Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Agricultural Science

Leaving Cert Agricultural Science: Climate & emissions

How often Climate & emissions comes up on the Agricultural Science papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

OL Asked on 2 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2022.

Climate & emissions, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Climate & emissions.

(a)Which greenhouse gas comes mainly from rumen fermentation in cattle?
  1. Nitrous oxide
  2. Methane
  3. Ammonia
(b)Nitrous oxide from farming comes mainly from...
  1. Diesel burnt by tractors and machinery
  2. Belching by cattle as they digest the grass
  3. Nitrogen fertiliser and urine in the soil
(c)Why does protected urea cut emissions compared with CAN fertiliser?
  1. Less nitrous oxide, with an inhibitor to cut ammonia
  2. It raises the soil pH to stop nitrate leaching
  3. It adds bacteria that break down methane in the soil
Show the answers

(a) Methane

(b) Nitrogen fertiliser and urine in the soil

(c) Less nitrous oxide, with an inhibitor to cut ammonia

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Climate & emissions.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q3b, Q13c
2023Q7b, Q16, Q16d
2022Q9b, Q18
2021Q16c

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

More Climate & emissions questions

Climate & emissions, 3 marks

How does extending the grazing season help cut emissions?

  1. Cattle produce no methane while out at grass
  2. Grass takes in all the methane the cattle make
  3. Less slurry is stored and less feed conserved
Show the answer

Less slurry is stored and less feed conserved

More time at grass means less slurry stored in tanks and fewer emissions from making, storing and feeding silage.

Climate & emissions, 2 marks

How can some feed additives help climate targets?

  1. They add nitrogen to the soil
  2. They cut methane made in the rumen
  3. They remove CO2 from the air
Show the answer

They cut methane made in the rumen

Certain additives reduce the activity of methane-producing microbes in the rumen, lowering emissions per animal.

Climate & emissions, 2 marks

What does carbon neutral mean?

  1. Emissions are balanced by carbon removed
  2. No carbon is found in the product
  3. Only carbon dioxide is released
Show the answer

Emissions are balanced by carbon removed

A carbon neutral system removes or offsets as much greenhouse gas as it emits, e.g. by sequestration in soils and trees.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 2 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2022.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q17
2021Q9

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

More Climate & emissions questions

Climate & emissions, 2 marks

Which greenhouse gas is produced as cattle digest grass in the rumen?

  1. Oxygen
  2. Nitrogen
  3. Methane
Show the answer

Methane

Rumen microbes release methane, which cows belch out. It is a powerful greenhouse gas and a large part of Irish farm emissions.

Climate & emissions, 3 marks

Nitrous oxide on farms comes mainly from?

  1. Hedgerows and trees at night
  2. Nitrogen fertiliser and urine patches
  3. Tractor tyres wearing on the roads
Show the answer

Nitrogen fertiliser and urine patches

Soil bacteria turn surplus nitrogen into nitrous oxide, a strong greenhouse gas. Using clover, protected urea and precise spreading cuts it.

Climate & emissions, 2 marks

Planting trees on a farm helps with climate change because trees?

  1. Store carbon taken from the air
  2. Release methane that cools the air
  3. Produce ammonia from their leaves
Show the answer

Store carbon taken from the air

Trees take in carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and lock carbon into wood and soil. Hedges and permanent grassland also store carbon.

Other Agricultural Science topics

All of Leaving Cert Agricultural Science