Year 8
Religious Education Test
2023
Q1 Which of Christ’s teachings focuses on treating others in the same way you
would like to be treated?
(A) the Parable of the Sower
(B) the New Covenant
(C) the Golden Rule
(D) the Beatitudes
Q2 Which phrase from the Nicene Creed emphasises God’s role as the Creator?
(A) “one God, the Father almighty”
(B) “God from God, Light from Light”
(C) “true God from true God”
(D) “maker of heaven and earth”
Q3 In the New Testament, what type of Biblical text can the writings of St Paul be defined as?
(A) Gospels
(B) Prophecies
(C) Letters
(D) Psalms
Q4 Read the statements and answer question 4.
Statement 1 Sin damages your relationship with God.
Statement 2 Sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance.
Which option BEST describes the two statements?
(A) Both statements are true.
(B) Both statements are false.
(C) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false.
(D) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true.
Q5 A prayer space is to be designed for the school assembly this week. The current
liturgical season is Ordinary Time.
Which cloth colour should be used in the prayer space?
(A) red
(B) white
(C) green
(D) purple
Q6 Read the following passage and answer question 6
“Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the
breath of the Holy Spirit. And Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God
which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit
… Thus it comes about that the Church does not draw her certainty about all
revealed truths from the Holy Scriptures alone. Hence, both Scripture and
Tradition must be accepted and honoured with equal feelings of devotion and
reverence.”
-Dei Verbum, 9
According to the passage, the faithful should equally honour both Scripture and
(A) ‘Tradition’.
(B) ‘the Word of God’.
(C) ‘revealed truths’.
(D) ‘the breath of the Holy Spirit’.
Q7 Read the following passage and answer question 7
“Every year, during the month of October, the students gather together to pray.
The form of prayer that they pray has been a tradition in the Catholic Church for
a long time. Each student recites traditional prayers whilst using a set of beads.”
The form of prayer that has been practiced by these students is known as
(A) the Stations of the Cross.
(B) the Prayers of the Faithful.
(C) the Angelus.
(D) the Rosary.
Q8 What am I?
“I am a global gathering of young people. I provide opportunities for young
people to deepen their faith and commit their lives to Christ while experiencing a
pilgrimage with many like minded people. My event has been held in Madrid,
Sydney, Poland and Portugal.”
I am
(A) the Australian Catholic Youth Festival.
(B) World Youth Day.
(C) the World Meeting of Families.
(D) the Plenary Council.
Q9 In the Old Testament, who received God’s promise that he would be the father of a great nation?
(A) Adam
(B) Noah
(C) Gideon
(D) Abraham
Q10 Read the statement and answer question 10
Anzac Day is celebrated every year in Australia to remember and recognise the sacrifice of
those men and women who have died for our freedom.
Anzac Day is an example of which type of ritual?
(A) social
(B) religious
(C) political
(D) pious
Q11 Read the following passage and answer question 11.
“Leaving an inhabitable* planet to future generations is, first and foremost, up to
us.”
Pope Francis, Twitter.
18 June 2015
*Inhabitable = able to be lived in.
In this statement, Pope Francis is suggesting that
(A) God is the creator of all things.
(B) humans have power over all creation.
(C) future needs are a priority.
(D) people need to care for creation.
Q12 In the Christian Tradition, Pentecost is associated with
(A) the Resurrection.
(B) the Nativity.
(C) the Holy Spirit.
(D) the Ascension.
Q13 Which religious celebration recalls the Jewish exodus from Egypt?
(A) Advent
(B) Passover
(C) Easter
(D) Pentateuch
Q14 Which Sacrament of the Catholic Church is related to the message of the Parable of the Prodigal
Son?
(A) Baptism
(B) Eucharist
(C) Penance
(D) Matrimony
Q15 The Maronite Catholic Church is an example of the
(A) Eastern Catholic Churches.
(B) Western Catholic Churches.
(C) Latin Catholic Churches.
(D) Orthodox Churches.
Q16 Read the following scenario and answer question 16.
“David is part of an online chat group with his friends. Mostly, they use it to post
funny memes and blow off steam. Recently, one of David’s friends posted a
modified photo of a classmate with inappropriate and offensive words. David
feels like his friend has crossed the line.”
Which of the following responses BEST aligns with Catholic teaching about the Golden Rule.
(A) David modifies an image of his friend and shares it anonymously to show them
how it feels.
(B) David talks to his friend and explains why the modified photo is not appropriate
and asks him to take it down.
(C) David shows the modified image to the targeted classmate so they can
do something about it.
(D) David chooses not to comment on the modified image so as not to draw
any attention to it.
Q17
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals a blind man.
This demonstrates the Gospel theme of
(A) obedience.
(B) salvation.
(C) compassion.
(D) justice.
Q18 Read the following Scripture passage and answer question 18.
“God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good.”
GENESIS 1:31
What understanding of creation is expressed in this Scripture passage?
(A) Creation was willed by God and he was happy with it.
(B) God is seen as part of the created universe.
(C) As the creator, God is also responsible for caring for creation.
(D) People should worship creation.
Q19 St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint, lived a life of heroic virtue.
Which of her actions best demonstrates this?
(A) writing many letters to her Sisters
(B) devoting her life to serving the poor
(C) leading as a strong female figure
(D) meeting powerful religious people
Q20 Which option BEST describes the life of Saint Paul?
(A) His original name was Stephen. He was a Jew. He was converted on the
road to Damascus. He wrote two Letters to the Corinthians. He was
beheaded.
(B) His original name was Saul. He was a Jew. He was converted on the
road to Damascus. He wrote the Letter to the Galatians. He was
beheaded.
(C) His original name was Paul. He was a Jew. He was converted on the
road to Damascus. He wrote the Letter to the Galatians. He was
crucified.
(D) His original name was Saul. He was a gentile. He was converted on the
road to Jericho. He wrote over thirty letters. He was stoned to death.
Q21 Read the following story and answer question 21.
“Robert and Matt have been best friends since kindergarten. Matt had an
infection in his leg when he was young which has caused him to walk with a limp.
Robert accepts Matt’s limp as nothing unusual. One day, some of their friends
decide to imitate Matt and Robert joins in. They limp around the quadrangle at
recess time. They laugh at how they look like Matt. Soon after this, Robert feels
quite upset with himself.”
What type of sin did Robert commit?
(A) mortal sin
(B) grave sin
(C) moral sin
(D) venial sin
Q22 A saying of Jesus that affirms human dignity is
(A) “Come, follow me.”
(B) “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart.”
(C) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
(D) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees.”
Q23 The Christian Bible was written by
(A) Jesus and his disciples.
(B) Moses and the Israelites.
(C) early Popes and Cardinals.
(D) different authors inspired by God.
Q24 Meditation is a form of prayer that helps us to find our way to God and ourselves.
When you meditate, you are
(A) petitioning on behalf of others for their intentions and needs.
(B) experiencing the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
(C) reflecting on the things of God in the presence of God.
(D) praying to God and asking for personal blessings and favours.
Q25 Read the following quote and answer question 25.
“Nowhere did Jesus express more beautifully what happens in the sacrament of
Penance than in [his parables]: we go astray, we are lost and can no longer
cope. Yet our Father waits for us with great, indeed, infinite longing: he forgives
us when we come back; he takes us in again, forgives our sins.”
YOUCAT, pp.134
Which statement BEST represents the theme of this statement.
(A) I have wasted my life and opportunities.
(B) I repent my wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness.
(C) I am wicked and should not be welcomed home.
(D) I am troubled and do not know about God’s goodness.
Q26 Saint Paul believes that the Church is meant to be a community whose way of living
runs contrary to the culture of the day. We would call this being countercultural.
What is NOT an example of the Church being countercultural?
(A) cooperating, rather than competing
(B) sharing, rather than hoarding
(C) comfort, rather than sacrifice
(D) giving, rather than getting
Q27 The word ‘covenant’ is a very important word in the Old Testament.
Which option provides the BEST definition for the word ‘covenant’?
(A) guidelines which God created for the Chosen People
(B) the recorded story between God and the Chosen People
(C) promises which God made between himself and the Chosen People
(D) a spiritual agreement negotiated between God and the Chosen People
Q28 Which of the following lists the parts of the Mass in the correct order?
(A) Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Concluding Rites
(B) Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Word, Concluding Rites
(C) Liturgy of the Word, Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Concluding Rites
(D) Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Introductory Rites, Concluding Rites
Q29 Read the statements and answer question 29.
The Sermon on the Mount was delivered by Jesus to his
Statement 1
disciples.
Jesus offered a radical view of true happiness in a list of
Statement 2
attitudes called the Ten Commandments in the Sermon Mount.
Which option BEST describes the two statements?
(A) Both statements are true.
(B) Both statements are false.
(C) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false.
(D) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true.
Q 30 Which school community celebrations BEST demonstrate Catholic liturgical life?
(A) Opening school assembly, praying the rosary and Year 12 Graduation Mass
(B) Ash Wednesday liturgy, Catholic Schools’ Week Mass and Lenten Reconciliation
(C) Opening School Mass, Year 7 Retreat and Grandparents’ Day
(D) Anzac Day assembly, morning prayer and staff retreat
Q31 Most parables are associated with informing us about the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is where
(A) every person gets along with each other.
(B) the Bible is read each day.
(C) no one ever tells any lies.
(D) God’s will is done.
Q32 Australian studies are now demonstrating the links between environmental quality and public
health.
These studies highlight an urgent task for Catholics to
(A) fulfil their responsibility for the environment.
(B) look after the old and the sick who are affected by poor health.
(C) pray, fast and give alms.
(D) preach the Gospel to all people.
Q33 What are the Sacraments of Initiation?
(A) Baptism, Holy Orders and Eucharist
(B) Confirmation, Penance and Matrimony
(C) Confirmation, Eucharist and Penance
(D) Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
Q34 Catholic schools with a spirituality, such as Marist, Josephite, Dominican or Patrician, are
examples of schools with a particular
(A) charism.
(B) history.
(C) focus.
(D) religion.
Q35 Read the Scripture passage and answer question 35.
“God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the
earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the
birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’”
GENESIS 1:28
Which of the following best expresses the Christian understanding of the term
‘dominion’?
(A) God is the maker of heaven and earth.
(B) Humans can change creation for their own benefit.
(C) Humans look after creation to please God.
(D) Caring for creation is a role given to humans by God.
Q36 In the Gospels, Jesus often interacts with people on the margin of society: the sick, the poor,
the unclean.
What change did they often experience as a result of their encounter with Jesus?
(A) They were healed and forgiven.
(B) They were accepted by those who rejected them.
(C) They were converted to Christianity.
(D) They were judged and condemned.
Q37 Read the following Scripture passage and answer question 37.
“He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me;
yet, not what I want, but what you want.’”
MARK 14:36
Jesus prayed this prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. This type of prayer is called a
prayer of
(A) thanksgiving.
(B) blessing.
(C) petition.
(D) praise.
Q38 In the Early Church, Christians were persecuted because they
(A) refused to participate in social and cultural activities.
(B) promoted an uprising against the ruling authorities.
(C) refused to worship idols.
(D) withheld financial contributions to the Roman Empire.
Q 39 Read the statement and answer question 39.
“Using donations made to Project Compassion, Caritas Australia supports long-
term development programs in impoverished* communities in Africa, Asia, East
Timor, Latin America, Indigenous Australia and the Pacific — helping oppressed
people to rediscover their dignity by taking greater control over their lives and
overcoming poverty.”
*Impoverished = poor
Which of the following would NOT be an example of a Caritas Australia program?
(A) building a school for a community
(B) setting up an internet café in a village
(C) providing emergency help during a flood
(D) providing clean water and sanitation in a developing country
Q40 One matter addressed by the Council of Jerusalem in the early Church was to
(A) determine the date of Easter celebrations.
(B) decide on the official language for Christian liturgy.
(C) address the issue of circumcision for Gentile converts to Christianity.
(D) establish guidelines for the construction of church buildings.
Q41 Read the following statement and answer question 41.
“This principle applies to everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability or ethnicity.
If you follow this principle there are implications. It means that everyone has a
right to participate fully in society and to have fair access to health care,
education and housing.”
What principle is being described?
(A) Human dignity
(B) Freedom of expression
(C) Common Law
(D) Individual rights
Q42 The Great Commandment has significance for all Christians for all times.
What is the message of this New Testament teaching?
(A) to obey the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and the eight Beatitudes
(B) to be living examples of what it means to love God, our neighbour and ourselves
(C) to love and care for ourselves firstly, serve our enemies and then our neighbour
(D) to keep the Law, the Golden Rule and always practise what we preach to others
Q43 The celebration of the Eucharist ends with
(A) a Blessing and Sign of Peace.
(B) a prayer and dismissal.
(C) a Blessing and prayer.
(D) a Blessing and formal dismissal.
Q44 Which option BEST describes the definition of a Sacrament?
(A) Sacraments are holy, visible signs instituted by Christ of an invisible reality.
(B) Sacraments are holy, visible rituals instituted by Christ of an invisible reality.
(C) Sacraments are holy, invisible signs instituted by Christ of a visible reality.
(D) Sacraments are holy, invisible rituals instituted by Christ of a visible reality.
Q45 Read the following quote and answer question 45.
“Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we seek to bring joy to those we serve
by enabling growth, healing, and hope. By delivering effective and high quality
social services, CatholicCare helps to build the social and emotional wellbeing of
individuals, families and communities.”
Mission Statement, CatholicCare Homepage
CatholicCare demonstrates the life of the Church in the programs which they offer to
those in need.
Which of the following would NOT be an example of a CatholicCare program?
(A) providing counselling services for individuals and families experiencing
relationship issues
(B) providing various programs for the aged and disabled
(C) providing marriage and relationships education
(D) providing a weekly income for the unemployed
Q46 Read the following extract and answer question 46.
“Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Earth, our Mother, who nourishes us and
sustains us, bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds and flowers of
many colours.”
Canticle of Creation
In the above extract, St Francis was
(A) reflecting upon the beauty of creation.
(B) exploring different creation stories.
(C) worshipping the earth.
(D) reciting Scripture.
Q47 Read the Scripture passage and answer question 47.
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching
them to obey everything that I have commanded you.’”
MATTHEW 28: 18-20
What are individuals called to do to continue the mission of the Church?
(A) engage in dialogue with other faiths and promote religious tolerance
(B) attend Mass regularly and receive the sacraments
(C) support charitable organisations and participate in social outreach programs
(D) share the teachings of Jesus and actively evangelise to spread the faith
Q48 Read the statements to answer question 48.
The essential sign and action of the sacrament of Confirmation is the
Statement 1 anointing with Chrism and the laying on of hands.
The essential sign and action of the sacrament of the Eucharist is doing as
Statement 2 Jesus did at the Last Supper, using bread and wine and his words and
actions.
Which option BEST describes the two statements?
(A) Both statements are true.
(B) Both statements are false.
(C) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false.
(D) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true.
Q49 Which of the following situations LEAST required you to make a moral choice by using
your conscience?
(A) You forgot to include the sources which had been used to complete a research task.
(B) You chose not to cheat on an exam at school because it was dishonest and
unfair to others.
(C) You shared a part of a task with a friend who was struggling to complete the work.
(D) You decided not to hand in work on time because of difficulties with
accessing information.
Q50 Read the following information and answer question 50.
“Matthew Hayden is a retired Australian cricketing great. He is also a Catholic
whose faith makes a real difference to how he lives his day to day life. Despite
the challenges of remaining committed to regular practice of his faith on tour,
Matthew always made a point of getting to Mass and being mindful of God as he
did his best for his side. His various contributions to Australian life as well as his
wonderfully successful cricket career led him to being made a member of the
Order of Australia. He was one of the Ambassadors for World Youth Day Sydney
in 2008.”
Twenty Five of the Best, RESource
The characteristics of Christian life that have been demonstrated by Matthew Hayden
would be
(A) listening and forgiveness.
(B) service and commitment.
(C) duty and performance.
(D) prayer and meditation.
