Greek
Sedbergh is one of very few schools in the UK still offering Greek at GCSE and the department is proud of the achievements of its pupils.
For GCSE, candidates work towards three written papers, testing their ability
to translate from Greek into English (with English/Greek option) and their knowledge
of two set texts, one prose, one verse.
- Paper 1: Language: tests ability in unseen translation
and comprehension of Greek prose. Translation from English into Greek may
be substituted for one translation exercise.
- Paper 2: Verse Literature: tests knowledge, appreciation
and understanding of one of two prescribed verse texts.
- Paper 3: Prose Literature: tests knowledge, appreciation
and understanding of one of two prescribed prose texts.
Studies at A-level
Students must be able to cope with a complex and highly inflected languageand
they must be interested in both language and literature. Greek at A-level is
not recommended to those who have not achieved at least a B grade at GCSE.
AS level
- Literature 1: preparation of one text (prose or verse)
for examination, testing knowledge of context and content, demanding ability
to analyse style and thematic presentation.
- Literature 2: same text; translation of two passages into
English and an essay on some literary aspect of the text studied.
- Unseen translation 1: translation of passage of unprepared
Latin prose into English. Author unspecified. Defined vocabulary list published.
A2 or A-level
- Literature 3: Different text (slightly longer) studied.
One examination: no translation: questions on style, content, context, communication
of ideas and emotions, character; essay on some aspect of text studied.
- Unseen translation 2: translation of two unprepared passages
(prose and verse); authors specified; no defined vocabulary.
- Composition or comprehension: translation of short passage
of English prose into Greek OR questions testing understanding (including
grammar and syntax) of fairly demanding passage of Greek prose. Sedbergh pupils
are generally prepared for composition.