JUNIOR CERT HOME ECONOMICS:RECESSION LOOMED large on this year's Junior Certificate home economics exams with questions on home budgeting, home baking and strategies to increase consumer spending.

‘Brine’ was a problem term for some students attempting question 6, but otherwise the higher level exam was variously described as “fantastic” and “lovely”.

“Many of my students did not know that brine is another word for salt water, and that put them at a disadvantage on question 6,” said Maura McCaul of Loreto College Stephen’s Green.

“However, there was plenty of choice on the paper and my students really liked it.”

Home economics students at higher level complete a full 50 per cent of the grade through project and coursework during the year.

These include modules on childcare, culinary skills, design and craft and textiles.

Ordinary level students complete 40 per cent of their course during the year.

“They have plenty under their belt already, and they had plenty of choice on this paper so they should be happy,” said Ms McCaul.

“This is an excellent course and it was broadly examined on this paper.”

Ms McCaul also welcomed the return to a more traditional format on the comparative food evaluation section, which changed last year for the first time in over a decade.

About 14,000 students took yesterday’s higher level junior cert paper.

More than 13,000 candidates were female.

The exam featured questions on the strategies that are used by supermarkets to encourage shoppers to spend more, and the advantages of making household budgets.

“A lovely question on home baking was particularly welcome, as baking has come back into fashion with the recession and the profile of people like Rachel Allen,” said Ms McCaul.

About 5,000 students took yesterday’s paper at ordinary level.

The paper also reflected the prevailing economic and social circumstances with questions about the advantages of saving money and the need to reduce fat in the diet.