English (Option A), Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level - Paper
English (Option A), Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level - Paper
English (Option A), Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level - Paper
Mock Examinations
2022-2023
1. Offering second exam papers (option B)
Terms and
in eight Leaving Cert subjects.
2. Exams can be scheduled from January
23rd to a school-created timetable.
Conditions
3. Sample mock papers available online
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SECTION I – COMPREHENDING
• Two questions, A and B, follow each text.
• Candidates must answer a Question A on one text and a Question B on a different
text. Candidates must answer only one Question A and only one Question B.
• N.B. Candidates may NOT answer a Question A and a Question B on the same text.
SECTION II – COMPOSING
• Candidates must write on one of the compositions 1 – 7.
3. Thankfully, there was s ll so much more to 5. We were all challenged with our s ll fairly
come, albeit of a more familiar European vibe. basic Spanish, but happily so, and were
The fresh spring days in the Alpujarra mountain rewarded with such warmth and pa ence
region in southern Spain gave us blissful hikes from the schoolteachers and families. The boys
through fields of wild lavender and rosemary, were ini ally overwhelmed, but se led quickly,
goats and almond trees, following the intricate charmed by the freedom this school offered.
aqueduct systems serving the hillside farms. Classes were regularly outdoors and the
Nearer to the coast, the dystopian scenes of children had freedom choosing their learning
endless miles of polytunnels showed us where through various group projects. Ini ally puzzled
much of Europe’s fruit and veg originate. We by the school’s seemingly unruly nature, where
learned from friends at home of food shortages discipline was certainly looser than back
as a direct result of the unusually wet March this home, the boys soon embraced their freedom,
region experienced. Food air-miles was now a recognising that classroom learning can take
concept the boys could easily understand, seeing many different forms.
this industrial growing with their own eyes.
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1 life, we were
6. Feeling the pull of the wandering
4. Now being back in Europe we were within excited to be back in our van in June. Van life is
easy reach, and family came to visit for the cramped, and we have all learned the dance we
2
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Ques on A – 50 marks
(i) From your reading of TEXT 1, describe three insights you gained into the type of people that
the O’Meara family are. Support your answer with detailed reference to the text. (15)
(ii) Would you have liked to go on the same adventure with your own family? Explain your
answer with detailed reference to the text. (15)
(iii) (a) The O’Meara children a ended an alterna ve school as described in paragraph 5.
Based on your own experience of school life and the school they a ended, explain
which experience you’d prefer and why. (10)
(b) Travel and explora on have been important to people for a long me. Explain the
importance of travel or explora on in your life. (10)
Candidates may NOT answer Ques on A and Ques on B on the same text.
Ques on B – 50 marks
Imagine
Robert you have
Atkinson set up aCollege
- Oatlands new school in Ireland
- 60050E with an alterna ve way of learning.
- [email protected] - 1 Write the text
of a brochure adver sing the new school. Describe what the school is like, how the students would
learn there; give examples of the type of work that would be involved and some experiences that
the future students could expect.
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Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
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Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
Ques on A – 50 marks
(i) Based on your reading of TEXT 2, describe three quali es that you think Shackleton
possessed. Support your answer with detailed reference to the text. (15)
(ii) Would you have preferred to be part of Shackleton’s crew (Image 1) on their journey of
explora on or Mensun Bound’s crew (Image 2), who recovered the long-lost ship in 2022?
Explain your answer with reference to the text and/or images. (15)
(iii) (a) Imagine you are one of the crew members iden fied either in Image 1 or Image 2
from TEXT 2. Write a diary entry that they may have wri en before they set off on
their journey. (10)
(b) Travel and explora on have been important to people for a long me. Explain the
importance of travel or explora on in your life. (10)
Candidates may NOT answer Ques on A and Ques on B on the same text.
Ques on B – 50 marks
In the extract in TEXT 2, it describes how Shackleton handpicked his crew to go on his journey.
Imagine you wrote a le er to Shackleton asking to accompany him on one of his epic journeys of
discovery. In your le er, explain why you wish to go on the journey, describe what quali es you
possess that would be of benefit, include any relevant experience you have had and persuade him
that
Robert you would
Atkinson be a suitable
- Oatlands candidate.
College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
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Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
2. Even though most passengers were pale had made it increasingly difficult to gauge a
and weak, and many were coughing, none child’s age, but Bridget guessed the baby was
was considered unfit to travel. Within a short no more than eight or nine months old. ‘We
while, they were sailing. Taking in the keening have to share,’ said the woman.
and praying around her, she wished her own
feelings were more straigh orward. She was 4. Cooking on the Mary and Elizabeth was
fleeing from a place where her family had been an ordeal. The fire on the deck was small
persecuted and allowed to die, so of course and contained by bricks and two iron bars.
she felt sorrow. But she also felt anger. A hot, Passengers queued from morning ll night for
unrelen ng anger. Shame was there too. Shame their turn. From the day they’d le Galway, there
that she hadn’t saved them or been capable of was sickness on board. Not just vomi ng caused
looking a er her daughter. And, finally, there by turbulence and the stagnant air below deck,
was another sensa on. As small as a ladybird but more serious illness too. Bridget spent as
and as delicate as a bu erfly wing, it was so many hours as possible on deck. She peered out
unfamiliar that she barely recognised it. The to sea and inhaled lungfuls of clean air, hoping
sensa on was hope. Hope for a new life, new it would safeguard against fever. Had it been
opportuni es and access to food. allowed, she would have slept under the stars.
3. The ship’s hold was in contrast to the crew 5. At night, as the Mary and Elizabeth creaked
quarters. It was gloomy and cramped, with and groaned, she listened to the moans of her
rows of narrow bunks, one stacked on top of fellow passengers. Some became delirious from
another. Voices rose around her as men and pain and fever, their voices changing from an
women argued over who should sleep where. incoherent babble to a hideous roar. More
Advancing as swi ly as the ght space allowed, struggled for breath, their chests wheezing and
she claimed a lower bunk. She sat with her ra ling. Others lost control of their bowels so
belongings spread around her, determined that the stench below deck was worse than
Robertnot
Atkinson - Oatlands
to be moved. AlmostCollege - 60050E
immediately, - [email protected]
a young anything she could recall. No- 1
ma er how hard
woman arrived. She had light brown hair, large she tried to keep the smell at bay, it filled her
brown eyes and was carrying a baby. Starva on nostrils un l she too felt ill.
6
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Ques on A – 50 marks
(i) Based on your reading of TEXT 3, iden fy three reasons why Bridget would have wanted
to leave Ireland and take such a dangerous trip. (15)
(ii) Would you have preferred to travel on the ship to Boston as a crew member or as
a passenger? Explain your answer with detailed reference to the text. (15)
(iii) (a) Imagine that you are wri ng the text of an adver sement for the ship in Image 1
of TEXT 3 which sailed to Boston during the Famine. Write out the text of the
adver sement persuading people why they should travel on this par cular ship. (10)
(b) Travel and explora on have been important to people for a long me. Explain the
importance of travel or explora on in your life. (10)
Candidates may NOT answer Ques on A and Ques on B on the same text.
Ques on B – 50 marks
The theme of this paper is ‘journeys’. Journeys can be physical (going on a trip), or metaphorical
(like personal growth, or a learning journey). Write the text of a podcast where you describe a
journey you have had recently. Outline what you’ve learned from this journey and describe who
has helped you on this journey. Explain whether this is a journey you would recommend or not.
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*B4FC*
The composi on assignments are intended to reflect language study in the areas of informa on,
argument, persuasion, narra on and the aesthe c use of language.
1. In TEXT 3, Bridget describes her mixed emo ons as she leaves behind her ancestral home,
including family members who are dead and alive.
3. In TEXT 1, the family discover the real meaning of ‘food miles’ when they see all the
polytunnels in Europe.
Write the text of a talk you would give to young people in which you give advice to
people intending to travel abroad for work or a gap year a er they finish school.
5. In TEXT 1, the O’Meara family found me to develop their personal interests while
travelling.
Write a persuasive essay in which you a empt to convince people of the meaning and
importance of finding me to do the things they love.
Write a short story which centres on the idea of a plane crash or a shipwreck.
7. Bridget’s journey is much more dangerous due to the poor condi ons of travel she
encountered on her journey.
Write a personal essay1describing what you think are the most significant developments
or inven ons that have made our lives easier in today’s world.
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
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Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
*B5FC*
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Werner was at the beginning of the novel. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Herr Siedler’s influence on Werner a posi ve one or a nega ve
one? (10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the novel.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the novel. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about family from your study of Anthony Doerr’s novel, All the
Light We Cannot See. Make three points in your response. Your answer should
demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Anthony Doerr’s novel, All the Light We Cannot See, is about to be
released and you have been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your
knowledge of the novel, iden fy three moments from the story that you think should be
included as clips in the trailer. Explain why you decided to include this par cular material.
Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the novel, All the Light We Cannot See.
Name one character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you
like to say to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
2
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Answer any TWO of the following four quesƟons. Each quesƟon carries 30 marks.
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Gar was at the beginning of the play. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Kate Doogan’s influence on Gar a posi ve one or a nega ve
one? 9 (10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the play.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the play. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about iden ty from your study of Brian Friel’s play, Philadelphia,
Here I Come! Make three points in your response. Your answer should demonstrate your
knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Brien Friel’s play, Philadelphia, Here I Come!, is about to be released
and you have been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your knowledge of
the novel, iden fy three moments from the story that you think should be included as clips
in the trailer. Explain why you decided to include this par cular material. Your response
should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the play, Philadelphia, Here I Come!
Name one character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you
like to say to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
3
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Answer any TWO of the following four quesƟons. Each quesƟon carries 30 marks.
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Walter was at the beginning of the play. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Joseph Asagai’s influence on Beneatha a posi ve one or
a nega ve one? (10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the play.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the play. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about dreams and ambi on from your study of Lorraine
Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Make three points in your response. Your answer should
demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, is about to be released
and you have been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your knowledge of
the novel, iden fy three moments from the story that you think should be included as clips
in the trailer. Explain why you decided to include this par cular material. Your response
should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the play, A Raisin in the Sun. Name
one character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you like to
say to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4
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Answer any TWO of the following four quesƟons. Each quesƟon carries 30 marks.
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Nora was at the beginning of the play. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Kris ne Linde’s influence, stopping Krogstad from taking his
le er back, a posi ve one or a nega ve one for Nora? (10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the play.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the play. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about love and marriage from your study of Henrik Ibsen’s play,
A Doll’s House. Make three points in your response. Your answer should demonstrate your
knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, is about to be released and you
have been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your knowledge of the novel,
iden fy three moments from the story that you think should be included as clips in
the trailer. Explain why you decided to include this par cular material. Your response
should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the play, A Doll’s House. Name one
character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you like to say
to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
5
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
Answer any TWO of the following four quesƟons. Each quesƟon carries 30 marks.
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Laurel was at the beginning of the novel. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Walter’s influence on Laurel a posi ve one or a nega ve one?
(10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the novel.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the novel. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about family from your study of Ron Rash’s novel, The Cove.
Make three points in your response. Your answer should demonstrate your knowledge of
the text.
3. A new film based on Ron Rash’s novel, The Cove, is about to be released and you have
been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your knowledge of the novel, iden fy
three moments from the story that you think should be included as clips in the trailer.
Explain why you decided to include this par cular material. Your response should
demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the novel, The Cove. Name one
character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you like to say
to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
6
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1. (a) Explain what your impression of Macbeth was at the beginning of the play. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Lady Macbeth’s influence on Macbeth a posi ve one or
a nega ve one? (10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the play.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the play. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about power from your study of William Shakespeare’s play,
Macbeth. Make three points in your response. Your answer should demonstrate your
knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, is about to be released and you have
been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your knowledge of the play, iden fy
three moments from the story that you think should be included as clips in the trailer.
Explain why you decided to include this par cular material. Your response should
demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the play, Macbeth. Name one
character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you like to say
to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
7
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
Answer any TWO of the following four quesƟons. Each quesƟon carries 30 marks.
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Victor was at the beginning of the novel. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Henry Clerval’s influence on Victor a posi ve one or a nega ve
one? (10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the novel.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the novel. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about revenge from your study of Mary Shelley’s novel,
Frankenstein. Make three points in your response. Your answer should demonstrate your
knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is about to be released and you
have been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your knowledge of the novel,
iden fy three moments from the story that you think should be included as clips in
the trailer. Explain why you decided to include this par cular material. Your response
should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the novel, Frankenstein. Name one
character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you like to say
to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
8
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
Answer any TWO of the following four quesƟons. Each quesƟon carries 30 marks.
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Ma was at the beginning of the novel. (10)
(b) In your opinion, was Ma’s decision to take Alex on the road trip a posi ve or
a nega ve decision for Alex? (10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the novel.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the novel. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about human nature from your study of Sara Taylor’s novel,
The Lauras. Make three points in your response. Your answer should demonstrate your
knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Sara Taylor’s novel, The Lauras, is about to be released and you have
been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your knowledge of the novel, iden fy
three moments from the story that you think should be included as clips in the trailer.
Explain why you decided to include this par cular material. Your response should
demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the novel, The Lauras. Name one
character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What would you like to say
to them? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
9
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
Answer any TWO of the following four quesƟons. Each quesƟon carries 30 marks.
1. (a) Explain what your impression of Dorian was at the beginning of the novel. (10)
2
(b) In your opinion, was Lord Henry’s influence on Dorian a posi ve or a nega ve one?
(10)
(c) Iden fy a moment or episode in the text that added to your enjoyment of the novel.
Explain why this moment added to your enjoyment of the novel. (10)
2. Explain what you learned about jus ce from your study of Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture
of Dorian Gray. Make three points in your response. Your answer should demonstrate your
knowledge of the text.
3. A new film based on Oscar Wilde’s novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is about to be
released and you have been asked to produce a trailer* to promote it. Using your
knowledge of the novel, iden fy three moments from the story that you think should be
included as clips in the trailer. Explain why you decided to include this par cular material.
Your response should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
4. Imagine you could meet the characters who appear in the novel, The Picture of Dorian
Gray. Name one character you would par cularly like to meet and explain why. What
would you like to say to him or her? Your response should demonstrate your knowledge
of the text.
10
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N.B. Ques ons use the word text to refer to all the different kinds of texts available for study on
this course. Ques ons use the word reader to include viewers of films and theatre audiences.
Ques ons use the word character to refer to both real people and fic onal characters in texts.
A THEME
1. (a) (i) Iden fy a theme that you have studied and write about an aspect of the theme
that you found either disturbing or reassuring in one text on your compara ve
course. Support your answer by reference to the text. (15)
(ii) With reference to the same theme that you wrote about in part (i) of this
ques on, write about an aspect of this theme that you found either disturbing
or reassuring in another text on your compara ve course. You may refer to the
same or a different aspect of the theme as you discussed in part (i). Support
your answer with detailed reference to the text. (15)
Iden fy one character from each of at least two compara ve texts and compare the
ways in which your understanding of the same theme was enhanced by how it impacts
the characters. Support your answer with reference to your chosen texts. (40)
OR
2. (a) (i) Select a theme in one of the three texts on your compara ve course and
explain how one significant event in the text happened in an unexpected way.
Support your answer with reference to the text. (15)
(ii) In the case of at least one other text on your compara ve course, explain
how one significant event in the text(s) rela ng to the same theme you wrote
about in (i) above happened in an unexpected way. Support your answer with
reference to the text(s). (15)
Iden fy one character from each of at least two compara ve texts and compare the
Robert Atkinson ways
- Oatlands College
in which - 60050E - [email protected]
your understanding of the same theme was enhanced- by1 how it impacts
the characters. Support your answer with reference to your chosen texts. (40)
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B RELATIONSHIPS
1. (a) (i) Iden fy a successful rela onship in one of the texts on your compara ve
course, and describe why you think it is a successful rela onship. Use one or
more key moments from the text to support your answer. (15)
(ii) Iden fy a successful rela onship from at least one other text on your
compara ve course and describe why you think it is a successful rela onship.
Use one or more key moments from the text to support your answer. (15)
(b) What similari es or differences did you no ce in the rela onships you discussed in
part (a)(i) and (ii) above? Explain your answer with detailed reference to the texts on
your course. (40)
OR
(a) (i) Iden fy a rela onship in one of the three texts on your compara ve course,
and describe what makes the rela onship inspiring or uninspiring. Use one or
more key moments from the text to support your answer. (15)
(ii) Iden fy a rela onship from at least one other text on your compara ve
course, and describe why you think it is an inspiring or uninspiring rela onship.
Use one or more key moments from the text to support your answer. (15)
(b) What similari es or differences did you no ce in the rela onships you discussed in
part (a) (i) and (ii) above? Explain your answer with detailed reference to the texts on
your course. (40)
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1. (a) (i) Give the tle of one of the three compara ve texts you have studied and
iden fy a hero, heroine or villain in it. Select an aspect of this character’s
personality that you most admire or most dislike. Referring to the text, explain
your reasons why. (15)
(ii) Name another compara ve text that you have studied and iden fy a hero,
heroine or villain in it. Select an aspect of this character’s personality that you
most admire or most dislike. Referring to the text, explain your reasons why.
(15)
(b) Iden fy a hero, heroine or villain from each of at least two texts on your compara ve
course. Compare the extent to which these characters were trusted by other
characters in your chosen texts. Support your answer with reference to your chosen
texts. (40)
OR
2. (a) (i) Give the tle of one of your three compara ve texts and iden fy a hero,
heroine or villain in it. Describe a key moment which reveals an important
aspect of this character’s personality and explain what you learned about
your chosen character from this moment. (15)
(ii) Name another text that you have studied on your compara ve course and
iden fy a hero, heroine or villain in it. Describe a key moment from this text
which reveals an important aspect of this character and explain what you learn
about your chosen character in this moment. (15)
(b) Iden fy a hero, heroine or villain from each of at least two texts on your compara ve
course. Compare the extent to which these characters were trusted by other
characters in your chosen texts. Support your answer with reference to your chosen
texts. (40)
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I WANT TO APOLOGISE
1. What is your impression of the poet? Explain your answer with reference to the poem.
(10)
2. Did you enjoy the above poem? Give reasons for your response, supported by reference
to the poem. (10)
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PRESCRIBED POETRY (50 marks)
You must answer on ONE of the following poems: (A – F)
(b) Do you think this is a suitable tle for the poem? Explain your answer with reference
to the poem. (15)
2. Answer ONE of the following: [Each part carries 20 marks]
(i) Do you find this poem easy or difficult to understand? Explain your response,
suppor ng your answer with reference to both the language and the content of the
poem.
OR
(ii) Imagine you have been asked to give a performance of this poem for your
classmates. Describe how you would perform the poem in a way that would bring
the poem to life. In your answer you may wish to consider some of the following:
costumes, props, music, visuals, ligh ng, sound or special effects. You must refer to
the poem to explain your answer.
OR
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands
(iii) You have beenCollege
asked -to60050E
write an-ar
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cle about the above poem for -the
1 poetry sec on
of your local newspaper. In your ar cle you should explain what the poem is about
and share your personal response to it with your readers. Your ar cle should include
reference to the poem.
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B A CHRISTMAS CHILDHOOD
One side of the potato-pits was white with frost – My child poet picked out the le ers
How wonderful that was, how wonderful! On the grey stone,
And when we put our ears to the paling-post In silver the wonder of a Christmas townland,
The music that came out was magical. The winking gli er of a frosty dawn.
The light between the ricks of hay and straw Cassiopeia was over
Was a hole in Heaven’s gable. An apple tree Cassidy’s hanging hill,
With its December-glin ng fruit we saw – I looked and three whin bushes rode across
O you, Eve, were the world that tempted me The horizon — the Three Wise Kings.
To eat the knowledge that grew in clay And old man passing said:
And death the germ within it! Now and then ‘Can’t he make it talk –
I can remember something of the gay The melodion.’ I hid in the doorway
Garden that was childhood’s. Again. And ghtened the belt of my box-pleated coat.
16
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
1. (a) Iden fy an image in this poem that made an impact on you. Give two reasons why
this image had an impact on you. (15)
(b) Do you think this is a suitable tle for the poem? Explain your answer with reference
to the poem. (15)
(i) Do you find this poem easy or difficult to understand? Explain your response,
suppor ng your answer with reference to both the language and the content of
the poem.
OR
(ii) Imagine you have been asked to give a performance of this poem for your
classmates. Describe how you would perform the poem in a way that would bring
the poem to life. In your answer you may wish to consider some of the following:
costumes, props, music, visuals, ligh ng, sound or special effects. You must refer to
the poem to explain your answer.
OR
(iii) You have been asked to write an ar cle about the above poem for the poetry sec on
of your local newspaper. In your ar cle you should explain what the poem is about
and share your personal response to it with your readers. Your ar cle should include
reference to the poem.
17
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
18
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
1. (a) Iden fy an image in this poem that made an impact on you. Give two reasons why
this image had an impact on you. (15)
(b) Do you think this is a suitable tle for the poem? Explain your answer with reference
to the poem. (15)
(i) Do you find this poem easy or difficult to understand? Explain your response,
suppor ng your answer with reference to both the language and the content of
the poem.
OR
(ii) Imagine you have been asked to give a performance of this poem for your
classmates. Describe how you would perform the poem in a way that would bring
the poem to life. In your answer you may wish to consider some of the following:
costumes, props, music, visuals, ligh ng, sound or special effects. You must refer to
the poem to explain your answer.
OR
(iii) You have been asked to write an ar cle about the above poem for the poetry sec on
of your local newspaper. In your ar cle you should explain what the poem is about
and share your personal response to it with your readers. Your ar cle should include
reference to the poem.
19
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
D MY FATHER’S KITES
were crude assemblages of paper sacks and twine, in a bigger flight path. How tricky the launch
amalgams of pilfered string and whi led s cks, into air, the wait for the right eddy to li
twigs pulled straight from his garden, dry patch our homemade contrap on into the sullen
of stony land before our house only he blue sky above us, our eyes s nging
could tend into beauty, thorny roses goaded with the glut of the sun. And the sad tangle
into color. How did he make those makeshi a er flight, collapse of grocery bags
diamonds rise, grab ahold of the wind to sail and broken branches, snaggle of string
into sky like nothing in our neighborhood I s ll cannot unfurl. Father, you le me
of dented cars and stolid brick houses could? with this unsated need to find the most
It wasn’t through faith or belief in otherworldly delicately useful of breezes, to send
grace, but rather a metaphor from moving myself into the untenable, balance my weight
on a street where cars rusted up on blocks, as if on paper wings, a flu er then fall,
monstrously immobile, and planes, bound a stu er back to earth, an elas c sense
for that world we could not see, roared of being and becoming forged in our front
above our heads, our houses pawns yard, your hand over mine over balled string.
Allison Joseph
1. (a) Iden fy an image in this poem that made an impact on you. Give two reasons why
this image had an impact on you. (15)
(b) Do you think this is a suitable tle for the poem? Explain your answer with reference
to the poem. (15)
(i) Do you find this poem easy or difficult to understand? Explain your response,
suppor ng your answer with reference to both the language and the content of
the poem.
OR
(ii) Imagine you have been asked to give a performance of this poem for your
classmates. Describe how you would perform the poem in a way that would bring
the poem to life. In your answer you may wish to consider some of the following:
costumes, props, music, visuals, ligh ng, sound or special effects. You must refer to
the poem to explain your answer.
OR
(iii) You have been asked to write an ar cle about the above poem for the poetry sec on
of your local newspaper. In your ar cle you should explain what the poem is about
and share your personal response to it with your readers. Your ar cle should include
reference to the poem.
20
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
1. (a) Iden fy an image in this poem that made an impact on you. Give two reasons why
this image had an impact on you. (15)
(b) Do you think this is a suitable tle for the poem? Explain your answer with reference
to the poem. (15)
(i) Do you find this poem easy or difficult to understand? Explain your response,
suppor ng your answer with reference to both the language and the content of
the poem.
OR
(ii) Imagine you have been asked to give a performance of this poem for your
classmates. Describe how you would perform the poem in a way that would bring
the poem to life. In your answer you may wish to consider some of the following:
costumes, props, music, visuals, ligh ng, sound or special effects. You must refer
to the poem to explain your answer.
OR
(iii) You have been asked to write an ar cle about the above poem for the poetry sec on
of your local newspaper. In your ar cle you should explain what the poem is about
and share your personal response to it with your readers. Your ar cle should include
reference to the poem.
21
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
Improbable balance
of ball on broad bas,
on his s ck of ashy liquidity
that’s rippling, eel-flexible, alive.
22
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
a er Seán Ó Tuama
By Billy Ramsell
23
Robert Atkinson - Oatlands College - 60050E - [email protected] - 1
*B5FC*
1. (a) Iden fy an image in this poem that made an impact on you. Give two reasons why
this image had an impact on you. (15)
(b) Do you think this is a suitable tle for the poem? Explain your answer with reference
to the poem. (15)
(i) Do you find this poem easy or difficult to understand? Explain your response,
suppor ng your answer with reference to both the language and the content of
the poem.
OR
(ii) Imagine you have been asked to give a performance of this poem for your
classmates. Describe how you would perform the poem in a way that would bring
the poem to life. In your answer you may wish to consider some of the following:
costumes, props, music, visuals, ligh ng, sound or special effects. You must refer to
the poem to explain your answer.
OR
(iii) You have been asked to write an ar cle about the above poem for the poetry sec on
of your local newspaper. In your ar cle you should explain what the poem is about
and share your personal response to it with your readers. Your ar cle should include
reference to the poem.
24
23
ACCESS SAMPLE SECOND EXAM SCHEDULE EXAMS AFTER
PAPERS ONLINE FROM PAPER IN 8 LEAVING JAN 23RD TO YOUR
MID-NOVEMBER CERT SUBJECTS SCHOOL’S TIMETABLE
turnaround of corrections
ONLINE CORRECTIONS
With a totally paper-based system, and given the turnaround expectations of schools, it is very difficult to introduce paper-based
process innovations which would make a meaningful difference to either of these areas.
For this reason, we have decided to implement an online corrections system for the Junior Cycle papers for the coming mock
examination cycle which will address your concerns in the following ways:
Online corrections is a significant investment for Examcraft and it is Thank you again for continuing to place your trust in
designed to ensure that your students can have greater reliability on Examcraft; the Examcraft team look forward to working
the marks that they receive. with you in 2023.
In planning this innovation, we are ensuring that schools, teachers
and mock examination secretaries will have very little additional work.
There is a brief outline of the changes on page 3, but we will explain Philip O' Callaghan
them in more detail closer to the beginning of the mock cycle. Managing Director of the Examcraft Group
What will online corrections at Junior
Cycle mean for your school?
The main benefits that online corrections will bring to your school are greater consistency in the quality of corrections and
a faster script turnaround time.
In order for this to happen, we will be asking for your co-operation as follows:
After ordering the papers, and if you opt to have the scripts corrected, you will be asked to register
the students and their teachers according to the instructions we will provide.
Other than that, there will be no change for you. There will, however, be a change in how these
scripts are returned to the teachers and students.
Once an envelope is corrected, the teacher will be notified by email that the corrected scripts are
available to view online. Instructions will be provided to teachers on how they can be accessed.
The teacher will review the scripts and then release them online to the students. The students will
then get an email advising them on how they can view their individual scripts.
We are excited about this innovation, as we believe it will lead to enhanced quality and efficiency of the corrections service.
While it is our plan to implement this for all exams in 2024, implementing it at Junior Cycle ensures that individual schools
and the Examcraft organisation can embed any learnings before we roll it out for the highest-stake exams in 2024.
I trust that you will support us as we embark on this journey of digital transformation which is designed to ensure you,
your school and your students will have a better mock examination experience in the years to come.
STEP 01 STEP 03
Register students STEP 02 Exam papers are STEP 04
and their teacher Students sit returned to Examcraft Once papers are corrected,
for corrections. their exams as normal. teachers are notified by email
as normal. and can review the scripts
online and release to students.
4schools.ie @theexamcraftgroup