Junior Cycle · The Junior Cert
Junior Cycle Religious Education
What has come up on the Religious Education papers (2022–2026), topic by topic, with step-by-step practice at Common Level.
Three quick ones from the Religious Education topics that come up most.
- How many counties are in Ireland?
- Why is there suffering in the world?
- How do you bake a loaf of bread?
- A group of friends who share a hobby, like singing
- Neighbours who all live in the same small town
- A group sharing a religion's beliefs and practices
- Has no prayers or references to God
- Cannot include vows, rings or music
- Is not legally recognised in Ireland
Show the answers
(a) Why is there suffering in the world?
(b) A group sharing a religion's beliefs and practices
(c) Has no prayers or references to God
Common Level
200 flash cards and 120 step-by-step drill questions at Common Level.
What comes up
How many of the last 5 Religious Education Common Level papers asked each topic.
| Topic | Asked | Last seen | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big questions & meaning of life most years | 4 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Communities of faith & daily life most years | 4 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Non-religious rituals most years | 4 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Prayer & meditation most years | 4 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Sacred places & pilgrimage most years | 4 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Organisations for peace & justice most years | 4 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Religious moral codes most years | 4 of 5 | 2025 | |
| Sacred texts most years | 4 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Stages of faith most years | 3 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Care for the earth most years | 3 of 5 | 2025 | |
| Christianity in Irish heritage most years | 3 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Founders & founding stories most years | 3 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Living a morally good life most years | 3 of 5 | 2026 | |
| Moral issues & decision-making most years | 3 of 5 | 2026 |
More topics: Non-religious world views, Religious themes in culture, Compassion & justice, Key beliefs of world religions, Religious rituals & ceremonies, People of commitment, Values in everyday life, Conscience & moral influences, Places of worship, Religious festivals, Symbols & sacred objects, Creation stories, Forgiveness & reconciliation, Interfaith dialogue, Understanding of the Divine.
Try three
Communities of faith & daily life, 3 marks
A Buddhist who follows the first precept, not to harm living beings, may choose to be…
- Unmarried
- A monk or nun
- Vegetarian
Show the answer
Vegetarian
Beliefs shape daily life. Many Buddhists avoid meat so no animal is killed for them, though not all do. The first precept also guides how they treat people and animals.
Non-religious rituals, 3 marks
A humanist funeral mainly focuses on…
- Asking God to forgive the person's sins
- Celebrating the life of the person who died
- Praying for the person's soul in the next life
Show the answer
Celebrating the life of the person who died
Humanists generally do not believe in life after death, so the ceremony centres on memories, the person's values and the difference they made to others.
Religious moral codes, 3 marks
A Muslim teenager is offered a summer job serving drinks in a pub. Which teaching might guide her choice?
- Islam teaches that alcohol is forbidden
- The Buddhist precept against false speech
- The Jewish command to keep the Sabbath
Show the answer
Islam teaches that alcohol is forbidden
Moral codes guide everyday choices. Many Muslims avoid serving or selling alcohol as well as drinking it, as the Qur'an teaches that intoxicants should be avoided.