WJEC Eduqas
WJEC Eduqas

Religious Studies

Describe and Explain - An Example

Imagine the question: 'Describe the main features of a Christian marriage service' [5]

An excellent response would probably include the following:

In a Christian marriage service, the bride usually wears white and walks up the aisle to join her husband-to-be at the altar. The Priest or Minister will remind the congregation in the church of the importance of marriage. The couple will recite important vows such as 'For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer...'til death us do part'. The rings are blessed and exchanged. Hymns are sung, a sermon is given and suitable parts of the Bible are read out. At the end, the Priest or Minister pronounces the couple 'Husband and Wife' and the legal contract is signed.

This is an excellent, highly detailed response that uses excellent religious language to describe the marriage ceremony and refers to sources of wisdom and authority.

Imagine the question: 'Explain how a Christian marriage service shows Christian beliefs and teachings about marriage' [8]

An excellent response would probably include the following. Highlight the parts that make it an explanation rather than a description.

In a Christian marriage service the bride usually wears white because this shows the importance of purity and chastity in Christianity. The Bible teaches this, 'Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be pure'. The Priest or Minister will remind the congregation that Marriage is considered a sacred and permanent union because the Bible says; 'A man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one'. The couple recite important vows in order to show their commitment; 'For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer'. The Bible teaches that 'What God has joined together, no-one must separate' so to show this the couple also promise to stay married 'Til death us do part'. The rings are blessed and exchanged because they are a circular symbol of the Christian idea that love has no end. Hymns are sung in order to show this is a Christian celebration and the sermon and Bible readings will remind the congregation that marriage is a religious union as well as a civil partnership. The ceremony in a Catholic church would also include Church teaching that marriage is a Sacrament (an outward display of divine grace) and the marriage service might be part of the wider celebration of Mass.

This is an excellent, highly detailed response that uses excellent religious language to explain how Christian beliefs and teachings are shown in the marriage ceremony. Excellent reference is made to sources of wisdom.

In a Christian marriage service the bride usually wears white because this shows the importance of purity and chastity in Christianity. The Bible teaches this, 'Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be pure'. The Priest or Minister will remind the congregation that Marriage is considered a sacred and permanent union because the Bible says; 'A man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one'. The couple recite important vows in order to show their commitment; 'For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer'. The Bible teaches that 'What God has joined together, no-one must separate' so to show this the couple also promise to stay married 'Til death us do part'. The rings are blessed and exchanged because they are a circular symbol of the Christian idea that love has no end. Hymns are sung in order to show this is a Christian celebration and the sermon and Bible readings will remind the congregation that marriage is a religious union as well as a civil partnership. The ceremony in a Catholic church would also include Church teaching that marriage is a Sacrament (an outward display of divine grace) and the marriage service might be part of the wider celebration of Mass.