Leaving Cert English 2018

The 2018 Leaving Cert English exam papers and official marking scheme, free below as direct PDF links from the State Examinations Commission archive.

Higher Level

Paper 1Paper 2Marking Scheme
What's in the 2018 Higher Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 comprehending, language of argument, creative writing · 50 marks
  • Q2 comprehending, open letter, functional writing · 50 marks
  • Q3 comprehending, language of narration, characterisation · 50 marks
  • Q4 comprehending, opinion piece, education · 50 marks
  • Q5 comprehending, visual literacy, war poetry · 50 marks
  • Q6 comprehending, article, film adaptation · 50 marks
  • Q7 composing, descriptive essay · 100 marks
  • Q8 composing, short story · 100 marks
  • Q9 composing, personal essay · 100 marks
  • Q10 composing, discursive essay · 100 marks
  • Q11 composing, short story, detective fiction · 100 marks
  • Q12 composing, personal essay · 100 marks
  • Q13 composing, speech, persuasive writing · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, the novel, shakespearean drama, characterisation · 60 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, cultural context, literary genre · 70 marks
  • Q3 unseen poem, poetry, imagery, language · 20 marks
  • Q4 prescribed poetry, poetry, poetic vision, identity · 50 marks

Ordinary Level

Paper 1Paper 2Marking Scheme
What's in the 2018 Ordinary Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 reading comprehension, impression, effective communication · 50 marks
  • Q2 article writing, stem subjects, inspiring people · 50 marks
  • Q3 reading comprehension, impression, sport · 50 marks
  • Q4 diary writing, creative writing, competition · 50 marks
  • Q5 reading comprehension, impression, visual texts · 50 marks
  • Q6 letter writing, persuasion, child labour · 50 marks
  • Q7 speech, technology · 100 marks
  • Q8 short story, identical twins · 100 marks
  • Q9 article writing, community, young people · 100 marks
  • Q10 personal essay, values · 100 marks
  • Q11 short story, race against time · 100 marks
  • Q12 personal essay, achievement · 100 marks
  • Q13 personal essay, siblings · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, character analysis, literary response · 60 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, hero heroine villain, social setting · 70 marks
  • Q3 unseen poetry, poetry analysis · 20 marks
  • Q4 prescribed poetry, poetry analysis · 50 marks
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All PDFs open on the State Examinations Commission archive (examinations.ie). ExamAI links to them; we don't host or alter them.