2025 OCR GCSE Classical Civilization PAPER 21 + MARK SCHEME (J199/21

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OCR GCSE Classical Civilization – Paper 21: Option Set 1 (J199/21) – Question Paper + Mark Scheme (2025)

This paper assesses students’ understanding of classical literature, culture, beliefs, and society in the ancient Greek and Roman world, in line with the OCR GCSE Classical Civilization (9–1) specification.

Paper 21 focuses on Option Set 1, which explores key themes of the classical world through a range of literary and visual sources. Topics typically include:

Myth and religion – gods, heroes, rituals, and religious beliefs
Society and daily life – family, women, slaves, and social structure
Power and leadership – kings, emperors, and political authority
Values and beliefs – honour, loyalty, courage, and reputation
Analysis of sources – interpretation of ancient texts, art, and material evidence

Students answer a mixture of short-answer questions, source-based questions, and extended responses, requiring clear explanation, analysis, and evaluation using classical evidence.

The included mark scheme provides:

Detailed marking points and indicative content
Level-of-response descriptors for extended answers
Guidance on analysing literary and visual sources
Examiner expectations and common errors

This resource is ideal for exam revision, mock assessments, classroom teaching, and independent study, helping students understand how to structure high-scoring answers and apply classical knowledge effectively.