Free Practice Questions for LC Ancient Greek
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Key Facts: LC Ancient Greek Exam
2 levels
Ancient Greek is examined at Higher and Ordinary level
State Examinations Commission / NCCA
To June 2026
Current syllabus remains for examination through June 2026
Curriculum Online Ancient Greek syllabus
Sept 2025
Redeveloped specification for introduction in schools from September 2025
NCCA Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek Specification
60% / 40%
Redeveloped assessment: written examination 60%, research study 40%
NCCA Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek Specification
2 strands
Redeveloped course: Strand 1 Language; Strand 2 Literature in context
NCCA Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek Specification
H1–H8
Higher Level grades from H1 (90–100%) to H8 (below 30%)
State Examinations Commission grading scale
June sitting
Written papers are sat in the annual June Leaving Certificate examinations
State Examinations Commission timetable
100
Free original single-best-answer practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek develops reading proficiency in Ancient Greek and literary-cultural literacy for the Hellenic world. Assessment to June 2026 is a terminal SEC written paper; the redeveloped model adds a 40% research study beside a 60% written examination. This 100-question bank provides original single-best-answer practice across grammar and syntax, vocabulary and translation strategy, literature and metre, and culture, history and research-study skills.
Sample LC Ancient Greek Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LC Ancient Greek exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In Classical Attic Greek, what is the nominative singular form of the first-declension feminine noun meaning 'honour' (stem τιμ-)?
2What is the accusative singular of the second-declension masculine noun λόγος ('word, speech')?
3Which case typically marks the direct object of a transitive verb in Classical Greek?
4What is the first person singular present active indicative of λύω ('I loosen / free')?
5The definite article ὁ, ἡ, τό agrees with its noun in which features?
6What is the genitive plural of ἄνθρωπος ('human being')?
7In Greek, which form of the verb is typically used as the dictionary headword (principal part 1) for ω-verbs?
8What is the meaning of the Greek preposition ἐν with the dative?
9Which personal ending marks 3rd person plural present active indicative of λύω?
10What gender is the noun τὸ δῶρον ('gift')?
About the LC Ancient Greek Exam
Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek is Ireland’s senior-cycle classical language examination in Ancient Greek, administered by the State Examinations Commission. Students learn to read culturally important texts in Ancient Greek, analysing grammar, vocabulary and style, and situating literature within Hellenic history and culture. The syllabus examined to June 2026 assesses scansion, prescribed and unprescribed translation, and history/art/literature at Higher and Ordinary level. The redeveloped specification (for introduction in schools from September 2025) organises learning in two strands—Ancient Greek Language and Literature in context—and assesses candidates through a written examination (60%) and a language-centred research study (40%), with a shared Capstone text. Results use the standard Leaving Certificate H1–H8 / O1–O8 grade bands.
Exam sponsor: State Examinations Commission (SEC), Ireland. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Higher and Ordinary levels, examined by the State Examinations Commission. Syllabus for examination to June 2026: terminal written paper (scansion; prescribed texts; unprescribed passages with vocabulary aid; history, art and literature; Higher Level composition into Greek or unprescribed prose comprehension). Redeveloped NCCA specification (introduction September 2025): written examination 60% and research study 40%, with Strand 1 Ancient Greek Language and Strand 2 Literature in context, including a prescribed Capstone text.
Time Limit
Written papers are sat in the annual June Leaving Certificate examination period under the SEC timetable. The redeveloped research study is envisaged to take up to about 20 hours and follows an SEC brief with published submission dates.
Passing Score
No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the H1–H8 scale at Higher Level and O1–O8 at Ordinary Level (H1/O1 = 90–100% down to H8/O8 = below 30%).
Exam / Certification Fees
Candidates in recognised schools do not pay a separate sitting fee; external and repeat candidates pay an examination fee set annually by the State Examinations Commission.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
- Curriculum Online – Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek
- Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek Syllabus (examination to June 2026)
- Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek Specification (introduction September 2025)
- State Examinations Commission – Examination material archive
- State Examinations Commission – Leaving Certificate
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Grammar, morphology and syntax
Practice covers first-, second- and third-declension nouns, the article, adjectives, present/imperfect/aorist/perfect systems, μι- and contract verbs, participles and infinitives, subjunctive and optative uses, conditionals, purpose and fear clauses, genitive absolute, particles and case usage needed for accurate reading.
Vocabulary and translation strategies
Practice covers high-frequency lexis and cognates, principal parts and suppletive verbs, prepositions, discourse particles, negation, aspect in translation, relative clauses and methods for attacking unprescribed passages when vocabulary aid is supplied.
Literature, metre and literary concepts
Practice covers epic and tragic conventions, Homeric epithets and similes, dactylic hexameter and iambic trimeter, key authors (Homer, Euripides, Xenophon, Thucydides, Herodotus, Plato), close reading, Capstone-text purpose, and literary terms such as hubris, hamartia and dramatic irony.
Culture, history and research study
Practice covers Athenian democracy and Spartan society, Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, Alexander and Koine, religion, art and architecture, and research-study expectations under the redeveloped assessment (language-centred topic, sources, broader Hellenic context).
Preparing for the LC Ancient Greek Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed pass mark. Results are reported on the H1–H8 scale at Higher Level and O1–O8 at Ordinary Level (H1/O1 = 90–100% down to H8/O8 = below 30%).
- Assessment: Higher and Ordinary levels, examined by the State Examinations Commission. Syllabus for examination to June 2026: terminal written paper (scansion; prescribed texts; unprescribed passages with vocabulary aid; history, art and literature; Higher Level composition into Greek or unprescribed prose comprehension). Redeveloped NCCA specification (introduction September 2025): written examination 60% and research study 40%, with Strand 1 Ancient Greek Language and Strand 2 Literature in context, including a prescribed Capstone text.
- Time limit: Written papers are sat in the annual June Leaving Certificate examination period under the SEC timetable. The redeveloped research study is envisaged to take up to about 20 hours and follows an SEC brief with published submission dates.
- Exam / certification fees: Candidates in recognised schools do not pay a separate sitting fee; external and repeat candidates pay an examination fee set annually by the State Examinations Commission. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
LC Ancient Greek: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek examined?
It is examined by the State Examinations Commission at Higher and Ordinary level. Candidates sitting the older syllabus (to June 2026) take a terminal written paper. The redeveloped specification introduces a written examination worth 60% and a research study worth 40%.
What is the difference between the old syllabus and the redeveloped specification?
The syllabus for examination to June 2026 emphasises scansion, prescribed and unprescribed translation, and history/art/literature on a written paper. The redeveloped specification (introduction September 2025) is organised in two strands—Ancient Greek Language and Literature in context—and adds a substantial language-centred research study plus a shared Capstone text.
What authors and genres are typically involved?
School Greek commonly engages Homer, Attic drama (e.g. Euripides), historiography (Xenophon, Thucydides, Herodotus), philosophical dialogue (Plato) and, on older unprescribed lists, simpler New Testament Greek. Exact prescribed/Capstone passages are published for each examination year.
Why is this practice bank in multiple-choice format?
These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer questions for efficient practice of forms, vocabulary, translation strategy, literary concepts and cultural knowledge. The official SEC exam requires written translation, commentary and extended answers (and research reporting under the new model).
How are grades reported?
Higher Level uses H1–H8 and Ordinary Level uses O1–O8. The top seven grades split 100% to 30% into 10% bands; grade 8 is below 30%.
Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?
No. They are original concept-practice items covering topics from curriculumonline.ie Ancient Greek content. Use SEC past papers, marking schemes and the prescribed texts for full examination preparation.