JUNIOR CERT ENGLISH: HIGHER AND ORDINARY:"A ROBUST challenge" was served up to Junior Cert students on the first morning of their exams yesterday. Higher level English paper one opened with a "demanding" comprehension on the subject of media in the modern age, followed by some searching topics in the essay section.
“The comprehension passage was on the nature of journalism both now and in the future,” said teacher Anne Gormley of Laurel Hill Coláiste. “A lot of the students found this passage quite difficult, as it explored concepts such as the role of the journalist and foreseeing the future of how journalists work.”
The theme of media dominated paper one. In the essay section students were asked to write an account of the experience of being a journalist covering a major news story. There was also a functional writing exercise calling on students to write a magazine article.
The essay section was considered difficult overall with only one title, on the importance of friendship, thought to reflect the usual Junior Cert standard.
Other topics included a case of mistaken identity and the beauty of man-made objects. “This was a good first paper for strong higher level students hoping to show their ability to express themselves,” said Alan Thompson of the Teachers Union of Ireland. “The subject of product placement in the media studies section was quite abstract for Junior Cert level.”
English paper two was better-received. “This was a much more measured paper,” said Mr Thompson. “Students would have relished the opportunity to showcase their knowledge of the course.”
Unlike the Leaving Cert exam, which leaves many students gambling on the prescribed poetry, Junior Cert students are asked broad questions and can elect a poem to analyse. The exam called on students to describe any poem from the syllabus that evokes “powerful thoughts or feelings”.
There was “nothing startling” in yesterday’s ordinary level papers, said teacher Michael Doherty.
