One small question only niggle but 'plenty of choice' overall

A subsection of one question at ordinary level gave rise to the only small criticism of the Junior Certificate geography papers.

Teacher Jacqueline Sheil of the TUI and Borris Vocational School said the higher level paper was wide ranging and students had plenty of choice.

'A reasonably prepared student should have found it within their capabilities.

'There was a wide range of visuals and a good use of colour. Overall, the questions were clear and fair, and the pitch was appropriate to the level of the paper,' she said.

She said urban candidates she spoke to had found pastoral and arable farming a challenge, although she thought it would not have presented a problem for her rural students.

Jimmy Staunton of the ASTI and Sligo Grammar School said students at both levels were very happy. The higher level short questions were along typical lines and the wide-ranging long questions did not hold any surprises for students.

'The long questions followed a thematic approach and didn't pose any great challenges,' said Mr Staunton.

He said candidates would also have been happy with the full question on map reading.

Ms Sheil praised the use of visuals, the use of colour and the mix of questions at ordinary level.

She said students would have found question 4 a (iv), on how governments used population pyramids, challenging.

While 51,715 Junior Cert candidates sat geography yesterday, a further 772 sat environmental and social studies simultaneously.

- Katherine Donnelly

Irish Independent