Junior Certificate Irish: Paper IThere were mixed reactions to the first Junior Certificate Irish higher level paper yesterday. Some teachers felt the questions and language used in the paper were too difficult for students.

However, others applauded the format of the paper, saying most of their students emerged from the exam feeling positive about the experience.

Yesterday's paper, which focused on essay writing and comprehension, was preceded by an aural test which was described by most as tough but fair.

The paper included essay titles on the bad habits of young people and one allowing students to imagine what it would be like to be Taoiseach.

However, according to Ms Yvonne O'Toole, a teacher in Holy Faith School, Clontarf, and a skoool.ie expert,many students would have found the essays very difficult.

Some of the language and tenses used were too difficult for Junior Certificate level, she added. "The very academic kids would have found it alright, but most students are not at that level," she said. "It was not a nice paper."

However, Mr Robbie Cronin, ASTI subject representative, said the reaction from his students was "really positive". "It was a fantastic format," he said.

At ordinary level, teachers said that while the comprehension sections were difficult, the paper held few surprises. M