The chances are that Junior Cert students who sat yesterdays home economics exams already had a good portion of their marks under their belts. Their practical exams - which accounted for just over half the marks in the case of ordinary-level students, and just under half for people sitting the higher paper - were completed way back in April. Yesterday's written exams were tough, but enjoyable, according to Ms Deirdre Healy, who teaches at St Joseph's Secondary School, Stanhope Street, Dublin.
The ordinary-level paper, she noted, boasted a good layout and excellent diagrams. Students were particularly pleased with the fact that key words were highlighted. The language was unambiguous and refugee students had no difficulties with the paper, she observed. The higher-level paper also received praise for its layout and clear diagrams. According to Ms Healy, the paper contained a good variety of testing questions. Question 1, on ready to cook meals, linked nutrition, consumer education and food poisoning. Meanwhile, students voted question 6, on the design of a wedding outfit, their favourite.