Thursday 18 April 2013

Leaving Cert. Higher Past Exam Questions.(2013)

Leaving Cert. Higher Level. 2013.
(Past questions up to 2013)
. Remember: Keep in mind the language genres: Information, Argument, Persuasion, Narration and the Aesthetic use of language)
. Always keep the marking scheme in mind when answering all questions;Purpose, Coherence, Language, Mechanics.
Always underline exactly what you are being asked in every question.
Paper 1.
Section 1.
Question A.
-There will always be a question asking you to identify elements of the writer’s style/stylistic features that you enjoy, e.g. vivid images, onomatopoeia, tension, humour, etc.
- What makes a piece of writing attractive to you, the reader?
- You may be asked to describe the author or a character from the extract/identify characteristics.
- You may also be asked if the visual imagery of the texts are relevant/ complement the text.
- You may be asked if the writer effectively captures the experience described in the extract.
- There could be a question based on your attitude towards a topic/ theme as expressed in the extract.
- Identify aspects of autobiographical writing, speech writing.
- Identify aspects of text that support writer’s viewpoint/claim.
- Determine a writer’s attitude towards the text’s theme.
- Identify an image/images to illustrate the text.

Question B.
-         Dialogue.
-         Speech/Talk
-         Letter (Formal/Informal).
-         Diary entries.
-         Article for website/magazine. (Persuasive)
-         Leaflet.
-         Text for radio presentation/ talk
-         Report.
-         Interview and proposal for interview for editor/ general Interview (questions and answers)
-         Guidelines.
-         Brochure.
-         Review
-         Memo
-    Proposal
-         Obituary
Essay. (Section 2)
-         Magazine article. (Light-hearted/ entertaining)
-         Short-story.
-         Newspaper/ Magazine feature article.
-         Personal/descriptive/discursive essay.
-         Narrative (Based on image from text 3)
-         Speech/address
-         Talk.
-         Debate, persuasive language.
-         Narrative.
-         Practical guide/advice
-         Opinion piece

Paper 2.
Single Text. (Section 1)
-         Why it was an interesting text.
-         Response to a statement.
-         Hero/heroine.
-         Ingredients of a compelling drama.
-         Important character/relationship.
-         Imagery/ symbolism.
-         Insight into setting of text.
-         Personal sympathies.
-         Personal response to a character.
-         Themes.
-         Text worth reading?
-         Mood/atmosphere.
-         Features you enjoyed.
-         Does the play create opportunities for a dramatic performance?
-         Attitude of a character.
-         Importance of love.
-         Character earns our sympathy/respect/affection?
-         Character earns our admiration/disdain?
-         Compelling drama.
-         Powerful images.
-         Impact of main character.
-         Conflict/Revenge/Justice.
-         Does the text raise questions?
-         Discuss a statement
-         Know a key character/protagonist well.
-         Is there are character caught between two conflicting forces?
-         Does the author portray his/her own beliefs/values through his/her protagonists?
-         Know a scene inside out
-         Setting of text, are there contrasting settings?
-         Techniques used to convey a setting.
Support your essay with very close reference to text, know your quotes.

Comparative Study.
Section 2.
General Vision and view point.
-          How a central character portrays the general vision and view point.
-          Your understanding of the general vision and view point.
-          Is it optimistic/pessimistic? Bright/dark?
-          How is it communicated?
-          Is it shaped by our attitude to a central character?
-          Does our emotional response to the text construct the viewpoint?

Theme or Issue.
-As portrayed through key moments
-How the theme maintains your interest.
-Viewpoint of theme.
-Presentation of theme.
-How theme gives an insight into life.
-Treatment of theme.
-How the texts help us understand a theme/issue.
- Is your view of a theme changed of reinforced after studying a text?
- Does a theme give you a valuable insight/teach you a lesson following its presentation in a text?
Compare all three texts and use key moments. Quote from your texts where applicable.

Section 3. (A)
Poetry. Unseen.

-         Personal response to a poem.
-         Mood, feeling of a poem.
-         Impression of relationships.
-         Phrase/ line which impressed you.
-         Impact on reader.
-         Emotions of poet.
-         Favourite line.
-         Irony.
-         Language.
-         Highlighting impact it has on reader.
-         Message.
-         Your understanding of the title.
-         Feelings in poem.
-         Images
-         Impression of person
-         Highlight the impact the poem had on you.
Quote and refer to the poem in your answer to support all points you make.
Use your poetic vocabulary.

Poetry, Studied. (B).
      -     Response to a statement
-         Themes/ideas.
-         Like/not like poetry of a poet.
-         Communicate powerful feelings through thought-provoking images.
-         Disappointment and cynicism.
-         Aspects of poetry dated and irrelevant? Or can students still respond to the poems themes/issues raised?
-         Language have enduring appeal?
-         Relationships.
-         Distinctive style. Do you like? Dislike?
-         Does the poetry speak to you?
-         Response to poet’s poems.
-         Language, Imagery.
-         Letter to a poet regarding how you feel about his/her poetry.
-         Introduce poetry of a poet.
-         Feelings poems creates in you.
-         Impact of poem on you.
-         Writer’s style.
-         Agree/disagree with statement given.
-         Is poet successful in his/her aim?
-         Thought-Provoking?
-         Does language express insights/thoughts of poet?
-         Reflective in-sights?
-         Challenging?
-         Layers of meaning?
-         Poetry dated or relevant?
Quote and refer to all six poems throughout your answer to support all points you make.


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