Junior Cert Spanish: fair and wide-ranging

Students faced a wide range of comprehension pieces on a "good and fair" Junior Cert higher level Spanish paper, according to Robbie Cronin, a teacher at Marian College in Ballsbridge.

The comprehension pieces covered topics including a robot with feelings and a mansion in Marbella.

However, a comprehension piece on the recycling of mobile phones and their chemical composition was not well received by students, said Mr Cronin, who is also an ASTI subject representative.

Students also tackled a listening test which included topics such as the Spanish royal family, the weather and industrial disputes alongside questions testing their understanding of basic but important Spanish vocabulary including the words for food, furniture and body parts.

One question asked students to write to their pen pal about their time in the Spanish city of San Sebastian.

Mr Cronin said that the written expression section, especially the letter, was fair.

On the ordinary level paper, students were asked about student exchanges, holidays and hotels, Christopher Columbus and jellyfish.

About 6,700 students sat this year’s Spanish Junior Cert exam.

TRY THIS AT HOME: Junior Cert Spanish, higher level

Q. Write what you would say in Spanish in each of the following cases: (a) This summer you will go to Kerry on holidays for two weeks. b) You came to school by bus today and it arrived late. (c) Your feet are sore because you walked a lot yesterday.