GCSE (9–1) LATIN — June 2025 PAST PAPER: Verse Literature B Merged Question Paper
& Mark Scheme [OCR J282/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) Latin Verse Literature B Paper (OCR J282/05) offers a fully merged
resource that combines the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This
integrated structure provides clear insight into how each question is assessed, helping learners
understand examiner expectations and the criteria required for high-band responses. This
component evaluates students’ understanding of set Latin verse texts, including their themes,
literary style, structure, and the historical and cultural contexts in which they were produced.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate accurate translation skills, analyse linguistic features,
interpret literary techniques such as metre, imagery, and narrative voice, and offer thoughtful
evaluations of the authors’ intentions and effects.By presenting each question alongside detailed
marking guidance, the resource strengthens translation accuracy, literary analysis, and interpretive
skills. It supports clear, precise, and well-structured responses and provides focused preparation for
the 2026 OCR GCSE Latin Verse Literature B examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
vix e conspectu Siculae telluris in altum
vela dabant laeti et spumas salis aere ruebant,
cum Iuno aeternum servans sub pectore vulnus
haec secum: ‘mene incepto desistere victam
nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem!’ 5
Virgil, Aeneid 1, lines 34–38
(a) vix … ruebant (lines 1–2):
(i) where were Aeneas and his fleet at this point?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) pick out and translate the Latin word which tells us how the Trojans were feeling.
Latin word: ................................................................................................................................
English translation: ..................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) aeternum … vulnus (line 3): what were Juno’s feelings towards the Trojans?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) Italia … regem (line 5): what would Juno like to do?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
‘Pallasne exurere classem
Argivum atque ipsos potuit summergere ponto
unius ob noxam et furias Aiacis Oilei?’
Virgil, Aeneid 1, lines 39–41
What two things does Juno say Pallas (the goddess Athena) was able to do when Ajax offended
her?
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
Turn over for the next question.
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Read the passage and answer the question.
‘ipsa Iovis rapidum iaculata e nubibus ignem
disiecitque rates evertitque aequora ventis,
illum exspirantem transfixo pectore flammas
turbine corripuit scopuloque infixit acuto.’
Translation:
‘She herself, having hurled Jupiter’s swift lightning from the clouds, both scattered the
boats and churned up the seas with winds; as for Ajax, as he breathed out flames from
his pierced chest, she snatched him up in a whirlwind and impaled him on a pointed rock.’
Virgil, Aeneid 1, lines 42–45
How does Virgil, by his style of writing, emphasise the power of Pallas Athena?
Make two points, each referring to the Latin.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025
& Mark Scheme [OCR J282/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) Latin Verse Literature B Paper (OCR J282/05) offers a fully merged
resource that combines the complete examination paper with its official mark scheme. This
integrated structure provides clear insight into how each question is assessed, helping learners
understand examiner expectations and the criteria required for high-band responses. This
component evaluates students’ understanding of set Latin verse texts, including their themes,
literary style, structure, and the historical and cultural contexts in which they were produced.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate accurate translation skills, analyse linguistic features,
interpret literary techniques such as metre, imagery, and narrative voice, and offer thoughtful
evaluations of the authors’ intentions and effects.By presenting each question alongside detailed
marking guidance, the resource strengthens translation accuracy, literary analysis, and interpretive
skills. It supports clear, precise, and well-structured responses and provides focused preparation for
the 2026 OCR GCSE Latin Verse Literature B examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Read the passage and answer the questions.
vix e conspectu Siculae telluris in altum
vela dabant laeti et spumas salis aere ruebant,
cum Iuno aeternum servans sub pectore vulnus
haec secum: ‘mene incepto desistere victam
nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem!’ 5
Virgil, Aeneid 1, lines 34–38
(a) vix … ruebant (lines 1–2):
(i) where were Aeneas and his fleet at this point?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) pick out and translate the Latin word which tells us how the Trojans were feeling.
Latin word: ................................................................................................................................
English translation: ..................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) aeternum … vulnus (line 3): what were Juno’s feelings towards the Trojans?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) Italia … regem (line 5): what would Juno like to do?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 Read the passage and answer the question.
‘Pallasne exurere classem
Argivum atque ipsos potuit summergere ponto
unius ob noxam et furias Aiacis Oilei?’
Virgil, Aeneid 1, lines 39–41
What two things does Juno say Pallas (the goddess Athena) was able to do when Ajax offended
her?
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
Turn over for the next question.
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Read the passage and answer the question.
‘ipsa Iovis rapidum iaculata e nubibus ignem
disiecitque rates evertitque aequora ventis,
illum exspirantem transfixo pectore flammas
turbine corripuit scopuloque infixit acuto.’
Translation:
‘She herself, having hurled Jupiter’s swift lightning from the clouds, both scattered the
boats and churned up the seas with winds; as for Ajax, as he breathed out flames from
his pierced chest, she snatched him up in a whirlwind and impaled him on a pointed rock.’
Virgil, Aeneid 1, lines 42–45
How does Virgil, by his style of writing, emphasise the power of Pallas Athena?
Make two points, each referring to the Latin.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]
© OCR 2025
