Junior Certificate English Ordinary

Exam Guide

There is only one paper in the Junior Cert Ordinary level English exam.

• Before you sit the examination you should make sure you know exactly what questions you will have to answer.
• Think of each question as a task that you must perform. Before you begin writing make sure you are as clear as you can be about the task, about exactly what you are being asked to do. Locate the key term/s of the question. Spend some time planning your answer. Where appropriate, use specific detail and textual evidence to develop your answer as fully as is required. The language you use in your answer should be appropriate to the task, and you should take care with punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Allow adequate time for each of the questions you are required to answer on.

Section 1 – Reading

• In this section you will be given an extract to read. You will be asked questions on this extract.
• You are expected here to show a good grasp of its content and to give your own response to it.

Section 2 – Personal Writing

In the ‘Composing’ section you will be given eight composition options and you are expected to do one. Except where otherwise stated, you are free to write in any form you wish e.g. narrative, descriptive, dramatic, short story, etc. You will be rewarded for:

• A personal approach to the subject
• An appropriate style
• Liveliness and a good choice of words
• Organisation and accuracy

Section 3 – Functional Writing

In this section you must choose between one of two functional writing tasks. These may include a letter /speech /newspaper review /reference /brochure /picture /fax etc. You will be rewarded for:

• Well-structured answers
• Clarity of expression
• An appropriate tone
• Good grammar, spelling, punctuation and correct use of capitals

Section 4 – Media Studies

In this section you must answer all of the questions on a particular aspect of media studies. These questions may include an advertisement /radio or television schedule /newspaper review /cartoon/etc. or as was the case in 2001 to answer five questions on 8 different photographs.

Section 5 – Drama

You must answer 5 questions on a printed passage. These questions tend to focus on aspects such as character, atmosphere, direction, and stage setting.

• The first four of these questions are based on the actual passage and involve short, clear answers.
• The fifth question is based on either a play or film you have studied. This question involves a little more detail than the preceding four and is awarded 20 marks.

Section 6 – Poetry

You must answer all five questions which are printed out. You will be required to answer short questions on a poem you have not seen before. These questions are short and demand clear and direct answers. Take into account the actual title of the poem, as many times this can provide you with a clue as to what exactly the poem is about.

• It is a good idea to read through the poem a few times before attempting the questions. Firstly, read it fairly quickly to get its overall sense. Then perhaps you should read the questions – in fact, the questions themselves will often provide you with some hints for interpreting the text. After that you should go back over the poem with greater attention to detail.
• Don’t be put off by words or phrases you do not understand; remember the focus is on your general response to the poem.

The last question is based on poetry you have studied in class.

• This question may be divided into a few different parts. Take every part into account and make sure to give yourself a new line for each point that you make.
• You will be rewarded for well-structured and well-written answers.

Section 7 – Fiction

You will be given a short extract to read and will be required to answer five questions which follow from the extract. Four of these questions will be based on the actual extract.

• Read the extract before you answer any question.
• The questions tend to focus on such elements of the extract as character, atmosphere, and notable features of style.
• Make your answers clear and direct.

The last question is based on a novel /short story you have studied in class. This question is divided into different parts.
• Look at the different parts closely and examine whether or not you have a choice in the questions. Answer all the parts of the question you are asked.
• You may mention the name of the author of the novel or short story.