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Subjects · Leaving Cert English

Leaving Cert English: Comparative Study

How often Comparative Study comes up on the English 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 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Comparative Study, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Comparative Study.

(a)In the comparative, what does 'GVV' stand for?
  1. Genre, Voice and Viewpoint
  2. General Vision and Viewpoint
  3. General Values and Vision
(b)How many comparative modes are named on the syllabus in total?
  1. Five
  2. Three
  3. Four
(c)How many comparative modes are prescribed for Higher Level in a given exam year?
  1. Three
  2. Four
  3. Two
Show the answers

(a) General Vision and Viewpoint

(b) Four

(c) Three

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Comparative Study.

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
2026Comparative
2025Comparative
2024Comparative
2023Comparative
2022Comparative
2021Comparative
2019Comparative
2018Comparative
2017Comparative
2016Comparative

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

More Comparative Study questions

Comparative Study, 2 marks

In film, a tracking shot is one where the camera…

  1. Stays fixed on a tripod
  2. Cuts between two scenes
  3. Moves along with the action
Show the answer

Moves along with the action

The camera often moves on rails or a dolly, drawing the viewer along with the character's movement.

Comparative Study, 2 marks

In film, narration by an unseen speaker is a…

  1. Montage
  2. Voice-over
  3. Soliloquy
Show the answer

Voice-over

A voice-over can give a character's thoughts or a narrator's view, which is useful to discuss in the Literary Genre mode.

Comparative Study, 2 marks

In film, a fade to black usually signals…

  1. The end of a scene or a passage of time
  2. A sudden, fast-moving action sequence
  3. A change of narrator or of point of view
Show the answer

The end of a scene or a passage of time

A fade creates a pause, suggesting time has passed or giving a sense of an ending.

Ordinary Level

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

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Comparative
2025Comparative
2024Comparative
2023Comparative
2022Comparative
2021Comparative
2019Comparative
2018Comparative
2017Comparative
2016Comparative

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

More Comparative Study questions

Comparative Study, 2 marks

In the Comparative Study you write about…

  1. Only one text
  2. An unseen poem
  3. More than one text
Show the answer

More than one text

You compare the texts you studied, showing where they are alike and where they differ, using examples from each.

Comparative Study, 2 marks

A good comparative answer uses linking words such as…

  1. Suddenly, meanwhile, at last
  2. Similarly, whereas, on the other hand
  3. Firstly, secondly, thirdly only
Show the answer

Similarly, whereas, on the other hand

Linking words join the texts inside one paragraph. Without them you end up writing two separate mini-essays side by side.

Comparative Study, 2 marks

In a comparative answer you should avoid…

  1. Retelling the whole story of each text
  2. Naming the texts you studied in class
  3. Giving examples from each of the texts you studied
Show the answer

Retelling the whole story of each text

Examiners want comparison, not summary. Use just enough of the story to prove the point you are making.

Other English topics

All of Leaving Cert English