Go n-éirí an bóthar leat!
Yeats College teacher Samantha Hogan explains the importance of planning, goal setting, productive study and ongoing self-assessment for optimal exam performance
I hope the mock examinations went well and more importantly I hope they gave you an insight into the areas you can improve on between now and the State exam in June. If you haven’t done so already, I would advise you to study your mock script in detail, calculate the result in each particular section and identify areas that need further attention. In this brief I will take each section of the papers in turn and give you exam tips and study tips for approaching each question.
Gaeilge Árdleibhéal
The Junior Cert Higher Irish exam comprises two written papers. Paper One will take place on 6 June, 2019 at 9.30am. This paper consists of the listening exam, reading comprehensions, grammar questions and the essay. Paper Two will take place on 6 June, 2019 at 2pm. This paper includes prose literary studies, poetry studies and the letter. As you approach the final few weeks before your Junior Cert Irish, create an effective study plan. As you complete each section, refer to the checklist provided at the end of this brief and be sure you have all topics revised thoroughly. Before you begin studying your Irish, ask yourself the following:
1. Do I have an organised folder/copy? 2. Do I have my exam papers?
3. Do I have a plan in place as to which exact part of the course I am studying?
Páipéar 1 – 150 marc
Roinn I : Cluastuiscint 40 marc, 20-25 nóiméad This section of the exam is worth 40 marks. The listening exam will last 20-25 minutes. You will hear each extract twice. When the CD prompts you to listen to each section, it is a good idea to highlight keywords in the questions. Listen intently to the disc and abbreviate answers in the margin until you are certain they are correct on the second hearing. Attempt all questions and avoid leaving blanks. Write down answers as accurately as possible. Your answers must be in Irish unless the actual answer requires otherwise. Between now and the exams, practice on sample exam scripts is crucial to improve your general understanding and increase your speed levels for keeping up with the CD. Jot down new vocabulary at the end of each trial and learn. Finally, ensure you have revised the basic vocabulary such as for countries, counties, school, pastimes, professions, numbers and so on.
The listening exam will be divided as follows: Cuid A : An Chéad Chainteoir, An Dara Cainteoir Cuid B : Fógra, Píosa Nuachta Cuid C : Comhrá a haon, Comhrá a dó
Revise the following questions: • Cén uair – When
• Cad é an spriocdháta – What is the closing date
• An méid – How much/the amount
• Luaigh – Mention
• Ainmnigh – Name
• Cén sórt/ cén cineál / cén saghas – What type/what
sort
• Cá fhad – How long
• Cad a sheol – What was launched • An lá – the day
• Cad as di – Where is she from • Conas a tharla – How did it happen • Cá bhfuil – Where is
• Breac síos – Write down
• Cén chuid – What part
• Cén duais – What prize
• Dhá chúis – two reasons
• Dhá phíosa eolais – two points of information • Cén socrú – What arrangement • Cathain – When
• Cá fhad – How long
ROINN II : LÉAMHTHUISCINT 40 marc, 40 nóiméad
There will be two reading comprehensions, each worth 20 marks. They are largely based on famous people and events which are topical. It is essential that you have completed many past comprehensions and have familiarised yourself with the new vocabulary. This particular task, of learning new vocabulary, should be done right up to the day before the exam. Have a small notebook or flashcards or post-its, or whatever method suits you personally, and compile lists of new words that you accumulate. Take note of the types of questions asked frequently. Answers should be in your own words. Between now and your exam, create a list of vocabulary for each comprehension in the exam papers and learn it.
Ócáid Shóisialta Ghaeilge
1. Tá méadú mór tagtha le tamall de bhlianta anuas ar líon na ndaoine a dhéanann cumarsáid lena chéile ar an idirlíon agus sna meáin dhigiteacha. Is cuid lárnach choitianta de shaol na cumarsáide sa lá atá inniu ann iad na hócáidí líonraithe shóisialta. Bhí an chéad tweetup as Gaeilge, an #Gtuít, ar siúl i mBaile Átha Cliath ar 27 Meán Fómhair, 2012. Bhailigh tuíteálaithe na Gaeilge le chéile an lá sin sa Culture Box i mBarra an Teampaill, Baile Átha Cliath.
2. Is é an leagan amach a bhíonn ar tweetup go mbuaileann tuíteálaithe lena chéile in ionad sóisialta éigin. Thug an ócáid seo i mBarra an Teampaill deis do Ghaeilgeoirí teacht le chéile, líonrú lena chéile agus aithne a chur ar na daoine a bhíonn ag tuíteáil as Gaeilge agus ag glacadh páirte i líonraí sóisialta Gaeilge. Meascán idir tweetup agus seisiún eolais a bhí ann ar an lá.
3. Bhí an ócáid seo oscailte do gach aon duine a bhíonn ag úsáid na láithreán líonraithe shóisialta.
Bhí Micheál Ó Foighil, duine de bhunaitheoirí an láithreáin líonraithe shóisialta Ghaeilge Abair Leat, i láthair ag an ócáid agus rinne sé cur síos ar an bhfeachtas Abair Leat. Tá an feachtas seo tar éis dul i bhfeidhm ar an aos óg ar YouTube agus sna meáin shóisialta eile. Chomh maith leis sin, labhair Fiachra Ó Marcaigh, stiúrthóir an chomhlachta Amas, faoi na forbairtí nua atá i ndán do chúrsaí teicneolaíochta maidir le líonraí sóisialta sna blianta amach anseo. 4. Ba é Gaelport.com a d’eagraigh an ócáid. Dúirt Niamh Ní Shúilleabháin, eagarthóir na ríomhirise Gaelport.
com, go raibh súil aici go gcuirfeadh an #Gtuít tús le plé agus le díospóireacht ar na forbairtí is úire atá ag teacht chun cinn ar an idirlíon agus sna meáin dhigiteacha. “Rachaidh na forbairtí seo chun tairbhe do chainteoirí Gaeilge agus d’fhoghlaimeoirí araon,” a dúirt sí. Ceisteanna agus freagraí samplacha (i) (a) Cén dáta a raibh an ócáid líonraithe shóisialta, #Gtuít, ar siúl? Bhí an ócáid ar siúl ar an 27 Meán Fómhair, 2012. (b) Cén leagan amach a bhí ar an ócáid #Gtuít?
Bhí meascán idir tweetup agus seisiún eolais ar an lá. Bhailigh tuíteálaithe le chéile sa Culture Box i mBarra an Teampaill, Baile Átha Cliath. (ii) (a) Luaigh deis amháin a thug an ócáid seo do Ghaeilgeoirí? Thug sé deis dóibh aithne a chur ar na daoine a bhíonn ag tuíteáil as Gaeilge. (b) Ainmnigh duine de bhunaitheoirí Abair Leat?
Ba é Mícheál Ó Foighil duine de bhunaitheoirí Abair Leat. (iii) (a) Cén post atá ag Niamh Ní Shúilleabháin?
Is eagarthóir na ríomhirise Gaelport.com i Niamh Ní Shuilleabháin.
(b) Luaigh rud amháin a dúirt Niamh faoi #Gtuít. Dúirt Niamh go rachadh na forbairtí chun tairbhe do chainteoirí Gaeilge agus d’fhoghlaimeoirí araon. (iv) Cén t-alt sa sliocht thuas a dtagraíonn an abairt seo a leanas dó?
‘Chuir na haoi-chainteoirí an lucht éisteachta ar an eolas faoi líonraí sóisialta.’
Alt 1; Alt 2; Alt 3; Alt 4. (Scríobh an freagra sa fhreagar leabhar.) Freagra = Alt 3 (v) Cén t-alt sa sliocht thuas a dtagraíonn an abairt seo a leanas dó? ‘Is meán cumarsáide coitianta é an líonra sóisialta faoi láthair.’ Alt 1; Alt 2; Alt 3; Alt 4. (Scríobh an freagra sa fhreagarleabhar.) Freagra = Alt 1 ROINN III: TRIALACHA TEANGA COMHTHÉACSÚLA 20 marc, 15 nóiméad This is the grammar section and will be divided into Ceist A and Ceist B.
Ceist A will provide you with a short extract – this could be a diary entry, email, news item or blog etc. It will be given to you in either the:
• Aimsir Chaite
• Aimsir Láithreach
• Aimsir Fháistineach
• Modh Coinníollach. You will be required to rewrite the passage in a particular tense. THEREFORE – REVISION OF VERBS IS ESSENTIAL. Caitheann Manchan Magan neart ama ag dul ó áit go háit. Sa tsraith clár téann sé timpeall na tíre. Foghlaimíonn sé go bhfuil sé deacair go leor teacht ar earraí de dhéantús na hÉireann. Fiú nuair a thiteann a shúile ar leabhar le húdar Éireannach baintear siar as mar níos minice ná a chéile is taobh amuigh den tír a cuireadh an leabhar i gcló. Freagra: Chaith Manchan Magan neart ama ag dul ó áit go háit. Sa tsraith clár chuaigh sé timpeall na tíre. D’fhoghlaim sé go raibh sé deacair go leor teacht ar earraí de dhéantús na hÉireann. Fiú nuair a thit a shúile ar leabhar le húdar Éireannach baineadh siar as mar níos minice ná a chéile is taobh amuigh den tír a cuireadh an leabhar i gcló. Ceist B is the ‘fill in the blanks’ grammar question. You will be asked to rewrite the sentences using suitable words, numbers etc. You will also be asked to select an example of ‘An Tuiseal Ginideach’ and’ Céimeanna Comparáide na hAidiachta’. Familiarise yourself with the following examples of the Tuiseal Ginideach: Bean an tí, Muintir na hÉireann, saol na cathrach, Réamháisnéis na hAimsire, oifig an phoist, Tábhacht an spóirt, oifig an phríomhoide, Fadhbanna na tíre, Tábhacht na Gaeilge Familiarise yourself with the following examples of Céimeanna Comparáide na hAidiachta: Níos deise, níos mó, níos airde, níos áille, níos tábhachtaí, níos faide, níos cáiliúla, níos déine.
ROINN IV: CEAPADÓIREACHT
50 marc, 45 nóiméad This is the creative writing section. You will have a choice between an essay, a short story or a debate. Don’t spend too much time selecting a title. Be sure that you completely understand the title you have chosen. Write down accurately and in full the title you have selected and be certain that every word is spelled accurately. Devise a plan and place your thoughts and paragraphs together before proceeding with your answer.
You are required to choose ONE from
A – Aiste nó Alt Nuachtáin/Irise
B – Scéal
C – Díospóireacht
A: Aiste
Structuring your answer Have an interesting and catchy opening. One paragraph will suffice as an introduction. Grammatical accuracy is of utmost importance. The body of your answer should consist of around three to four well developed paragraphs, with a new point in every paragraph. Try to keep each paragraph at equal length. Aim to leave the examiner with a sense of completion in your conclusion. Summarise the points you have discussed in the body of the essay and aim to link them all together. Once again, be very careful regarding grammatical accuracy.
B: Scéal
You are given two titles to choose from in this section. This tends to be a popular choice for many students who feel comfortable writing in the past tense. The first title gives you a sentence which you must use as the start of your story. The second title requires you to write about an incident or event that happened. Between here and June, practise preparing stories that were previously asked in recent years and perhaps you could incorporate one of these stories into a title on the day of your exam.
Scéal samplach
“Eachtra a tharla duit nuair a bhí tú ag dioscó le do chairde”
Bhí an t-atmaisféar leictreach! Daoine ag rince, daoine ag caint is ag comhrá, daoine ag gáire! Deireadh na scoil bliana a bhí ann agus muid uilig ag céiliúradh sa dioscó áitiúil. Le preabadh na súl theip ar na soilsí agus an córas fuaime. A Thiarcais! Céard a bhí ag tarlú?
Thuirling an dorchadas gruama ar an seomra mór. Thosaigh cailíní ag béicíl ar a chéile. Bhí slua mór ag rith i dtreo na dorais éalaithe. Is ansin gur tháinig na soilse ar siúl arís. Ba bheag nár thit an t-anam asam nuair a chonaic mé an radharc a bhí os comhair mo shúile.
Bhí cúigear fear le gunnaí agus balaclava ina seasamh timpeall an tseomra. An ionsaí sceimhlitheoireachta a bhí ann? Níor thuig mé.
“Gach duine ar an urlár go tapaidh”, a scread fear amháin. “Má dhéanann sibh pé rud a dheirimse, ní bheidh aon duine gortaithe”.
Chuala mé daoine ag caoineadh agus daoine ag cogarnaíl. Céard a dhéanfainn a cheap mé liom féin? Gan a thuilleadh moille, sháigh mé mo lámh isteach i mo phóca agus thóg mé amach an fón póca. Sheol mé téacs tapaidh chuig mo Dhaid ag rá “Fir le gunnaí anseo ag an dioscó”
Bhí mo chroí i mo bhéal ar eagla go bhfeicfeadh siad mé leis an bhfón. Chuir mé an fón ar chiúinas agus luigh mé mo cheann ar an urlár arís. Thosaigh mé ag guí. Céard a bhí ar siúl? Ceantar síochánta suaimhneach é seo. Ní thagann sceimhlitheoirí go dtí Baile na hAbhann a shíl mé liom féin.
Is ansin a chonaic mé na soilse gorma taobh amuigh den fhuinneog. Ba léir go raibh na Gardaí sroichthe. Scaoil fear stócach urchar agus thosaigh gach duine ag screadaíl in ard a gcinn is a ngutha!
“Sarah, Sarah, Sarah” a chuala mé. Guth mo Mhamaí a bhí ann. “Dúisigh dúisigh a stór, tá gach rud ceart go leor, tá Mamaí anseo”, a dúirt sí go hísleal. “Táimid ag dul go hAerfort na Sionainne i gceann cúpla uair a ghrá”
D’eirigh mé as an leaba go tobann, bhí mé ag cur allais agus ag crith go fréachmhar. Chonaic mé solas geal na gréine ag lonradh isteach tríd na cuirtíní. Chuala mé fuaim bhinn cheolmhar na n-éan. Fuair mé boladh úr an aráin dhonn. Thuig mé láithreach! Tromluí uafásach a bhí agam. Sin deireadh leis na scannáin foréigneacha a smaoinigh mé liom féin.
As an leaba a phreab mé le gliondar i mo chroí. Bhéadh orm mo chuid bagáiste a fháil réitithe dár saoire go Nua-Eabhrach!
Ní dhéanfaidh mé dearmad go deo ar an maidin sin! Tharla an eachtra sin- creid é nó ná chreid!
C : An Díospóireacht
You will be given two motions to choose from in this section. You will be asked to speak either in favour of or against your chosen motion. You must begin by speaking to the ‘audience’ and introducing yourself. Proceed by discussing one point per paragraph. End your debate with a summation of your chosen arguments and finish by thanking the ‘audience’.
Useful sentences for ‘An díospóireacht’
• A chathaoirligh, a dhaoine uaisle, a lucht leanúna agus a lucht fhréasúra, anocht beidh mé ag caint libh ar son/in aghaidh an rúin..........
Chairperson, people, followers and opposition, tonight I will be talking to you in favour of/against the motion • A dhaoine uaisle, cloistear go mion minic - People, it is often heard
• Deirimse libh a lucht éisteachta - I say to you listeners
• Is é mo thuairim - It is my opinion
• Creidim, a dhaoine uaisle – I believe, people
• Is maith atá a fhios againn ar fad – It is well that we all know
• Go pearsanta, ní aontaím leis an – Personally, I do not agree with
• An féidir linn réiteach a fháil ar – Can we find a solution for • Cuirigí i gcás, a lucht éisteachta – Take for example, listen
ers • Tógaigí mar shampla, a dhaoine uaisle – Take for example, people
• Táim dóchasach, a lucht éisteachta – I am hopeful, listeners • A dhaoine uaisle, táim tagtha chuig deireadh na díospóireachta – People, I have reached the end of the debate.
• Tá súil agam go n-aontóidh sibh liom – I hope that you will agree with me
• Go raibh míle maith agaibh as éisteacht liom, a dhaoine uaisle - Thank you for listening to me
have studied that has the same theme/emotion etc as one of the poems examined in Ceist 3. Question 4B will provide you with a list of themes or emotions. You will be asked to select ONE from the list and apply it to a poem you have studied. You must state the name of the poem and the name of the poet you have studied accurately.
Poetry – Sample answer
4B (i) Rinne mé staidéar ar an dán ‘Le Chéile’ le hÉamonn Ó Ríordáin. Is é an mothúchán is láidre sa dán seo ná an t-uaigneas.
4B (ii) Tá an dán bunaithe ar shaol na clainne agus ar an gcaidreamh idir “Mamó is Daideó”. Blianta ó shin, bhuail siad lena chéile agus thit siad i ngrá. Léiríonn an file sa chéad véarsa gur “phós siad go luath”. Gan amhras, bhí saol breá taitneamhach acu go dtí gur thosaigh an Chéad Chogadh Domhanda. Bhí ar Dhaideo a bheith páirteach sa chogadh agus mhair Mamó go huaigneach.
Tagann an sonas in áit an uaignis nuair a d’fhill Daideo. Sa cheathrú véarsa, tá íomhá dearfach den bheirt acu arís. Léiríonn an file go healaíonta an caidreamh iontach a bhí acu:
“is thosaigh siad ag maireachtáil Le chéile athuair”
Ag teacht chuig deireadh an dáin, áfach, Tá an t-uaigneas chun tosaigh arís. Déanann an file cur síos ar bhás Dhaideo agus ina dhiaidh sin cuireann an file os ár gcomhair gur bhásaigh Mamó
“Nuair a fuair sí féin bás ba mhór duinn ár meala”
Cé go bhfuil an t-uaigneas mar phríomhmhothúchán an dáin, críochnaíonn an file an dán ar dhearcadh dóchasach. Is léir go bhfuil an dán maoithneach seo bunaithe ar ghrá na clainne. Nochtann an file ag críoch an dáin go smaoiníonn sé ar a sheanathair agus a sheanmháthair agus iad
“ar neamh ansin Is an bheirt acu le chéile”
Is léir mar sin gurb é an t-uaigneas príomhmhothúchán an dáin. Eiríónn leis an bhfile an brón agus an t-uaigneas a chur os ár gcomhair trí usáid a bhaint as íomhánna éagsúla éifeachtacha.
Roinn III: An Litir
30 marc, 20 nóiméad
Ceist 5
Section three, question 5 is the letter. You will be given three options. Select ONE. Your first task is to decide whether you will choose the informal or formal letter. The informal letter requires you to write a letter to a friend or family member. It often refers to topics like summer holidays, occasions, important events, concerts, sporting occasion, part-time job, school events and so on. On the other hand, the formal letter requires you to compose a letter to an editor of a newspaper, a politician, a principal, a radio or television presenter, a manager of a job etc. The most effective way to prepare for this section is to learn useful sentences for both types of letters and practise previous letters that have appeared on past exam papers.
Useful sentences for the informal letter
Conas atá tú féin agus do mhuintir? – How are yourself and your family?
Is fada an lá ó chuala mé uait – It has been a long time since
I heard from you.
Tá fíorbhrón orm nár scríobh mé níos luaithe ach bhí mé an-ghnóthach – Sorry that I didn’t write sooner but I was very busy.
Tá dea-scéala agam duit – I have good news for you. An bhfuil tú ag baint taitneamh as na laethanta saoire? – Are you enjoying the holidays?
An dtiocfaidh tú ar cuairt? – will you come to visit? Beannachtaí ó – Greetings from
Táim anseo sa Ghaeltacht – I am here at the Gaeltacht Bhí mé ag ceolchoirm iontach – I was at a wonderful concert Bhuamar an cluiche ceannais – We won the final Táimid ag fanacht in óstán nua-aimseartha – we are staying in a modern hotel
D’itheamar i mbialann ghalánta – We ate in a fancy restaurant
Fuair mé post sa siopa áitiúil – I got a job in the local shop Bhí cóisir i dteach mo chara – We had a party in a friend’s house
Thug mo thuismitheoirí brontanas álainn dom – My parents gave me a lovely gift
Fan go gcloisfidh tú – Wait until you hear
Bhuel, níl a thuilleadh le rá agam – Well I have no more to say
Abair le gach duine go raibh mé ag cur a dtuairisce – Tell everybody that I was asking for them
Beidh mé i dteagmháil go luath – I will be in contact with you soon
Tógfaidh mé bronntanas arais chugat – I will bring you back a gift!