GCSE (9–1) LATIN — May 2025 PAST PAPER: Prose Literature A
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J282/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) Latin Prose Literature A Paper (OCR J282/02) provides a fully merged resource
combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format allows
learners to see exactly how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting the
criteria required for high-band performance. This component assesses students’ comprehension, analysis,
and interpretation of Latin prose texts. Candidates are expected to demonstrate understanding of language,
context, literary style, and authorial intent, as well as to translate, analyse, and evaluate passages with
accuracy and precision. The paper also evaluates the ability to make informed interpretations and support
responses with textual evidence. By presenting each question alongside its marking guidance, the resource
strengthens linguistic, analytical, and critical reading skills. It supports structured, precise responses, helps
refine translation and interpretation techniques, and provides targeted revision for top-level performance.
This merged resource prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Latin (Prose Literature A)
examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Peter Macdonald; Margaret Widdess, GCSE Latin Anthology for OCR, Oxford University Press, 2009. From first line “tam diu in imperio suo classem iste praetor diligens vidit quam diu convivium eius flagitiosissimum praetervecta est” to last line “stetit soleatus praetor populi Romani
(a) convivium eius flagitiosissimum (lines 1–2): how does Cicero describe Verres’ banquet?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Pick out and translate the Latin word in line 3 which shows the length of time Verres could be
seen by the sailors.
Latin word: ................................................................................................................................
English translation: ..................................................................................................................
[2]
(c) stetit … litore (lines 3–4): how do you think the sailors felt about Verres at this point? Give a
reason for your answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© Peter Macdonald; Margaret Widdess, GCSE Latin Anthology for OCR, Oxford University Press, 2009. From first line “posteaquam paulum provecta classis est et Pachynum quinto die denique adpulsa” to last line “colligebant et iis miseri perditique alebantur.” Item removed due
How does Cicero show the terrible situation of the sailors?
Make two points, each referring to the Latin.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Peter Macdonald; Margaret Widdess, GCSE Latin Anthology for OCR, Oxford University Press, 2009. From first line “includuntur in carcerem condemnati” to last line “matresque miserae pernoctabant ad ostium carceris ab extremo conspectu liberum exclusae.” I
(a) includuntur … in illos (line 1): what happened to the condemned men? Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) prohibentur … ferre (lines 2–3): what were the parents of the condemned men prevented from
doing?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) patres … exclusae (lines 3–4): where did the mothers and fathers of the condemned men spend
the night?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J282/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The May 2025 GCSE (9–1) Latin Prose Literature A Paper (OCR J282/02) provides a fully merged resource
combining the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format allows
learners to see exactly how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting the
criteria required for high-band performance. This component assesses students’ comprehension, analysis,
and interpretation of Latin prose texts. Candidates are expected to demonstrate understanding of language,
context, literary style, and authorial intent, as well as to translate, analyse, and evaluate passages with
accuracy and precision. The paper also evaluates the ability to make informed interpretations and support
responses with textual evidence. By presenting each question alongside its marking guidance, the resource
strengthens linguistic, analytical, and critical reading skills. It supports structured, precise responses, helps
refine translation and interpretation techniques, and provides targeted revision for top-level performance.
This merged resource prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Latin (Prose Literature A)
examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Peter Macdonald; Margaret Widdess, GCSE Latin Anthology for OCR, Oxford University Press, 2009. From first line “tam diu in imperio suo classem iste praetor diligens vidit quam diu convivium eius flagitiosissimum praetervecta est” to last line “stetit soleatus praetor populi Romani
(a) convivium eius flagitiosissimum (lines 1–2): how does Cicero describe Verres’ banquet?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Pick out and translate the Latin word in line 3 which shows the length of time Verres could be
seen by the sailors.
Latin word: ................................................................................................................................
English translation: ..................................................................................................................
[2]
(c) stetit … litore (lines 3–4): how do you think the sailors felt about Verres at this point? Give a
reason for your answer.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
© Peter Macdonald; Margaret Widdess, GCSE Latin Anthology for OCR, Oxford University Press, 2009. From first line “posteaquam paulum provecta classis est et Pachynum quinto die denique adpulsa” to last line “colligebant et iis miseri perditique alebantur.” Item removed due
How does Cicero show the terrible situation of the sailors?
Make two points, each referring to the Latin.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Read the passage and answer the questions.
© Peter Macdonald; Margaret Widdess, GCSE Latin Anthology for OCR, Oxford University Press, 2009. From first line “includuntur in carcerem condemnati” to last line “matresque miserae pernoctabant ad ostium carceris ab extremo conspectu liberum exclusae.” I
(a) includuntur … in illos (line 1): what happened to the condemned men? Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) prohibentur … ferre (lines 2–3): what were the parents of the condemned men prevented from
doing?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) patres … exclusae (lines 3–4): where did the mothers and fathers of the condemned men spend
the night?
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
