2025 OCR A Level Latin
H443/02 Prose Composition or Comprehension
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Monday 2 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Latin
H443/02 Prose Composition or Comprehension
Time allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
Do not use:
• a dictionary
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer either the questions in Section A or the question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8254/4] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (CJ) 334320/4 Turn over
, 2
Answer Section A or Section B.
Section A Comprehension
and Grammar
Read the passage.
After the discovery of a plot, the Senate debate what should be done with the arrested
conspirators. Cato’s proposal of the death sentence is accepted and the executions are carried
out that very day.
ita locutus est Cato: ‘cum res publica consilio scelestorum hominum in maxima pericula
venerit eique confessi sint se caedem, incendia aliaque crudelia facinora in cives patriamque
paravisse, more antiquo supplicium est sumendum’.
postquam Cato consedit, consulares omnes magnaque pars senatus sententiam eius
laudant, virtutem animi ad caelum ferunt, alii alios accusantes timidos vocant. Cato 5
clarus atque magnus habetur; senatui constitutum est sicut ille suaserat.
tum consul, ratus ante noctem agendum esse, ne quid mali eo spatio temporis fieret,
carnifices ea quae res postulabat statim parare iubet. ipse praesidiis dispositis Lentulum in
carcerem deducit; idem fit ceteris per praetores. est in carcere locus qui
Tullianum appellatur, ubi paulum ascenderis ad sinistram, circiter duodecim pedes 10
humi depressus. eum muniunt undique muri validi; incultu, tenebris, odore terribilis est eius
facies. in eum locum postquam demissus est Lentulus, carnifices, ut imperatum erat, laqueo
collum fregerunt. ita ille nobilis ex gente clarissima natus, qui consulare imperium Romae
habuerat, dignum moribus factisque suis exitium vitae invenit. de
ceteris captivis eodem modo supplicium sumptum est. 15
Sallust, Bellum Catilinae, 52–55 (adapted)
Names
Cato, -onis (m) Cato (a senator)
Lentulus, -i (m) Lentulus (one of the conspirators)
Tullianum, -i (n) the Tullianum
Words
supplicium, -i (n) punishment
consularis, -e consular, of consular rank
carnifex, -icis (m) executioner
incultus, -us (m) filth
laqueus, -i (m) rope, noose
© OCR 2025 H443/02 Jun25
, 3
1 cum res … sumendum (lines 1–3):
(a) what accusations did Cato make against the conspirators? [5]
(b) what course of action did he suggest? [2]
2 In lines 4–6 (postquam … suaserat), what indications are there that Cato’s speech received a
positive reaction from the Senate? [6]
3 tum … praetores (lines 7–9): what does Sallust mention which shows fear and urgency? [5]
4 est in carcere … facies (lines 9–12): what details does Sallust give about the prison to which the
prisoners were taken? [6]
5 Translate in eum locum … invenit (lines 12–14).
Please write your translation on alternate lines. [10]
6 de ceteris … est (lines 14–15): what happened to the other conspirators? [1]
7 State and explain the case of the following:
(a) cives (line 3) [2]
(b) spatio (line 7) [2]
(c) ceteris (line 9) [2]
(d) eodem modo (line 15) [2]
8 Give the present infinitive of the following:
(a) locutus (line 1) [1]
(b) dispositis (line 8) [1]
(c) fregerunt (line 13) [1]
9 Explain why the following verbs need to be subjunctive, using a translation if you think it is helpful:
(a) venerit (line 2) [1]
(b) fieret (line 8) [1]
10 In line 7, ratus ante noctem agendum esse, which parts of the verb are:
(a) ratus? [1]
(b) agendum? [1]
© OCR 2025 H443/02 Jun25 Turn over
H443/02 Prose Composition or Comprehension
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Monday 2 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Latin
H443/02 Prose Composition or Comprehension
Time allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
Do not use:
• a dictionary
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer either the questions in Section A or the question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8254/4] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (CJ) 334320/4 Turn over
, 2
Answer Section A or Section B.
Section A Comprehension
and Grammar
Read the passage.
After the discovery of a plot, the Senate debate what should be done with the arrested
conspirators. Cato’s proposal of the death sentence is accepted and the executions are carried
out that very day.
ita locutus est Cato: ‘cum res publica consilio scelestorum hominum in maxima pericula
venerit eique confessi sint se caedem, incendia aliaque crudelia facinora in cives patriamque
paravisse, more antiquo supplicium est sumendum’.
postquam Cato consedit, consulares omnes magnaque pars senatus sententiam eius
laudant, virtutem animi ad caelum ferunt, alii alios accusantes timidos vocant. Cato 5
clarus atque magnus habetur; senatui constitutum est sicut ille suaserat.
tum consul, ratus ante noctem agendum esse, ne quid mali eo spatio temporis fieret,
carnifices ea quae res postulabat statim parare iubet. ipse praesidiis dispositis Lentulum in
carcerem deducit; idem fit ceteris per praetores. est in carcere locus qui
Tullianum appellatur, ubi paulum ascenderis ad sinistram, circiter duodecim pedes 10
humi depressus. eum muniunt undique muri validi; incultu, tenebris, odore terribilis est eius
facies. in eum locum postquam demissus est Lentulus, carnifices, ut imperatum erat, laqueo
collum fregerunt. ita ille nobilis ex gente clarissima natus, qui consulare imperium Romae
habuerat, dignum moribus factisque suis exitium vitae invenit. de
ceteris captivis eodem modo supplicium sumptum est. 15
Sallust, Bellum Catilinae, 52–55 (adapted)
Names
Cato, -onis (m) Cato (a senator)
Lentulus, -i (m) Lentulus (one of the conspirators)
Tullianum, -i (n) the Tullianum
Words
supplicium, -i (n) punishment
consularis, -e consular, of consular rank
carnifex, -icis (m) executioner
incultus, -us (m) filth
laqueus, -i (m) rope, noose
© OCR 2025 H443/02 Jun25
, 3
1 cum res … sumendum (lines 1–3):
(a) what accusations did Cato make against the conspirators? [5]
(b) what course of action did he suggest? [2]
2 In lines 4–6 (postquam … suaserat), what indications are there that Cato’s speech received a
positive reaction from the Senate? [6]
3 tum … praetores (lines 7–9): what does Sallust mention which shows fear and urgency? [5]
4 est in carcere … facies (lines 9–12): what details does Sallust give about the prison to which the
prisoners were taken? [6]
5 Translate in eum locum … invenit (lines 12–14).
Please write your translation on alternate lines. [10]
6 de ceteris … est (lines 14–15): what happened to the other conspirators? [1]
7 State and explain the case of the following:
(a) cives (line 3) [2]
(b) spatio (line 7) [2]
(c) ceteris (line 9) [2]
(d) eodem modo (line 15) [2]
8 Give the present infinitive of the following:
(a) locutus (line 1) [1]
(b) dispositis (line 8) [1]
(c) fregerunt (line 13) [1]
9 Explain why the following verbs need to be subjunctive, using a translation if you think it is helpful:
(a) venerit (line 2) [1]
(b) fieret (line 8) [1]
10 In line 7, ratus ante noctem agendum esse, which parts of the verb are:
(a) ratus? [1]
(b) agendum? [1]
© OCR 2025 H443/02 Jun25 Turn over
