# Religion Studies Grade 12 P1 NSC November 2025 QP (Eng) > Grade 12 Religion Studies Paper 1 question paper from the NSC November Exam 2025 (English), 12 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-religion-studies-2025-nsc-november-exam-question-paper-paper-1/959eba21-815d-4420-9b9c-3cecab17bbbc - Updated: 2026-09-28 - Subject: Religion Studies - Grade: Grade 12 - Document type: Question paper - Year: 2025 - Exam period: NSC November Exam - Paper: 1 - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 12 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 12](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12) › [Religion Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12/religion-studies) › [Religion Studies Grade 12 P1 NSC November 2025 QP (Eng)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-religion-studies-2025-nsc-november-exam-question-paper-paper-1/959eba21-815d-4420-9b9c-3cecab17bbbc) ## About this document Religion Studies · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2025. Question paper, 12 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 Confidential NATIONAL NATIONAL SENIOR SENIOR CERTIFICATE CERTIFICATE GRADE 12 RELIGION STUDIES P1 NOVEMBER 2025 MARKS: 150 TIME: 2 hours This question paper consists of 12 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 2 Religion Studies/P1 2 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 1. This question paper consists of SECTION A and SECTION B. 2. SECTION A: COMPULSORY SECTION B: Answer any TWO questions in this section. 3. Read ALL the questions carefully. 4. Start EACH question on a NEW page. 5. The length of your answers must be in accordance with the marks allocated to each question. 6. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper. 7. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 3 Religion Studies/P1 3 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential SECTION A (COMPULSORY) 2025 QUESTION 1 1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11 D. 1.1.1 The central teachings of the Bahá'i faith are contained in the … A Eightfold Path. B Qur'an. C Kitáb-i-Aqdas. D Mishnah Torah. (1) 1.1.2 The head of the Catholic branch in Christianity is … A the Pope. B Moses. C the Dalai Lama. D the Archbishop of Canterbury. (1) 1.1.3 A state of perfect happiness and peace: A Ubuntu B Nirvana C Evolution D Reincarnation (1) 1.1.4 Religious laws observed by Orthodox Jews are called … A belief in the Torah. B Genesis. C Halakhah. D teachings about Yahweh. (1) 1.1.5 Holding on to traditional, conventional values is called … A Confucianism. B heresy. C Conservatism. D Secularism. (1) 1.1.6 All religions are paths towards the truth; they are equally true: A Pluralism B Syncretism C Unity D Ideology (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 4 Religion Studies/P1 4 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 1.1.7 An Abrahamic religion: A Buddhism B Taoism C Bahá'i faith D Judaism (1) 1.1.8 Non-action or effortless action in Taoism: A Wu wei B Path C Neijia D Guru (1) 1.1.9 The person who succeeded Prophet Muhammad after his death in 632 CE was … A Abu Bakr. B Husain. C Umar. D Ishmael. (1) 1.1.10 The Nan Hua Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in … A Africa. B North Asia. C the Far East. D Tibet. (1) 1.2 Complete the following sentences by filling in the missing word(s). Write only the word(s) next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.6) in the ANSWER BOOK. 1.2.1 Worshipping many gods is called … (1) 1.2.2 The line of descent from an ancestor to a person or family is called … (1) 1.2.3 This spiritual and physical exercise using specific body postures and breath control is called … (1) 1.2.4 The oldest branch of Buddhism is … (1) 1.2.5 A number of gods in a particular religious tradition is called … (1) 1.2.6 Studying the evolution of the universe is known as … (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Religion Studies/P1 5 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 1.3 Choose the word(s) in EACH list below that do(es) NOT match the rest. Write down the word(s) next to the question numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.5) in the ANSWER BOOK and give a reason why the answer does NOT fit. EXAMPLE: Red, Yellow, Circle, Blue Answer: Circle Reason: The other three are colours. 1.3.1 Hajj; Sudra; Zakat; Salat (2) 1.3.2 Anatman; Shunyata; Mikvah; Bodhidharma (2) 1.3.3 Monotheism; Polytheism; Atheism; Theism (2) 1.3.4 uNkulunkulu; isangoma; Yahweh; Allah (2) 1.3.5 Kshatriya; Brahman; Karma; Vaisya (2) 1.4 Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches the term in COLUMN A. Write only the letter (A–G) next to the question numbers (1.4.1 to 1.4.6) in the ANSWER BOOK. Do NOT use any answer more than once. COLUMN A COLUMN B 1.4.1 Covenant A someone who is at the service of the enlightenment of others 1.4.2 Salvation Army B other religions are valid, but the full truth 1.4.3 Evolution can only be found in his or her own religion 1.4.4 Bodhisattva C this ritual is carried out to remove 1.4.5 Appeasement misfortune 1.4.6 Inclusivism D a process of development or growth E how the universe came into existence F an organisation that provides shelter for the homeless G a deep solemn pledge (6 x 1) (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 Religion Studies/P1 6 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 1.5 Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Write 'true' or 'false' next to the question numbers (1.5.1 to 1.5.6) in the ANSWER BOOK. Give a reason if the answer is FALSE. 1.5.1 Bearing witness to the belief that there is no God apart from Allah and that Muhammad, the messenger of Allah, is known as Ash-Shahada. (2) 1.5.2 A doctrine is a set of beliefs that are taken to be absolutely true and fixed. (2) 1.5.3 According to African Traditional Religion, when the first generation died, their spirits went to heaven. (2) 1.5.4 The reformation in the church was started by Martin Luther King Jr. (2) 1.5.5 That which is permissible in Hinduism is called Kosher. (2) 1.5.6 Bahá'u'lláh is the founder of Buddhism. (2) 1.6 In the context of religion, write TWO facts about EACH of the following terms: 1.6.1 Differences (2) 1.6.2 Unity (2) 1.6.3 Immortality (2) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Religion Studies/P1 7 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential SECTION B Answer any TWO questions in this section. QUESTION 2 2.1 State any TWO unique features of the following religions: 2.1.1 Judaism (4) 2.1.2 Hinduism (4) 2.2 State any TWO similarities of the following religions: 2.2.1 Buddhism and Taoism (4) 2.2.2 Christianity and African Traditional Religion (4) 2.3 In the context of religion, explain and give an example of EACH of the following concepts: 2.3.1 Comparability (4) 2.3.2 Tikkun Olam (4) 2.3.3 Parable (4) 2.4 Explain the difference between incarnation and resurrection. Give an example of EACH. (8) 2.5 'The Buddha was human, not God.' Elaborate on the statement above. (6) 2.6 Name and explain at least TWO Ashramas (stages) of Hinduism. (8) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Religion Studies/P1 8 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential QUESTION 3 3.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. MEDIA COVERAGE OF RELIGION IS 'BROKEN' – GLOBAL SURVEY CONFIRMS IT Veteran religion reporter, Julia Bicknell, analysed a major global survey on media coverage of religion, conducted in 2022. The objective of the study was to identify how much of a global appetite there is for an enhanced discussion of faith in the media space. The research was done in two parts. First, over 30 interviews were done with journalists in 17 countries. The second part involved an online survey of over 9 000 adults in 17 countries, including South Africa. The journalists interviewed felt that coverage of faith and religion is poor, inconsistent, and becoming more marginalised. They expressed fear around getting religious coverage 'right', particularly in largely secular newsrooms. They said that 'religious' stories are not seen as a good fit for 'hard' news. It is easy to do 'soft' coverage of, say, festivals, and that the focus of 'hard' news only comes at times when religious leaders are mired in controversy or scandal. Among the people who answered the online survey, there appeared to be a growing gap between the coverage of religion and the needs of the faithful. There is a global desire for better coverage, understanding and representation of faith issues in mainstream media. According to Julia Bicknell, the current global digital news ecosystem, which is dependent on *clickbait and controversy, is broken and needs a radical overhaul. *Clickbait: content that attracts attention and encourages visitors to click on a link to a particular web page [Adapted from www.premierrunbelievable.com, 1 October 2022] 3.1.1 According to the article, what was the main objective of the survey? (2) 3.1.2 In your own words, explain what Julia Bicknell means when she says media coverage of religion is 'broken'. (2) 3.1.3 State THREE findings of the online survey regarding religious coverage in the media. (6) 3.1.4 Explain what mainstream media is. (2) 3.1.5 Suggest FOUR reasons why the media prefers 'hard' stories instead of 'soft' stories when reporting on religious issues. (8) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Religion Studies/P1 9 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 3.1.6 Explain what journalists mean by getting 'coverage "right", particularly in largely secular newsrooms'. (6) 3.1.7 Religious stories are newsworthy when they are negative or scandalous. Analyse the effects that such reporting would have on society. (8) 3.2 Discuss TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages of religious organisations using social media. (4 x 2) (8) 3.3 Elaborate on the different ways in which religions can respond to negative coverage in the media. (8) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Religion Studies/P1 10 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential QUESTION 4 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. CONFLICT IN MYANMAR The military government that ruled Myanmar during the 1980s through the 2000s mixed Burmese and nationalism with Theravada Buddhism and used that as a means to strengthen its legitimacy. It also heavily discriminated against minority populations in Myanmar, such as the Rohingya, Kokang and Panthay peoples. The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority group who have lived for centuries in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Despite living in Myanmar for many generations, the military government does not recognise the Rohingya as an official ethnic group and have denied them citizenship since 1982, making them the world's largest stateless population. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described this as 'a textbook example of ethnic cleansing'. In 2012, riots broke out between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhist Rakhines. The Myanmar government encouraged those riots, as there is evidence that Rakhine men were bussed from Sittwe and given knives and free food to participate in the riots. Many cite religious differences as the culprit of the current crisis. Most Rohingya are Muslim in a Buddhist-majority country. Many prominent Burmese monks have turned against the Rohingya people, blocking humanitarian assistance and calling for their social and political exclusion along the lines of what some compare to apartheid in South Africa. Leading the charge against the Rohingya is a Buddhist activist group composed of monks and laity called '969'. Much of the international media describe the Rohingya as a Muslim minority suffering from religious persecution at the hands of an intolerant Buddhist majority. The Rohingya have suffered decades of violence, discrimination and persecution in Myanmar. More than 1,3 million people were displaced within Myanmar in 2023, due to escalating violence following the military takeover in February 2021. More refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar are hosted in other countries, including nearly 1 million stateless Rohingya refugees who are living in Bangladesh. [Adapted from www.unrefugees.org] 4.1 What is the previous name of Myanmar? (2) 4.2 Why do you think the military government showed interest in religion? (8) 4.3 What do you understand by 'ethnic cleansing'? (4) 4.4 To what extent is this a religious conflict? Give reasons for your answer. (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 11 Religion Studies/P1 11 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential 4.5 Give reasons why it is necessary for international communities to intervene in conflicts such as this. (8) 4.6 South Africa is free from religious conflict. What lesson can our country teach Myanmar in order to end the conflict? (10) 4.7 Do you think the Myanmar government should be held responsible for the conflict? Give reasons for your answer. (8) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 12 Religion Studies/P1 12 DBE/November 2025 NSC Confidential QUESTION 5 5.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. WESTERN IDEAS OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE Modern human rights evolved in Europe as a response to the conflict across Europe caused by the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter- Reformation. Thoughtful Europeans, including many deeply religious people, concluded that society would be peaceful if people and their leaders adopted the principle of religious tolerance. That led to the idea that every person should be free to believe what they want to and to express their views openly without having to worry about being persecuted. This was not an overnight process. So while many people in Europe were learning to be more tolerant, others fled Europe to escape persecution. They ended up in the United States and in the then British colonies of South Africa, Canada and Australia. Particularly in the United States, the new colonialists set about establishing a society based on more religious tolerance than they had experienced in Europe. We can conclude from this that there were two forces that pushed Europeans to propose the idea of religious tolerance: When you are part of a persecuted minority, then you will tend to support the idea of freedom of religious choice and tolerance. When you experience serious religious conflict with no winner, then you will tend to support the idea of religious tolerance and freedom of choice. [Source: Shuters Top Class Religion Studies Grade 12] 5.1.1 Explain what is meant by religious tolerance. (2) 5.1.2 According to the extract, how did modern human rights in Europe come about? (4) 5.1.3 What was the outcome of the Reformation? (4) 5.2 Religious freedom is a human right. Name any TWO other human rights and discuss the responsibilities associated with EACH. (8) 5.3 Discuss practical steps you think different religions could follow in order to ensure that human rights are not violated. (10) 5.4 With reference to any of the religions you have studied, discuss TWO teachings that promote EACH of the following: 5.4.1 Morality (8) 5.4.2 Religious freedom (8) 5.5 Elaborate on the purpose of the Holy Office of the Spanish Inquisition of 1478. 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