Leaving Cert English Paper 2 tests depth of knowledge with 'trickier' but fair questions

Leaving Certificate students, Donnacha Forde, Aoife O'Donoghue, Darragh Flynn, Nathan Manley, Kayla Harris and Aaron Tynan, after the Higher Level English paper 2. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

English Paper 2 was a “trickier” exam than Paper 1, but students who knew their texts inside out will be rewarded, according to teachers reviewing the 2025 papers.

The second day of the 2025 Leaving Cert continued on Thursday with English Paper 2, which tests students’ knowledge of poetry, plays, and studied texts.

“They were two very good papers, particularly I thought the higher-level paper was really well pitched,” said Kate Barry, ASTI English spokesperson and teacher at Loreto, Fermoy, Co Cork.

“It was quite challenging, but that’s what we want at higher level.” 

"It wasn’t a paper that you could have gone in and had your pre-prepared essays learned off", she added. 

“You had to really know your texts inside out and then be able to select what you knew and shaped it in response.”

“It wasn’t offputtingly difficult for anybody but at the same time, there was plenty there for the able candidate to demonstrate their knowledge of the texts.”

This year’s King Lear question, which allowed students to discuss two characters, was likely very welcome, she noted.

“But it also would have been a good discriminator, as the characters they chose to write about would tell a lot about how familiar they were with the text.” 

Leaving Certificate students, Freya Hyde, Roisin Dowling, Ciara Murphy, Abbie O'Keeffe, after the Higher Level English paper 2. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Ordinary level

Ms Barry said the Ordinary Level Paper 2 included a significant amount of reading.

“I really liked the last question, which was about a class having a debate,” she said.

“That’s something that actually might have been done in class, and that would be good practice to do in class, so that would have been really welcome for a lot of the students.”

"It would have been something that really engaged them, and gave them a chance to think critically about their texts.”

Students tackling the Higher-Level Paper 2 likely needed a deep breath or two, said David Loughrey, English teacher and incoming principal at Bruce College, Cork.

Leaving Certificate students, Ava Byrne, Gill Long and Chloe O'Halloran, discussing the Ordinary Level English paper 2. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Carefully reading — and re-reading — the questions was essential to ensure students stayed on track with their written responses, he added.

“But for those who were able to navigate the tricky phrasing, unusual vocabulary, and heady themes such as duality, chaos, and inclusion throughout the paper, there was plenty of choice as well as scope for thoughtful responses and exploration.”

He noted that while the comparative section required a creative approach, the prescribed poetry questions provided more comfort.

“Familiar names like Boland and Eliot gave students a footing, even if Boland’s “powerlessness” focus may have required some consideration on how to approach.”

“Overall, a more challenging and deeper paper than yesterday, but the rewards were there for those who could maintain composure and who could practice a creative, flexible approach to answering some tough questions.”

Junior Cycle exams also continued on Thursday afternoon, with students sitting Geography.