a)

The parable of the sower

A sower went out to sow seeds. As he sowed, some of the seeds fell by the way side, and it was trampled upon, and the birds of the air ate it.

Some other seeds fell upon a rock, and as soon as it germinated, it withered away; because it lacked moisture since there roots were not deep enough in the ground.

Other seeds fell among thorns, and as the seeds germinated and grew, the thorns choked them.

Others fell on good ground / fertile soil , grew up, and bore fruits in hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold.

b)

Interpretation of the parable of the sower

1. The seed is the word of God.
2. The seed along the path represent those who hear the word but do not understand.
3. The devil snatched the word from the people's hearts.
4. The seed on the rocks represent those who hear the word and receive it with joy. Soon it withered because of tribulations, persecutions and trails.
5. Those among the thorns represent those who are prevented from bearing fruits due to materialism.
6. The seed on the good soil represent those who hear the word and obey.
7. They are the people who produce much fruit.

c)

Moral lessons that can be learnt from the parable of the sower

1.We must be doers of the Word of God and not hearers only (i.e., we must apply the Word of God to our lives after we have heard it)
2. We must obey our parents, teachers and elders and follow their guidance.
3. Whatever we are taught in school or at home, we must ensure that we understand it very well, in order to apply it properly.
4. We must practically apply the education we are given in school and at home.
5. We must not allow the enjoyable things of this world (such parties, gossips, TV, internet browsing, chatting, games) to draw us away from God / our parents / teachers.
6. We must not yield to ridicule (being laughed at) or persecution from others
7. We must be steadfast and strong in our faith.
8. We must not allow riches or hardships to deceive us to commit sin
9. We must persevere and not give up in the face of difficulties
10. We must not allow our friends or our enemies to make us commit evil

a)

Traditional festivals in Ghana

1. Aboakyer
2. Adae
3. Ahobaa
4. Akwambo
5. Bakatue
6. Bugum-Chugu
7. Damba
8. Ewodi
9. Fetu
10. Hogbetsotso
11. Homowo
12. Kundum
13. Odwira

b)

Reasons why festivals are celebrated

1. To thank God, the gods and ancestors for favours granted them
2. To appreciate and promote our culture and tradition
3. To promote family reunion and socialization
4. To purify the community
5. To show respect and allegiance to traditional authority
6. To promote tourism
7. To show reconciliation
8. To remember past events and personalities
9. To address developmental problems
10. To ask for God's blessings and guidance
11. To mark the beginning or end of the year

a)

How Muslim prayer (Salat) is performed

1. Muslim prayer is preceded by ablution.
2. The prayer is led by an imam, with the people in standing posture behind him.
3. Prayer is offered by standing on a prayer mat or on animal skin.
4. They pray facing the Kabah in the eastern direction of Mecca.
5. Both hands are raised to the level of the ear and the statement 'Allahu Akbar' is made.
6. The arms are folded on the chest with the right hand over the left and the Sura Fatihah is recited.
7. The hands are raised to the ear again and 'Allahu Akbar' recited.
8. They put their hands on their knees and bend down saying 'Glory be to my Lord, the greatest'.
9. They stand upright and say 'Allah listens to whoever thanks Him. Our Lord, thanks be to thee'.
10. They make two prostrations with their forehead and hands touching the ground.
11. They sit back on their knees and recite 'Allahu Akbar' in between each of the prostrations.
12. As they sit on the mat they ask for the forgiveness of sin after which they turn their heads left and right and declare 'peace be unto you'.
13. While kneeling they hold their palms up to the chin level and speak to Allah in their own words and with words from the Qu'ran.
14. They wipe their hands over their face to show that they received Allah's blessings.

b)

Benefits of ablution

1. Salat/prayer without ablution is not valid/prepare the person for prayers.
2. Ablution purifies the Muslim for him to approach the throne of Allah.
3. It is a sign of respect to one's creator.
4. It is a ritual cleansing of the soul, heart and body from impurity.
5. It makes a Muslim holy and spiritual.
6. It inculcates the habit of cleanliness/good health.

a)

Ways one can lead a chaste life

1. One should remain committed to his/her religious and moral values and not yield to temptations from friends to destroy one's good values.
2. One should avoid befriending those that can lead/force them to engage in pre-marital sex.
3. One should avoid watching pornographic films and materials.
4. One should listen to advice of parents, teachers, counselors and religious leaders about the advantages of remaining chaste/family life education/sex education.
5. One should engage in activities such as jogging, walking, playing football, swimming, etc. that will build one physically and spiritually.
6. One should emulate people who have decided to remain chaste.
7. One should put a limit on their relationship with people of the opposite sex by avoiding holding hands, hugging and casual kissing.
8. One should seek knowledge and wisdom from religious leaders to improve on the need to remain pure.
9. One should avoid being in situation such as drinking alcoholic beverages at parties, beaches, etc. that can compromise their position to remain chaste.
10. One should be assertive. Thus should be able to say 'No' to peers who encourage/force him/her to engage in pre-marital sex.
11. One should inform parents, DOVVSU and other authorities when someone takes advantage of them.

b)

Benefits of leading a chaste life

1. One becomes socially accepted and respected
2. One remains pure and holy before his/her creator
3. One (female) is safe from unwanted pregnancies
4. Boys become free from becoming premature fathers
5. One is safe from STDS such as AIDS, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, etc.
6. One become and remain focused in life
7. One is cautious in getting into early marriage/trust in marriage
8. One will be happy and be at peace with one's object of worship

a)

Symptoms of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

1. Loss of appetite
2. Itchy skin rashes
3. Loss of weight
4. Continuous and persistent diarrhea
5. Persistent fever
6. Sores all over the body
7. Severe fatique
8. Shingles
9. Persistent cough
10. Swellings on the body
11. Thrush in the mouth and throat

b)

Effects of AIDS on the community

1. Psychological and emotional stress on the part of relatives and friends
2. More money spent on AIDS patients
3. Decrease in the country's labour force
4. Decrease in the country's population
5. More orphans are left uncared for
6. Tarnishes the image of the community

c)

Ways by which AIDS can be prevented

1. Public education on AIDS should be intensified/family life education/sex education
2. Blood transfusions must be carried out at recommended and certified medical facilities/avoid blood covenant
3. Pointed and sharp objects such as blades, needles, etc. must not be shared
4. Usage of condoms
5. Married couple must be faithful to each other
6. Total abstinence from indiscriminate sex

a)

Effects of teenage pregnancy

1. Physically the girl's pelvic bones are not well developed to cope with the strains of pregnancy. This may lead to premature birth deformed babies
2. The physical/health challenges may led to serious complications and death of the baby/mother
3. The girl may become school dropout since she has to stop schooling
4. Psychologically, she becomes shy as people jeer at her and become depressed as she shuns people
5. Leads to single parenting
6. Brings about streetism
7. Shame to the family of the girl and herself
8. Malnourishment on the side of the baby
9. The young father may have to stop schooling to work and provide for himself, the girl and the baby
10. The child becoming a burden on the society if parents are unable to take good care of him/her
11. Parents of the baby will not get good job since they do not have any qualification

b)

Roles that the youth can play to prevent teenage pregnancies

1. Feel free to discuss sexual matters with parents, elderly respected people and godly people
2. Be focused on achieving your goals and ambitions of your goals and ambitions of your future life
3. Discuss financial problems with parents and seek counsel from them
4. Avoid friends who are immoral/bad companies
5. Be active in religious activities and keep to your religious teachings
6. Cool down sexual desires by going in for games exercises and washing down
7. Avoid watching pornographic films or reading pornographic books and discussion of sexual matters
8. Avoid unnecessary invitations to each other for clubs, film shows and ungodly places
9. Avoid pre-marital sex

a)

Physical changes that occur during puberty

1. The height and weight increase
2. They become muscular and physically strong
3. They grow hair on their faces, limbs, public areas and armpits
4. Chest and shoulders become broader in boys
5. Development of pimples/acne on the face
6. Voice break, becoming deeper in boys
7. Enlargement of reproductive organs for boys and girls
8. Hips become wider while the waists become slim in girls
9. Ovulation begins/production of eggs/ova in girls
10. Menstruation/Monthly release of blood and mucus/menses begins in girls
11. The hips, thighs and buttocks become rounded as a result of fat deposition in girls

b)

Moral problems that confront the adolescent

1. There is the feeling of maturity and a desire for independence from parents which sometimes leads to disrespectful behaviour towards the elderly
2. The young men and women develop interests and have admiration for almost everything around them and that ushers them into immoral acts such as pre-marital sex
3. Sexual desire for the opposite sex also becomes a problem
4. Easily influenced by their peers to whether engage in good or bad things
5. They feel they are of age and can now enjoy life to its maximum so they associate themselves with well known peoples and places that offer some form of entertainment and enjoyment. They tell lies to their parents to attend parties and they are not bothered about the outcome of their actions and inactions
6. They need love, care, sense of common belonging, friendship and relationship especially with the opposite sex and this also makes them immoral when not properly addressed
7. Very adventurous and curious which may lead them into troubles

a)

Activities of religious youth organization

1. It helps to defend the community from external attacks
2. A religious youth organization helps to promote the spirit of unity. Co-operation, brotherliness, etc. among its members
3. It helps to instruct members in the moral teachings in the religion under which it operates. It helps to effectively spread its moral teachings evangelism
4. It unearths creative qualities, skills and talents such as leadership skills in its members
5. It assists its members to lead good moral lifestyles/cultural values
6. It provides a platform for its members to discuss their faith and well-being
7. Members carry out development projects
8. Members help to ensure peaceful co-existence among people by organizing games, etc.
9. Members assist the poor and the needy with financial and material resources
10. Member helps to keep the environment clean by organizing clean up exercises, communal labour, etc.
11. It promotes the effective study of the holy book of religion under which it operates in debates, quizzes and scripture study
12. It promotes evangelism

b)

Benefits of joining a religious youth organization

1. Self-confidence: By participating in their activities, one builds up his/her self confidence
2. Social adjustment: One is able to relate well with peers and the opposite sex
3. Leadership training: One is trained in leadership qualities
4. Character growth and development: Members learn to grow and develop spiritually and morally
5. Religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence: Members are taught how to relate well with members of their faith and those of other faiths
6. Proper use of leisure time: By participating in the activities of the R.Y.O, it promotes proper use of leisure time to keep away from evil deeds
7. Promotion of culture: By inculcating in the youth traditional values, members will be able to promote their culture to the outside world