Christian Religious Studies Paper 2 Nov/Dec 2015

Question 4

Nehemiah 1:1 – 11, 2:9-20, 4:1 – 23

  1. The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah
  2. Reasons why some citizens are unpatriotic

 

Observation

This was not a popular question among the candidates as most candidates did not attempt it. The few of them that attempted it guessed their answers thereby scored low marks.  They were unable to narrate the role Nehemiah played during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem as narrated in the Bible. All they could mention was that Nehemiah asked the king for permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. They were also expected to point out the opposition by Sanballat and Tobiah who accused Nehemiah and others of plotting a revolution against Persia. Candidate could have started the story as outlined below: 

  1. Nehemiah was one of the captives taken to Babylon and he became cup bearer to the king of Persia.
  2. One day, Hanani, one of the remnants in Jerusalem, visited Nehemiah and Nehemiah asked of the condition of Jerusalem and the inhabitants in the city from him.
  3. Nehemiah was informed that the remnants of the land were in great trouble and shame.
  4. He also said that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were destroyed and broken down.
  5. When Nehemiah had the information he wept, fasted and prayed for days.

The B part of the question was well answered by candidates and their overall performance was below average.