JUNIOR CERT - MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY:PLAIN ENGLISH was the order of the day for the 15,925 students sitting yesterday's Junior Cert Materials Technology paper.

"The language of the questions on section A was accessible and students were asked to do plenty of sketching, which they enjoyed," said Noel Scott of Loreto Community School, Milford, Co Donegal.

Section B was similarly well-received, especially by design enthusiasts who were treated to an "exceptionally nice" question two.

Question five, covering tools, is another favourite and followed predicted lines.

Yesterday's exam assessed the theoretical component of the syllabus; students completed a practical assessment worth 40 per cent in April. One in eight students taking Materials Technology at Junior Cert level is female.

One in four students sat ordinary level, which had a distinct "eco-feel", according to teachers.