There is good reason to be optimistic, writes Treasa Ní Chonaola - 79 per cent of students who took higher-level Irish last year got a grade C or above

There's the science teacher who asked: "Give a reason for the following: a person with failing eyesight is advised to eat carrots." And the student who answered: "You never see a rabbit wearing glasses."

Now, was it not Einstein who said that imagination is more important than knowledge?

And so it is, but Einstein didn't have to sit the Leaving Cert, where both knowledge and imagination are important.

Knowledge of the prescribed Irish course ranges from the heroic tales of old mythologies in Clann Lir to a harrowing tale of drug addiction in Gafa; from the relentless obsessions of Fiosracht Mhná to a sense of loss in Amuigh Liom Féin - and that undeniable Waiting for Godot sense of pathos in Lasair Choille nudging the students towards the realisation that "man is condemned to be free".

Harsher realities intrude in Mairéad Ní Ghráda's play An Triail. First staged in the 1960s, and based on a factual event, it examines how society banished the young single mother and allowed social taboo to isolate her.

There's also love to be found - though not always fulfilled - in a combination of new and old poems. Add oral and aural exams, a language paper comprising comprehension and composition - where the imagination can freely soar - and there's little enough time for frivolity.

But it's worth the effort: 79 per cent of all students who took higher level last year got a grade C or above, while 75 per cent of those who took ordinary level also got a grade C or higher. The marking system, while rigorous at higher level, is generous at ordinary and foundation level. So there's good reason to be optimistic.

And research tells us that optimism is a better predictor of individual success in many areas than actual ability.

Here's how the respected Harvard academic David Landes puts it:"In this world the optimists have it, not because they are always right, but because they are positive. Even when wrong they are positive and that is the way of achievement, correction, improvement and success. Educated eyes-open optimism pays; pessimism can only offer the empty consolation of being right."

Admittedly it is difficult for some students to be optimistic about a course which doesn't overtly prepare them for life and work. Their resistance can be attributed to what they perceive as lack of relevance. Professor Joe Lee, reflecting on the current debate about the concept of relevance in education, has noted nevertheless that: "Life for most of us also embraces the social, the political, and the cultural and goes beyond the purely material."

Students can inadvertently close off any possibility of material advantage by resisting Irish. Negative thinking closes off options and becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. A former pupil of mine, who, while at school, would have been incredulous about the prospect of job opportunities through Irish, is now relishing a recent offer from TG4.

Aspects of the course, or indeed the teaching method, may also cause disaffection, but the language itself is not the villain. So ignore the doom-sayers who say Irish is in danger of imminent death.

As students of Irish are well aware, it has been pronounced dead or dying in almost every decade since the collapse of the bardic system in the early 1600s. The dead-by date has to be constantly revised. It will certainly not happen before June 6th!

So remain positive, it will help you succeed. To quote David Landes again: "The one lesson that emerges is the need to keep trying."

In the detailed outline of the Irish exam which follows here, every section and direction on the papers is covered. Each question type is addressed and advice is offered on allocation of time. There is a model poetry answer for both ordinary and higher level, and valuable help in relation to the oral, which is just six days away.

Remember that the oral and aural combined amount to 45 per cent of the total Irish examination at ordinary level, 42 per cent at higher level.

Begin Páipéar 1 with Léamhthuiscint. It provides instant immersion in the language. In the Ceapadóireacht, B invites you to write a story, A, C and D are discursive. If you enjoy debating and discussing issues, this is the type for you. Plan your approach. In your plan decide content and list the points/arguments you are going to present.

Páipéar 2, ordinary and higher level, has become very cluttered due to the broad range of choices now available. Be clear in your mind beforehand whether you will answer Roinn A Cúrsa Ainmnithe or Roinn B Cúrsa Roghnach. Draw a bold X through whichever doesn't apply.

Begin Páipéar 2 higher level by answering Ceist 4: Stair na Gaeilge. It is a straightforward factual question.

Leave a blank space after each question - this allows you the opportunity to add further information when checking over your answers. Never be intimidated by the amount another person has written beside you. Have confidence in yourself.

Níor mhiste am a chaitheamh ag ullmhú don bhéaltriail agus don chluastuiscint. Níl bealach is fearr ar ndóigh ná a bheith ag labhairt na teanga, ach ná bíodh drogall ort súil a chaitheamh ar TG4, nó cluas a thabhairt do RnaG. Aclóidh siad an teanga agus géaróidh siad an chluas dhuit.

Tá neart treoracha faoin mbealach is fearr le tabhairt faoin scrúdú sa bpáipéar inniu ag tacú lena bhfuil ráite ag do mhúinteoir cheana. Tá súil agam gur cabhair é. Idir an dá linn tabhair aire dhuit féin. Oibrigh i seársaí 40 nóimead, ansin tóg sos gairid 5 nó 10 nóiméad roimh an gcéad seársa eile. Seachas a bheith ag obair uaireanta fada as a chéile. Beidh do chuid foghlama níos éifeachtaí.

Éireoidh tú maidin bhreá éicint i mí an Mheithimh agus beidh sé uilig thart le cúnamh Dé. Ádh mór. Tá sé tuillte go maith agat.

Foundation Level

270 marks: Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Reading and writing tasks include: matching pictures with words; reading comprehension; writing a notice, letter or application form; writing a story or an account based on a picture; answering an invitation.

AURAL

180 marks

There are 12 questions to be answered. Read the questions before the tape is played. Answer in Irish only.

Figures and dates are allowed to be written as follows: 2 bhliain; 18.3.2002

It is not necessary to write full sentences, for example:

Ceist: Cá raibh sí ar saoire?

Freagra: Sa Spáinn.

Use a pencil so that you can correct or change your answer.

Good luck.

• Treasa Ní Chonaola is a teacher and former president of Comhar na Múinteori Gaeilge.

Material in this supplement was written by Claire Bogan, Yvonne O'Toole and Elizabeth Wade