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Subjects · Leaving Cert Business

Leaving Cert Business: Motivation

How often Motivation comes up on the Business papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Business course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Motivation, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Motivation.

(a)The lowest level of Maslow's hierarchy is…
  1. Safety needs
  2. Physiological needs
  3. Social needs
(b)The highest level of Maslow's hierarchy is…
  1. Social needs
  2. Esteem
  3. Self-actualisation
(c)A company pension scheme mainly meets which Maslow need?
  1. Safety
  2. Social
  3. Esteem
Show the answers

(a) Physiological needs

(b) Self-actualisation

(c) Safety

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Motivation.

Higher Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Section 1 Q12, Section 2 ABQ
2025Section 3 Q5
2024Section 2 ABQ
2023Section 3 Q5, Section 3 Q6
2022Section 1 Q4
2021Section 3 Q6
2019Section 3 Q4
2018Section 3 Q4
2017Section 3 Q6
2016Section 2 ABQ

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

More Motivation questions

Motivation, 2 marks

In Herzberg's theory, the chance of advancement is a…

  1. Hygiene factor
  2. Physiological need
  3. Motivator
Show the answer

Motivator

Motivators, such as advancement, recognition, responsibility and achievement, come from the work itself and are what really drive staff to perform better.

Motivation, 2 marks

Extra pay linked to reaching agreed targets is…

  1. Basic annual salary (fixed)
  2. Performance-related pay
  3. Piece-rate payment
Show the answer

Performance-related pay

Performance-related pay rewards staff who meet agreed targets, often set at an appraisal. Piece rate is paid per unit produced, whatever the targets.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Section 1 Q7
2025Section 1 Q3, Section 2 Q7
2024Section 2 Q5, Section 2 Q7
2023Section 1 Q5, Section 2 Q7
2022Section 1 Q3
2021Section 2 Q5
2019Not asked
2018Section 2 Q4
2017Section 2 Q6
2016Section 2 Q4

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

More Motivation questions

Motivation, 3 marks

Giving an employee a more challenging job with more responsibility is…

  1. Job rotation
  2. Job sharing
  3. Job enrichment
Show the answer

Job enrichment

Job enrichment adds responsibility and decision making to make the work more satisfying. Job rotation only moves staff between similar tasks.

Motivation, 2 marks

Maslow arranged human needs in a…

  1. Straight line with two ends
  2. Pyramid with five levels
  3. Circle with three parts
Show the answer

Pyramid with five levels

Maslow said the lower needs must be met before the next level motivates a person, working up from physiological to self-actualisation.

Motivation, 2 marks

Which of these is a non-financial reward that can motivate staff?

  1. Praise from the manager
  2. A pay rise each year
  3. A cash bonus at Christmas
Show the answer

Praise from the manager

Praise, responsibility and recognition cost nothing but meet a worker esteem needs and can motivate as strongly as money.

Other Business topics

All of Leaving Cert Business