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Subjects · Leaving Cert Home Economics

Leaving Cert Home Economics: Household appliances

How often Household appliances comes up on the Home Economics papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

OL Asked on 5 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2023.

Household appliances, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Household appliances.

(a)Function of the magnetron in a microwave oven?
  1. It steps up the voltage from the mains
  2. It converts electrical energy into microwaves
  3. It spreads the microwaves around the oven
(b)Function of the transformer in a microwave oven?
  1. It turns the turntable so that the food heats evenly
  2. It produces the microwaves that heat the food
  3. It increases the voltage supplied to the magnetron
(c)Why must metal containers not be used in a microwave oven?
  1. Metal reflects microwaves and can cause sparking
  2. Metal lets microwaves pass straight through
  3. Metal absorbs microwaves and melts
Show the answers

(a) It converts electrical energy into microwaves

(b) It increases the voltage supplied to the magnetron

(c) Metal reflects microwaves and can cause sparking

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Household appliances.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026A10
2025Not asked
2024A12, A14
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021A10
2019A10
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

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

More Household appliances questions

Household appliances, 3 marks

How do microwaves heat food?

  1. They heat the metal oven walls, which then heat the food by radiation
  2. They heat the air inside the oven, which carries heat to the food by convection
  3. They make water molecules in the food vibrate rapidly, producing heat by friction
Show the answer

They make water molecules in the food vibrate rapidly, producing heat by friction

Heat is made in the outer layers of the food and conducted inwards, which is why standing time and stirring matter.

Household appliances, 3 marks

Function of the condenser coils at the back of a fridge?

  1. They pump the refrigerant around the circuit and raise its pressure
  2. They release heat from the refrigerant into the room, turning it back to liquid
  3. They draw heat out of the food and pass it to the freezer section
Show the answer

They release heat from the refrigerant into the room, turning it back to liquid

Heat taken from inside the fridge is given out here, which is why the back of a fridge feels warm and needs space for air to flow.

Household appliances, 3 marks

Function of the compressor in a fridge?

  1. It pumps the refrigerant, raising its pressure and temperature
  2. It lowers the pressure of the liquid refrigerant so it can boil
  3. It sets the temperature of the cabinet using a dial
Show the answer

It pumps the refrigerant, raising its pressure and temperature

A motor drives the compressor, which forces the vapour into the condenser.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 5 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2023.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Not asked
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023A13
2022Not asked
2021A11
2019Not asked
2018A12
2017Q4
2016A11

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

More Household appliances questions

Household appliances, 2 marks

Which appliance has a heating element?

  1. Food processor
  2. Hand-held mixer
  3. Toaster
Show the answer

Toaster

An element turns electricity into heat, as in kettles, toasters and irons. A motor makes movement, as in mixers and food processors.

Household appliances, 2 marks

Which appliance works with a motor?

  1. Toaster
  2. Food processor
  3. Kettle
Show the answer

Food processor

A motor turns the blades of a food processor. Kettles and toasters have heating elements instead.

Household appliances, 2 marks

What temperature should a fridge be kept at?

  1. Between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius
  2. Between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius
  3. Below minus 18 degrees Celsius
Show the answer

Between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius

At 5 degrees Celsius or below, bacteria grow very slowly. Check it with a fridge thermometer.

Other Home Economics topics

All of Leaving Cert Home Economics