Question Paper & Final Marking Scheme
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
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, 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