Leaving Certificate Irish: A new optional section involving the study of film through Irish was yesterday met with dissatisfaction among some higher level Irish students.

Yesterday marked a change on the literature section of both higher and ordinary level papers with the debut of drama and film on the final Irish instalment. However, the question on the higher level paper, which required students to discuss how cinematic techniques can provide further insight into the main characters and themes, proved difficult according to Robbie Cronin, an Asti subject representative and teacher in Marian College, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

He said several students who had pre-prepared answers for the film option were in tears following the exam. "That aside, the paper was one of the best in years. The language was easy to comprehend and the questions were well put."

The 14,730 students taking the higher level paper were required to answer questions on prose, short stories, novels, autobiographies or dramas, poetry and the history of Irish. Donal Ó Loinsigh, a TUI subject representative, said those who set the paper had employed "old tested formulas" in providing a predictable and accessible paper which provided no surprises.

The questions on the prescribed autobiography A Thig ná Tit Orm, a popular option with many Leaving Cert students, have traditionally proved difficult but were "very doable" yesterday, Mr Ó Loinsigh said. Although some regular themes failed to appear in the Stair na Gaeilge section, he said that any student who had studied two-thirds of the course would have been able to answer the questions on the history of the Irish language.

The ordinary level paper, taken by 26,401 students, like the the first paper on Thursday, proved equally popular. It was described as "brilliant" by Mr Cronin, who said students were "thrilled" with its layout and accessibility. "It has left students with a really good impression of Irish and that is something we must be thankful for."

Questions on the prescribed film Clare sa Spéir proved straightforward, with poetry, drama and prose themes posing little difficulty said Máire Ní Laoire, a teacher in Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, Blarney, Co Cork.