No spanners are found in the works

There were no surprises, according to reports on yesterday's Junior Cert exam in materials and technology (metalwork)

There were no surprises, according to reports on yesterday's Junior Cert exam in materials and technology (metalwork). Students were delighted with the paper.

Mr Phelim O'Doherty, ASTI subject representative and a teacher at Summerhill College, Sligo, said the higher level was "as usual well laid-out and the sketches were very clear." It was a well thought out paper designed to test the better student but with enough in it for the weaker students, he said. "I felt again those who had put the work in should do well." Question 1(b) with regard to students' projects, which was introduced recently, "was a good idea."

As to the ordinary level, Mr O'Doherty said students had "little difficulty - and, as usual, it was well laid-out." It contained little surprises for those who had worked. "It might have been a little harder than the students thought."

Mr Padraig Kirk, chairman of the Engineering and Technology Teachers' Association and a teacher at O Fiaich College, Dundalk, Co Louth, also welcomed the inclusion at both levels of the question on projects. The higher level was "suitably pitched." The paper incorporated all the new technologies and examined the subject.