0490.1.19.28 — J4 Festivals and fasts.: past paper questions
Real questions on 0490.1.19.28 — j4 festivals and fasts.
The newest 9 of 9 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0490/22 · October/November 2025 · Q7a(ii)[4]
Outline how Jews might observe Sukkot.
See it on the paper → - 0490/23 · October/November 2025 · Q7a(i)[2]
Give two of the four species of plant used at Sukkot.
See it on the paper → - 0490/23 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[6]
Explain why Jews build sukkah and how they use them.
See it on the paper → - 0490/12 · October/November 2023 · Q6d[6]
‘Keeping Shabbat (Sabbath) is the most important practice in Judaism.’ Discuss this statement. Give your own opinion and show that you have thought about other points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0490/13 · October/November 2020 · Q6a(i)[3]
What is Simchat Torah?
See it on the paper → - 0490/13 · October/November 2020 · Q6a(ii)[4]
Briefly describe what happens in the synagogue during Simchat Torah.
See it on the paper → - 0490/13 · October/November 2020 · Q6b[7]
Explain why Simchat Torah is important to Jews.
See it on the paper → - 0490/13 · October/November 2020 · Q6c[6]
‘Simchat Torah is not as important as Sukkot.’ Discuss this statement. Give your own opinion and show that you have thought about other points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0490/23 · October/November 2019 · Q8c[6]
‘Celebrating religious occasions is the most important way of keeping Jewish families and communities together.’ Discuss this statement. Give your own opinion and show that you have thought about other points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Unfortunately a significant number of candidates thought Simchat Torah was just another name for Torah, unaware that it was a festival, despite the wording of 6 (ii) indicating that it is an event, not a thing. Those who did know that it was a festival were able to access full credit.
— Examiner report, October/November 2020, 0490/13 Q6(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Those who did not know that Simchat Torah was a festival and not a book were unable to respond accurately to this question: those who understood the term produced generally good answers.
— Examiner report, October/November 2020, 0490/13 Q6(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Again, those candidates who did not understand the term found it is difficult to say anything relevant about the importance of Simchat Torah; those who did know produced a variety of creditable responses.
— Examiner report, October/November 2020, 0490/13 Q6(b) (Cambridge)
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