Online IGCSE Latin

The assessment objectives (AOs) are:

AO1 Linguistic knowledge with understanding

To pass Cambridge IGCSE Latin, candidates should be able to:

• express, according to context, the meaning of linguistic elements (vocabulary, morphology and syntax)
• express, according to context, the meaning of Latin sentences written in Latin word order
• translate a passage of Latin into English
• understand the details and general meaning of a passage of Latin
• give English words which derive from given Latin words.

AO2 Literary knowledge with understanding

To pass Cambridge IGCSE Latin, candidates should be able to:

• describe character, action and context
• select details from the text
• explain meanings and references
• translate a portion of the text
• explain matters relating to the social and historical context
• scan two lines of hexameter verse.

AO3 Literary criticism with personal response

To pass Cambridge IGCSE Latin, candidates should be able to:

• analyse and evaluate style, tone and metre (where appropriate)
• select evidence to make judgements on the social and historical context
• make a reasoned personal response to the literature.

The prescribed texts for 2020, 2021 and 2022 are listed below.

Verse
Virgil, Aeneid Book 6, lines 264–416 (di, quibus imperium est animarum … limo glaucaque exponit in ulva)
No particular edition is specified as availability differs widely between countries.

Prose
Introducing Cicero Chapter 9, Denunciation of Catiline (Scottish Classics Group, 2013 – other editions are available)

Paper 1 – Language

Vocabulary

Vocabulary list prescribed.

Morphology

· Nouns: the five declensions and irregular nouns from the vocabulary list.

· Adjectives: of first, second and third declension.

· Comparison of adjectives: all regular examples, including those in -ilis; irregular adjectives bonus, malus, magnus, parvus, multus, pauci.

· Adverbs and comparison of adverbs: all adverbial equivalents of regular adjectives and the irregular adjectives given above; also diu, prope, saepe.

· Pronouns (etc.): ego, tu, nos, vos, is, se, hic, ille, idem, ipse, iste, qui, quidam, quis, aliquis, quisque, nullus, solus, totus, alius, alter, uter.

· Verbs: all parts of regular and irregular verbs, including deponent, semi-deponent and defective verbs odi, coepi, memini, but only inquit from inquam; common compounds, e.g. transeo = trans + eo.

· Prepositions: (a) those with the accusative: ad, ante, apud, circum, contra, extra, inter, intra, ob, per, post, praeter, prope, propter, trans;

· (b) those with the ablative: a (ab), cum, de, e (ex), pro, sine; (c) those with the accusative and the ablative: in, sub, super.

· Numerals: cardinal: 1 to 100, 500, 1000; ordinal: 1st to 10th.

Syntax

· Case usage

· Agent and instrument

· Expressions of place, time and space

· Expressions of price and value

· Verbs used with dative and ablative

· Ablative absolute

· Partitive genitive

· Verbs used with prolative infinitive

· Gerunds and gerundives

· Direct questions, including -ne, nonne, num and interrogative pronouns, adjectives and adverbs

· Direct command (2nd person)

· Prohibitions using noli, nolite

· Indirect statement

· Indirect command with prolative infinitive

· Conditional clauses with the indicative

· Common impersonal verbs

· Causal clauses with indicative (quod, quia, quoniam)

· Temporal clauses with indicative (including dum with the present)

· Concessive clauses with indicative (quamquam, etiamsi)

· Comparison clauses with indicative

· Indirect command with ut and ne

· Indirect question

· Purpose and result clauses

· Clauses of fearing

· Conditional sentences with subjunctive

· Causal clauses with subjunctive

· Temporal clauses with subjunctive

· Concessive clauses with subjunctive (quamvis, licet, cum, etiamsi)

Paper 2 – Literature

The prescribed texts for 2026, 2027 and 2028 are listed below.

Verse

· Virgil, Aeneid Book 11, lines 532–596 (velocem interea … turbine corpus), lines 648–698 (at medias … ora cerebro) and lines 768–831 (forte sacer … sub umbras).

No particular edition is specified as availability differs widely between countries.

Prose

Two Centuries of Roman Prose, eds. E C Kennedy and A R Davis (Bristol Classical Press, 1972 (later editions are also available) or Bloomsbury Publishing, 1998)

· Sallust, Caesar and Cato Compared. Chapter 11, Catiline 53, 6 and 54. (BCP, pages 100–106.)

· Pliny, Convalescence of a Sick Slave. Chapter 15(b), (5, 19). (BCP, pages 122–124.)

· Tacitus, A Murder Ship Miscarries. Chapter 16, Annals XIV, 3–5. (BCP, pages 124–131.)

For the Cambridge IGCSE in Latin, candidates take two compulsory components: Paper 1 Language and Paper 2 Literature. Candidates are awarded grades ranging from A* to G.

Paper 1 – Language

Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 160 marks

Candidates must answer both Section A and Section B.

· In Section A, candidates translate into English a passage of Latin prose. The translation passage will be approximately 120 words in length. Candidates are expected to render the translation passage into sensible English and not rely on a word-for-word substitution translation. The maximum mark for Section A is 110.

· In Section B, candidates answer comprehension questions on a passage of Latin prose. One question tests understanding of the derivation of English words from Latin words contained in the passage. The maximum mark for Section B is 50.

Paper 2 – Literature

Written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks

Candidates must answer all the questions.

This paper contains two passages from each of the prescribed texts with questions on each passage. Through answering the questions, candidates are expected to show understanding of the literature, with reference to its subject matter, presentation, genre, metre and background. In addition, the questions test candidates’ ability to translate the text. On each text there is one 10-mark question, which asks candidates to express opinions on matters relating to the social and historical context of the literature and/or the literature itself. Candidates are expected to support their opinions with evidence from the texts.

Parents are responsible for arranging their child’s examinations at their local registered examination centre. Cambridge Home School students study from every part of the globe and so it is not practical for the school to offer a single venue to sit examinations. Consequently, Cambridge Home School is not registered with Cambridge International Examinations but has partnerships with examination centres registered with Cambridge International Examinations, Edexcel, OCR and AQA, and will support students in locating a suitable venue for sitting their written and practical examinations.

If you are intending to study A Level Latin after IGCSE, we recommend that you spend some time in the summer holidays preparing. Here are some suggested activities:

Watch:

Latin Quarter films and video-clips

Spoken Latin language

Read:

Cambridge Latin Course Book V

Anthology Verse

Cambridge Latin Anthology Prose

Cicero, Pro Milone (A Level)

The Latin Library

Perseus Project 

OCR A Level Latin textbooks to buy:

Cicero, Pro Cluentio: A Selection

Tacitus, Annals IV: A Selection

Virgil Aeneid XII: A Selection

Listen:

Classic Tales

Latin Voices

Introduction to Literature, Podcast

What does the online IGCSE Latin course cover?

The online IGCSE Latin course focuses on building language skills such as reading and translating Latin, and understanding and analysing Latin literature. Alongside language skills, the course offers valuable insights into the culture and civilisation of the Roman empire and the impact of Latin on modern European languages.

What skills are developed in the online IGCSE Latin class?

The online IGCSE Latin class aims to strengthen a variety of language skills, including reading and translating Latin, and understanding and analysing Latin literature. As students progress, they will also gain a deeper understanding of Roman culture and the influence of Latin on other languages.

How are assessments carried out in the online IGCSE Latin course?

Assessments in the online IGCSE Latin course follow a structured format. Level 3 internal assessments are conducted in June, while Level 4 mock assessments take place in November and March. Students receive reports that include grades for their performance and effort, along with comments from educators.

What are the homework expectations for Latin IGCSE online?

For the Latin IGCSE online course, students in Level 3 should complete a minimum of one homework assignment every fortnight. Level 4 students are expected to complete at least one assignment weekly. Additionally, it is advised that students prepare revision notes and cards for effective learning.

What are the objectives of assessments in Latin IGCSE online?

The assessment objectives for Latin IGCSE online are divided into three categories. The first focuses on linguistic knowledge and understanding, including vocabulary, translation, and sentence structure. The second covers literary knowledge, including character analysis and historical context. The third involves literary criticism with a personal response to the literature.