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If you need more guidance regarding the structure of IB Classical Languages (Latin and Greek) Paper 1, this post is for you! Here, we will provide a thorough breakdown of IB Classical Languages Paper 1, ensuring you are familiar with the exam format and know what type of questions to expect to help you tackle the exam confidently.
IB Classical Languages Paper 1
Paper 1 tests your ability to accurately translate unseen Latin or Ancient Greek passages into English.
At SL, either an unseen prose or poetry passage must be translated, but not both. The exam consists of reading comprehension and translation questions based on an unseen extract.
At HL, an unseen prose passage and an unseen poetry passage must both be translated. The exam consists of reading comprehension, translation, and guided analysis questions based on a set of two unseen extracts.
For SL, Paper 1 contributes 35% to the overall subject grade, while for HL, it accounts for 30%.
SL students have 1 hour and 30 minutes, while HL students are given 2 hours to complete Paper 1.
The use of a dictionary is allowed for both SL and HL.
The first comprehension question is common between SL and HL, with HL candidates having an additional guided analysis question.
A typical SL/HL comprehension question could be:
Outline the arrival of the tidal wave and its aftermath. (Based on the passage provided from Ammianus Marcellinus, Rerum Gestarum 26.10.16–18) [4 marks]
A typical HL guided analysis question could be:
Analyse the contrast between Cicero’s assertions about his talent and skill and the literary qualities of the text. (Based on a passage provided from Cicero’s To the Senate on his Return 1) [6 marks]
How to Succeed in Classical Languages Paper 1
Solve past papers – This helps you get used to the type of questions that could be asked on the exam and helps you develop skills in learning which concepts to apply. You should try to solve past papers using a timer to simulate exam conditions and check your answers against a markscheme to identify areas for improvement. After completing a translation, compare your work with annotated answer guides to identify errors and refine your approach.
Master grammar and syntax – Students should understand case endings, verb conjugations, and sentence structures to effectively translate texts. Identify key literary techniques such as purpose clauses, indirect statements, and ablative absolutes to understand how they shape sentences. Additionally, recognizing common irregular verbs and frequently used conjugations will help you avoid common mistakes and improve translation fluency.
Expand your vocabulary – Regularly reviewing words found in classical texts will help you better recognize and understand them while translating the text. Using flashcards or vocabulary lists can aid in quick recall, making it easier to recognize words in context. Additionally, learning common poetic and prose synonyms will allow you to grasp variations in translation and stylistic choices used in the texts.
Develop a translation strategy – Begin by reading the entire passage to get a sense of the overall meaning . Next, identify the main verbs and subjects to determine the basic sentence structure. Try to understand the general gist of the text rather than literally translating word-for-word as sometimes the literal meaning can get lost in translation.
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