essay on paper bag day

Anirban Kar

The Hidden Significance of World Paper Bag Day

In a world where everyone is already aware of the consequences of plastic dependence, is there any relevance in setting aside a dedicated day to celebrate paper bags?

A woman holding a paper bag | Source: Photo by Angela Roma from Pexels

World Paper Bag Day is observed on 12 July every year to spread awareness about plastic pollution and encourage the use of environmentally friendly alternatives. The day serves as a reminder of the harmful impact of plastic on our planet and emphasises the importance of adopting sustainable practices in our daily lives.

Plastic waste has become a global concern as it takes years to decompose and causes severe environmental pollution. World Paper Bag Day aims to address this issue by promoting the use of paper bags, which are easily recyclable and can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated.

The history of paper bags can be traced back to the 19th century. In 1852, American inventor Francis Wolle patented the first paper bag machine, revolutionising the way bags were produced. Nearly two decades later, Margaret E. Knight invented a machine capable of manufacturing flat-bottom boxy paper bags, earning her the title of "the mother of the grocery bag." These inventions paved the way for the widespread use of paper bags in various industries.

In 1883, Charles Stillwell made a significant contribution by introducing pleated sides to paper bags, making them even more practical and versatile. Then, in 1912, Walter and Lydia Deubener designed the first handled paper shopping bag by adding strings in a continuous loop to the conventional paper sack. Their invention was patented, and they became full-time producers of shopping bags.

The significance of World Paper Bag Day lies in its ability to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution and promote sustainable alternatives. Numerous brands have embraced the use of paper bags, not only to reduce plastic waste but also to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their packaging. By celebrating this day, we can educate and inspire individuals to make conscious choices that benefit the environment.

Paper bags offer several advantages over their plastic counterparts. They are 100% recyclable and require less energy to manufacture. Additionally, paper bags are sturdy and can hold a considerable number of items, making them practical for various purposes. Furthermore, they are safe for animals, reducing the risk of ingestion or entanglement that plastic bags pose.

To celebrate World Paper Bag Day, schools can organise educational activities to inform children about the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. Encouraging children to use paper bags and teaching them the importance of sustainability fosters a mindset that will shape their future choices.

On an individual level, consumers can opt for paper sacks when shopping for groceries or other goods, actively contributing to the reduction of plastic waste. By embracing paper bags, we can create a positive impact on our environment and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

World Paper Bag Day serves as a reminder that our daily choices matter. By choosing paper bags over plastic bags, we can take a significant step towards protecting our planet and preserving it for future generations. Let us celebrate this day with awareness, action, and a commitment to making eco-friendly choices that contribute to a cleaner, greener world.

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Paper Bag Day 2021: History, Significance and Key Facts

Paper bag day 2021: it is observed on 12 july to spread awareness about using paper bags instead of plastic to help reduce plastic pollution. let us read more about the day, history, significance, and advantages of paper bags, etc.  .

Paper Bag Day 2021: It is celebrated on 12 July annually to make people aware of the pollution caused due to plastic and the serious threat that it poses to the natural environment. Plastic waste takes thousands of years to decompose. Therefore, it is important to understand the ill effects of single-use plastic bags.

Paper bags are made from renewable raw materials, are recyclable and biodegradable. No doubt they are strong and are used on almost all occasions. Several people are using bags every day made up of paper that help in curbing environmental pollution. Due to globalization, climate change, and scarcity of raw materials people are adopting sustainable lifestyle choices, and paper bag is one of them. It reduces the use of plastic bag which causes pollution and are non-biodegradable.

No doubt using a paper bag is an important cornerstone to preserve our planet for future generations because paper bags are biodegradable. In several countries, Paper Bag Day is celebrated on different dates.

Paper Bag: History

Let us tell you that in 1852, an American inventor, Francis Wolle, established the first paper bag machine. Further in 1871, Margaret E. Knight designed another machine that can produce flat-bottom paper bags. She became famous and came to be known as "the mother of the grocery bag". In 1883, Charles Stilwell invented the machine that can produce square-bottom paper bags with pleated sides making them easier to fold and store. In 1912, Walter Deubener used a cord to reinforce paper bags and add carrying handles. Over the years, several inventors came and improve the production of paper bags.

National Simplicity Day 2021: History, Significance, and Celebration

Advantages of Using Paper Bags

- Using paper bags is eco-friendly.

- Packaging in paper bags is considered upmarket and classy. Packing in a simple bag and in attractive printed paper bags will definitely give an edge to the product.

- Paper bags are made up of renewable resources and so are easily recyclable.

- Paper bags are biodegradable and do not leftover toxins.

- Paper bags can be used again and again with careful handling.

- Paper bags can be easily composted in a home composter.

- Paper bags are inexpensive and practical to use.

- Do you know that Paper bags are made up of wood that is why they can be recycled and easily converted into new paper? Like newspapers, magazines, or books.

The disadvantage of paper bags can be that they are too porous and carrying freezing food in a paper bag is difficult. Therefore, the wet strength of the paper bag is a bit poor.

No doubt using paper bags will help a lot to the environment. But yes we should not waste paper or should not overdo it. 

Important Days and Date in July 2021: National and International

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• When and who used a cord to reinforce paper bags? + In 1912, Walter Deubener used a cord to reinforce paper bags and add carrying handles. Over the years, several inventors came and improve the production of paper bags.
• Who designed a machine that can produce flat-bottom paper bags? + In 1871, Margaret E. Knight designed another machine that can produce flat-bottom paper bags.
• Who established the first paper bag machine? + In 1852, an American inventor, Francis Wolle, established the first paper bag machine.
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Paper Bag Day 2021: History, Significance and All You Need to Know

Curated By : Lifestyle Desk

Trending Desk

Last Updated: July 12, 2021, 07:54 IST

(Representational Photo): Shutterstock)

World Paper Bag Day 2021: This day of July 12 is dedicated to raising awareness about the use of biodegradable paper bags that are recyclable and made of renewable raw materials

World Paper Bag Day (or Paper Bag Day) is celebrated across the globe on July 12 every year to reaffirm the much-needed daily use of paper bags over plastic bags, which apparently came in handy for carrying our groceries and stuff for donkey’s years, to the gross detriment of our environment.

This day of July 12 is dedicated to raising awareness about the use of biodegradable paper bags that are recyclable and made of renewable raw materials. Worldwide, there’s has been awakening of sorts – at the turn of the last century – in terms of the need to curb the usage of plastic bags, which are non-biodegradable or, in simplest terms, take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.

The world has awaken to the realities of climate change, environmental pollution and scarcity of resources, and hence, slowly but surely, adopting sustainable lifestyle choices including paper bags.

World Paper Bag Day: History and Significance

It is anybody’s guess who initiated Paper Bag Day, but the solemn observance of the day the world over reflects the concerted efforts of our collective conscience to shift to more sustainable ways of living by using paper bags and save the planet Earth for posterity.

The history of paper bags can be traced back to 1850 when American inventor Francis Wolle invented and patented the paper bag machine. Later in 1871, Margaret E. Knight achieved a breakthrough by inventing a machine that could produce flat boxy bottom paper bags.

Charles Stillwell – in 1883 – took one step ahead by having pleated sides incorporated in the paper bag that made it handier. In 1912, Walter Deubener further built up on the Stillwell’s design by annexing a cord and handles to paper bags. So the present-day paper bag that we use is a result of the collective effort of all these great inventors of yesteryears.

Interestingly enough, paper bags are now increasingly being promoted by high-end brands in their attempt to encourage minimal and sustainable packaging. These paper bags aren’t only eco-friendly, but also add on to the aesthetic quotient of shopping.

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Paper Bag Day 2020: Some Interesting Facts, Significance And History

Paper bag day: millions of people have switched to paper bags which are reusable as well as recyclable. not only are they biodegradable, they can withstand a lot of pressure. they are also easy to handle..

Paper Bag Day 2020: Francis Wolle has been credited for his patent of the first paper bag machine in 1852

Paper bags are an environment-friendly alternative to the harmful plastic bags and "Paper Bag Day" is celebrated worldwide on July 12. The day aims to spread awareness about using paper bags instead of plastic to help reduce plastic waste that take thousands of years to decompose.

American inventor, Francis Wolle, has been credited for his patent of the first paper bag machine in 1852. The "Mother of the Grocery Bag" - Margaret E. Knight in 1870 designed the square, flat bottomed bag, and the machine that would fold and paste them.

Millions of people have switched to paper bags which are reusable as well as recyclable. Not only are they biodegradable, they can withstand a lot of pressure. They are also easy to handle.

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Paper bags are also more preferred by many who are conscious about the environment and appreciate brands that opt for paper instead of plastic. The fact that a large number of people are eco-friendly; biodegradable paper bags are much appreciated by customers.

Here are some interesting facts about paper bags:

• Paper bags are almost 100% recyclable and can decompose within just a month.
• A paper bag can hold around 10-14 items and are quite sturdy.
• It takes less energy to manufacture paper bags as compared to plastic bags.
• Paper bags are safer for pets, other animals.
• Paper bags can be reused at home and can even be used to make compost.

So let's make the planet healthier and opt for the ecofriendly option of paper bags instead of plastic.

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Explained: are paper bags truly sustainable, paper bags are often considered more environmentally friendly than plastic bags because they are biodegradable..

In July 2022, India implemented a ban on frequently littered single-use plastic items, aiming to combat plastic pollution. The ban included items like plastic straws, bags, face masks, coffee cups, and food packaging.

The Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had already banned polythene bags under 75 microns in September 2021, later extending the limit to 120 microns in December 2022.

With increasing awareness of environmental issues and the search for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, paper bags have become increasingly popular.

However, the question lingers: Are paper bags truly sustainable?

1. A Brief History Of Paper Bags

Paper bags have been around for decades, even before plastic bags. Before they were mass-produced, it was much more common to wrap products in old newspapers or canvas. It wasn’t until much later that bags became mass-produced and accessible. In the 1800s, handmade fabric and wool bags were common until the Industrial Revolution brought mass-produced handbags and cloth bags. In 1852, Francis Wolle's machine-made paper bags emerged.

American inventor Margaret Knight later improved them by inventing a machine for flat-bottomed bags, increasing their usefulness.

This innovation made them widely popular for various purposes, including lunches, groceries, and gifts. Today, flat-bottomed paper bags are widely used globally.

2. Are Paper Bag Sustainable?

Paper bags are often considered more environmentally friendly than plastic bags because they are biodegradable and made from renewable raw materials. They are typically less harmful to the environment as compared to plastic bags and can be recycled or composted.

However, Prof. Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy ISB told The Quint that several variables affect their viability:

“Paper manufacturers use chemicals, water, and energy, which might influence the environment. Additionally, single-use bags affect the environment regardless of the material used. If paper bags are sourced ethically, recycled, and used again, they can contribute to the sustainable development movement.”

Unlike plastic bags, which can be washed, a paper bag is rendered useless as soon as it absorbs food or oil. When this happens, recycling becomes difficult, undermining the commonly cited argument about the recyclability of paper.

The paper goes through a series of steps to be recycled, including collection, sorting, washing, purifying, drying, sometimes bleaching, and packaging. It involves significant machinery, energy, and resources. Not surprisingly, recycling 0.5kg of plastic requires 91% less energy than recycling the same amount of paper.

"The bigger problem with paper bags is the toxicity. We don't talk about that. Many of these papers are contaminated by ink, paint, or additives. So, I think recycling is not necessarily very green, especially for paper and plastic.” She further added, "Anything that is based on material, whether it's plastic or paper or, for that matter, anything that is not going to be long lasting is a problem and not sustainable.”

The durability of a bag is another critical factor in determining its sustainability, and paper bags, unfortunately, fall short in this regard. Their lack of sturdiness makes them more disposable than their plastic counterparts.

3. Are Cloth Bags The Next Best Alternative To Paper Bags?

Cloth bags are considered better than paper bags because they are durable and can be reused multiple times. They are versatile and sturdy and can withstand repeated use in addition to being washed.

However, cotton is a water-intensive crop that requires pesticides and emits nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to toxicity and a larger environmental impact than is commonly recognised.

While there are studies that suggest that a newly possessed cotton bag should be used at least 131 times, or a whopping  7,100 times, to offset its environmental impact, according to Chaturvedi, promoting the use of reusable non-cotton textile bags is more important than using cotton bags, which are highly chemically treated. She further explains:

"The point is that we have a huge amount of old textiles that are being dumped in our laterals in India. If you go to any river, you will see some or all of the T-shirts lying there, especially where the river is not so deep. We need to be putting those into circulation. Just like we have thrift stores, we need to be able to make cloth bags out of these. And they don't have to look great. The key is to put them through a cycle that makes them reusable and create incentives for it."

4. What Are the Solutions?

1. Discount Incentives for Bringing Your Own Bag

To promote sustainable shopping practises, several shops have stopped providing bags altogether, while shopping malls continue to sell cloth or paper bags for a fee, treating them as a regular commodity.

While talking to The Quint , Dr Pranab J Patar, an acclaimed Environment and Sustainability Expert and CEO of the Global Foundation (GFAEHW), New Delhi, suggested that the next best way to incentivize shoppers to bring their already-possessed bags is by offering a certain discount on the total purchase amount.

He also emphasised that "achieving sustainability on a larger scale will be possible when there is a significant demand for eco-friendly alternatives, which is only possible when people are sensitised and made aware of the already existing better options and the negative impacts of their current shopping bag preferences."

2. Returnable Cloth Bag Vending Machine  Talking about how The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board installed a cloth bag vending machine at a fruit and vegetable market last year in Chennai, Chaturvedi proposed an innovative solution: "I would prefer having a vending machine that also takes cloth bags back after a scan."

She proposed a vending machine that could not only dispense cloth bags but also accept them back after a scan, ensuring the return of usable bags and avoiding any unwanted items. This concept would take advantage of existing waste segregation technology.

3. Promoting Community-Level Retail: Reviving Old Systems and Encouraging Refillable Purchases

Chaturvedi further discussed the importance of community-level retail. In the past, we would purchase everyday items like vegetables and fruits from street vendors, who would wrap them in whatever paper was available.

Nowadays, we often find community vendors standing outside our colonies. She explains:

"We need community retail for various reasons. For instance, vendors can provide reusable bags, allowing customers to return them quickly after storing their items. Buying from distant sources, such as far-off supermarkets, makes this practise difficult. Therefore, community-level retail is essential for many items and will also help support people working in the informal sector."

To achieve this, she added, there is a need to revive old systems like milk booths and weekly carts that used to visit residential areas for refillable purchases and launch campaigns that encourage people to buy from them, thereby significantly bringing down bag usage.

A Brief History Of Paper Bags

Are paper bag sustainable, are cloth bags the next best alternative to paper bags, what are the solutions.

4. Driving Change through Education, Collaboration, and Government Support for Sustainable Alternatives

According to Professor Prakash, “People should prioritise using reusable bags and develop the habit of doing so every time they go shopping. They may educate relatives and family members about the advantages of reusable items for the environment. Collaboration between people, companies, and decision-makers is crucial. Governments should pass laws and encourage environmentally friendly alternatives. Lastly, fostering the circular economy and funding research and development for new, eco-friendly materials may help us move towards sustainability.” Even before paper and plastic grocery bags became popular, bags were typically made of fabric and were completely reusable. It is therefore high time we start answering the question "Paper or cloth?" with "Neither. I brought my own."

( At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a membe r . Because the truth is worth it. )

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World Paper Bag Day 2023: Theme, History, Step to Make Paper Bag

Table of Contents

World paper bag day is celebrated annually on July 12 . Are you interested in knowing about the importance of paper bags? Do you know when is the world paper bag celebrated? Are you curious to know about world paper bag day? If you are preparing for any of the competitive exams, you need to remember almost all the important days that are celebrated worldwide. Let’s get not know more about world paper bag day 2023. Let’s get started!

World Paper Bag Day 2023 D

World paper bag day 2023 date is July 12, 2023, Wednesday. read on for further details.

Why Celebrating Paper Bag Day?

World paper bag day 2023 date is July 12. Do human beings need to be anxious about our mother nature? Of course, yes. Human beings are responsible for preserving the environment as we need nature to shelter us. Life on earth may be soon facing mass extinction, due to the exploitation of nature by human beings. The irresponsible management and wastage of natural resources are the major cause of the destruction of nature. Polluting our environment by dumping tons of harmful plastics and chemical materials can create not only environmental issues but can lead to human extinction. The strategies that are not short-sighted or selfish need to be adopted to save our mother earth.

The ecosystem is a significant part of our existence and the youth of the world needs to awaken and realize the urgency of the situation. If you want to pass on the beauty, bliss and bounty of nature to the future generation, you need to preserve nature. The celebration of world paper bag day is yet another mission that aims at the conservation of the environment. Realize, the environment matters!

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World Paper Bag Day 2023 Theme

World paper bad day 2023 theme will be announced soon!

World paper bad day 2022 holds the theme of “eradicate plastic and safeguard earth.” Paper bags are the best alternatives for harmful plastic bags. Paper bags are the best environment-friendly solution to prevent nature from further destruction. The World paper bag Day aims to increase the scope of spreading awareness among the people about the importance of conserving nature. The world paper bag day announces the importance of reducing the use of plastic waste and use paper bags instead. Usually, plastic wastes are non-de composable and take thousands of years to decompose to the earth. If it is non-degradable it can cause many environmental hazards. Plastic wastes can lead to ultimate disasters not only for natural creatures but also for human beings.

The first paper bag was invented by none other than the American inventor, Francis Wolle. He invented the paper bag machine in 1852 and he received the patent for his most valuable invention. The square, flat bottomed bag that can be folded and pasted was named “the mother of the grocery bag”. The mother of the grocery bag otherwise the paper bags were designed by Margaret E. Knight in 1870.

One of the most important characteristics of paper bags is that they are recyclable and reusable. Many people around the globe have switched their interest to paper bags from plastic bags. They are biodegradable which can save the planet from harmful presences. These biodegradable paper bags can withstand temperature changes and can be reused again and again according to the need.

The paper bags are easy to handle and are eco-friendly. Those people who are conscious about the protection of the environment appreciates the use of paper bags. Many people prefer paper bags as they are aware of the pros and cons of plastic bags. Nowadays, biodegradable paper bags are appreciated by the customers who purchase any things from the shops.

It is really important not to show blind eyes towards the need of the present. World paper bag day can help people across the world to know the value of nature and the various methods to be adopted to save the earth from non-degradable products.

Do you Know the History of the Paper Bag?

Knowing the history of the paper bags is very important for people who are curious to dig into the general knowledge areas. It should be considered as the duty of each citizen to realize the value of paper bags which can replace plastic bags.

Let us discuss the history of paper bags. Keep reading to know the origin of this day!

In 1852, American inventor Francis Wolle had invented the first paper bag machine. The invention goes the paper bag is the most remarkable achievement that the world has ever witnessed. In 1871, the designer Margaret E. knight introduced the second machine which can produce flat-bottom paper bags which can be pasted together. These paper bags are also known as the mother of the grocery bag. As the name suggests, this is considered as one of the finest movements to save the earth and bring it back to greenery.

In 1883, the machine which can produce the square bottom paper bags are invented by Charles Stilwell. They are having pleaded sides. The specialty of those paper bags is they are easy to fold and store comfortably. Followed by this, Walter Deubener 1912 used a cord to reinforce paper bags. He added carrying handles to the paper bags they have invented. Later, several other inventors tried other methods to make more innovative paper bags and succeeded. The current paper bags came into being after such long experimentation. Improved versions of the paper bag production were a long process.

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18 Reasons to Choose Paper Bags!

• Eco-friendly paper bags can reduce pollution
• The classy nature of packing in paper bags are preferred by the customers
• Paper bags are considered upmarket
• Paper bags are simple and handy
• It can be made into attractive printed bags according to the individual choices
• It is biodegradable
• Offers no health hazards
• The product can be attractive by using paper bags of different texture
• Made of renewable resources
• Recyclable and reusable
• Avoid toxicity on the earth surface.
• Never leave traces of its use once thrown out
• Careful handling in inevitable
• It can be used again and again
• Easy to be composted in the home composer
• It is inexpensive
• Practical to use and reuse
• Many people prefer using paper bags as it is environmentally friendly

Do you know? Here is a Secret!

Paper bags are toxic as they are made of wood. This is the only reason why they are regarded as reusable and recyclable. They resemble books, magazines or newspapers, they are easy to handle and comfortable for reuse. The only disadvantage of paper bags is that they are too porous. It is difficult to carry the cold products in paper bags. The paper bag is having poor wet strength. Paper bags will help to save the environment. Save the paper bags because to generate more paper bags we need to risk the life of the many trees.

Interesting Facts about Paper Bags

• Paper bags are almost 100% recyclable
• Paper bags can decompose within a month.
• A paper bag can hold around 10-14 items
• Paper bags are quite sturdy.
• It takes less energy to manufacture a paper bag
• Eco friendly when compared to plastic bags.
• Affordable lost cost product
• Paper bags are safer for birds and animals.
• Paper bags can be reused at home
• Paper bags can be used to make compost.
• Paper bags are user friendly
• Paper bags can help to make the planet healthier

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How to Make Paper Bags?

Items needed

• Old newspaper
• Ballpoint pen
• handles from old bags.
• Poster colours
• origami crafts

Method of preparation

• First, Spread a two-sheet newspaper.
• Then Pour glue on one side of the paper.
• Stick both of the sides together.
• Now, Fold the newspaper horizontally.
• Edges should be bound together. Give time for it to dry.
• Now you can Cut a piece of cardboard in a rectangular shape.
• You can Insert the piece in the bag from one side now. Leave a gap of one inch on all sides.
• You can now add glue to the base of the bag. Fold the corners of the paper bag
• The shape of the paper bag should be triangular shape.
• The edges should be tightly shut. Press the edges of the bag
• Now you can fold it in the middle.
• Use a ballpoint pen to make holes at the top of the paper bag.
• Cut two pieces of rope
• You can insert it in the holes.
• Knot the finished paper bags at the end.
• Decorate your bag according to your wish and use it happily.

Start preparing your paper bags now! Encourage others to make the same. Make your paper bags now and let the nature grow safer and healthier with you!

Maria Vincent

A writer with love for words and passion for learning! Sharing latest exam updates and preparation tips for the aspirants

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Essay on Plastic Bag for Students and Children

500 words essay on plastic bag.

Plastic bags are one of the most commonly used things today. It makes our work easier and gives us a lot of conveniences. They have formed an essential part of our lives now. We use them almost every day for various purposes.

The usage is to the extent that we often get angry at the shopkeeper who refuses to offer us the plastic bag. It becomes daunting to carry your own bag every time. The shopkeeper’s refusal is due to the government ban on plastic bags. One often wonders why? Plastic bags make our lives easier but at what cost? They damage our earth and environment. It is high time we all stop using plastic bags.

Stop Using Plastic Bags

There are a number of reasons to say no to plastic bags. We must stop using them to better our environment and save it from degradation. There are various eco-friendly alternatives that can be used to stop the usage of plastic bags.

Firstly, plastic bags are a major source of plastic pollution. As they are non-biodegradable, they take years to decompose. They contribute to a lot of waste which keeps collecting over the years. Plastic takes thousands of years to break down and decompose. It remains in the land which contributes to the rising problem of land pollution.

Similarly, it also causes water pollution . As people throw away the bags carelessly on the roads, in the drains and rivers, they enter the water bodies. They are carried away by winds in them and sometimes dumped into water deliberately. This plastic bag goes deep in the water and also hampers the aquatic life.

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Furthermore, plastic bags contaminate the soil causing hindrance to growth of plants. They seep into the soil after breaking down and remain there causing infertility in soils . The chemical hampers the soil and interferes with agriculture.

Most importantly, plastic causes the death of animals. The animals have no sense of what to eat and what to avoid. The stray animals gulp down plastic bags that get stuck in their bodies. In other words, this causes serious illnesses in their bodies. Sometimes, they choke to death after eating plastic bags.

How to Avoid Plastic Bags?

Though it may be difficult to avoid the plastic bags at first, it needs to be done for the greater good. Plastic is slowly and steadily eating away our planet and damaging it. The government has banned the use of plastic bags but still, people continue to use it despite the ban.

In order to implement these laws strictly, the government must take strict action against the ones using it. Moreover, each of us must come forward to practice this ban and make it successful. We must not buy plastic bags from shopkeepers. Instead, we must refuse to take our groceries in them when the shopkeeper offers us.

Furthermore, we must carry our own cloth or paper bags for shopping. Try to pack your food in steel or aluminum containers instead of plastic ones.

We must encourage children to avoid the use of plastic bags. If we see someone using it, we must call them out immediately. Never throw away the plastic on roads, as animals die after consuming it. We must come together to initiate a ban on plastic and make the world safer and healthier.

FAQs on Plastic Bag

Q.1 Why must we stop using plastic bags?

A.1 We must stop using plastic bags as they cause land pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution. They cause the death of several animals as well.

Q.2 How can one say no to plastic bags?

A.2 It is easy to quit using plastic bags. We must carry our own cloth or paper bags when shopping. Moreover, we must not accept plastic bags from shopkeepers which will discourage them from using them in the first place.

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Plastic vs Paper Bags: Production and Environment Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Background information, main claims and evidence to each claim, opposite side of comparison, works cited.

The problem of choice between plastic and paper bags is old indeed. At shops, people are usually asked “Paper or Plastic?”; at special institutions, researchers spend much time and effort to prove that one type of bag is more environmentally friendly than the other. This necessity of choice is evident indeed; still, there is no certain answer to this dilemma. In fact, both, plastic and paper, bags have a considerable impact on the environment.

The ecologists all over the world share their views on how to save nature, overcome the threats of global warming and ablation, and protect the environment against human activities in general. And governments, in their turn, take numerous legal steps to support the solution of the environmental problem caused by human activities. However, these two sectors do not pay much attention to the fact that even such small things like paper or plastic bags can influence the environment.

Though such countries like Italy, Ireland, China, or South Africa have already approved the legislative acts prohibiting or limiting the use of plastic bags, their activities are not enough for people to realize what type of bags, plastic or paper, are more dangerous for them as well as for the environment they have to live within.

There is a tendency to exaggerate the effects produced by plastic bags on the environment in comparison with paper bags. Among such factors like slow decomposition, energy-consuming production, pollution of the environment, marine life in particular, and not biodegradable nature of plastic bags prove the harmful nature of the product; but the same factors and harmful effects may be applied to paper bags.

The evaluation of all these factors, processes, and even the economic issue should be made to define less harmful material for people to rely on. Though the production of plastic bags is frequently banned nowadays because of considerable harm to the animal world and marine life, the effects of this product on people and the environment seem to be less harmful than those of paper bags; therefore, it is necessary to develop some new approaches to plastic bags’ production and utilization and provide people with clear instructions on how to benefit from plastic bags and make them less harmful to nature.

The historical overview of the use of plastic bags shows that people have been utilizing plastic or paper products for a long period regularly. Nowadays, it is hard to imagine everyday life and shopping without plastic or paper bags. People just cannot stop using them or find a better alternative. Though paper bags are currently implemented as a less harmful alternative of plastic bags because paper bags are made from biodegrading and renewable sources, their price and even actual quality are not that appropriate for ordinary people.

Over the last years, a limitation of plastic bags’ usage turns out to be a focus of the ecologists’ efforts in the field of environmental protection. There is a widely spread opinion that plastic bags may be one of the main sources of environmental contamination. During the production process, a huge amount of repugnant substances is evolved. Moreover, plastic bags’ decomposition is very slow, and the utilization process causes certain irreparable environmental damage.

Even though plastic bags may be harmful to human lives and that the governments around the whole globe have already taken some plastic bag bans, people continue using them. “Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic shopping bags each year… only about 13 percent are recycled” (EcoWatch para.6). People have to think where the rest of the bags are and understand that this part of plastic continues making harm to nature.

This is why the attention to such simple facts could prove that the problem does exist, and it is not enough and even impossible just to prohibit the use of plastic bags. People have to realize that certain economic changes can be observed as soon as the problem may be solved. Anyway, the analysis of all plastic bags’ aspects and their possible alternatives (paper bags in particular) should be organized to comprehend the way of how the history of plastic bags and its current environmental impact are connected. Many ecologists state that the ecological impact of plastic bags is much lower than this figure of paper bags on a closer view (Equinox Center 8). This is why the dilemma between plastic and paper bags still exists, and a definite choice is so hard to be made.

Because people spend much time and effort on the promotion of plastic production industry, the creation of various types of bags, and elaboration of the most successful approaches of plastic bags’ distribution, it seems that plastic bags are in higher demand than the bags made of paper. Most plastic bags are made from “ethylene, a gas that is produced as a by-product of oil, gas, and coal production” (Gogte 363). In daily use, it is possible to distinguish two major types of bags made of plastic.

These are the over subtle bags that are mainly used in the food industry and supermarkets, and heavier plastic bags that may be found in retails shops. These two types of bags may also vary. It is possible to differentiate between high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that is inflexible and inextensible, and low-density polyethylene that is transparent and sleek (Karli and Grant 3). The typical example of a plastic bag made from high-density polyethylene is a t-shirt bag. Plastic bags made from low-density polyethylene are mainly used as shopping bags. From their ecological impact, the bags made from low-density polyethylene cannot be recycled, unlike those made from HDPE.

The chemical composition of paper bags is usually organic: lignin is taken from woods, cellulose is the main plant constituent, and fiber dimensions as another important plant material (Ververis, Geoghiou, Christodoulakis, Santas, and Santas 246). In other words, to create a paper bag, it is necessary to use natural resources such as trees. The production of these bags leads to a decrease in woods in a region. It does not seem that paper bags create more environmentally friendly relations.

Also, due to such composition of bags, it is stated that the creation of 1000 paper bags requires 1004 water gallons, and the creation of 1500 plastic bags needs only 58 water gallons (“The Plastic Bag – VS – Paper Bag Facts” par.2). This comparison has to make people think whether it is justified to use paper as a more powerful means to protect the nature of this kind of material is produced at the expense of several natural resources.

In my opinion, people, who think that they save the environment in case they use the products made from natural resources, are mistaken. It is so wrong to believe that all-natural resources should be used without any payment. People think that paper bags do not pollute the environment. However, not many of them really know how many naturals losses are necessary to create one paper bag in comparison to the creation of a plastic bag.

Comparing the worth of plastic and paper bags, much attention is also paid to the evaluation of their production processes and the expenses (energy and material) associated with this process to prove that this factor supports plastic bags. It has been also calculated that “it takes 1/8 of the material to make a plastic bag as it does to make a paper bag” (Gogte 370). The production of plastic bags “consumes 40 percent less energy, generates 80 percent less solid waste and produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions” (Gogte 371). Finally, “paper bags generate 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags” (“Paper or Plastic?” par.4).

In addition to the above-mentioned statistics, it is necessary to admit that more than one trillion plastic bags are used annually all over the world (Green and DeMeo 32). More than half of these bags are made from low-density polyethylene. Having been implemented not so long ago, plastic bags have become ingrained in our everyday life. Due to its flexibility to different demands, plastic may be met practically in every sphere of human activity. More than 80% of all bags are made from this material. Plastic bags are firm, impermeable to water, and light.

The process of the production of plastic bags is not complicated. A special machine heats plastic grains to the needed temperature and impastes them (turn separate plastic grains into an indiscrete mass). This indiscrete mass of plastic moves through a long and thin tube and is cut at regular intervals. This process is rather fast and cheap. Plastic bags are produced from irreplaceable natural recourses such as oil and gas (Edwards and Fry 27).

In such a way, their production leads to the depletion of natural resources and damages the environment due to the processes of these resources extraction. The production of paper bags is rather complex and expensive. First, logs have to be delivered from a forest to a wood-processing factory. Three years are usually necessary for the logs to be dried before they can be used in paper manufacturing. Then the logs are cut into pieces and exposed to a high temperature. This process leads to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the production of both types of bags is very harmful to the atmosphere. “Plastic bags generate 39% less greenhouse gas emissions than uncomposted paper bags and 68% less greenhouse gas emissions than composted paper bags” (“The Plastic Bag – VS – Paper Bag Facts” par.1).

All the processes of the paper manufacturing and the use of toxic chemicals in the production lead to acid rains and water pollution (Bell and Cave 2). After that, the logs are digested with carbonate of lime and sulfurous acid to obtain a paper grade pulp (Dunn par.4). The paper grade pulp has to be washed. This process requires a huge amount of water and bleaching agents. On the final stage, the paper is cut, packaged, and printed. In general, paper production seems to cause much more damages to the environment than the outcomes of plastic bag production.

My point of view is clear indeed: though both production processes are complicated, the expenses and time inherent to paper bag creation are high. This is why it seems to be more reasonable to take the side of plastic bag in this kind of discussion due to the possibility to feel fewer challenges while production and get more time for some other types of activities.

Another important factor that has to be mentioned while comparing plastic and paper bags is the combination of such processes like recycling, decomposition, and reusability: even though the processes connected with plastic are usually longer, in a general evaluation, they turn out to be less harmful to the environment. All these processes are rather complex in both cases. Even though the process of the production of plastic is comparatively cheap, the widespread use of this material comes at a high cost from their utilization. Many waste reduction facilities unwillingly accept plastic bags for recycling because it is not very valuable in the quality of a definable raw material.

The paper recycling process results in many harmful chemicals that are used to dissolve the fibers and obtain paper grade pulp. Even though there are more opportunities for recycling of paper in comparison with plastic, practically every new paper bag is made of virgin raw materials to obtain better strength and resilience. The plastic bags’ recycling process is expensive indeed. The reduction of the generation of solid effluences is necessary.

On the initial stage, a bag should be separated by the material it is made from. Each type of plastic requires special technology of its recycling. Regardless of its type, any plastic bag should be re-melted. In such a way, the majority of plastic bags, even those that are made from high-density polyethylene, are hardly recycled to their full extent. As a rule, they just shipped to the third world countries where the existing environmental laws are not so strict. In the best case, these plastic bags are burned, but in the majority of cases, they are thrown directly to landfill sites.

Contrary to the common belief that the process of decomposition of paper is very fast, several studies claim the opposite. Due to a lack of such important elements like water, light, and oxygen in landfill sites, the process of the dissolving of any material is rather slow (Bell, Kirsty, and Cave 41). A paper bag demands more space in waste landfill as it is larger in volume in comparison with a plastic bag.

At the same time, the period of decomposition of plastic is very long. According to different data, it may take from 400 to 1000 years for complete decomposition of the plastic. As a possible solution to this problem, there have recently been introduced plastic bags, which are made from degradable polyethylene. These plastic bags degrade in a course of time or under specific circumstances. It is possible to distinguish between bio-degradable plastic, which is low in oil-based material and photodegradable plastic, which degrades under the influence of sunlight (Bell, and Cave 2). Finally, the reusability of plastic bags is higher as compared with one of the paper bags.

Plastic bags are thin but strong. They are compact and convenient. In such countries as Denmark or Italy, after the introduction of the tax aiming to reduce the amount of plastic bags, customers begin to reuse them. The durability of plastic permits its usage in different spheres of human activity. The same cannot be said about paper bags. Apart from their expensiveness, paper bags are designed for a single-use.

Taking into consideration the whole situation connected with recycling, decomposition, and reusability, plastic bag processes seem to be more environmentally friendly. In fact, to recycle paper bags, more natural resources and human efforts are necessary. Though plastic bag decomposition is low, its reusability makes this product more helpful and useful for people.

Apart from its obvious ecological dangers, plastic bags have many benefits from the economic point of view in comparison to the expenses associated with paper bags. Plastic is cheap in production and very convenient in use. The production of paper bags demands additional costs connected with the transportation of logs and final products. “It would take approximately seven lorries to transport the same number of paper bags as can be transported by a single lorry full of plastic bags” (Bell, Kirsty, and Cave 2). Despite its dangers for ecology, many economists state that it will be practically impossible to replace plastic bags with any other alternative variant.

The evaluation of the economic factors helps to comprehend better the true worth of plastic bags, their impact on people, and the financial aspect of the problem. Plastic bag bans may touch upon several groups of people: retailers, consumers, manufacturers, and city representatives. Taking into consideration the fact that many merchants offer plastic bags for free along with a purchase, it is possible to think that a plastic bag ban could help to save money. However, it is also necessary to remember that plastic bags have to be replaced with something. Usually, plastic bags are changed for paper bags, as they are compact and not heavy. Still, paper bags are more expensive. This is why a retailer has to spend not 1 cent per bag as it was with a plastic bag but about 25 cents. Anyway, “these costs should be mitigated over time as consumers transition to reusable bags” (Equinox Center 4).

The second group of people is consumers. In case a plastic bag ban comes to force around the globe, customers start using some reusable bags and overcome high fees of paper bags. At the same time, the quality of reusable bags may be decreased with time. This is why it is a questionable issue whether it is safe to reuse containers and bags all the time. In their turn, plastic manufactures may undergo considerable losses due to the necessity to change the nature of the industry. People may lose their jobs, innovations have to be implemented, and new directions need to be offered. On the one hand, it seems to be a too expensive and long process.

On the other hand, it is over one day, and the previous conditions just with some new products would take place. Some cities may save about $160,000 per year (spent on cleaning up plastic garbage), but they have to think about the costs associated with new means of cleaning (Equinox Center 3). Considering all these needs, expenses, and possibilities, the costs spent on plastic bag production and distribution seem to be lower than those of paper bags.

I think that people, who think about the quality and possibilities of the bags they buy and use, should choose plastic bags. Plastic bags are cheaper, and paper bags are not for long. The economic aspect of the dilemma adds one more point to the plastic bag’s side.

Nevertheless, this convenience and cheapness of a plastic bag to which people have become accustomed come at a high cost to nature because many people still consider plastic bags as the reasons of many ecological problems. According to statistic data, the amount of plastic bags increases from year to year (Green & DeMeo 31). The majority of plastic bags are not recycled but thrown directly to landfill sites.

They are strewed in forests, on beaches, along roads, and, practically, everywhere. Because of their lightweight, they easily go aloft, stick in branches of trees, hang on fences, and float in water plugging up discharge channels. The main argument, which is always used against plastic bags and contradicts my claim that plastic bags, not paper bags should be chosen by people for everyday use, is a long half-life period or polyethylene. The fact that this material is practically indecomposable means that those plastic bags that are thrown today will exist for more than one hundred years. Numerous plastic bags may be found in water causing damage to marine flora and fauna.

Many sea animals and birds mistakenly engulf plastic, tangle, and suffocate in swimming bags. For instance, ecologists state that there are many cases when turtles mistakenly put floating plastic garbage for nettle fishes and swallow them. It has been calculated that more than one million oceanic mammals die every year because of the plastic rubbish (Gogte 365). In some places of the Pacific Ocean, plastic garbage is more numerous than plankton (New & Research Communication para.1).

Terrestrial animals also suffer from plastic bags. Plastic bags are the main products of human activity, which may be observed in the ocean. Many wild animals swallow plastic bags confusing them with possible food and die of asphyxia as this material cannot be digested. Due to this property of plastic bags, they are viewed as mass killers of wildlife. After the death of an animal that has mistakenly swallowed a plastic bag the processes of dissolution of this animal are rather fast.

On the contrary, a plastic bag remains practically intact. In such a way, another animal may swallow it and this process may be infinite. “Plastic bags kill about 100,000 whales, seals, turtles, and other marine animals each year worldwide» (Gogte 366). Due to high decomposition levels of paper bags, there are not many cases of animal death after they swallow paper. This is why many people believe that paper bags are better.

However, they should think about the fact that huge amounts of paper may be also dangerous for animals, fishes, and birds. Its danger lies in its invisibility. People do not pay attention to the condition of water or food in case a piece of paper is dissolved there. Then, animals or any other being may have problems with their stomachs and can die because of unclear reasons. Despite all the disadvantages of plastic bags, the use of paper bags, which seems to be the best alternative variant, is also very harmful to the environment. According to the opinions of the majority of researchers, the right choice between paper and plastic bags is plastic (Bell and Cave 7).

The effects of the environmental pollution caused by plastic are obvious and visual. At the same time, the detailed investigation of the processes of the production and utilization of paper bags on the marine life suggests that plastic is less harmful to the environment (Chaffee, Chet and Yaros 55) due to its possible “invisible” effects. To realize the harm made by plastic and paper, it is not enough to consider the evident facts. It is possible to analyze deeper and realize that paper contains many dangers to the world and the marine animals in particular.

Finally, some people may think that plastic bags are more dangerous than paper bags because the governments of many countries try to reduce the amount of plastic bags by prohibiting plastic production and contribution or imposing a special tax to limit their usage. In Bangladesh, the use of plastic bags has been inhibited since 2002. It was discovered that plastic bags had been the main reason for the waterflood, which had taken place in 1998 when two-thirds of the country had been covered with water (Gogte 366).

This water-flood was caused by plastic bags, which plugged up a drain system. In 2001, the authorities of Bombay also have omitted the usage of plastic bags. As a result, all shops in the country have crossed over to paper bags. Due to these measures, the quantity of waste in the city has reduced to a great extent. In Ireland, there has been imposed the tax aiming to reduce the use of plastic bags. As a matter, every plastic bag has increased the cost of a good on 15 cents.

The implementation of the tax on the use of plastic bags in Ireland has greatly reduced their usage. All the money obtained from the implementation of this tax is intended to provide new environmental programs (Gogte 366). Plastic bags are completely prohibited in Italy. At the present moment, customers have to use bags made from other materials. In China, plastic bags are also known as white pollutants due to their lightweight and the ability to blow (Gogte 365). In South Africa, plastic bags lying down the streets are so numerous that they are humorously called “national flowers” (Gogte 365).

Considering all these legislative acts, it is possible to say that people have already investigated the effects of plastic bags on the environment and taken the possible measures to protect themselves. However, not much is said about the harm of paper bags. It proves the necessity to investigate and study the peculiarities of paper as a dangerous material for bag production. It seems that governments need more time to take more precautionary steps and underline the threat of paper bags. The point is that they just cannot find another possible alternative for paper bags that have already become as an alternative to plastic bags.

In general, plastic and paper bags are harmful to the environment in their own ways. Both types of bags are optimized for a single-use. The production of plastic bags, as well as paper bags, contaminates the environment. The main resource needed for the production of plastic bags is an oil that is an irreplaceable natural resource. Paper bags are made from wood. In such a way, the more paper bags are produced, the fewer trees will remain untouched.

The economic benefits and conveniences of plastic bags are too significant to ignore. Apart from the direct economic influence on the environment, such as deforestation and the greenhouse effect, forest clearance has its implicit threats. A process of transportation of woods to factories and shops suggests the use of ships, trucks, and different kinds of vehicles that also pollute the environment. Plastic bags are much more compact in this respect and due to this fact, the process of their transportation is easier and less damaging. The damages to the environment caused by plastic are obvious. Plastic garbage may be found everywhere. Though paper damage is not that obvious, it cannot be neglected. The production of plastic bags as well as its recycling is less expensive and damaging.

However, the dilemma of plastic-paper bag choice is evident and needs to be solved. The level of damage produced by them to nature is approximately equal. Even if paper bags turn out to be less environmentally harmful, it is wrong to believe that paper bags are the only successful substitution of plastic. In addition to the fact that people have to pass through a complicated production process, paper bags need more financial changes and higher costs.

Retailers will hardly enjoy the necessity to buy more expensive bags and not to sell them but give free as an addition to purchase. At the same time, if they set higher prices to hide financial inconvenience, they can lose several regular customers. So, the dilemma between plastic and paper bags as well as the true worth of plastic bags in the environment can hardly be fully solved. Only personal opinions and situations can be offered to explain the necessity of plastic bag bans in society.

Bell, Kirsty and Suzie Cave. “ Comparison of Environmental Impact of Plastic, Paper and Cloth Bags. ” Research and Library Service Briefing Note. 36.11 (2011). Northern Ireland Assembly. Web.

Chaffee, Chet and Bernard Yaros. Life Cycle Assessment for Three Types of Grocery Bags – Recyclable Plastic; Compostable, Biodegradable Plastic; and Recycled, Recyclable Paper. n.d. Web.

Gogte, Mangal. “ Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment? ” International Journal for Quality research. 3.4 (2009): 363-375. Economics Department K J Somaiya College of Arts. Web.

Dunn, Collin. Paper Bags or Plastic Bags? Everything You Need to Know. 2008. Web.

EcoWatch. Researchers Find Energy Efficient Way to Convert Plastic Bags into Diesel Fuel . 2014. Web.

Edwards, Chris and Jonna Fry. Life cycle assessment of supermarket carrier bags: a review of the bags available in 2006 . 2011. Web.

Equinox Center 2013, Plastic Bag Bans: Analysis of Economic and Environmental Impacts . Web.

Green, Kenneth and Elizabeth DeMeo. The crusade against plastic bags. 2013. Web.

Karli, James and Tim Grant. LCA of Degradable Plastic Bags . n.d. Web.

New & Research Communication. Oceanic ‘garbage patch’ not nearly as big as portrayed in media . Web.

Paper or Plastic? 2007. Web.

The Plastic Bag – VS – Paper Bag Facts. n.d. Web.

Ververis, Cadoc, Kaarina Geoghiou, Nadir Christodoulakis, Paul Santas, and Robert Santas. “Fiber Dimensions, Lignin and Cellulose Content of Various Plant Materials and Their Suitability for Paper Production.” Industrial Crops and Products 19. (2004): 245-254. Print.

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‘Students tested with challenging English paper’: Reaction to day two of Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert exams

Leaving certs had engineering and english paper two, while it was irish and geography for junior cycle.

Day two of the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert exams is over. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

* Leaving Cert students sat Engineering at 9.30am and English paper two at 2pm, which had some challenging questions

* Junior Cycle students had Irish at 9.30am, which was “welcomed with open arms”, and geography , a “fair and well-received paper” at 1.30pm

* “ It wa s always bound to be the most stressful of all... the questions were quite odd ”: Our student diarist Daksh Wadhwa is glad to see the back of English paper two

* ‘ Help them focus on the next challenge ’: Exam survival guide for parents by Brian Mooney

Day three of the State exams begins tomorrow. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

That’s a wrap...

Our live State exams live blog is wrapping up for the evening.

We hope today’s papers went well -- and remember, even if they didn’t, pretty much everyone else is in the same boat.

The so-called bell curve for marking exams means there is always a similar proportion of H1s, H2s, etc, each year.

This means the “easier” exams tend to be marked harder, while “harder” exams tend to be marked a little easier.

Up tomorrow for Leaving Cert students is geography (9.30 am) and maths paper one (2pm).

For Junior Cycle students, it’s history (9.30 am) and maths (1.30 pm)

We’ve compiled some last-minute tips for Leaving Cert students, below, for tackling tomorrow’s exams.

And we’ve more subject-by-subject advice here.

Good luck -- and try to get a good night’s sleep !

Last-minute tips: Leaving Cert geography

Tips by Lesley Aslin, geography teacher at The Institute of Education

• Timing is a challenge in the geography exam. Be strict, allocate a set time to each question, then leave it and move on to the next one. A part answer is better than no answer. Aim to start all the required questions rather than miss an entire one.
• Carefully read each question, and highlight the key words in it. Remember, you need 15 SRPs (significant relevant points) for each 30-mark question. Define the key term in the question and include your examples early on in your answer, eg, name of feature/locations. Keep your points concise, there is no room for waffle. If the question has a number in it, split your SRPs accordingly. For instance, if you are asked to “describe and explain the formation of two igneous rocks”, you need 7-8 SRPs for each rock.
• Make sure your answer is balanced. While it’s difficult to predict what will come up in the exam, some common topics do tend to reoccur in physical geography. Questions are frequently asked about a landform of erosion/deposition, and human interaction with the rock cycle/surface processes. Be sure to study for these.

Last-minute tips: Leaving Cert maths paper one

Tips from Stephen Begley,  Studyclix.ie  subject expert and maths teacher at Dundalk Grammar School

• Practise past paper questions topic by topic. This way, you’ll see the similarities across years and get used to the keywords guiding a question. Algebra, functions and differentiation always dominate paper one, so mastering these across the next two weeks will stand to you in both sections A and B.
• Know what is in your log tables, particularly with differentiation and integration: make a list of formulas that aren’t in the tables and learn them. Know your calculator inside out: how to graph functions, where to find buttons such as pi, factorial and choosing.
• Familiarise yourself with the topics that are likely to come up. It’s hard to predict the exact questions on paper one, but regular suspects of algebra, complex numbers, differentiation, and integration would be expected across the short questions in section A, while functions, logs, calculus and financial maths are good bases to cover for the long questions in section B.

Daksh Wadhwa (16), Leaving Cert student at Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School. Photograph: Fran Veale

‘English paper two was always bound to be the most stressful of all... the questions were quite odd’

Daksh Wadhwa (16), a student at Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School, is one of our Leaving Cert exam diarists.

He says he is happy to have English paper two over and done with after fielding a number of curveball questions.

The question on Slyvia Plath, who is a poet that many young people really like and relate to, was “disappointing”.

“We were asked about how the dramatic imagery we encounter in Plath’s poetry reveals her to be an insightful social commentator, but this is so different from what we looked at in school,” he says.

The questions on Hamlet were also quite “odd”, he said, especially the second option.

“This asked us to discuss the aspects of Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, that make it a surprisingly positive and hopeful drama,” he says.

“It was only when I was ten minutes into answering this that I realised how hard it was. I could feel my heart thumping as this realisation dawned on me, and I was briefly panicked that I had wasted ten minutes of precious time in an exam that requires huge amounts of writing.”

Your can read more of Daksh’s exam diary here .

Exam Students (from left) Sophie Graham, Lucy Bolger, Jenny Murphy and Lucy Phillips from Rathdown School, Glenageary Rodd following English paper two. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Leaving Cert English paper two: tough Hamlet and Plath questions cause some consternation

My colleague Peter McGuire has filed a more detailed reaction piece to English paper two.

You can read it here .

The consensus among teachers seems to be that that while there may have been initial euphoria over the appearance of much anticipated poets, much of this will have faded given the challenging nature of some questions.

Leaving cert students Daniel Sidorkin, Logan Mallon and Alex Raynor at Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Leaving Cert English paper two: A hard ‘slog’ with some disquieting questions

Many students felt a wave of relief after predicted poets appeared, but they were tested by some “disquieting questions” on English paper two.

Clodagh Havel, English teacher at The Institute of Education, said the long-speculated poets Yeats, Ni Chuilleanain, Dickinson, Plath and Heaney appeared.

However, on closer scrutiny, she said the initial euphoria will have faded for many.

“While the Heaney and Dickinson questions were typical of the previous examples and the Yeats question demanded a manageably high-brow approach to his work, the Plath question would have worried students,” she said.

The guide quote for the question asked students to assess Plath as a “social commentator”, which Havel said was a direct contradiction of what most students prepared.

“Braver students will have challenged the claim, but in a high stress environment many won’t want to take the risk at this final high stakes hurdle. There were of course other options but this section, and this paper on the whole, will have forced students to make choices they did not want to make,” she said.

Many students may also have been disquieted by the Hamlet questions.

She said students who prepared the role of women in the play will have been relieved to see Gertrude appear, but might be frustrated by the initial narrow scope of the question as Ophelia was omitted.

“Yet students willing to dig deep will have found that the questions mention of ‘core issues’ will be an avenue to broader discussions. Nevertheless, students will have had to fight to keep their analysis on track, having their work cut out for them in order to keep those topic sentences purposeful,” she said.

“The second question describes the play of the notoriously melancholic prince as ‘surprisingly positive and hopeful’, with surprising being the operative word for all involved. In 2017 it was a ‘disturbing psychological thriller’, which was an approach taken by teachers everywhere. An ardent and argumentative student could make this work but likely felt it was untethered to their previous two years of study.”

Regardless of which question they chose, Havel said most students will have been able to fill the time with meaningful, informed discussion but few will feel truly triumphant.

“However, any lingering sense of being unsure is not a sign of a poor student but rather is a reasonable response to a paper that often asked students to go against the grain,” she said.

By contrast, the centre of the paper was very manageable, she said.

“The unseen poem was a brilliant display of continuous metaphor with some poignant moments reminiscent of yesterday’s theme. The questions were clear and uncontentious – love it,” she said.

Comparative can be tricky given that some questions simply don’t fit with some texts due to the volume of different material.

Thankfully, she said, the presence of all three modes meant that students could navigate by their strengths.

“But careful reading was essential, as careless haste could cause some to misread “selfless” and drift perilously off course,” she said.

“This paper wasn’t the resounding sigh of relief everyone hopes for but had lots of opportunities to earn marks laying just beyond those first impressions. Yet those first impressions matter, and students will likely have felt many moments to be a slog across the finish line.”

Laura Daly, an English teacher at St Benildus College, Co Dublin and Studyclix subject expert, agreed that it was challenging in parts.

With the majority of students around the country choosing Shakespeare’s Hamlet, she said the appearance of a question on Hamlet’s relationship with Gertrude was a welcome sight, as it was highly anticipated the role of women would be examined.

“If read analytically by students, they would have realised the question also required the exploration of multiple themes, a lovely question. Although some may have lamented the omission of Ophelia,” she said.

The second question was extremely broad but deceptively challenging, Daly said.

“The wording afforded students opportunities to explore a multitude of areas in terms of what they found ‘inspiring and hopeful’, yet the play is filled with corruption and death so perhaps more challenging than first perceived,” she said.

In poetry, she said the appearance of Heaney, Yeats and Ni Chuilleanain and Plath will have been weclomed by students.

Notable by their absence were the two pre-1900s poets Donne and Hopkins, she said.

“Donne has appeared in recent years, but Hopkins has not appeared in over a decade and it was thought he would be on the paper today,” she said. “None of the language of the questions offered any real difficulties for the students.”

The comparative followed previous years in that all three modes for this year were on the paper as per the adjustments, she said.

“Of all three modes, the theme or issue questions, often touted as the easiest, held the most challenge. The focus was extremely narrow calling for students to examine ‘an interesting interaction’ in the 30 40 marker. The 70 mark question in this mode would also have caused some challenges. Students who had studied more than one mode would have fared well here to have had a choice,” she said,

The unseen poem - ‘Building my Grandfather’ - was “lovely” with accessible language and themes that would resonate with students.

Junior Cycle students from James Casey, Arron Flynn and Aaron Casey at Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Junior Cycle geography: “Fair and well-received’

This year’s Junior Cycle geography paper was a fair one, according to Stephen Doyle, a teacher at Moyle Park College, Dublin, and subject expert with Studyclix .

“There were no major surprises... Each question contained a mixture of short answer questions to start then paragraph style answers in which students must give more detailed insight, displaying their knowledge of a specific topic,” he said.

Map work, in particular, played a big part in today’s exam.

“Map work and skills-based questions such as OS maps, aerial photographs, graphs and tables featured heavily in this year’s exam. There were a total of five questions in this year’s geography exam that contained map work. So, if you were not prepared for mapwork this exam would have been challenging,” he said.

“Surprisingly there were no questions on Volcanic activity but rather this year focused on Earthquakes and their effects. There was also no question on any rock formation which also may have caught students off guard. There were a lot of questions that combined different elements of the course such as landslides and coastal erosion.”

Overall, Mr Doyle said this was a “fair and current paper that would have been well received by students.”

Preparing for start of the Junior Cycle exams in Marian College, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Junior Cycle Irish: Some tricky words on otherwise straightforward papers

My colleague Peter McGuire has filed a more detailed reaction piece on the Junior Cycle Irish papers.

You can read it here , with links to the exam papers themsevles.

Overall, teachers say students were mostly relieved with straightforward higher and ordinary level papers..

Linda Dolan, Studyclix.ie subject representative and a teacher at Mercy College Sligo, said the cluastuiscint (listening comprehension) and the léamhthuiscint (reading comprehension) on the T2 higher level paper , which is sat by students in English-medium schools, offered straightforward and student-friendly questions.

Rita Donnellan, a teacher at Ratoath College in Meath and subject representative for the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), said that the listening comprehension was fair.

“A few words may have tripped some students up, but overall it was balanced,” she said.

“The questions on the novel, drama, song or poem included common topics that come up regularly. Some may have struggled with some phrasing, but if they could pick out keywords, they could manage the literature questions.”

Both Ms Dolan and Ms Donnellan said the ordinary T2 level papers were fair, although Ms Donnellan said a question about inviting friends to see the actor Paul Mescal may have been challenging for some.

Commenting on the T1 higher level paper , which is sat by students in the Gaeltacht and in Irish-medium schools, teachers said it contained “appropriately pitched and student-friendly” language, and was happily received by students.

Plath? Heaney? Hopkins?

The annual sport of what’s going to appear in English paper two has been in full flow.

Every year there are eight prescribed poets. Five are due to appear in today’s paper. Candidates have to do one.

Tiktok is convinced that the smart money is on Sylvia Plath.

But then, a friend of a friend heard that Heaney is a sure thing this year.

A teacher down the road also says Ní Chuilleanáin is overdue an appearance.

Either way, we’ll know for sure shortly...

@mcandrewbooks Save this video if you are a 2024 LC English student! In this video from the @rteradio1 Study Hub Podcast, Clodagh Havel is discussing her 2024 Leaving Cert Predictions. We are also delighted to announce that Clodagh will be launching a new book with us after the Easter break, adding to our Vital Leaving Cert Guidebook series! Keep an eye on our TikTok to stay in the loop about all the material coming to McAndrew Books over the Easter Holidays. #lc2024 #leavingcert2024 #rte #rtestudyhub #lcprediction #lcpredictions #english #englishteacher #finalyearstudent #student #studentlife #study #studytok #studyguide #studyguides ♬ original sound - McAndrew Books - McAndrew Books

@notlucypittman In Plath we Pray 📿 #leavingcert2024 #lc2024🐐 ♬ escuchalaspalabrasdelasbrujaslossecretosescondidos - soapysopasoup 🫧

@kirstymylesx Or Heaney…. #leavingcert2024 #sylviaplath #plath ♬ would i lie to you - DNSTY

@flaheywaheydooda if ni chuilleanain or plath dont come up ive given away my good notes for nothing im begging #leavingcert2024 #englishpaper2 ♬ Affirmation Baddies x LuckyGirl - Affirmations for Women

Junior Cycle students James Casey, Arron Flynn and Aaron Casey, after their exams at Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Junior Cycle Irish reaction: ‘It was welcomed with open arms’

Most students were “happy and relieved” with their Junior Cycle Irish exams this morning, according to teachers.

Students faced T2 Irish exams (for English-medium schools) and T1 (for Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools).

Linda Dolan, an Irish teacher at Mercy College, Sligo and subject expert for Studyclix, said the T2 higher level paper was welcomed with open arms by students.

“Both the Cluastuiscint (listening comprehension) and the Léamhthuiscint (reading comprehension) offered straightforward and student-friendly questions. Ceist 5 presented a choice between an úrscéal (novel) and a dráma, similar to what was seen in last year’s paper,” she said.

“The Ceadapóireacht (composition) component provided two lovely options -describe a holiday abroad (also seen on last year’s paper) or in the Gaeltacht and describe a picnic or a day with friends. The final section, based on poetry, offered students two undemanding questions on the theme and the title. Students and teachers alike undoubtedly would have been happy and greatly relieved to receive this paper today.”

The T1 higher level paper was also “very straightforward and happily received by students”, she said.

“The language used in the questions was student-friendly and appropriately pitched for their level of Gaeilge. Poetry appeared in Q5 and then a choice was offered in Q7 between a drama or a novel.”

The T2 ordinary level paper, meanwhile, went off without a hitch.

“The language used was student-friendly and nothing different to what has been seen on past/ sample papers,” Ms Dolan said.

“The last Ceapadóireacht (composition) question invited students to describe a day mitching from school. This would have given them a great opportunity to utilise vocabulary that they learned over the past three years and also would have put a smile on their faces. Overall, this paper presented nothing out of the blue and gave everyone the chance to show-case their Irish.”

First look: Leaving Cert engineering papers

The Leaving Cert engineering papers - higher and ordinary - are now online. You can check them out below:

Leaving Cert engineering, higher level:

Leaving Cert engineering, ordinary level:

First look: Junior Cycle Irish exams

Irish for Junior Cycle is divided into a more challenging “T1″ exam for Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools, and “T2″ for English-medium schools.

The T2 papers are now available online:

Junior Cycle Irish (T2) higher level

Junior Cycle Irish (T2) ordinary level

Joanna Donnelly, author of From Malin Head to Mizen Head, A Journey Around the Sea Area Forecast, pictured in Howth, Co. Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Joanna Donnelly: ‘I read my chemistry book for fun on off-days’

With all this talk of exam weather, who better to ask about their Leaving Cert memories than Met Éireann’s Joanna Donnelly.

My colleague Jen Hogan spoke to her about her favourite and most challenging subjects.

We liked this tribute she paid to one of her teachers:

“Ms Johnson, my maths teacher, was and is a wonderful woman. She went above and beyond, taking time out of her free days to work with me and my classmate in honours maths to make sure we were prepared. She also took an interest in my welfare generally, looking beyond the academic and nurturing me as a person as well as a student.”

You can read the full piece here .

Leaving Cert students Sarah Daly, Kelsey Scully and Sophie Williams discuss their exams at Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

And they’re off... Day two of exams under way

Students were, by and large, happy leaving exam halls on Wednesday , although Junior Cycle students faced some challenging questions in their English paper .

For Leaving Certs facing into English paper two in the afternoon, we’ve some last-minute tips courtesy of Conor Murphy, an English teacher at Skibbereen Community College:

• Ignore poet predictions. The poetry question is worth 50 marks, the main text (usually Shakespeare) is 60 marks and the comparative 70. Keep this in mind when you study.
• Narrow down the quotes you are learning off. Instead of having hundreds for the main text, look for a quote that will work for numerous elements. Look at a quote like the famous “get thee to a nunnery”. How many elements can this be used for? Hamlet, Ophelia, treatment of women, lust. This is why the quote is so often (over) used. Use this exercise as a way of revising Hamlet.
• Similarly for the comparative, narrow down the scenes you are studying to scenes that can be used when talking about at least two of the comparative modes. Obviously these will include the opening and closing of the text. When you have these narrowed down, zoom in on specific elements (dialogue, images, stage directions). These are your specific pieces of evidence needed to illustrate your essays.
• In general, test yourself on the various aspects of the course. Pick a topic and write down what you know, under headings. Use this as a way of revising and finding out what you need to study.

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