Comparative Study Exam Questions

Comparative Study English Leaving Certificate 2016 – Ordinary Level Modes of Comparison: Social Setting Relationships You will have a choice to answer questions on either of these 2 modes!

LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION, 2014 RELATIONSHIPS (a) Identify an important relationship in one comparative text you have studied. Name the text and explain why this particular relationship was important in it. (30) (b) Identify an important relationship in at least one other comparative text you have studied. Name the text(s) and compare the relationship discussed in 1.(a) above with the relationship(s) in the other text(s) you have identified. (40)

LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION, 2015 A RELATIONSHIPS 1. “Relationships in texts can contribute significantly to the overall happiness or unhappiness of the characters involved.” (a) (i) Identify a relationship in one of the three texts that you studied on your comparative course and explain whether this relationship made the characters involved happy or unhappy. (15) (ii) Identify a relationship in another text on your comparative course and explain whether this relationship made the characters involved happy or unhappy. (15) (b) Write a piece in which you compare what you think are the most important similarities and differences between the two relationships you identified in part (a) of this question. (40)

Exam Question: RELATIONSHIPS (a) Identify an important relationship in one comparative text you have studied. Name the text and explain why this particular relationship was important in it. (30)

Mr Kinsella and the girl Important because: It develops from being an unfamiliar relationship to a close and loving relationship in a short space of time (Summer months spent in Kinsella’s house)

Plan: Chapter 1: The girl does not know the Kinsellas they’re strangers to her “I wonder what it will be like, this place belonging to the Kinsella’s” pg 4. “The man… He looks nothing like my mother’s people…I wonder if I have come to the wrong house.” pg 5. Notice the girl’s upset when her father leaves (even though he seems to care little for her) the fact that she gets upset highlights how strange this new place is for her. The girl is upset about having to stay with the Kinsella’s in chapter 1 “Why did he leave without so much as a goodbye, without ever mentioning that he’d come back for me?” Compare this to why she’s upset in the final chapter after her relationship with the Kinsella’s has developed.

Relationship starts to develop: Chapter 3: When the girl wets the bed note Mr. Kinsella’s reaction (point and quote) pg 29. His reaction puts the girl at ease – relationship begins to develop Notice moments in chapter 3 whereby Kinsella makes an effort to interact with the girl in a playful manner (development of relationship) Chapter 5: Trip to Gorey Walk down to the beach after the wake(page 61-67)*Key Scene

Chapter 6: The girl’s reaction when she has to leave “I stand there and stare at the fire, trying not to cry” pg 71 Notice Kinsella’s reaction (he leaves the room) why? Chapter 8: “There’s only one thing I care about now, and my feet are carrying me there.” (Compare to chapter 1) Notice the final line also…..