THE PARTY was over for Junior Certificate students looking for a banker on yesterday’s Irish paper 1. The expected composition on throwing a party in a “free” house did not appear.

Students were instead asked to write a story about getting caught in a storm.

“This was a bit sneaky,” said teacher Robbie Cronin.

“A lot of students would have prepared a composition on the subject of throwing a party. It’s a subject they know something about.

“Not many students know what it’s like to get caught in a storm, nor do they have the language to describe it.”

However, the students had a selection of other composition titles from which to choose, including an essay about the importance of hobbies in people’s lives and an essay on a job they would like to have.

They were also offered the title “My own place”.

The comprehension, on space travel, was considered fair, although some students may have had difficulty with one of the central words, “taiscealaí” or “explorer”.

“There was no glossary with the text this year, I think it would have been helpful,” said Robbie Cronin.

Teacher Éamonn Maguire said he got “very good feedback” from students about this year’s comprehension.

Yesterday’s ordinary level paper 1 was “appropriate to the level” and students should have been satisfied with it, Mr Cronin added.

The Junior Certificate Irish paper 2, which features prescribed texts and poetry, will take place today.