Comprehension Question A Revision Guide

Posted onAuthorenda84macCategoriesLeaving Cert, paper 1

✨ Examiner’s Guide: Mastering Question A (Paper 1)

Want to boost your marks in Question A (Comprehension)? Here’s exactly what examiners are looking for — broken down into clear, student-friendly steps 👇

🎯 What Examiners Want

At the core, we are looking for:

  • 🧠 Clarity of thought
  • 📖 Engagement with the text
  • 🛠️ Use of technical vocabulary

Each part of Question A is a separate task — treat them that way!

📌 Question (i): The Comprehension (15 Marks)

🎯 Your Goal:

Show you understand the text — without copying it.

✅ How to Nail It:

  • Stick to 3 points (no more, no less)
  • Always write in your own words
  • Support each point with a short quote
  • Blend quotes smoothly into your sentences

🚫 Avoid This:

Bono says the world is on fire. “The world is on fire.”

✅ Do This Instead:

Bono highlights the urgency of climate change, warning that the “world is on fire” and needs immediate action.

📏 Length Guide:

  • Aim for about ¾ of a page
  • Be concise but detailed

✍️ Question (ii): The Personal Response (10–15 Marks)

🎯 Your Goal:

Show your opinion + awareness of the world

💡 Key Tips:

  • 🧭 Take a clear stance
  • 🧱 Build your answer around 2 strong reasons
  • 🌍 Show awareness of real-world issues
  • 📝 Plan for 2 minutes before writing

⚠️ Common Mistake:

  • Rambling without structure ❌

🎭 Bonus Tip:

Sometimes you may need to connect to your studied texts — be ready to link ideas!

🔍 Question (iii): Analysis of Style (15–20 Marks)

🎯 Your Goal:

Explain HOW the text is written (not just what it says)

🎨 The Five Genres of Language

You should recognise and discuss:

  1. 📊 Information
    → Facts, stats, clarity
  2. ⚖️ Argument
    → Logic, reasoning, counterpoints
  3. ❤️ Persuasion
    → Emotional appeal, rhetorical questions, “we” language
  4. 📖 Narrative
    → Story, characters, setting
  5. 🌅 Aesthetic
    → Imagery, metaphors, beautiful language

🧠 How to Structure Your Answer:

  • Use the “4-Point Rule” → 4 developed points for top marks
  • Use key literary terms:
    • ✨ Anaphora
    • 🌧️ Pathetic fallacy
    • 🎯 Rhetorical questions
    • 🎨 Imagery

❌ Weak:

The writer uses good words.

✅ Strong:

The writer uses vivid imagery and metaphor to create an evocative and emotional tone.

🧾 Know the Text Type:

  • 🎤 Speech → persuasive techniques
  • 📓 Memoir → reflective tone, personal voice
  • 📰 Article → informative + argumentative

🏁 Final Examiner Tips

⏱️ Pacing:
Don’t spend too long here — it’s just one section!

🧱 Structure:
Use paragraphs — avoid giant blocks of text

📚 Vocabulary Boost:
Impress with words like:

  • Nuanced
  • Compelling
  • Evocative
  • Pragmatic

💬 Final Thought

Mastering Question A is about being:

  • Clear 🧠
  • Structured 🧱
  • Insightful 🔍