Heroes, genetics and glimmer man as options open

AS Leaving Certificate students reach the optional subjects at this stage in the exams, around 31,000 sat French papers yesterday morning.

ASTI spokesperson Bernard Lynch said the higher level paper was tough but fair, with some quite demanding questions. Some of these, he said, were very abstract, and were nearer to a third-level standard.

TUI spokesperson Mary Costelloe said comprehension pieces in the higher level French paper were testing but there were many topics to attract young people, including the cost of living and heroes.