Junior Cert Irish: post-mortem Junior Certificate Irish cast off its báinín geansaí this year in favour of a hipper, more contemporary feel. Celebs Fat Boy Slim (Buachaill Romhar Romhar) and Jennifer Aniston found their way onto yesterday afternoon's ordinary-level paper, while the honours paper gave students a chance to talk about fashion and text-messaging.
"Honours Irish Paper 1 was a very fair and well-laid paper, offering students a decent range of choices," said TUI expert Mr John McGabhann. "No student should have been stymied."
ASTI teacher expert Mr Hugo Martin was happy with the contemporary feel of the honours paper, which also featured an option to debate the subject of soap operas and their relevance to real life.
The term "fobalchláir" (soap opera) may have been unfamiliar to some students, however.
The reading comprehension on the golden eagle's return to Ireland was made more accessible by the inclusion of two photographs of the bird.
Students were invited to write on a range of fairly open-ended topics, such as winning the Lotto, holidays and special people. Those in the mood for a rant were invited to explain why "an tír seo atá imithe ar strae ar fad" (this country has gone to the dogs).
