Exam reaction - Leaving Cert English: Teachers have broadly welcomed yesterday's Leaving Certi-ficate English exam. Most said it was fair, offering students sufficient scope to display their ability.

Focusing at higher level on the link between work and play, the first paper included essay titles which allowed students to draw on their personal experiences when writing about a diverse range of topics.

It also contained photos of well-known celebrities such as footballer Roy Keane and actress Cameron Diaz, followed by an invitation to write to them indicating what does/does not appeal about the work they do.

"I was particularly impressed by the colourful visuals used in the paper," Mr Oliver McDermott, subject representative for the ASTI, said. "It used a lot of evocative photos. There was also lots of humour, which, if I was under pressure in an exam, is something I'd love to see. There was a lightness of touch about the first paper which was great."

The second paper, which focused on literature and poetry, was also widely regarded as being very approachable at higher level.

"The second paper at higher level flowed nicely for students," Mr Philip Campion, a teacher at Skerries Community College and Skoool.ie contributor, said. "The questions in general were quite fair, and were as good as could be expected."

Some teachers were surprised that the poetry of Sylvia Plath appeared again this year, however. While this meant students expecting other authors to appear might have been disappointed, teachers said it underlined the importance of not attempting to second-guess the examiners.

"I think better students would definitely have been happier with the second paper," Ms Dorothy Finan of the Institute of Education said. "I feel the second paper is a move in the right direction. The new syllabus is settling down. Students are encouraged to use their initiative and their own judgment and I think that will be rewarded."

At ordinary level, the dominant theme in paper one related to money, including analysis of an article about billionaire philanthropist Mr Chuck Feeney, who has donated millions to Irish universities.

According to Mr Michael Byrnes, TUI subject representative, the whole theme of money and how to spend it was very relevant for students.

"There was a very identifiable continuity between higher and ordinary level," he said. "There was an appropriate balance."

Ordinary level paper two was also a "fair paper", he said. "It was pitched at a level which is suitable for the skill levels of students taking the paper. I didn't see any surprises there, but there was also scope to show what you could do."

Ms Finan said she believed students were offered a good choice and range of questions at ordinary level, particularly in the second paper.

"I thought paper two at ordinary level was a gorgeous paper," she said. "The paper reflects a genuine educational interest in literature . . . this focuses students on reading. Overall I actually think the ordinary level paper was much more inspired than paper one at higher level."