State exams: 'Extremely relevant' climate change questions feature
Climate change was the prominent feature on the second day of the 2025 State exams, featuring on both the Leaving Cert engineering paper and the Junior Cycle Irish exam.
The 2025 Leaving Cert engineering papers had good choice overall for students, according to Eamonn Dennehy, subject spokesperson with the ASTI and teacher at Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Portlaoise.
'That would be a stress reliever for the students, and there was good choice in the questions as well.'
Colour was also used well across both papers, at higher and ordinary levels. 'That's helpful,' he said.
He also pointed out that 60% of marks at ordinary level, and 50% at higher level, would already be spoken for through the project and practical work.
Students had a choice of six questions on the higher level paper. 'It would have been important to choose the questions carefully.'
The production of hydrogen and its use as an alternative fuel featured on the higher-level paper. Climate change is a huge issue, and technology will play a role in addressing the crisis, Mr Dennehy said.
'It was very good for students to be studying that, it's extremely relevant where we stand today.'
'Their own experiences were also called on,' he added, pointing to where students were asked to distinguish between the use of hydrogen power for data centres and agricultural industries. 'That was a challenging question.'
Ordinary level
The ordinary level paper was also fair and had good choice for students, he believed.
'There was also recognition given to the importance of environmental issues and health and safety.'
Junior Cycle
Meanwhile, Junior Cycle Irish was fair and covered relatable topics for students, according to Studyclix subject spokesperson Stephen Doyle of Moyle Park College in Dublin.
'The reading comprehension, for example, was about climate change and young environmental activists, something that matters to students today.'
However, question H on the reading comprehension may have challenged less prepared students, he believed.
This question asked students to discuss one concern they have about climate change -'Déan plé gairid ar ábhar imní amháin atá ort féin maidir leis an athrú aeráide'.
'Overall, the listening and reading sections were very manageable. The grammar section was also straightforward and not too complicated compared to previous years.'
However, this year also saw a change with the drama question, which was paired with a short film question. 'This meant students needed to have both Drama and Novel prepared, as the Novel became a stand-alone question.'
'All the literature sections questioned students on how the events, emotions or images made them feel.' Students' opinions and insights were very important throughout this exam, he added.
'Overall, the literature questions would have been welcomed by students as they were of the same standard as previous years with no major surprises.'
Ordinary level
The Junior Cycle Irish Ordinary Level paper was easy to approach and covered the basic language skills students need, Mr Doyle added.
'Short reading questions were about everyday things like cooking class and a visit to a concert and a disco with friend topics that students could understand easily.
'Overall, the paper was well set out and friendly for students, giving them different ways to do well while keeping to the right level for this level.'
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