The Leaving Certificate 2009 Course (which you began in 2007 – 5th Year) comprises of two papers for both the Higher Level and Ordinary Level Exams.
Paper 1 consists of two sections: Comprehending and Composing. This format is quite new as it was only devised in the 2000s – it did bring a lot of controversy as many students failed to understand exactly what to do with the paper. To put things simple: You must answer any Question A from a Text, but you must also answer a Question B from a different Text. The Composing Section follows and remember to answer with the correct Register, i.e. if you are asked to write a Speech, write a Speech!
Paper 2 continues the next afternoon or the next day and this is where the last two years of studying Shakespeare, Poetry and other Texts come into play. Everything leads up to this, so remember to give it your best. Your first question is on the “Stand-Alone Text” – for many it will be Shakespeare and this year’s Shakespearean Drama is King Lear. You can also choose from Sive (John B Keane), Lamb (Bernard McLaverty), Lies of Silence and Panther in the Basement (Amos Oz). There are 60 Marks going for your answer so time it accordingly. Remember to read the question THREE times before any attempt at an answer!
Section Two is all about the Comparative – remember the novel, the film and that other drama or book you read and spent so much time writing about…now is your change to score 70 Marks. The most popular Texts that will have been chosen are: Pride and Prejudice, Circle Of Friends, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Dancing At Lughnasa, Inside I’m Dancing, King Lear, Playboy of the Western World, Road to Memphis. There is also the option to use a Film Study in your Comparative and this years lot include The Truman Show, Richard III, Casablanca, Billy Elliot and Il Postino
Section Three is the Poetry Section – there are 70 Marks going for this Section where you will answer questions on the Unseen Poem and then answer questions on the Prescribed Poetry.
Damien Gallagher
