Higher Level Irish Exam

Organisation of Marks

> Páipéar 1 (170 marc)

Roghnaigh ceann amháin/Choose one:

> Aiste (essay)

> Scéal (story)

> Díospóireacht/Oráid (debate/speech)

> Iris (article)

Dhá shliocht/Two extracts (2 x 35 mharc)

> An Scrúdú Cluastuisceana

Páipéar 2 (180 marc)

Preparations

Cleachtadh/Practice: With regards to both the comprehension and composition sections, practice is essential. It is in the "doing" that you pick up vocabulary, knowledge and experience in expressing yourself in Irish.

Ceapadóireacht/Composition: Be sure to have a wide range of vocabulary and useful phrases prepared on a selection of topics eg bochtanas, spórt, oideachas, an Ghaeilge, na meáin chumarsáide, sláinte, an t-aos óg, timpeallacht, cúrsaí polaitiúla, cúrsaí na tíre seo etc.

Ceapadóireacht/Composition: Have a selection of useful seanfhocail/proverbs learned.

Leagan Amach do Pháipéar 1 / Layout of Paper 1 (170 marc)

> You must choose a title from A, B, C or D.

A -- Aiste/Essay

B -- Scéal/Story

C -- Alt Nuachtáin/Irise/ Newspaper/Magazine Article

D -- Díospóireacht/Óráid/ Debate/Speech

> It must be 500-600 words long.

> 20pc of the marks are attributed to the topic/ideas.

> 80pc of the marks are attributed to the Irish. Marks will be awarded for vocabulary, grammar and fluency in the language.

> You must stick to the subject, keep it clear and interesting.

> Spend 80-90 minutes on this section.

Choosing a title;

> You must choose one of nine.

> Choose the one that suits you best.

> Make sure you understand the title and have the vocabulary to manage it.

> Have you read or prepared anything on that particular topic?

> If it is a seanfhocal, do you understand the meaning of it?

> Take your time and make sure to choose your title carefully.

Plean Oibre/Work plan:

After choosing a title you must do out a rough plan.

> What you will say in your opening paragraph.

> Points you will make.

-- ar son/I gcoinne

-- fadhbanna/réiteach na bhfadhbanna

-- buntáistí/míbhu-ntáistí srl.

> Organise your thoughts.

Whether you are doing A, B, C or D, you will need a beginning (introduction), middle (body) and end (conclusion).

> Tús/Introduction:

The introduction must refer directly to the question. It must also outline the main points of your essay.

> Corp/Body:

The body should consist of three or four paragraphs. Each paragraph should deal with only one specific point, which is linked directly to the topic (title).

> Críoch/Conclusion:

The conclusion must draw together the main point of each paragraph.

Teanga/Language:

While the subject matter of your piece is important, the majority of the marks are awarded for language.

Best to:

> Keep your sentences short and simple.

> Vary your verbs.

> Have a wide range of vocabulary on a selection of topics (as mentioned above).

> Be able to express yourself in Irish.

> Use correct and accurate grammar.

> Use phrases and proverbs relevant to the subject at hand.

Seanfhocail/Proverbs

Tús maith leath na hoibre/A good start is half the work

Ní bhíonn saoi gan locht/ Nobody's perfect

Is fearr an tsláinte ná an táinte/Health is better than wealth

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin/There's no place like home

Is ait an mac an saol/Life is strange

Is fearr déanach ná choíche/Better late than never

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir/Time will tell

Ní mar a shíltear a bhítear/ Things are not always as they seem

Beatha teanga í a labhairt/ The life of a language is to speak it

Is breá an ní an óige, ach ní thagann sé faoi dhó/ Youth is a fine thing, but it does not come twice

Ní thagann ciall roimh aois/Sense does not come before age

Is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn/Faraway hills are green

Eochair feasa foghlaim/ Learning is the key to knowledge

Nathanna úsáideacha:/Useful phrases

Mar a dúirt mé cheana/As I have already said

Le fada an lá/For a long time

Ar chúis amháin nó ar chúis eile/For one reason or another

Tá sé ar intinn agam na hábhair sin a phlé san aiste seo/I intend to discuss these topics in this essay

Tá sé de dhualgas ar . . . /It is the responsibility of . . .

Thar aon rud eile/Above all else

Faoi láthair (I láthair na huaire)/At the moment

Ní ghá duit ach . . ./You only have to . . .

Gan dabht (gan amhras)/Without a doubt

Tá go leor fadhbanna leis an . . . (Is iomaí fadhb a bhaineann leis an . . . /There are many problems with the . . .

Nathanna Úsáideacha don Díospóireacht/Óráid/Useful phrases for debate/public speaking

A dhaoine uaisle . . ./My dear people . . .

A chathaoirligh agus a chairde . . ./Dear chairperson and friends . . .

Beidh mise ag labhairt i gcoinne an rúin . . ./I will be speaking against the motion . . .

Beidh mise ag labhairt I bhfabhar an rúin . . ./I will be speaking in favour of the motion . . .

Ar an gcéad dul síos . . ./To begin with . . .

CEIST 2 — Léamhthuiscint/Comprehension (70 marc)

> You must do both comprehensions. They are awarded 35 marks each.

> Read the passage/extract twice before attempting the questions.

> Read the questions slowly and carefully. Don't rush into answering.

> Underline potential answers on the second reading.

> Attempt every question.

> Have answers in your own words, as much as possible.

> If you are having difficulty putting an answer in your own words, write it out as seen in the passage. Do not skip the question.