ZIMSEC O-Level Religious Studies Paper 1 Marking Scheme

About this marking scheme

This is the ZIMSEC O-Level Religious Studies marking scheme for Paper 1. It shows how marks are awarded, so you can mark your own answers. The paper code is 6074/1.

Text from the first page

SPECIMEN PAPER 6074/1
MARKING GUIDE
1.Discuss the attributes of the Supreme Being in Indigenous Religion.

Attributes are qualities which belong to or qualities which bring up the nature of the deity in Indigenous Religion.
There are many qualities which belong to God in Indigenous Religion. Some of these attributes are reflected in the names ascribed to the supreme being. For example, Musikavanhu/Musiki, Samasimba, Nyadenga, Mutangakugara and Chidzivachepo.
- In Indigenous Religion the Supreme Being is viewed as being transcendent, that is to say God is above everything and he operates from an elevated position.
- He does not mix with the living. Only ancestors can approach him directly.
- God is awesomely holy. He is revered in such a way that no human being can approach him directly. People can only communicate with him through ancestral spirits. In Shona they say, "Kukwira gomo hupoterera."
- God is omnipotent, "all powerful". This is depicted by the name Jehovha Samasimba, which means he owns all power and authority. He is the "unmoved mover" the uncaused causer. He controls the whole universe.
- The other attribute of God is that he is omniscient (all knowing). His knowledge is unlimited and his thoughts are unsearchable. He knows everything that happened, is happening and will happen in the future. Men consult him to determine their future fate.
- In IR God is omnipresent. (present everywhere). No one can hide from his sight. People can worship him at any place, in houses, caves, mountains, rocks or under tree
- God is viewed as the creator of everything as depicted by his name, Musikavanhu/Musiki/Umdali which means The Creator.
- The Supreme Being is everlasting, denoted by his name Mutangakugara, which shows he was the first to exist.
- God is also the giver of rain, Chidzivachepo, which means the everlasting pool.
- Then name Nyadenga shows that God is the owner of the universe.
- God is also viewed as the giver and the taker of life.
- He is the blesser and the curser. He blesses people with children, riches and fortune. He curses ith misfortune, illnesses and disease those who disobey his regulations, Taboos and profane sacred days.