Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (i) اقرأَ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلْمِ عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ (i) 1. Read! in the name of your Lord, who created, 2. Created man out of a clot of congealed blood: 3. Proclaim! And your Lord is most bountiful, 4. He who taught by the pen, 5. Taught man what he did not know. (Sura 96.1-5) (ii) إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا وَأَخْرَجَتِ الْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا وَقَالَ الْإِنسَانُ مَا لَهَا يَوْمَئِذٍ تُحَدِّثُ أَخْبَارَهَا بِأَنَّ رَبَّكَ أَوْحَى لَهَا يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصْدُرُ النَّاسُ أَشْتَانًا لِّيُرَوْا أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ (ii) 1. When the earth is shaken to her utmost convulsion, 2. And the earth throws up her burdens, 3. And man cries out: 'What is the matter with her?', 4. On that day will she declare her tidings: 5. For that your Lord will have given her inspiration. 6. On that day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown their deeds. 7. Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good see it! 8. And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it. (Sura 99) (iii) قُلْ أَعُودُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، مَلِكِ النَّاسِ، إِلَهِ النَّاسِ، مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ (iii) 1. Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, 2. The King of mankind, 3. The God of Mankind, 4. From the mischief of the whisperer who withdraws, 5. Who whispers into the hearts of mankind, 6. Among jinns and among mankind. (Sura 114)

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] (a) Sura 96.1-5: This passage is about God as Creator and Teacher. Answers to this sura could include God's control of all things He has created, including humankind, and that He is the one who teaches humankind. It describes mankind's origins and God's favours upon him.
2. [4] (a) Sura 99: This passage is about God's power over all things and the Last Day. Answers to this sura could include God's control of all things He's created. They could also elaborate by saying that human beings will be at a state of loss and confusion. Humankind will be sorted out into groups and all their actions, however big or small, will be shown to them. The earth is treated like a person who will speak out.
3. [4] (a) Sura 114: Answers to this passage could talk about God's power and His ability to protect humans from the various evils of the world, from jinn and men. God is all-powerful so He can help humans resist temptations which come from different sources. Because nothing is greater than God, he can protect from the whisperings which prompt humans to do and think bad.
4. [4] (b) Sura 96.1-5: These themes are represented through the various words in this sura, but mainly Iqra. Candidates could talk about this word and the way it is used to show God's relationship with humans. They could also talk about creation and the way God describes in this passage how He creates humankind and also how He teaches it (by the pen, by sending revealed scriptures). Excellent answers will also be able to comment on how knowledge is a link between man and God.
5. [4] (b) Sura 99: These teachings tell humans that everyone will be judged on the Last Day. Candidates could also talk about how humankind will be shown all their deeds so should be careful about how they live their lives, e.g. it reminds them about their accountability. They could also talk about the Earth's relationship with humans and how humankind needs to look after the Earth. Better answers will be able to reflect on these teachings using examples.
6. [4] (b) Sura 114: These teachings tell Muslims about God's power which means He can protect against everything. His infinite power makes Him a refuge against the evils mentioned and this sura is specifically recited for protection. This is important for Muslims now who worry about things they think will harm them in their families or jobs, etc.