Ordinary Level Sample questions and answers

A (i) A person living in an Ancient Civilisation outside Ireland (25 Marks)

Hints:

Family Life
Food and clothing
Housing
Arts and crafts


If you are asked to name the Civilisation, then do so from the start.
Do not feel as if you have to use the hints. If in any doubt, always give more information rather than less.

ROME
A person living in Roman times would be lucky if they were rich but could also be unfortunate and be born poor.
Rich Roman men wore togas and women wore stolas while poorer Romans wore the simple tunics.

One day a week, Romans would go to the market (called the Forum) to trade, swap stories and listen to speeches. Down the middle of the Forum ran the Via Sacra, along which victorious armies would march following a successful battle

Rich Romans lived in luxurious houses with gardens (known as peristyles) flush toilets and slaves to do their bidding. Romans had the brilliantly constructed aqueducts to thank for the running water. Poorer Romans were not so fortunate and lived in high rise accomodation (known as insulae) without running water.

The Romans were very keen on entertainment and went to the baths, which were like small villages, to wash and gossip. The circus maximus was the scene of great chariot races and the colosseum was the home of great gladiator fights and sometimes, when it was flooded, they even had boat races!

Children had many pastimes in Roman times and were given the day off school to attend the forum. They also had mock chariot races using their dogs.


Write about a person describing political events that occurred in Ireland after 1945. You may use the following hints in your answer: (25 marks)

Names of different political leaders
Important political parties
Main decisions taken
Effects of those decisions


Try to give at least 8 valid points to get full marks
A valid point is a well developed piece of information.The examiner is looking to see what historical points you know.


A person living in Ireland after 1945


After the War many people felt it was time for a change of government.

In 1948 a new Taoiseach took over from Eamon de Valera. This was John A Costello and he was the leader of the new Inter-Party government.

This government brought in the Republic of Ireland Act of 1949. It also had a new and dynamic Minister for Health in Noel Browne who set about eradicating TB.

Eamon de Valera again became Taoiseach after the Mother and Child Scheme indirectly caused the Inter-Party government to fall. There was widespread emigration and unemployment was high.

Sean Lemass became Taoiseach in 1959 and immediately set about improving the economy through his Programme for Economic Expansion. He also visited the North for historic talks with the then Northern Ireland Prime Minister,Terence O’ Neill.

In the 1970’s Ireland joined the EEC. Troubles flared in the North and internment and direct rule were introduced. Jack Lynch took over as Taoiseach from Liam Cosgrave.

In 1985, the Anglo Irish Agreement (an attempt to improve relations with Northern Ireland) failed and Northern Ireland was plunged into difficulty once again.

In 1989 Mary Robinson became the first female President of Ireland.

Is a leonardo DaVinci essay on here? [b]