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Junior Cycle English: Unseen drama extracts

How often Unseen drama extracts comes up on the English papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

OL Asked on 1 of the last 8 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026.

Unseen drama extracts, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Unseen drama extracts.

(a)'MAYA: (aside) He doesn't know I heard him.' What is an aside?
  1. A line spoken by the whole cast
  2. A remark only the audience hears
  3. A speech made to a crowd
(b)In a play script, what are words in brackets or italics, such as (She slams the door.)?
  1. Soliloquies
  2. Asides
  3. Stage directions
(c)A script shows two characters speaking in short, quick lines, interrupting each other. What does this most suggest?
  1. Rising tension or conflict
  2. A slow, sad farewell
  3. A relaxed, friendly chat
Show the answers

(a) A remark only the audience hears

(b) Stage directions

(c) Rising tension or conflict

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Unseen drama extracts.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q5
2025Not asked
2024Q1, Q2
2023Q6
2022Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Q5, Q6

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Unseen drama extracts questions

Unseen drama extracts, 3 marks

'JACK: (quietly, not looking up) I'm fine.' What do the stage directions suggest?

  1. He is loudly angry
  2. He is overjoyed and relaxed
  3. He is hiding his true feelings
Show the answer

He is hiding his true feelings

The directions contradict the words. Speaking quietly without eye contact suggests hurt behind I'm fine. Directions are clues to what a character really feels.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 1 of the last 8 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q10, Q11
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Unseen drama extracts questions

Unseen drama extracts, 3 marks

Stage direction: (NIAMH turns away, wiping her eyes.) How is Niamh feeling?

  1. Delighted
  2. Bored
  3. Upset
Show the answer

Upset

Turning away and wiping her eyes show she is upset and may be hiding it. Stage directions reveal feelings the actor must show.

Unseen drama extracts, 3 marks

Script: (DAN hides the letter as his mother enters.) What does this suggest?

  1. He wants her to read it
  2. He is keeping a secret
  3. He has forgotten the letter
Show the answer

He is keeping a secret

Hiding the letter when his mother comes in shows he does not want her to see it. Actions in stage directions can reveal secrets and build tension.

Unseen drama extracts, 3 marks

Script: (Thunder. The lights flicker and die.) What mood does this create?

  1. Tense and ominous
  2. Calm and peaceful
  3. Silly and comic
Show the answer

Tense and ominous

Thunder and failing lights are sound and lighting effects that create fear and a sense that something bad is about to happen.

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