana continues to be an important text for Hindus in Kenya today.

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   1 mark each (max 3): it teaches obedience and respect to parents/elders; it upholds truth and keeping of promises; it shows the victory of good (dharma) over evil (adharma); it models the ideal husband/wife/brother relationships; it is used in festivals such as Diwali; it provides moral guidance for families.

9. Question 9

   1 mark

   In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna teaches Arjuna that a person should perform their duty without being attached to the results. This teaching is known as:

   A. Moksha

   B. Samsara

   C. Ahimsa

   D. Nishkama Karma

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    The Bhagavad Gita forms part of which great Hindu epic?

    A. The Ramayana

    B. The Rig Veda

    C. The Upanishads

    D. The Mahabharata

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    A learner reads that certain scriptures explain the philosophical meaning of the Vedas and focus on Brahman and the Atman. These texts are called:

    A. The Puranas

    B. The Smritis

    C. The Vedangas

    D. The Upanishads

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    While preparing a project, Suresh reads a scripture set as a dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, teaching about duty and devotion. Which sacred text is this?

    A. The Ramayana

    B. The Bhagavad Gita

    C. The Manusmriti

    D. The Atharva Veda

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    A grandmother tells her grandchild the story of Lord Rama being sent to the forest for fourteen years. This story teaches Hindus mainly to value:

    A. Wealth and power

    B. Obedience and sacrifice

    C. Revenge

    D. Laziness

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    6 marks

    Explain three lessons a Grade 8 learner can draw from the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Award up to 2 marks per well-explained point (max 6): perform your duty/work diligently without worrying only about rewards (Nishkama Karma); face challenges with courage rather than running away; do what is right even when it is difficult; control the mind and senses; have faith in and devotion to God. Any three explained points.

15. Question 15

    1 mark

    A Sikh family keeps a sacred scripture on a raised platform, covers it respectfully at night, and treats it as the living Guru. Which scripture do they honour in this way?

    A. The Vedas

    B. The Tipitaka

    C. The Guru Granth Sahib

    D. The Agamas

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    4 marks

    State four values that Hindu scriptures promote among believers.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    1 mark each (max 4): truthfulness (satya); non-violence (ahimsa); respect for elders; honesty; self-control; compassion; devotion to God; humility; tolerance.

17. Question 17

    1 mark

    The Vedas are considered the oldest and most authoritative scriptures in Sanatan Dharma. How many principal Vedas are there?

    A. Six

    B. Ten

    C. Two

    D. Four

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    The Mahabharata is traditionally attributed to which sage as its author?

    A. Sage Manu

    B. Sage Patanjali

    C. Sage Valmiki

    D. Sage Vyasa

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    1 mark

    Anjali is compiling a chart of the four Vedas for her HRE class. Which of the following is NOT one of the four Vedas?

    A. Sama Veda

    B. Puranas

    C. Yajur Veda

    D. Rig Veda

    (1 mark)

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20. Question 20

    1 mark

    The Bhagavad Gita, a widely read Hindu scripture, records a conversation between Lord Krishna and which warrior?

    A. Bhima

    B. Duryodhana

    C. Karna

    D. Arjuna

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    6 marks

    Aarti, a Grade 8 learner, finds four religious books on a shelf in the school library: the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Guru Granth Sahib. She is asked to match each text to the tradition it belongs to.

    (a) State the tradition (Sanatan or Sikh) associated with EACH of the following:

    (i) the Vedas (ii) the Guru Granth Sahib. (2 marks)

    (b) The Vedas are described as 'Shruti'. Explain the meaning of the term 'Shruti'. (2 marks)

    (c) State ONE way the Guru Granth Sahib is treated with respect by Sikhs in the Gurdwara. (2 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a)(i) The Vedas belong to the Sanatan (Hindu) tradition. (ii) The Guru Granth Sahib belongs to the Sikh tradition. (1 mark each = 2 marks) (b) 'Shruti' means 'that which is heard'; it refers to scripture that was revealed to and heard by the ancient rishis (seers) directly from Paramatma and passed on orally, not composed by humans. (2 marks) (c) Any ONE of: it is placed on a raised platform (Takht) under a canopy (Palki); worshippers cover their heads and remove shoes; people bow before it; it is fanned with the chaur sahib (chauri); no one sits at a higher level than it. (2 marks)

22. Question 22

    1 mark

    The word 'Shruti' refers to scriptures that were traditionally received in which way?

    A. Copied from other religions

    B. Heard through divine revelation

    C. Composed by farmers

    D. Written by kings

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    B. Heard through divine revelation

23. Question 23

    6 marks

    A pupil borrows a book of the Vedas from the school library and notices it is divided into different sections, with one section containing hymns of praise to the deities.

    (a)(i) Name the FOUR Vedas. (4 marks)

    (a)(ii) State the section of the Vedas that mainly contains hymns of praise. (2 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a)(i) The four Vedas are: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. (1 mark each = 4 marks) (a)(ii) The Samhitas (the portion of the Vedas containing the mantras/hymns of praise to the deities). (2 marks) (Accept: the Mantra/Samhita portion, e.g. the hymns of the Rig Veda Samhita.)

24. Question 24

    1 mark

    During a lesson, learners discover that the philosophical portions of Hindu scripture that explore Brahman, Atman and the path to liberation are found at the end of the Vedas. What are these texts called?

    A. The Upanishads

    B. The Puranas

    C. The Sutras

    D. The Smritis

    (1 mark)

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25. Question 25

    3 marks

    State any three ways in which Hindu scriptural texts guide the daily life of a believer.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Award 1 mark each (max 3): they teach moral values/right conduct (dharma); they provide prayers and hymns for worship; they explain duties/responsibilities in the family and society; they guide on karma and its consequences; they inspire devotion to God; they teach non-violence (ahimsa) and truthfulness.

26. Question 26

    1 mark

    The Ramayana was traditionally composed by which sage?

    A. Sage Vyasa

    B. Sage Vashishtha

    C. Sage Valmiki

    D. Sage Narada

    (1 mark)

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27. Question 27

    1 mark

    During assembly, a pupil quotes a scripture that gives guidance on law, duty and social conduct, attributed to a lawgiver. This is most likely from the:

    A. Bhagavad Gita

    B. Ramayana

    C. Manusmriti

    D. Sama Veda

    (1 mark)

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28. Question 28

    1 mark

    Which pair correctly matches a Hindu scripture with its main content?

    A. Sama Veda - stories of kings

    B. Upanishads - farming rules

    C. Ramayana - collection of law codes

    D. Rig Veda - hymns of praise

    (1 mark)

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29. Question 29

    1 mark

    In a lesson on Hindu scriptures, the teacher explains that the philosophical texts forming the concluding portion of the Vedas, which explore the nature of Brahman and Atman, are known as the:

    A. Upanishads

    B. Smritis

    C. Sutras

    D. Mantras

    (1 mark)

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30. Question 30

    1 mark

    The epic Ramayana narrates mainly the life and teachings of which divine figure?

    A. Lord Ganesha

    B. Lord Shiva

    C. Lord Hanuman

    D. Lord Rama

    (1 mark)

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31. Question 31

    4 marks

    (a) Name the two broad categories into which Hindu scriptures are divided.

    (b) Explain the difference between them.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Shruti and Smriti (1 mark each). (b) Shruti are 'that which is heard' - revealed scriptures received by sages through divine revelation, e.g. the Vedas (1 mark). Smriti are 'that which is remembered' - texts composed and handed down by human authors based on Shruti, e.g. the epics and Puranas (1 mark).

32. Question 32

    1 mark

    A student notes that the Rig Veda is mainly a collection of what?

    A. Rules for cooking

    B. Farming records

    C. Hymns of praise to the deities

    D. War strategies

    (1 mark)

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