GCSE CLASSICAL GREEK — Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER: Prose Literature B
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J292/03]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Classical Greek May 2025 Prose Literature B Paper (OCR J292/03) brings together the
complete official examination paper and its full mark scheme to form a clear, reliable, and exam-focused
revision resource. This paper assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of the prescribed prose texts,
requiring detailed engagement with narrative content, thematic development, historical and cultural
context, and the literary methods employed by the author. Students must demonstrate accurate
comprehension of the Greek passages, thoughtful analysis of character and motive, and the ability to
evaluate authorial technique with precision. By pairing every question with the specific marking criteria,
the resource clarifies examiner expectations for translation accuracy, textual interpretation, and critical
commentary. This combined format supports structured revision, strengthens analytical and linguistic
confidence, and equips students with the skills needed to produce well-supported, high-band responses. It
is an invaluable tool for preparing for future OCR GCSE Classical Greek Prose Literature B examinations.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© edited by Antrich & Usher, Xenophon: The Persian Expedition, pages 45-58, Bristol Classical Press, 2003. From first line "καὶ ἤδη τε ἦν ἀμφὶ ἀγορὰν" to last line "προσέρχεται ὡς εἰς μάχην παρεσκευασμένος." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
(a) Pick out and translate the three-word Greek phrase which indicates the time of day at this point
in the narrative.
Greek phrase: ..................................................................................................................
English translation: ..................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Πατηγύας … πιστῶν (line 2): what are we told here about Pategyas in addition to the detail that
he was a Persian?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) ἐλαύνων … ἐβόα (line 3): what makes it clear that Pategyas was in a hurry? Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(d) ἐβόα … παρεσκευασµένος (lines 3–5):
(i) what news did Pategyas bring?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) why did he report his news in two languages?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© edited by Antrich & Usher, Xenophon: The Persian Expedition, pages 45-58, Bristol Classical Press, 2003. From first line "ἔνθα δὴ σὺν πολλῇ σπουδῇ καθίσταντο," to last line "δεξιῷ καὶ τὸ Ἑλληνικὸν πελταστικόν." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
How does Xenophon, by his use of language, show that the various troops took up their positions
in a quick and orderly way?
You should make two points, each supported by close reference to the Greek.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© edited by Antrich & Usher, Xenophon: The Persian Expedition, pages 45-58, Bristol Classical Press, 2003. From first line "Κῦρος δὲ καὶ ἱππεῖς τούτου ὅσον" to last line "εἶχον δὲ καὶ μαχαίρας οἱ ἱππεῖς Ἑλληνικάς." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
(a) Κῦρος δὲ καὶ ἱππεῖς … παραµηριδίοις (lines 1–2):
(i) how many horsemen did Cyrus have with him?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) what protective armour was worn by both Cyrus and his horsemen?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) καὶ κράνεσι … καθίστατο (lines 2–3):
(i) what difference does Xenophon highlight here between Cyrus and his horsemen?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) do you think it was sensible of Cyrus to distinguish himself in this way? Give a reason for your
answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) εἶχον δὲ καὶ … Ἑλληνικάς (line 4): what weapons did the horsemen carry?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J292/03]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Classical Greek May 2025 Prose Literature B Paper (OCR J292/03) brings together the
complete official examination paper and its full mark scheme to form a clear, reliable, and exam-focused
revision resource. This paper assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of the prescribed prose texts,
requiring detailed engagement with narrative content, thematic development, historical and cultural
context, and the literary methods employed by the author. Students must demonstrate accurate
comprehension of the Greek passages, thoughtful analysis of character and motive, and the ability to
evaluate authorial technique with precision. By pairing every question with the specific marking criteria,
the resource clarifies examiner expectations for translation accuracy, textual interpretation, and critical
commentary. This combined format supports structured revision, strengthens analytical and linguistic
confidence, and equips students with the skills needed to produce well-supported, high-band responses. It
is an invaluable tool for preparing for future OCR GCSE Classical Greek Prose Literature B examinations.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© edited by Antrich & Usher, Xenophon: The Persian Expedition, pages 45-58, Bristol Classical Press, 2003. From first line "καὶ ἤδη τε ἦν ἀμφὶ ἀγορὰν" to last line "προσέρχεται ὡς εἰς μάχην παρεσκευασμένος." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
(a) Pick out and translate the three-word Greek phrase which indicates the time of day at this point
in the narrative.
Greek phrase: ..................................................................................................................
English translation: ..................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Πατηγύας … πιστῶν (line 2): what are we told here about Pategyas in addition to the detail that
he was a Persian?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) ἐλαύνων … ἐβόα (line 3): what makes it clear that Pategyas was in a hurry? Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(d) ἐβόα … παρεσκευασµένος (lines 3–5):
(i) what news did Pategyas bring?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) why did he report his news in two languages?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© edited by Antrich & Usher, Xenophon: The Persian Expedition, pages 45-58, Bristol Classical Press, 2003. From first line "ἔνθα δὴ σὺν πολλῇ σπουδῇ καθίσταντο," to last line "δεξιῷ καὶ τὸ Ἑλληνικὸν πελταστικόν." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
How does Xenophon, by his use of language, show that the various troops took up their positions
in a quick and orderly way?
You should make two points, each supported by close reference to the Greek.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© edited by Antrich & Usher, Xenophon: The Persian Expedition, pages 45-58, Bristol Classical Press, 2003. From first line "Κῦρος δὲ καὶ ἱππεῖς τούτου ὅσον" to last line "εἶχον δὲ καὶ μαχαίρας οἱ ἱππεῖς Ἑλληνικάς." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
(a) Κῦρος δὲ καὶ ἱππεῖς … παραµηριδίοις (lines 1–2):
(i) how many horsemen did Cyrus have with him?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) what protective armour was worn by both Cyrus and his horsemen?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) καὶ κράνεσι … καθίστατο (lines 2–3):
(i) what difference does Xenophon highlight here between Cyrus and his horsemen?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) do you think it was sensible of Cyrus to distinguish himself in this way? Give a reason for your
answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) εἶχον δὲ καὶ … Ἑλληνικάς (line 4): what weapons did the horsemen carry?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
