GCSE CLASSICAL GREEK — Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER: Prose Literature A
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J292/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Classical Greek May 2025 Prose Literature A Paper (OCR J292/02) combines the full
official examination paper with its complete mark scheme to create a comprehensive and dependable
study resource. This component evaluates students’ understanding of set prose texts, requiring close
analysis of content, themes, characterisation, stylistic features, and literary techniques used by classical
authors. Candidates must demonstrate accurate comprehension of the Greek passages, contextual
knowledge, and the ability to interpret narrative choices and authorial intentions. By placing each exam
question alongside the corresponding marking criteria, the resource clearly illustrates how marks are
awarded for translation accuracy, textual analysis, and evaluative commentary. This integrated structure
helps students refine their close-reading skills, deepen their understanding of the set texts, and develop
the precision and critical insight needed for high-scoring responses. It serves as an effective revision tool
for learners preparing for future OCR GCSE Classical Greek Prose Literature A examinations.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Herodotus, edited by Farnell & Goff, Tales from Herodotus, pages 30-33; 39-41; 42-45, Bristol Classical Press, 2002. From first line "ἐνταῦθα οὗτοι μὲν λόγον εἶχον τῆς πολιορκίας οὐδένα" to last line "εἰσιέναι ταύτῃ εἰς τὴν πόλιν." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
(a) ἐνταῦθα … οὐδένα (line 1): how did the Babylonians feel about the siege?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) τάξας τὴν στρατιὰν … ὁ ποταµός (lines 2–3): how did Cyrus arrange his forces?
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(c) προεῖπε τῷ στρατῷ … εἰς τὴν πόλιν (lines 4–5): what instructions did he give to his army?
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© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© Herodotus, edited by Farnell & Goff, Tales from Herodotus, pages 30-33; 39-41; 42-45, Bristol Classical Press, 2002. From first line "νῦν δὲ ἐξ ἀπροσδοκήτου αὐτοῖς παρέστησαν οἱ Πέρσαι." to last line "εἰς ὃ δὴ καὶ τὸ ἀληθὲς ἐπύθοντο." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
How does Herodotus, by his use of language, show that the Babylonians were taken by surprise?
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.
© Herodotus, edited by Farnell & Goff, Tales from Herodotus, pages 30-33; 39-41; 42-45, Bristol Classical Press, 2002. From first line "Δαρείῳ δὲ καὶ δεινὸν ἐδόκει εἶναι ταῖς πύλαις ταύταις μηδὲν χρῆσθαι καί" to last line "οὐκ ἂν νεκρῶν θήκας ἀνέῳγες.’" Item removed due to third party copyright restrict
(a) ταῖς πύλαις ταύταις (line 1): from the section before this passage, give one detail that
Herodotus has already told us about the tomb above these gates.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) ταῖς δὲ πύλαις … διεξελαύνοντι (lines 2– 4): why did Darius not make use of the gates?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) ἀνοίξας … ἀνέῳγες (lines 4–6): what did Darius find when he opened the tomb?
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. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
(d) How do you think Darius felt when he discovered what was in the tomb? Give a reason for your
answer.
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..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J292/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Classical Greek May 2025 Prose Literature A Paper (OCR J292/02) combines the full
official examination paper with its complete mark scheme to create a comprehensive and dependable
study resource. This component evaluates students’ understanding of set prose texts, requiring close
analysis of content, themes, characterisation, stylistic features, and literary techniques used by classical
authors. Candidates must demonstrate accurate comprehension of the Greek passages, contextual
knowledge, and the ability to interpret narrative choices and authorial intentions. By placing each exam
question alongside the corresponding marking criteria, the resource clearly illustrates how marks are
awarded for translation accuracy, textual analysis, and evaluative commentary. This integrated structure
helps students refine their close-reading skills, deepen their understanding of the set texts, and develop
the precision and critical insight needed for high-scoring responses. It serves as an effective revision tool
for learners preparing for future OCR GCSE Classical Greek Prose Literature A examinations.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Herodotus, edited by Farnell & Goff, Tales from Herodotus, pages 30-33; 39-41; 42-45, Bristol Classical Press, 2002. From first line "ἐνταῦθα οὗτοι μὲν λόγον εἶχον τῆς πολιορκίας οὐδένα" to last line "εἰσιέναι ταύτῃ εἰς τὴν πόλιν." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
(a) ἐνταῦθα … οὐδένα (line 1): how did the Babylonians feel about the siege?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) τάξας τὴν στρατιὰν … ὁ ποταµός (lines 2–3): how did Cyrus arrange his forces?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) προεῖπε τῷ στρατῷ … εἰς τὴν πόλιν (lines 4–5): what instructions did he give to his army?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© Herodotus, edited by Farnell & Goff, Tales from Herodotus, pages 30-33; 39-41; 42-45, Bristol Classical Press, 2002. From first line "νῦν δὲ ἐξ ἀπροσδοκήτου αὐτοῖς παρέστησαν οἱ Πέρσαι." to last line "εἰς ὃ δὴ καὶ τὸ ἀληθὲς ἐπύθοντο." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
How does Herodotus, by his use of language, show that the Babylonians were taken by surprise?
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.
© Herodotus, edited by Farnell & Goff, Tales from Herodotus, pages 30-33; 39-41; 42-45, Bristol Classical Press, 2002. From first line "Δαρείῳ δὲ καὶ δεινὸν ἐδόκει εἶναι ταῖς πύλαις ταύταις μηδὲν χρῆσθαι καί" to last line "οὐκ ἂν νεκρῶν θήκας ἀνέῳγες.’" Item removed due to third party copyright restrict
(a) ταῖς πύλαις ταύταις (line 1): from the section before this passage, give one detail that
Herodotus has already told us about the tomb above these gates.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) ταῖς δὲ πύλαις … διεξελαύνοντι (lines 2– 4): why did Darius not make use of the gates?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) ἀνοίξας … ἀνέῳγες (lines 4–6): what did Darius find when he opened the tomb?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
(d) How do you think Darius felt when he discovered what was in the tomb? Give a reason for your
answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
