Leaving Cert: French exam used 'challenging vocabulary', teacher says
A teacher has given her initial reaction to this year's Leaving Cert French exams, which students completed on Wednesday morning.
Geraldine Dwyer from St Mary's Secondary School in Macroom, Co Cork, said the Higher Level paper included some predictable topics, such as the diary and some opinion questions.
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"The diary was based on the cancellation of a party due to a red weather alert which would have been prepared due to recent weather events," she said.
"In the opinion questions, the topic of addictions in the form of drugs appeared, which would be a manageable question. Similarly, gender equality would be a topic which candidates would have prepared, as it is a core topic.
"The question on engagement in political life would be more challenging and would incorporate a range of issues. The message was a pleasant question as it was based on mobile phones and the questions would make it accessible to all candidates. The obligatory question 1 had good choices between the benefits of membership in club/ organisation and elderly people.
"The reading comprehensions were based on scouts and an author looking for a character for a novel. The questions were manageable and the candidates could access the answers quite easily. The literary comprehension would require familiarity with challenging vocabulary, and it would be the most difficult question of the paper."
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The Ordinary Level paper reflected the content of previous exam papers, Ms Dwyer said.
"The comprehensions, which are to be answered through English, were based on Fashion and YouTube. The vocabulary would be mostly familiar and accessible. Q3 Comprehension was based on an actor and this theme has occurred regularly in past papers . Thus, the candidates would have sufficient practice.
"The written section was predictable. The candidates would be satisfied with the postcard option, as it included the typical points. The message asked for use of Past and Future Tenses, the Diary was based on a concert in the past and the Formal letter asked for a reservation.
"In all, the paper was manageable. Comprehension 4 was the most difficult."
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