NCEA Level 2 Latin case studies
NCEA Level 2 Latin · Put your knowledge to work in context.
NCEA Level 2 Latin is a New Zealand secondary-school subject in the Learning Languages area of the New Zealand Curriculum, described by NZQA as the study of the Roman language and literature, and its influence on modern languages. It suits students who have already built a foundation in Latin and want to read authentic Roman texts with growing independence, while strengthening their grasp of grammar, vocabulary and English word derivation. Because Latin is no longer available at NCEA Level 1, candidates typically enter Level 2 from a junior or intermediate Latin course rather than a Level 1 Latin programme. Assessment combines internal work, such as set-text study and literary or cultural research, with external examinations. The NCEA Level 2 Latin case studies are 5 cases and about 2,111 words.
1The Chester tombstone label
A museum in Chester is preparing a display about a first-century CE tombstone found in 2019. The stone is broken at the top, so the opening dedication is incomplete, and the mason left no punctuation.
439 words, about 2 min2The letter with two cum clauses
A Level 2 student is translating a short prose letter for an internal assessment. The passage begins: 'Cum haec scripsissem, litterae tuae adlatae sunt.
419 words, about 2 min3The candidate caption
A civics class is making a display about elections. Two draft captions are pinned to the board.
393 words, about 2 min4The storm passage: result and purpose
A student is translating a 12-line Latin narrative about a storm for a practice paper. The key sentences are: 'Tanta tempestas subito orta est ut nautae ne navem quidem regere possent.
427 words, about 2 min5The library motto
A school is choosing a motto for its new library. The committee has shortlisted the tag Sapere aude and two translations: (1) 'Dare to know'; (2) 'Dare to be wise'.
433 words, about 2 min