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If you need more guidance regarding the structure of IB Classical Languages (Latin and Greek) Paper 2, this post is for you! Here, we will provide a thorough breakdown of IB Classical Languages Paper 2, 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 2
Paper 2 assesses your ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate the prescribed texts studied throughout your course.
Paper 2 does not focus on translation but rather on demonstrating your understanding of style, context, and themes within Greek or Latin.
Paper 2 consists of short-answer questions based on an extract from a prescribed core text as well as an extended response based on a prompt.
The questions are the same for both SL and HL students.
Students must answer questions based on their prescribed texts, which could include prose or poetry depending on the exact content selected by a student's school or teacher.
For SL, Paper 2 contributes 35% to the overall subject grade, while for HL, it accounts for 30%.
Both SL and HL students have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete Paper 2.
Essay questions are typically open-ended, requiring a profound knowledge of the text. Expect to analyze language, themes, character development, historical or cultural context, and literary techniques.
You will be assessed on your knowledge of the text, ability to present a well-supported argument, and the quality of your written response.
A typical SL/HL question could be:
“Poetry is the ideal literary form for the expression of emotion.” Discuss. (Students must reference a prescribed core text in verse and at least one other source of their choosing.) [12 marks]
How to Succeed in Classical Languages Paper 2
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.
Know your texts well – Review key passages, themes, and literary devices in both prose and poetry. Memorize important information from your selected texts, as this will help you show evidence to back up any arguments or statements in your responses.
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.
Understand literary terms – Be familiar with rhetorical devices, poetic structures, and stylistic features that commonly appear in classical texts. This will help you identify them quickly during an exam and explain their significance within the text concerning the question.
Plan before writing – Organize your main arguments, examples, and conclusion before beginning your essay to ensure your response stays focused and well-structured. Before you start writing, create a quick draft in bullet points of what you want to base your answer on. This helps you gather and organize your thoughts. Do not simply rush to begin writing, as this could lead to your thoughts being disorganized which could impact the examiner's perception of the quality of your response.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify.
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