Exemplar for internal assessment resource Religious Studies for Achievement Standard 90817
Exemplar for Internal Achievement Standard
Religious Studies Level 1
This exemplar supports assessment against:
Achievement Standard 90817
Describe a significant development within a religious tradition
An annotated exemplar is an extract of student evidence, with a commentary, to explain
key aspects of the standard. It assists teachers to make assessment judgements at the
grade boundaries.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
To support internal assessment from 2014
© NZQA 2014
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Religious Studies for Achievement Standard 90817
Grade Boundary: Low Excellence
1.
For Excellence, students need to comprehensively describe a significant
development within a religious tradition.
This involves:
•
•
making links between key aspects or features of the development
describing wider implications of the development.
The student has described some of the wider implications of the Reformation as a
significant development within the Christian tradition (1).
The student has made some links between the key aspects of when and where
the Reformation happened, the people involved, and the events that took place
(2).
The remainder of the student’s work is at a similar level to the excerpt of writing
that is exemplified here.
For a more secure Excellence, the student could provide further evidence by
comprehensively describing what else Martin Luther was protesting (i.e. not solely
indulgences) and challenging the teaching of the Church (3). This student could
identify more chronological dates in their script (4).
© NZQA 2014
The term Reformation refers to time in the 16th century when the Church split because of the
teaching of people like Martin Luther and John Calvin. There were earlier protests about
aspects of the Catholic Church but it wasn’t until Martin Luther that these were successful
and led to major changes.
In 1517 Martin Luther nailed his protest (95 Theses) about practices in the Church to the
church door in Wittenberg. One thing he was against was selling of indulgences for the
forgiveness of sin. The significance of this was that he was challenging the teaching of the
Church (3).
The Pope asked Luther to go back on his protest but he refused. He also refused when the
Emperor asked him to. He famously said: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain
reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted
each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant
anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."
He was excommunicated by the Pope Leo X and outlawed by the Emperor Frederick III.
Although he was outlawed other princes who supported him secretly kidnapped him and
ensured he was protected. The support of these princes’ shows that there were other issues
as well as religious factors involved with one of the most important being nationalism and the
desire of many rulers to be free of the pope’s authority and taxes (2).
Martin Luther returned to Wittenberg (4) where he organised a new church. He wrote a new
mass and translated the Bible into German. He wrote many new hymns and continued his
writing about Christian belief.
As a result of Luther’s protest many new protestant churches developed. These were
national churches such as the Lutheran Church in Germany, the Lutheran Church in Sweden
and the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
The changes were also significant for the Church in England when Edward VI (4) was on the
throne, leading to a split with Rome and the formation of the Anglican Church or the Church
of England (1).
The Reformation led to a series of religious wars the most important being the Thirty Years'
War (1618–1648), which destroyed a lot of Germany, and killed between 25% and 40% of its
population (1).
The Catholic Church responded to these challenges to its authority with the Council of Trent
held in 1545. Many aspects of the Church’s life were reformed and key beliefs were restated.
During this time the Jesuit Order was founded by Ignatius Loyola and gained papal support
to preach and destroy Protestant ideas by defending and spread the faith (2).
The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War. The terms of this Treaty show some
of the wider implications of Luther’s protest. The results were not just a reform of the
Catholic Church or even new Protestant churches, but also it influenced the growth of
nationalism and a new emphasis on individual religious freedom (2):
• each prince would have the right to determine the religion of his own state, the options
being Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, or Calvinism
• Christians living in states where their denomination was not the established church were
guaranteed the right to practice their faith in public during allotted hours and in private at
their will. (1)
The treaty ended the Pope’s European political power. Pope Innocent X declared the treaty
"null, void, invalid, iniquitous, unjust, damnable, reprobate, inane, empty of meaning and
effect for all time" but European rulers, Roman Catholic and Protestant alike, ignored him
showing how significant the change was (1).
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Religious Studies for Achievement Standard 90817
Grade Boundary: High Merit
2.
For Merit, a student needs to describe in detail a significant development within a
religious tradition.
This involves outlining the significance of some key aspects or features of the
development.
The student has outlined in detail, with regard to the Christian tradition, when and
where the Reformation occurred, along with the key stages and the role of key
people within it (5).
The student has outlined in more detail the significance of the excommunication of
Martin Luther by the Catholic Church, and the support he received from the
German princes during the Reformation (6).
The student has outlined in detail the impact of the Reformation in relation to the
Catholic Church in England, and the formation of the Jesuits (7).
The remainder of the student’s work is at a similar level to the excerpt of writing
that is exemplified here.
To reach Excellence, the student could comprehensively describe the Reformation
a significant development within the Christian tradition by making links between
key aspects or features of the development and describing wider implications of
the development.
For example, this student could give more detail about the impact of the
Reformation on the Catholic Church in England and the wider implications of the
decisions of Henry VII and/or the Council of Trent and its recommendations, and
the effect that these decisions/recommendations had on the Catholic Church.
© NZQA 2014
The term Reformation refers to time in the 16th century when the Church split because of the
teaching of people like Martin Luther and John Calvin (5). There were earlier protests about
aspects of the Catholic Church but it wasn’t until Martin Luther that these were successful
led to major changes in the Church in Europe.
In 1517 Martin Luther nailed his protest (95 Theses) about practices in the Church to the
church door in Wittenberg (5). One thing he was against was selling of indulgences for the
forgiveness of sin. The significance of this was that he was challenging the official teaching
of the church.
Pope Leo X asked Luther to go back on his protest but he refused. He also refused when the
Emperor Fredrick III (5) asked him to. He famously said: "Unless I am convinced by
Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they
have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I
will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me.
Amen."
He was excommunicated by the Pope Leo X and outlawed by the Emperor Fredrick III at
the Council of Worms in 1521 (5). Although he was outlawed, he was secretly protected by
the German prince of his area.This protection was very significant not only because it saved
Luther’s life but because it shows that many of the German princes supported Luther, if not
for religious reasons for political reasons to oppose the power of the Pope (6).
Luther later returned to Wittenberg where he organised a new church.
As a result of Luther’s protest many new protestant churches developed. These were
national churches such as the Lutheran Church in Germany and the Lutheran Church in
Sweden.
The changes were also significant for the church in England when Edward VI was on the
throne, leading to a split with Rome and the formation of the Anglican Church or Church of
England (7).
The Reformation led to a series of religious wars the most important being the Thirty Years'
War (1618–1648), which destroyed a lot of Germany, and killed between 25% and 40% of its
population (5).
The Catholic Church responded with a Council of Trent in 1545. The Council led to the
Church reforming many aspects of its life. During this time, the Jesuit Order was founded by
Ignatius Loyola and gained papal support to preach and destroy Protestant ideas by
defending and spread the faith (7).
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Religious Studies for Achievement Standard 90817
Grade Boundary: Low Merit
3.
For Merit, the student needs to describe in detail a significant development within
a religious tradition.
This involves outlining the significance of some key aspects or features of the
development.
The student has outlined, for the Christian tradition, when and where the
Reformation occurred, some stages of the development, the nailing of the 95
theses to the door of Wittenburg Cathedral by Martin Luther, and the role of
people such as the Pope and the Emperor (8).
The student has outlined briefly the significance of the the support he received
from the German princes during the Reformation (9).
The student has outlined the impact of the Reformation in relation to the Catholic
Church in England, and the formation of the Jesuits (10).
The remainder of the student’s work is at a similar level to the excerpt of writing
that is exemplified here.
For a more secure Merit, the student could make links between the key aspects or
features of the Reformation within the Christian tradition, and describe in detail the
wider implications. For example, this student could develop their evidence about
the Catholic Church in England and the response of the Catholic Church through
the Counter-Reformation.
© NZQA 2014
The term Reformation refers to time in the 16th century when the Catholic (Western) Church
split because of the teaching of people like Martin Luther and John Calvin. There were
earlier protests about aspects of the Catholic Church but it wasn’t until Martin Luther that
these led to major changes.
In 1517 Martin Luther nailed his protest (95 Theses) about practices in the Church to the
church door in Wittenberg (8). One thing he was against was selling of indulgences for the
forgiveness of sin. The significance of this was that he was challenging the official teaching
of the Church.
The Pope asked Luther to go back on his protest but he refused. He also refused when the
Emperor asked him to.He was excommunicated by the Pope and outlawed by the Emperor
at the Council of Worms in 1521 (8). Although he was outlawed, he was secretly protected
by the German prince of his area.This protection was very significant not only because it
saved Luther’s life but because it shows that many of the German princes supported Luther,
if not for religious reasons for political reasons to oppose the power of the Pope (9).
As a result of Luther’s protest many new protestant churches developed. These were
national churches such as the Lutheran Church in Germany, the Lutheran Church in Sweden
and the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
The changes were also significant for the Church in England when Edward VI was on the
throne, leading to a split with Rome and the formation of the Anglican Church or Church of
England (10).
The Reformation led to a series of religious wars the most important being the Thirty Years'
War (1618–1648) (10).
The Catholic Church responded with a Council of Trent in 1545 (8). The Council led to the
Church reforming many aspects of its life. It also led to the formation of the Jesuits (10).
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Religious Studies for Achievement Standard 90817
Grade Boundary: High Achieved
4.
For Achieved, the student needs to describe a significant development within a
religious tradition.
This involves outlining key aspects or features of the development, including:
•
•
•
•
when and where the development took place
stages or elements of the development
people involved in the development, and their roles in the development
outlining the impact(s) of the development on the religious tradition.
The student has outlined when and where the Reformation occurred, some stages
of the development, that Martin Luther was troubled about the Catholic Church
practices and protested by nailing his 95 theses to the church door at Wittenburg,
and the role of people such as the Pope and the Emperor (11).
The student has outlined the impact of the Reformation on Europe (12).
The remainder of the student’s work is at a similar level to the excerpt of writing
that is exemplified here.
To reach Merit, the student could outline the significance of the key aspects or
features of the Reformation and how it contributed to the changes that took place
in the Catholic Church in England.
© NZQA 2014
The Reformation in the 16th Century is when the Catholic (or Western) Church split because
of the teaching of people like Martin Luther and John Calvin (11). There were earlier
protests about aspects of the Catholic Church but it wasn’t until Martin Luther that these led
to major changes.
Martin Luther was a monk who was very serious about his faith and he became troubled
about not being good enough. He came to believe that the Church in his time was wrong it
emphasised being saved by doing good things or even by buying forgiveness. In 1517
Martin Luther nailed his protest (95 Theses) about practices in the Church to the church door
in Wittenberg (11).
The Pope asked Luther to go back on his protest but he refused. He was excommunicated
by the Pope and outlawed by the Emperor..
As a result of Luther’s protest many new protestant churches developed. These were
national churches such as the Lutheran Church in Germany. Other leaders such as Calvin,
Knox and Zwingli also led to changes in belief and new churches (12).
Religious wars broke out in Europe, the most important being the Thirty Years war
The change also influenced the church in England when Edward VI (11) was on the throne,
leading to a split with Rome and the formation of the Anglican Church or Church of England
The Catholic Church responded with the Council of Trent. This led to reforms in the Church
and the formation of the Jesuits (12).
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Religious Studies for Achievement Standard 90817
Grade Boundary: Low Achieved
5.
For Achieved, the student needs to describe a significant development within a
religious tradition.
This involves outlining key aspects or features of the development, including:
•
•
•
•
when and where the development took place
stages or elements of the development
people involved in the development, and their roles in the development
outlining the impact(s) of the development on the religious tradition.
The student has outlined briefly when and where the Reformation occurred, some
stages of it and the role of some people, the excommunication of Pope Leo X, and
Emperor Frederick III outlawing of Martin Luther (13).
The student has outlined briefly the impact of the Reformation as new national
churches developed, the split between Rome and England and the formation of
the Jesuits (14).
The remainder of the student’s work is at a similar level to the excerpt of writing
that is exemplified here.
For a more secure Achieved, the student could provide more evidence of when
and where the Reformation took place, the stages of it, and the people involved in
it. The student would also need to provide evidence that they understand some
impact of the Reformation within the Christian Tradition.
For example, this student could describe why the Catholic Church
excommunicated Martin Luther, rather than just stating that they did. The student
could also include the date of this event and Martin Luther’s response to the
excommunication.
© NZQA 2014
The Reformation in the 16th Century is when the Catholic (or Western) church split because
of the teaching of people like Martin Luther and John Calvin (13). There were earlier
protests about aspects of the Catholic Church but it wasn’t until Martin Luther that these led
to major changes.The Pope asked Luther to go back on his protest but he refused. He was
excommunicated by the Pope Leo X and outlawed by the Emperor, Frederick III (13).
As a result of Luther’s protest many new protestant churches developed. These were
national churches such as the Lutheran Church in Germany (14).
The changed also influenced the church in England leading to a split with Rome and the
formation of the Anglican Church or Church of England (14).
The Catholic Church responded with the Council of Trent. This led to reforms in the church
and the formation of the Jesuits (14).
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Religious Studies for Achievement Standard 90817
Grade Boundary: High Not Achieved
6.
For Achieved, the student needs to describe a significant development within a
religious tradition.
This involves outlining key aspects or features of the development, including:
•
•
•
•
when and where the development took place
stages or elements of the development
people involved in the development, and their roles in the development
outlining the impact(s) of the development on the religious tradition.
The student has outlined very briefly, for the Christian tradition, when and where
the Reformation occurred and the role of Martin Luther (15).
The student has included some stages of the Reformation; the formation of the
Anglican Church and the Council of Trent (16).
The remainder of the student’s work is at a similar level to the excerpt of writing
that is exemplified here.
To reach Achieved, the student could provide evidence of when and where the
Reformation took place (the part(s) of Europe involved and the various dates that
this involvement took place).
The stages of the Reformation and the people involved need to be clearly
outlined. The student would also need to provide evidence that they understand
the impact of the Reformation within the Christian tradition.
For example, this student could describe why the Catholic Church responded with
the Council of Trent to the significant development of the Reformation in Europe,
and why the Catholic Church dealt with the Reformers in the way that it did.
© NZQA 2014
The Reformation was a time in the 16th century when the Church split because of the
teaching of people like Martin Luther and John Calvin. Martin Luther criticised practices in
the Church at the time such as selling indulgences (to forgive sin) (15).
It also influenced the Church in England leading to a split with Rome (15) and the formation
of the Anglican Church or Church of England.
The Catholic Church responded with a Council of Trent (16).