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Religious Studies
Key terms
Poverty

GCSE Religious Studies · key term

Poverty

Definition

A lack of the resources needed to meet basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter.

Used by AQA and Eduqas

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A · 8062

Paper 2

Being without the resources needed for a reasonable quality of life, including essentials such as food and adequate housing.
Several reasons can also work together: a difficult upbringing, poverty and addiction might all influence the same person's behaviour.
Revise: Reasons for Crime
A lack of resources needed to meet basic needs or achieve an acceptable standard of living.
Revise: Responsibilities of Wealth
Lacking the money or resources needed to meet basic needs or participate adequately in the society in which a person lives.
Revise: Charity

AQA Religious Studies A past papers

Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies · C120

Paper 1

A lack of money and resources needed to meet a person’s needs.
Paying workers fairly and donating to poverty relief are connected responsibilities, rather than one cancelling out the other.
Revise: Wealth and Poverty in Judaism
Revise: Wealth and Poverty in Islam
Lacking the resources needed to meet basic needs, such as adequate food and shelter.
Revise: Wealth and Poverty in Hinduism

Eduqas Religious Studies past papers

Exam tips

1
Explain the link between a reason and a crime: for example, poverty may leave someone unable to afford food, leading them to steal essentials.
2
Do not suggest that poverty, a difficult upbringing or mental health problems inevitably lead to crime.
3
Distinguish relieving poverty now from tackling its causes. Explain why both may be necessary.

Related key terms

Sadaqah
Stewardship
Zakah
Agape
Emergency aid
Long-term aid
Absolute poverty
Addiction
Artha
Charity

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