LEAVING CERTIFICATE Mock EXAMINATION, 2024

English - Higher Level - Paper 1

Total Marks: 200

This paper is divided into two sections,

Section I COMPREHENDING and Section II COMPOSING.
The paper contains three texts on the general theme of A World of Change
Candidates should familiarise themselves with each of the texts before
beginning their answers.
Both sections of this paper (COMPREHENDING and COMPOSING) must be
attempted.
Each section carries 100 marks.
SECTION I – COMPREHENDING
Two Questions, A and B, follow each text.
Candidates must answer a Question A on one text and a Question B on a
different text. Candidates must answer only one Question A and only one
Question B.
N.B. Candidates may NOT answer a Question A and a Question B on the same
text.
SECTION II – COMPOSING
Candidates must write on one of the compositions 1 – 7.
SECTION I COMPREHENDING (100 marks)
Text 1
This text is based on an edited extract from ‘Olive Again’, a novel by Elizabeth Strout. In this
extract, Olive Kitteridge is visited by her son, Chris, and his wife Ann. The complex and fractious
relationship between Olive and her son is explored, as she meets her grandson Henry, and Chris
struggles with the revelation that his mother has decided to remarry following the death of her
husband, and Chris’s father.
On the way back, Olive said, “Chris, why didn't
you tell me Ann's mother died?”
He made a sound and shrugged.
“But why wouldn't you tell me such a thing?”
Through the window where the trees still bare,
their limbs dark, poking toward the sky. They
passed by a field that looked soggy and matted
down in parts, the streaming sun showing it all.
“Oh, her mother was nuts. Whatever.”
In the back seat Henry sang out, “Goggie,
Goggie. Train, Airplane! Daddy, Mama!” Olive
turned to look at him, and he smiled at her.
“He's just singing all the words he knows,”
Christopher said. “He likes to do that.”
“But I don't understand,” Olive said, after
waving to little Henry. “I just don't, Christopher.
She's my daughter-in-law, and I'd like to know
what's going on in her life.”
Christopher glanced at her quickly then back at
the road; he drove with one arm draped across
the wheel.
“I really didn't know you cared”, he said. He
looked over at her again. “What?”, he asked.
Olive had started to ask a question. “Why - ?”
“I just told you why.” And Olive nodded. Her
question, which she did not ask, was: “Why did
you marry this woman?”
They made it through another night, and one
more day, and then the final night arrived.
Olive was exhausted. In the entire time, except
for Little Henry, the children did not speak to
her. But they stared at her - with increasing
boldness, she thought - because whenever she
looked at them they were looking at her, and
instead of glancing down as they had at first
they continued to stare, Theodore with his
huge blue eyes and Annabelle with her small
dark ones. Unbelievable children.
Finally, they went off to bed in the study and
Olive sat with Christopher, Ann and and the
baby while Little Henry - such a good boy! - was
asleep upstairs. Olive felt sorry for Ann, who
seemed to her to be diminished in her grief. So
she made small talk with the woman and Anne
seemed to try to do her best as well. Ann said,
“Annabelle wanted those rubber boots
because we were going to Maine. Isn't that
sweet?”, and Olive, who could not think what
to say about this, nodded. Ann eventually went
upstairs with the baby and then Olive was
alone with Christopher and she realized the
moment had come.
“Christopher.” She forced herself to look at
him, although he was looking down at his foot.
“I'm getting married.”
It seemed forever before he looked at her and
said, with half a smile, “Wait. What did you just
say?”
“I said I'm getting married. To Jack Kennison”.
She saw the colour leave his face; without a
doubt his face became pale. He looked around
the room for a moment, then turned to look at
her. “Who the hell is Jack Kennison?”
“He lost his wife a while ago. I've mentioned
him on the phone to you, Chris.” She felt as
though her face was flaming hot, as though all
the blood that had drained from her son's face
had made its way to her face instead.
He looked at her with such genuine
astonishment, she felt she would take it back
immediately, the whole thing, if she could.
“You're getting married?” His voice was quiet
now. In a quieter voice he said, “Mommy,
you're getting married?”
Olive nodded quickly. “I am, Chris.”
He kept shaking his head in small gestures,
slowly, just kept shaking it and shaking it. “I
don't understand. I don't get this, mom. Why
are you getting married?”
“Because we're two lonely old people and we
want to be together.”
“Then be together! But why get married?
Mom?”
“Chris, what difference does it make?”
He leaned forward and said - his voice sounded
almost menacing – “If it doesn't make any
difference, then why are you doing it?”
“I meant to you. What difference does it make
to you?” But horribly, Olive now felt a of doubt.
Why was she marrying Jack? What difference
did it make?
Christopher said, “Mom you invited us up here
just to tell us that, didn't you. I can't believe it.”
“I invited you up here because I wanted to see
you. I haven't seen you since your father's
funeral.”
Christopher was looking at her hard. “You
invited us up here to tell us that you were
getting married. Unbelievable.” Then he said,
“Mom you have never invited us up here.”
“I didn't need to invite you Chris. You're my son.
This is your home.”
And then the colour returned to his face. “This
is not my home”, he said looking around. “Oh
my God.” He shook his head slowly. “Oh my
God.” He stood up. “That's why it looks so
different. You're moving out. Are you going to
move into his house? Of course you are. And
sell this one? Oh my God, Mom.”
He turned to look at her. “When are you
getting married?”
“Soon”, she said.
“Is there going to be a wedding?”
“No wedding”, she said. “We'll go to Town Hall.”
He walked to the stairs. “Goodnight”, he said.
“Chris!”
He turned.
Olive stood up.
Christopher stared at her. “Mom, you're killing
me”, he said.
“Well, Jack is coming over in the morning to
meet you before you all leave.”
She was suddenly furious.
“Goodnight”, she said.

Question A – 50 Marks

(i) Based on your reading of Text 1, explain three insights you gain into Olive’s character.
Support your answer by reference to the text. (15)
(ii) Text 1 explores the complexities of close interpersonal relationships. With reference to a
play, film, novel or poem you have studied for your 2024 Leaving Certificate course,
identify a moment or episode which revealed the complexity of close inter-personal
relationships. In your answer, you should explain three aspects of such relationships
revealed by study of your chosen text. (15)
(iii) Identify four elements of narrative and aesthetic language evident in Text 1, and explain
why their use might encourage readers to read Elizabeth Strout’s novel ‘Olive Again.’
(20)

Question B – 50 Marks

You have been asked to give a talk at an open night to be held in your school. The topic is ‘Advice
every parent of a teenager needs to hear.’ Write the text of your talk, in which you: outline the
sources of friction that can lead to stress in such relationship; describe a moment or event when you
felt supported by a parent and offer some advice to parents for how to best support a young person
as they prepare for their Leaving Certificate exams.
Text 2
Text 2 is based on an edited extract from ‘The Name Above the Title’, a memoir written by the
famous Hollywood director Frank Capra. In the extract, Capra describes his early life in Sicily, and
the reveals the story of how he came to America as an impoverished Immigrant.
I hated being poor. Hated being a peasant.
Hated being a scrounging news kid trapped in
the sleazy Sicilian ghetto of Los Angeles. My
family couldn't read or write. I wanted out. A
quick out. I looked for advice, a handle, a pole
to catapult myself across the tracks from my
scurvy habitat of nobodies to the affluent
world of somebodies.
I tried schooling, a technical education. That
pole broke in the middle of my vault. I
pondered other quick leaps: bootlegging, prize
fighting, the ball and bat, con games. When I
finally found my vaulting pole, it was not made
of bamboo, glass, or metal. In fact, it was not a
pole at all. It was a magic carpet dash woven
with the coils and ringlets of a wondrous peel
of limber plastic, whose filaments carried the
genetic code of all the arts of man, and from
which the abracadabra of science conjured up
the hopes, the fears, the dreams of man - the
magic carpet of film! I vaulted to fame on its
witchery...
It all began with a letter. A letter from America
- when I was a big-eyed child of five. It was the
first letter Papa, my 47-year-old peasant father,
Salvatore Capra, had received from anywhere.
In Papa's old, cracked house of stone and
mortar, clinging by its toenails to the rocks in
the village of Bisaquino, Sicily. The local priest
read the letter to a house full of gaping
relatives: Papa, Mama, six ragged children;
Papa’s four brothers and their families; and all
of Mama's kinfolk.
I remember clearly my traumatic shock on
learning that not one of my peasant clan could
read. I knew people were different: some poor,
some rich, some kind, some mean. I knew
these things because the children of the poor
are born with their eyes and ears open and
know most things before they can walk. And
now I knew that peasants were poor and had
to work like beasts because they were ignorant.
That thought must have burned itself into my
child's mind; I never forgot it, never lost my
resentment against it. My later mania for
education had its genesis in that letter.
It was an astonishing letter everyone said -
unbelievable - from an unheard-of place in
California: Los Angeles! Written by an
unknown person: Morris Orsatti.
The news spread. Peasants dropped their hoes
and ran from the fields. They filled Papa's
house, crowded into the doorway, to hear the
priest read the letter over and over. It solved
Bisaquino’s five-year-mystery. It was about
Ben, Papa's oldest son.
Five years ago, on his 16th birthday, Ben had
herded Papa’s sheep up to the poppy
meadows around the hilltop shrine of the
Blessed Virgin. The sheep came back. Ben did
not. Five years of novenas and lighting of
candles - but not a word from Ben. They
mourned him as dead. Now this letter from the
other side of the world...
The letter ended by relating how the ship
captain had kindly let them off in San Francisco;
how they had found some Italian friends; how
Ben joined the Southern Pacific Railway crew
laying track to the South. And how in about a
year Ben had worked his way down to Los
Angeles where he met Mr. Orsatti, a steamship
ticket agent, and how delighted was Mr.
Orsatti to write a letter for Ben with all the
happy news. And Orsatti added if the Capra
family wished to see him again, they would all
have to come to Los Angeles, because Ben says
he is never coming back to Sicily.
And that's the way it was. That's how I came to
celebrate my 6th birthday, May 18th, 1903, in
a howling Atlantic storm; in the Germania's
black steerage hold, crammed with retching,
praying, terrorized immigrants. Only strong
Mama had the courage to brave the wind and
spray - hanging on to the deck storm ropes, as
she carried trays of food across the heaving
deck and down the steep iron stairs to Papa
and four seasick children. Josephine was 14;
Tony, 12; I was six; Little Ann was three. Two
older married girls, Luigia and Ignacia
remained in Bisaquino.
Thirteen days of stench in misery and steerage;
two more days of panic and pandemonium at
Ellis Island; then eight more days of cramped,
itchy, hardship in an overcrowded chair car;
crying to sleep in each other 's laps, eating only
bread and fruit Papa brought at the train stops.
And finally - finally -, after 23 days without a
bath or change of clothes, our dirty, hollow
eyed immigrant family embraced the waiting
Ben at the S.P. station in Los Angeles. Papa and
Mama kissed the ground and wept with joy. I
cried too but not with joy. I cried because we
were poor and ignorant and tired and dirty. I
didn't know Ben. I just knew he had caused
everyone a lot of trouble.

Question A – 50 Marks

(i) Based on your reading of Text 1, explain three points that Frank Capra makes about the
reality his life in the early years of the 20th century. (15)
(ii) The experience of exploring a book can offer the reader new perspectives on human
nature. Select a book that you have read (you are free to choose any book) and outline
three new insights into human nature you gained from the experience of reading this
book. (15)
(iii) Frank Capra’s memoir is famous as an example of engaging and interesting personal
writing. Identify four elements of effective personal writing evident in this extract, and
explain why you believe these elements contribute to making this an engaging and
interesting extract.

Question B – 50 Marks

In this extract from his autobiography, Frank Capra describes his search for something that would give
meaning to his life. You have been asked to contribute to a Podcast entitled ‘What gives meaning to
my life’. Write the text of your contribution to the podcast in which you: reflect on what gives meaning
to your life, describe an experience you had which changed your understanding of the world, and
recommend a song, a book, a poem or any piece of Art to the listeners, which you believe will enhance
their experience of life.
Text 3
Text 3 consists of a letter published in the Irish Time on Thursday Jan 4 2024 and a graphic
published by the Central Statistics Office with information on the rate of energy consumption by
different elements of Irish society.
Sir, – There has been much negative comment in
recent times about data centres and the
resources they consume, the tone of which has
influenced local officials in some instances to
refuse planning permission for new
developments. The truth is that data centres are
actually good for the environment, and that
people who campaign against them are
campaigning for decreased efficiency and
increased energy consumption.
In a world which is increasingly online, electronic,
paper-less, and cash-less, data centres
consolidate the provision of an essential service
– data storage and processing. For the security
and privacy of critical national infrastructure,
such as health, banking, welfare, tax collection,
and so on, and for the confidentiality of data
belonging to Irish individuals, Irish data should
be stored and processed on Irish territory. Every
nation feels the same way about their own data,
and rightly so.
Without data centres, the services they provide
would need to be delivered locally by individual
organisations and consumers in piecemeal
fashion, as they were in the recent past.
Assuming the amount of data being stored or
processed by organisations and individuals is the
same whether they use shared data centres or
privately maintain their own servers, which is
more energy efficient?
Data centres allow for economies of scales by
making it possible for different organisations to
share capacity on common infrastructure,
significantly reducing the overall requirements
for energy. The total energy required for cooling,
fire-prevention, security, and other essential
aspects of data storage can be similarly reduced
when addressed collectively.
These facts are simple and obvious, and it defies
logic to claim data centres are a “bad thing”, per
se. Rational environmentalists should encourage
all Irish organisations to use shared data centres
to reduce energy consumption and protect our
environment, rather than demonising them.
However, we should also encourage efficiency in
the processing and storage of data. We live in an
era of “data explosion”, when organisations and
individuals are generating and storing more and
more data, often carelessly and needlessly.
Commercial storage devices employ “Raid”
technology, with multiple copies of each data
item stored on different hard-drives to protect
against data loss in the event a single drive fails.
Commercial providers also routinely backup
data to one or more secondary locations, to
ensure continuity of service in the event of a
catastrophic event, such as fire or a network
outage. Every time we store something to the
cloud, many copies are generated, and all are
maintained on servers that are running 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year.
Keeping servers running 24/7 on the off-chance
that some wants to view a photo, text message,
phone bill, or other transaction record created
years ago requires a constant supply of energy.
People should be aware that there is a significant
environmental cost to maintaining data in a
constantly available state, and that it is up to all
of us to minimise this through good practice.
Our own poor housekeeping of data is a
significant factor in the pressing need for greater
data storage capacity, of which data centres are
merely the most visible symptom.
Organisations and individuals can save on
energy consumption by powering down servers
when not in use (overnight or on weekends, for
example), by cleaning up ROTT (redundant,
obsolete, trivial, or temporary) data, and by
archiving old or non-active data to energy-
efficient passive storage formats, like USB keys,
DVDs, or magnetic tapes, instead of to always-
online cloud services.
Service providers, including public sector bodies,
should develop common codes of practice to
ensure they are permitted to archive old records
offline without fear of official censure, and
software designers should ensure that
applications they create include mechanisms for
identifying and removing obsolete data as a
matter of course.
Finally, small nations like Ireland, with limited
energy generating capacity, should be wary of
taking on the burden of storing and processing
data on behalf of other nations. – Yours, etc,..

Question A – 50 Marks

(i) In his letter, the writer strongly advocates in favour of data centres. Explain three positive
qualities of data centres which according to the writer, justify the construction and
existence of such centres. You may refer to both the written and visual texts in your
response.
(ii) This letter was published in the Irish Times letters page, in which correspondents can offer
differing views on topical issues. Explain three reasons why you think the existence of such
a platform remains important, or has become redundant, in the modern world of social
media.
(iii) Features of both persuasive and informative writing are evident in the written and visual
elements of Text 3. To what extent to you agree that these elements are effectively
employed to explore the issue of data centres and their environmental impact. You should
refer to four elements of persuasive and / or informative writing in your response.

Question B – 50 Marks

The author of the letter in Text 3 has very strong views about the importance of data centres. Write
a letter to a national newspaper on the topic of Leaving Cert reform. In your letter: outline your
stance on the whether or not reform of the Leaving Certificate system in necessary, describe one
element of that system that you think works effectively, and recommend changes to the system of
examination that you think would reduce stress on students while retaining the integrity of the exam
process.
Section II Composing 100 marks
1. In TEXT 2, Frank Capra describes his experience of film as he “vaulted to fame on its
witchery...”
Write a short story which features an ambitious character who encounters significant
obstacles in pursuit of his / her goals.

2. TEXT 3 features a letter in which the author forcefully outlines his opinion on an important
national issue. Write the text of a feature article for your school website, in which you argue
for the importance and significance of proper government funding for sport in order to
promote healthy lifestyles and positivity for people of all ages in our modern, constantly
changing world.

3. In TEXT 1, Olive decides to get married despite her son’s objections.

Write a personal essay in which you reflect on an occasion or occasions when you persevered
and refused to be discouraged.

4. In TEXT 3 the writer states that “People should be aware that there is a significant
environmental cost to maintaining data in a constantly available state, and that it is up to all of
us to minimise this through good practice.” Write a speech, to be delivered to an online audience,
on the importance of personal responsibility in the struggle to create a greener, more
environmentally friendly world.

5. In TEXT 2, Frank Capra describes how his community was consumed by the mystery of his
brother’s disappearance. Write a short story that features a disappearance, the effect that it
has on a community, and which features a surprising and unexpected resolution.

6. In TEXT 2, Frank Capra describes some of the formative events of his young life.
Write a personal essay in which you describe and reflect on some of the formative
experiences of your life so far.

7. TEXT 1 describes a family relationship which has changed. Write a discursive essay in which
you discuss the issue of change, including in the personal, social, and technological spheres.
You essay should address both the positive and negative outcomes of change.
English - Higher Level - Paper 2
Total Marks: 200

Candidates must attempt the following:

• ONE question from SECTION I – The Single Text
• ONE question from SECTION II – The Comparative Study
• ONE question on the Unseen Poem from SECTION III – Poetry
• ONE question on Prescribed Poetry from SECTION III – Poetry
N.B. Candidates must answer on Shakespearean Drama.
They may do so in SECTION I, The Single Text (Hamlet) or in Section II,
The Comparative Study (Macbeth, Hamlet).

SECTION I THE SINGLE TEXT (60 marks)

1) “We learn many interesting lessons about the power of drama to explore complex issues
from Shakespeare’s exploration of interpersonal relationships in Hamlet.”
Discuss this statement, developing your response with reference to Shakespeare’s play.

OR

2) To what extent does Shakespeare’s use of dialogue and symbolism develop and deepen our
understanding of Ophelia in Hamlet?
SECTION II THE COMPARATIVE STUDY (70 marks)
A Cultural Context

1. Compare and contrast how the experiences and relationships of one character from at least
two texts on your comparative course are shaped by the cultural contexts of the worlds they
inhabit.

2.

a) Texts often depict worlds in which prejudice results in injustice. Outline the extent to which
this statement might be true in one text you have prepared for your comparative course.
b) Compare the extent to which prejudice results in injustice in two other texts on your
comparative course.

B Theme or Issue

1. Change lies at the heart of an interesting narrative. Write an essay in which you compare
how change impacts upon a key character in at least two texts you have prepared for your
comparative course, ad discuss the source and consequences of that change.

2.

a) The extent to which the exploration of a particular theme or issue is relateable to a reader’s
own experience is an important aspect of any engaging text. In the case of one text you have
studied for the comparative section of your course, describe how the exploration of a
particular theme or issue made that text engaging.
b) Compare the extent to which the exploration of the same theme or issue discussed in 1. (a)
above, is relateable to a reader’s own experience in two other texts on your comparative
course and has the effect of making those texts engaging. Develop your response with
reference to your chosen texts.

C Literary Genre

1. Authors and directors employ a variety of techniques to create compelling narratives.

Discuss this statement in the light of the study of at least two texts you have prepared for
your comparative course, comparing and contrasting the variety of techniques employed by
the author / directors of each text.

2.

a) Symbolism lies at the heart of good storytelling. In the case of one text you have prepared
for the comparative section of your course, discuss how the author / director employed
symbolism to add depth and substance to the narrative.
b) In the case of two other texts of your comparative course, compare how the use of
symbolism impacted upon your experience of the texts, adding depth and substance to the
narratives.
SECTION III POETRY (70 marks)
Candidates must answer A – Unseen Poem and B – Prescribed Poetry.

A UNSEEN POEM (20 marks)

Read the following poem by Simon Armitage and answer either Question 1 or Question 2
which follow.

Give

Of all the public places, dear

to make a scene, I’ve chosen here.
Of all the doorways in the world
to choose to sleep, I’ve chosen yours.
I’m on the street, under the stars.
For coppers I can dance or sing.
For silver-swallow swords, eat fire.
For gold-escape from locks and chains.
It’s not as if I’m holding out
for frankincense or myrrh, just change.
You give me tea. That’s big of you.
I’m on my knees. I beg of you.

1. Change is a beautifully crafted, rhythmic poem which addresses important thematic

concerns. To what extent do you agree with this statement? In your answer refer to four
distinct aspects of the poem. You should refer to both the language employed and the
thematic concerns addressed by the poet in your answer. (20)
2.
a. What impression do you form of the speaker in the poem. (10)
b. You have been asked to use this poem to explain the use and effect of two poetic
techniques to a class of secondary school students. Write the text of the talk you would
give. (10)
B PRESCRIBED POETRY (50 marks)
Candidates must answer one of the following questions (1 – 5).
1. Seamus Heaney
“Heaney’s innovative use of symbolism and narrative techniques make the experience of reading his
thoughtful, philosophical poetry a memorable experience.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the above statement, developing
your response with reference to the poems by Seamus Heaney on your Leaving Certificate
English course.
2. Sylvia Plath
How successfully, in your opinion, does Plath employ both a lyrical style and striking imagery to
explore the intensity of her life and experiences in her work?
Develop your response with reference to the poetry by Sylvia Plath on your Leaving Certificate
English course.
3. Éilean Ní Chuilleanáin
“Ní Chuilleanáin’s poetry is distinctive for its mystery, its imagination and for the fact that its quiet
emotional depth means the poems resonate with the reader.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the above statement, developing
your response with reference to the poems by Éilean Ní Chuilleanáin on your Leaving Certificate
English course.
4. Gerard Manley Hopkins
“Hopkins makes effective use of inventive and distinctive language to explore moments of thrilling
excitement and crippling distress in his singular poetry.”
Discuss this statement with reference to the poetry by Gerard Manley Hopkins on your Leaving
Certificate English course.
5. William Butler Yeats
Yeats’s mastery over language means his poetry, which is often rooted in his own time, possesses a
timeless quality which means it continues to have meaning for a modern, 21st century reader.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the above statement? You should refer to
both the language and the themes in the poetry by William Butler Yeats on your Leaving
Certificate English course.