Agri-science and music challenging but fair tests

There were very good choices on yesterday’s Leaving Certificate agricultural science higher-level exam, according to Pat Curtin.

The vice-chairman of the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association, and Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti) subject spokesman Peter Keaney, both said there were nice questions on sheep and potatoes, and a topical dairy question about milk quotas.

Mr Keaney said the higher-level exam was challenging but fair and a question on the structures of fern plants and pine trees may have troubled some.

Both spokesmen were pleased with the ordinary-level exam, which Mr Curtin said had good visuals.

Mary McFadden of Asti said listening questions on the Leaving Cert music exam were straightforward, and students could show their knowledge and understanding. A higher-level composition question in a major key in common time with a quaver upbeat would have been well received by prepared students, and the most popular harmony question was in the major key of B-flat with an interesting bass line.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland spokeswoman Samantha Conroy said students were very pleased with the main listening question on Raymond Deane, and hard-working students were rewarded by being asked for a lot of definitions.

Ms McFadden said ordinary-level papers were well received. Ms Conroy said the Deane question was a good test of composition.

Asti’s Robbie Cronin said both Junior Cert Italian papers were excellent with varied but interesting higher-level comprehension pieces, including a great article about pizza. The written section featured a good letter to a penpal from Florence.

Mr Cronin said all ordinary-level questions were interesting, and that would be expected at this level.