Leaving Cert English 2024

The 2024 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 2024 Higher Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 reading comprehension, literary analysis · 50 marks
  • Q2 composition, dialogue writing · 50 marks
  • Q3 reading comprehension, literary analysis · 50 marks
  • Q4 composition, proposal writing · 50 marks
  • Q5 reading comprehension, literary analysis · 50 marks
  • Q6 composition, diary writing · 50 marks
  • Q7 composition, short story · 100 marks
  • Q8 composition, magazine article · 100 marks
  • Q9 composition, speech writing · 100 marks
  • Q10 composition, personal essay · 100 marks
  • Q11 composition, discursive essay · 100 marks
  • Q12 composition, short story · 100 marks
  • Q13 composition, personal essay · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, literary analysis, drama · 60 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, literary genre, cultural context · 70 marks
  • Q3 unseen poetry, tone, language analysis · 20 marks
  • Q4 prescribed poetry, literary criticism · 50 marks

Ordinary Level

Paper 1Paper 2Marking Scheme
What's in the 2024 Ordinary Level paper?

Paper 1

  • Q1 reading comprehension, descriptive writing, challenges · 50 marks
  • Q2 blog writing, creative writing, challenges · 50 marks
  • Q3 reading comprehension, sport, challenges · 50 marks
  • Q4 radio commentary, creative writing, sport · 50 marks
  • Q5 reading comprehension, visual texts, challenges · 50 marks
  • Q6 article writing, advice, challenges · 50 marks
  • Q7 personal essay, challenges · 100 marks
  • Q8 short story, change · 100 marks
  • Q9 magazine article, adapting to change · 100 marks
  • Q10 short story, power · 100 marks
  • Q11 personal essay, talents · 100 marks
  • Q12 speech, challenges · 100 marks
  • Q13 feature article, complaining · 100 marks

Paper 2

  • Q1 single text, character analysis, literary response · 60 marks
  • Q2 comparative study, theme, social setting, hero heroine villain · 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.