Classical Greek

Assessment

There are four examinations, all taken at the end of the two-year course. Two are language papers and two are literature papers. The first language paper, worth 33% of the total A level, is 1 hour 30 minutes and is an unseen paper in which you are required to translate two original pieces of Greek literature, sometimes slightly adapted, into English; one prose, one poetry. The authors will be specified in advance (for examination in 2025 they will be Xenophon and Sophocles). The second language paper, worth 17% of the total A level, will offer a choice: you can either do another shorter translation into English of a Greek passage of prose and then answer a number of comprehension and grammar questions on it, or translate a short passage of English into Greek. We strongly encourage you to opt for the translation of English into Greek – it is the best way fully to immerse yourself in the language. The two literature papers, each worth 25% of the full A level qualification, both follow the same pattern, one focusing on poetry and one on prose. You will need to know your set texts well, in order to answer translation and analysis questions on each; and then to write an essay about the text, informed by your wider reading of an additional specified portion of the text in English translation.