Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91507 about?

Accepted Answer

AS 91507 is a 5-credit Level 3 (Year 13) Latin standard where students analyse an authentic piece of Latin literature — usually poetry — to show they understand how it works. Rather than simply translating it, students break down the text by answering a series of structured questions covering meaning, grammar, poetic metre (scansion), and literary techniques such as personification, simile, and juxtaposition. Students must support their answers with accurate Latin quotations from the text. The exam is based on a passage they haven't seen before, accompanied by a vocabulary booklet.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91507?

Accepted Answer

1. Read an unseen Latin literary passage (typically poetry) provided in the exam, along with a vocabulary booklet. 2. Answer a series of structured questions about the passage covering: the meaning of specific sections, how the transformation or narrative unfolds, and what details the text gives. 3. Scan lines of Latin poetry — mark the syllables as long or short, identify the metrical feet (dactyls and spondees), and explain what effect that rhythm creates. 4. Parse specific Latin words — identify their grammatical form (e.g. tense, case, number, gender) and explain their grammatical function in the sentence (e.g. ablative absolute, indirect object). 5. Identify and explain literary techniques (e.g. juxtaposition, simile, personification, repetition) using direct Latin quotations from the text with English translations, and explain the effect each technique has on the reader. 6. Use the vocabulary booklet carefully — it often includes not just word meanings but grammatical information (like part of speech and gender) that is essential for top grades. 7. Answer every part of every question — leaving sections blank significantly lowers your grade.

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91507?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You show a basic understanding of what the text is about. You can identify and explain some content and some linguistic features. You can parse at least one Latin word correctly. You identify at least two literary devices with some explanation. You don't need to support all answers with Latin quotations, but your responses demonstrate you've understood parts of the passage. Merit: You answer most parts of the questions and show clear understanding of most of the content and detail. You can analyse the effect of the scansion even if your scansion itself has minor errors. You identify at least three literary devices with expanded explanations. You parse multiple words correctly and explain the grammar of at least one. You support answers with Latin quotations where asked. Excellence: You answer all parts of all questions completely. You consistently quote Latin accurately when required and always provide correct English translations alongside. You identify at least four literary devices and give fully developed, perceptive explanations of their effect — not just defining what the device is. You scan both assigned lines correctly, identify the principal caesurae, and give detailed comments on both. You parse three words correctly and explain the grammar of two. Your analysis is thorough and shows deep understanding of both the language and its literary effect.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91507?

Accepted Answer

1. Skipping parts of questions — the examiners directly linked omissions to lower grades. Leaving any section blank is one of the biggest ways students lose marks. 2. Explaining a literary technique by only defining it (e.g. 'this is a simile') without explaining what effect it has in this specific passage. 3. Repeating material from one answer in another part of the question — each answer should contain fresh content. 4. Not using Latin quotations when the question asks for them — this is required for Excellence and cannot be skipped. 5. Not using the vocabulary booklet carefully enough — it contains grammatical details (like part of speech and gender) beyond just word meanings, and top students use this information in their answers. 6. Attempting scansion and then not commenting on its effect — even if the scansion has errors, a relevant comment on what the rhythm does can still earn marks.

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