The development of Hinduism — AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) questions by topic
The development of Hinduism sets 10 questions asking you to outline theistic traditions, summarise the Manusmriti's concerns, or work from an unseen passage on Vedantic illusion or the itihasa epics, with essays worth up to 30 marks.
Outline, discuss and assess are the leading command words, and assess wants a weighed judgement rather than a description. Set against 2023 to 2025 papers, this page's instant marking helps you check a common weak spot: examiners note that responses often import material not present in the given passage, or leave the differences between two named concepts implicit instead of stated.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is including material not present in the passage, typically general descriptions of concepts relating to Brahman.
- Examiners note responses leaving differences between two concepts implicit, presented as separate descriptive blocks rather than explicit contrast.
- Reports flag confusing philosophical theisms, such as monotheism and polytheism, with the bhakti traditions that are the actual focus of this section.
- Strong answers named traditions and linked them explicitly to a central deity, contrasting practices between two named traditions directly.
May–June 2025, Paper 02
Summarise the difference between the concerns of the Samhitas and the concerns of the Aranyakas.
Answer this question and get it marked →Read the following passage and answer the question below. 'The ancient Sanskrit epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are part of a canon of Hindu scripture known as itihasa,…
Answer this question and get it marked →Read the following passage and answer the question below. 'Among Smartas there is the concept of ista-devata, that is of the particular form of God which one chooses as the focus…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 02
'The smritis are composed by human beings without any specific divine inspiration and passed on to guide ordinary people in the conduct of their lives and the performance of their…
Answer this question and get it marked →Summarise the main themes of the Aranyakas.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 02
Summarise what Vaishnavas believe about God.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 02
Read the following passage and answer the question below. 'The primary source of Hindu literature is the four Veda Samhitas - the Rig Veda Samhita, the Yajurveda Samhita, the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Summarise the main areas of concern of the Manusmriti.
Answer this question and get it marked →Read the following passage and answer the question below. 'In Vedantic philosophy the entire material world is considered an illusion; true reality is "not this, not this" - we…
Answer this question and get it marked →Outline what is meant by 'theistic traditions' in Hinduism.
Answer this question and get it marked →