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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physical Education

Leaving Cert Physical Education: Ethics & fair play

How often Ethics & fair play comes up on the Physical Education papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Ethics & fair play, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Ethics & fair play.

(a)Which is one of the four principles of ethical practice in sport named on the course?
  1. Profit
  2. Integrity
  3. Popularity
(b)Equity in sport means?
  1. Winning at all costs
  2. Identical coaching for everyone
  3. Fair access and opportunity for all
(c)Putting the ball out of play so an injured opponent can be treated shows?
  1. Sportsmanship
  2. Deviance
  3. Gamesmanship
Show the answers

(a) Integrity

(b) Fair access and opportunity for all

(c) Sportsmanship

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Ethics & fair play.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q13, Q14, Q15, Q18
2024Q16
2023Q6, Q18
2022Q16
2021Q8

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

More Ethics & fair play questions

Ethics & fair play, 2 marks

A player's code of conduct is likely to include?

  1. Argue every close call with the referee
  2. Retaliate straight away if fouled
  3. Accept the referee's decision without dissent
Show the answer

Accept the referee's decision without dissent

Player codes stress respect for officials, opponents and teammates, playing within the rules and controlling one's temper.

Ethics & fair play, 3 marks

Why does a win-at-all-costs culture threaten ethics in sport?

  1. It removes the need for referees
  2. It pressures people to cheat or bend rules
  3. It makes everyone play more fairly
Show the answer

It pressures people to cheat or bend rules

When only the result matters, doping, diving, gamesmanship and abuse of officials become tempting. Values like respect and integrity get pushed aside.

Ethics & fair play, 3 marks

A coach plays an injured star in a final against medical advice. The main ethical issue?

  1. Player welfare is put below winning
  2. The team's tactics are too defensive
  3. The team is too young for a final
Show the answer

Player welfare is put below winning

A coach has a duty of care. Risking a player's health to win breaks that duty and the ethics of good coaching.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q9, Q18
2024Q17
2023Not asked
2022Q14, Q16
2021Q7

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

More Ethics & fair play questions

Ethics & fair play, 2 marks

Which is one of the four ethical principles in sport?

  1. Aggression
  2. Profit
  3. Integrity
Show the answer

Integrity

The four principles are integrity, respect, fairness and equity. Integrity means being honest and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Ethics & fair play, 2 marks

Gamesmanship is…

  1. Being shown a red card for a bad foul
  2. Bending the rules or spirit of the game to gain an edge
  3. Always playing fairly within the true spirit of the game
Show the answer

Bending the rules or spirit of the game to gain an edge

Gamesmanship stays close to the rules but breaks their spirit, e.g. time-wasting or sledging. Sportsmanship means playing fairly and respecting opponents.

Ethics & fair play, 3 marks

Kicking the ball out so an injured opponent can get treatment is an example of…

  1. Sportsmanship
  2. Gamesmanship
  3. Cheating
Show the answer

Sportsmanship

Putting an opponent's welfare ahead of an advantage shows respect and fair play. The other team usually returns the ball, which is a convention of sporting behaviour.

Other Physical Education topics

All of Leaving Cert Physical Education