GCSE (9–1) Classical Civilisation
J199/22 Roman City Life
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the Insert (inside this document)
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• In Section A, answer Questions 1–8 and either Question 9 or Question 10.
• In Section B, answer Questions 11–18 and either Question 19 or Question 20.
• Use the Insert to answer all the questions.
• Do not send the Insert for marking. Keep it in the centre or recycle it.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 90.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• This document has 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199/22) Roman City Life
(J199/22) Question Paper and Mark Scheme 2026
, 2
Section A
Culture
Answer Questions 1–8.
Study Source A
1
(a) Give two examples of the types of plays the Romans liked to watch in the theatre.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Choose one of these types of plays. Why was it enjoyed by Roman audiences?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
2 How did masks improve a theatre performance?
Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
Study Source B
3
(a) How might Sosthenes have become a slave?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Give one thing a Roman citizen could do which a slave like Sosthenes couldn’t.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
4 What roles might an educated slave like Sosthenes perform for their master?
Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
Study Source C
5 What does Pliny’s letter tell us about the success the freedman Pallas achieved in Roman
society?
Make three points and support your answer with reference to Source C.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
3 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[6]
© OCR 2025
J199/22 Roman City Life
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the Insert (inside this document)
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• In Section A, answer Questions 1–8 and either Question 9 or Question 10.
• In Section B, answer Questions 11–18 and either Question 19 or Question 20.
• Use the Insert to answer all the questions.
• Do not send the Insert for marking. Keep it in the centre or recycle it.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 90.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• This document has 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199/22) Roman City Life
(J199/22) Question Paper and Mark Scheme 2026
, 2
Section A
Culture
Answer Questions 1–8.
Study Source A
1
(a) Give two examples of the types of plays the Romans liked to watch in the theatre.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Choose one of these types of plays. Why was it enjoyed by Roman audiences?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
2 How did masks improve a theatre performance?
Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
Study Source B
3
(a) How might Sosthenes have become a slave?
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Give one thing a Roman citizen could do which a slave like Sosthenes couldn’t.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
4 What roles might an educated slave like Sosthenes perform for their master?
Make two points.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
Study Source C
5 What does Pliny’s letter tell us about the success the freedman Pallas achieved in Roman
society?
Make three points and support your answer with reference to Source C.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
3 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[6]
© OCR 2025
