GCSE OCR Latin Set Texts Guides
Prose Literature 2025–2026
Translations and textual analysis of Verse set texts for the GCSE exams in 2025-26. Each text is broken down into manageable chunks, translated into English and accompanied by meaningful notes on style, grammar and literary effects.
For each section of the text:
- Aided translation activity – suggested word order, additional vocabulary and comprehension questions all support students in making sense of the Latin
- Widely spaced Latin text next to clear translation – perfect balance between literal, easy-to-follow translations & an eloquent rendering of the text
- Detailed student-friendly notes deepen their appreciation of the text
- Overview and biographical notes put the work in context
- Key technical vocab highlighted – glossaries included
- Practice Exam Questions with mark schemes – fully prepare your students for the exams!
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What do teachers say about this resource? (12140)
I feel that this is an excellent resource for both teachers and pupils. It is comprehensive in its treatment of the passages making up the Latin set texts, offers good translations for every section and makes all the vocabulary easy to access. There is also ample context on both the authors and the sections of text, which the CLA lacks, and helpful Appendices (especially Appendix 2).
The resource is extremely appropriate for the specification (OCR GCSE Latin prose set text). Pupils must know the translation of the text well to have a chance on the paper, and this resource helps them arrive at a translation, and supplies a reliable one too, which will serve them well in preparing for the examination. The comprehension questions will help pupils work out the key points for each section, which again is important for approaching the paper.
I particularly liked:
‘Aided Translation’ section with words numbered present way to tackle each sentence manageably.
Extensive vocabulary with section plus dictionary at back, with explanations of presentation/annotations.
Translations are literal and so useful for understanding the Latin, but also readable.
Linguistic notes are appropriate, accurate and supported by an excellent Appendix 2, which gives references to examples of each device, which is very helpful.
Contextual notes are not too extensive – pupils do not need to know any of the historical background etc. – so they help give meaning to the text but do not overburden; this is true of the mini-bios of the authors and the introductory information on each set text.
The notes for teachers at the start is excellent, and the pointers to Examiners’ Report comments are great (I am an Examiner for OCR and know that such reports contain invaluable material).
It is scholarly without being pretentious or inaccessible to teachers and pupils, and provides the right types of information at the right amounts.
The vocabulary lists meanings which are appropriate for the passage in which they appear, so pupils do not need to hunt for the right meaning from several but can just use the appropriately suggested translation.
Using the asterisks on the vocabulary to link to the DVL is very helpful for pupils to see.
The passages with the Latin words numbered for translation on the ‘Aided Translation’ makes learning the text and understanding how to approach translating it much more accessible for pupils, allowing them to tackle the text independently before getting support from a teacher, something which is very challenging if only using the CLA since many pupils would not know where to start with most sentences (particularly true for the Tacitus/Messalina sections). This resource also provides pupils with translations for the entire set text, so could really support a variety of contexts, not just the regular classroom – those being home-schooled, taking the GCSE off-timetable or as part of a club, or simply those not having a Latin prose specialist teaching them, can all feel equipped to tackle the examination since they at least have a reliable translation. The examination-style questions at the end also help pupils think about the texts in the right way, and Appendix 2 gives a very handy guide for pupils to know what stylistic terms to look for in passages.
The guide is thorough and useful. Historical background is valuable and comprehensive.
What do teachers say about this resource? (11939)
It will be a lifesaver when we transfer over to the new texts! I think it's a thorough unit of work, covering just about everything I would want to teach on the topic. The translations from Latin to English are easy to understand, the exam-style questions feel like they come from an exam paper and the glossary will be very useful for students. I liked the number of exercises for each covered extract. I felt that there were enough to give a thorough understanding, but not too many that it was overwhelming.
On the whole I thought this was an excellent resource. It was up to date with examiners’ reports and quoted useful reference books but was not too dry as to put off those who might struggle with the set texts. It thus walked the tightrope of differentiation very successfully.
It enhances learning by providing sufficient, but not excessive material, so students can gain confidence. Its educational value is to fill a gap in the market for a new selection of set texts,and the introduction for teachers, being so informative, will save them much time, and allow them to draw the best out of their pupils, whatever their ability.
I would definitely purchase this resource.