GCSE CLASSICAL GREEK — Actual June 2025 PAST PAPER: Verse Literature B
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J292/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Classical Greek June 2025 Verse Literature B Paper (OCR J292/05) merges the full
official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a comprehensive and exam-focused
revision resource. This paper assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of set verse texts,
including epic and lyric poetry, with emphasis on language, themes, characterisation, narrative
techniques, and historical and cultural context. Candidates are expected to demonstrate precise
comprehension of Greek passages, analyse stylistic and literary features, and evaluate meaning in
relation to the broader social and cultural framework. By presenting each question alongside its
marking criteria, the resource clarifies examiner expectations for translation accuracy, literary analysis,
and evaluative commentary. This integrated format strengthens critical reading, language proficiency,
and analytical skills, helping students produce well-structured, high-quality responses in preparation
for future OCR GCSE Classical Greek Verse Literature B examinations.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Judith Affleck; Clive Letchford, OCR Anthology for Classical Greek GCSE 2025-2026, Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. From first line "πάντων δ᾽ ὅσ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἔμψυχα καὶ γνώμην ἔχει" to last line "ἢ κακὸν λαβεῖν ἢ χρηστόν.
(a) ἀθλιώτατον φυτόν (line 2):
(i) how does Medea describe women here?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) what has Jason done to make Medea feel this way?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) ἃς … λαβεῖν (lines 3–5): what impression does Medea give of Greek marriage here? Explain
your answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) κἀν … χρηστόν (lines 6–7): what does Medea say is the greatest challenge?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© Judith Affleck; Clive Letchford, OCR Anthology for Classical Greek GCSE 2025-2026, Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. From first line "λέγουσι δ᾽ ἡμᾶς ὡς ἀκίνδυνον βίον" to last line "στῆναι
How does Medea emphasise her disagreement with the view that women’s lives are easy?
You should make two points, each supported by close reference to the Greek.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
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2 .......................................................................................................................................................
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..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Judith Affleck; Clive Letchford, OCR Anthology for Classical Greek GCSE 2025-2026, Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. From first line "τοσοῦτον οὖν σου τυγχάνειν βουλήσομαι," to last line "οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλη φρὴν μιαιφονωτέρα
(a) τοσοῦτον … σιγᾶν (lines 1–5):
(i) how does Medea ask the Chorus to help her?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
(ii) why is Medea angry with Creon as well as with Jason?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) γυνὴ … µιαιφονωτέρα (lines 5–8): what contrast does Medea make in these lines about the
character of women?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [4]
© OCR 2025
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J292/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Classical Greek June 2025 Verse Literature B Paper (OCR J292/05) merges the full
official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a comprehensive and exam-focused
revision resource. This paper assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of set verse texts,
including epic and lyric poetry, with emphasis on language, themes, characterisation, narrative
techniques, and historical and cultural context. Candidates are expected to demonstrate precise
comprehension of Greek passages, analyse stylistic and literary features, and evaluate meaning in
relation to the broader social and cultural framework. By presenting each question alongside its
marking criteria, the resource clarifies examiner expectations for translation accuracy, literary analysis,
and evaluative commentary. This integrated format strengthens critical reading, language proficiency,
and analytical skills, helping students produce well-structured, high-quality responses in preparation
for future OCR GCSE Classical Greek Verse Literature B examinations.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Judith Affleck; Clive Letchford, OCR Anthology for Classical Greek GCSE 2025-2026, Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. From first line "πάντων δ᾽ ὅσ᾽ ἔστ᾽ ἔμψυχα καὶ γνώμην ἔχει" to last line "ἢ κακὸν λαβεῖν ἢ χρηστόν.
(a) ἀθλιώτατον φυτόν (line 2):
(i) how does Medea describe women here?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) what has Jason done to make Medea feel this way?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) ἃς … λαβεῖν (lines 3–5): what impression does Medea give of Greek marriage here? Explain
your answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) κἀν … χρηστόν (lines 6–7): what does Medea say is the greatest challenge?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© Judith Affleck; Clive Letchford, OCR Anthology for Classical Greek GCSE 2025-2026, Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. From first line "λέγουσι δ᾽ ἡμᾶς ὡς ἀκίνδυνον βίον" to last line "στῆναι
How does Medea emphasise her disagreement with the view that women’s lives are easy?
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.
© Judith Affleck; Clive Letchford, OCR Anthology for Classical Greek GCSE 2025-2026, Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. From first line "τοσοῦτον οὖν σου τυγχάνειν βουλήσομαι," to last line "οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλη φρὴν μιαιφονωτέρα
(a) τοσοῦτον … σιγᾶν (lines 1–5):
(i) how does Medea ask the Chorus to help her?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
(ii) why is Medea angry with Creon as well as with Jason?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) γυνὴ … µιαιφονωτέρα (lines 5–8): what contrast does Medea make in these lines about the
character of women?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [4]
© OCR 2025
