Junior Cert. Higher Level.(Past exam Questions up to 2012)
Always underline exactly what you are being asked in every question.
Section 1: Reading
-What impression of the writer do you get/ sense of place?
-Aspects of style, autobiographical?
-Does the writer enjoy being a writer?
-Text relevant to modern reader?
-Passage entertaining?
-Good story teller/writer?
-Attractive images?
-Optimistic/pessimistic viewpoint?
Section 2: Composition.
-Personal writing.
-Discursive writing.
-Descriptive writing.
-Short story writing.
-Dialogue.
-Speech/debate.
-Diary entries.
-Newspaper article.
-A Short story that includes a line or inspired by a picture.
-Composition inspired by a picture/illustration.
-Describe an experience.
-Reflective essay.
Section 3: Functional Writing.
- Talk.
- Letter (Formal/Informal).
- Letter to Editor.
- Pen pal.
- Letter regarding text you have studied.
- Report.
- Instructions.
-Prospectus article.
- Safety Guidelines.
- Review/blurb of book/DVD .
- Pep Talk.
- Interview.
- Speech.
- Debate.
-Report of a sports event.
-Nomination for a favourite band.
-Newspaper/magazine article.
Media Studies.
- Target Audience.
- Radio v television.
- Watershed.
- Message.
- Write article.
- Write text of advertisement. (Radio, Print)
- Voice-over.
- Most effective advertisement.
- Text for brochure.
- Article for magazine.
- Visual images.
- Discuss differences between advertisements; which most effective?
- Elements of advert which contribute to impact.
- Product placement, advantages, disadvantages.
- Various features of a magazine.
- Functions of an editor.
- Write an editorial.
- Write editorial.
- “Spoof”/ parody of a genuine advert.
- Influence of designer brands.
- Local v National radio.
- Use of various media to promote something.
- Compare to advertisements as to their effectiveness
- Typical features of a review. How would a review influence you?
- Radio, television, billboards, leaflets, pamphlets, flyers,
posters, mobile, texts, magazines, newspapers, internet.
- Criteria for newsworthiness e.g. timing, significance, proximity, prominence, human interest, etc.
- Advantages and disadvantages of various forms of media e.g. Newspapers, radio, television, internet, etc.
Paper 2.
Section 1.
Drama.
Unseen.Q1
- Set play in contemporary society.
- Stage, props, lighting, costumes, facial expressions, sound, music.
- Gestures of actors.
- Tone of voice.
- Dialogue from the point of view of a character.
- Member of the audience.
- Diary entry from the perspective of a character.
- Directions a director may give to certain characters e.g. costumes, gestures, facial expressions, voice, movements on stage, etc.
- Which character would you audition for?
- Personal impression of a character.
- Challenges for a director.
- Diary entry from a character’s perspective.
- Identify elements that make the extract powerful/entertaining.
Drama.
Seen.Q2
- Dialogue.
- Relationship between characters.
- Dramatic scene/ creation of tension/ how would you convey this tension as a director?
- Themes.
- Impression of character/ character profile.
- Costume, setting, facial expression, props.
- Mood, atmosphere.
- Lighting, stage directions, music, sound.
- Main characters, relationships.
- Setting/ world of characters.
- Character that experiences good/bad luck.
- Character; winner/loser?
- Love, death, conflict, harmony.
- Write an introduction to play.
- Main idea/ message.
- Favourite character.
- Recommend the play?
- Character: winner/loser.
- Character Profile.
- Opening scene/ information conveyed/capturing the audiences attention.
- Ending of play, impact on reader, were issues resolved?
- Hero/heroine of play.
- Is the play serious or light-hearted? Which had the greater impact on you?
- Obstacles/challenges facing a character; what you leaned about the character based on how he/she dealt with them.
Section 2.
Poetry.
Unseen.Q1
- Images.
- Main point/ message.
- Features of poem; language, structure, mood, tone.
- Like/dislike poem.
- Title.
- Well written?
- Poem in your own words.
- Read more of featured poet?
- Use of language
- Setting of poem.
-Is the scene captured well? How is this done?
-Happy/sad poem?
-Impression of a character in the poem.
-How a character is affected by the experience described in the poem.
Seen.Q2
- War.
- Poem with personal meaning/impressed you?
- Peace.
- People.
- Powerful imagery.
- Favourite poet/ Poet’s work that impressed you. Explain why.
- Two poems with similar theme.
- Foreign lands. Different cultures.
- Vivid images of a person/Place/time. How is this communicated?
-“Wonder filled” “Whoosh of the imagination”.
- Interesting title.
- Wishes/thoughts.
- Invite a poet to your school.
- Time/place.
- Youth/old age.
- Love.
- Images.
- Sound effects, musical qualities- enrich the poem? Why would you read it aloud?
-Why would your class enjoy a particular poem? How would you read it to make it more interesting? E.g. props, visuals, costumes, visuals, etc.
-Important issue? Insights into this issue?
-A poem relevant to the 21st century.
-Brings a person/place/thing vividly to life. What words/phrases are the most effective in bring this person/place/thing to life?
-Interesting language used to convey powerful thoughts and feelings. What made the language interesting?
Section 3.
Fiction.
Unseen. Q1
- Relationships.
- Would you like to read this novel?
- The way the extract is written.
- Diary entry.
- Skill of writer.
- Exaggeration.
-Describe a character.
-Can you relate to a character?
- Novel relevant to teenagers?
-Continue a conversation between two characters.
-Impression of a character.
-Would you like to live in the setting described in the text?
-What was your impression of the dialogue/humour or ending of the extract?
Fiction.
Seen.Q2
- Character who rebels.
- Character who changes.
- Mood/atmosphere.
- Conflict/difficulties.
- A character that impacts on another.
- Funny/tragic scene.
- Interesting theme.
- Favourite section.
- Happy/sad scene.
- Loving/unloving relationship.
- Writer’s style.
- Recommend to others?
- Character who impressed you/ like to be/liked/disliked.
- Setting/time/place. Or is it different from now?
- Opening/end of novel.
- Conflict between good v evil.
- Element of surprise.
- Characterisation.
-Moving moment from novel, how was it made moving?
-Unexpected development, did it add to your enjoyment of novel?
-Rate a novel; consider plot, atmosphere, relevance to your age group, insights gained, language etc.
-Is the novel relevant to today?
Remember to explain all your answers with reference to the texts either on the paper or that you have studied.
