Leaving Cert English 2021

The 2021 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 2021 Higher Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 comprehending, question a, memoir, john banville · 40 marks
  • Q2 comprehending, question b, feature article, statues · 40 marks
  • Q3 comprehending, question a, prose, doireann ni ghriofa · 40 marks
  • Q4 comprehending, question b, open letter, animal rights · 40 marks
  • Q5 comprehending, question a, speech, chadwick boseman · 40 marks
  • Q6 comprehending, question b, verbal pitch, yearbook · 40 marks
  • Q7 composing, personal essay, birthdays · 100 marks
  • Q8 composing, discursive essay, community · 100 marks
  • Q9 composing, short story, railway station · 100 marks
  • Q10 composing, personal essay, humour · 100 marks
  • Q11 composing, fable, bees, ancient ireland · 100 marks
  • Q12 composing, article, colours and sounds · 100 marks
  • Q13 composing, speech, stereotyping · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, literary analysis, essay · 70 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, theme or issue, cultural context, general vision and viewpoint · 70 marks
  • Q3 unseen poem, poetry, louise greig · 20 marks
  • Q4 prescribed poetry, poetry, essay · 50 marks

Ordinary Level

Paper 1Paper 2Marking Scheme
What's in the 2021 Ordinary Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 reading comprehension, personal response, music · 40 marks
  • Q2 composing, review writing, music · 40 marks
  • Q3 reading comprehension, personal response, technology and music · 40 marks
  • Q4 composing, talk writing, inventions · 40 marks
  • Q5 visual literacy, personal response, music · 40 marks
  • Q6 composing, podcast writing, music · 40 marks
  • Q7 composing, short story, music · 100 marks
  • Q8 composing, personal essay, identity · 100 marks
  • Q9 composing, article writing, technology · 100 marks
  • Q10 composing, personal essay, conformity · 100 marks
  • Q11 composing, short story, virtual reality · 100 marks
  • Q12 composing, article writing, community · 100 marks
  • Q13 composing, talk writing, creative arts · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, literary analysis, essay · 70 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, social setting, relationships, theme · 70 marks
  • Q3 unseen poem, poetry, rachel rooney · 20 marks
  • Q4 prescribed poetry, poetry, literary 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.