Latin Books
Latin for Common Entrance Level 1
100 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-0-9 2013 £12.95
This course book, while designed for pupils working to the Common Entrance Level 1, will also be of interest to anyone seeking to master the basics of the language both in class and individual use.
Emphasis has been placed on a clear, traditional exposition of Latin grammar in order to give the learner confidence in translating both from and into Latin. One acknowledged test of competency in a language is the ability to write it correctly. By a systematic introduction and consolidation of constructions and vocabulary, the learner is guided to write sentences in Latin at the same level as their reading.
One common problem facing the teacher is how to keep all the pupils busy in a class where there is a range of ability and application. I have attempted to address this by providing extra exercises, marked ‘E’, for those who finish the basic exercises ahead of the more pedestrian. In addition, I have provided answers for the Latin to English exercises in order that the pupils and individual learners can mark their efforts when they have finished an exercise. Of course the teacher will keep his eye open for any short-cutters. The English-Latin exercises I have left for the teacher to concentrate on in class or to set for homework.
Rather than introduce short passages of Latin in the body of the book with the consequent inevitable glosses, I have left any extended reading text to the final chapter 20, where I have taken the adventure of Odysseus on the land of the Cyclopes from chapter 4 of The Odyssey The Story in Very Basic Latin. Following the story in Latin there is the opportunity for learners to test their composition skills on a text based on the story of Polyphemus.
In addition to the core material, I have added activities and exercises that will help the pupils master basic Latin as well as broadening their appreciation of the language. To complete the word searches the pupils must first do some translation into Latin. The multiple choice picture exercises should encourage even the most reluctant to read ‘for meaning’ short phrases of Latin. Some important constructions, the infinitive for example, have been highlighted by some well-known phrases and mottos. Finally, all Latin teachers will be acquainted with the innocent or diversionary question about the point and history of Latin. I have tried to answer these common but often complex questions as succinctly and clearly as possible. Individual teachers may well wish to elaborate on this fascinating topic and tailor their comments to the level of the particular class.
As well as Latin-English and English-Latin word lists at the end, the vocabulary introduced in each chapter is listed for reference and for learning. Suggested answers for the English-Latin exercises are available in the Teacher’s Book for CE and GCSE.
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Latin for Common Entrance Level 2
128 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-1-6 2013 £12.95
This book 2 follows on from and builds upon Latin for Common Entrance Level 1. It covers all the vocabulary and grammar needed for CE Level 2.
The format is similar to that of the first book: the new vocabulary and grammar are reinforced by exercises, both from and into Latin. The multiple choice sentences on the pictures will, I hope, ensnare even the most indolent of pupils to read more Latin in two minutes than they would normally do in twenty. Likewise, the Latin phrases in boxes may both illustrate some grammatical or lexical point and also be of more general interest and use.
Whereas the background section in Book 1 focused on the development of the Latin language, each chapter in this book ends with a very brief overview of the history of the Roman world. The aim is have pupils form a coherent inter-related structure on which they can build in later years. The brief time-line that follows the contents page should help. A short text of Latin relating to the particular period completes each chapter.
Again, as in book 1, there are both core and extra exercises, with the answers to the Latin-English sentences to be found at the back of the book. This will allow pupils to work at their own rate and correct the exercises as they complete them.
At the end of the book there is a summary in English of the adventures of Odysseus, based up on my reader The Odyssey The Story in Basic Latin. There is no reason why pupils who have studied this book should not be able to translate the summary into Latin.
I have also included from page 98 a summary of the first five episodes of the fourteen part series Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire. These episodes cover the period 150BC to 50AD and provide supplementary material for chapter 8 onwards. Having watched the film and read the summary, pupils should be able to translate the following passage of Latin with confidence.
As well as Latin-English and English-Latin word lists at the end, the vocabulary introduced in each chapter is listed for reference and for learning.
Suggested answers for the English-Latin exercises are available in the Teacher’s Book for CE and GCSE.
Pupils who are looking to improve their reading fluency and revise their grammar and vocabulary will benefit from The Odyssey, The Story in Basic Latin and the accompanying Book of Exercises.
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Latin for Common Entrance Level 3 and Scholarship
82 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-2-3 2013 £12.95
This book 3 follows on from and builds upon books 1 and 2 of Latin for Common Entrance. Chapters 1 – 12 cover all the vocabulary and grammar needed for CE Level 3 and Chapters 13 – 19 cover the additional constructions for the ISEB and senior schools’ scholarship examinations.
The core format is similar to that of the first two books: the new vocabulary and grammar are reinforced by exercises, both from and into Latin. However, in contrast to the first two books, there is no extra material here, like word searches, crosswords or historical or language background. There is a very clear reason for this. Most senior schools, which start on book 3 of the Cambridge Latin Course, like pupils entering Year 9 to have completed CE level 2, the material covered in the first two books. Whilst the main infantry trudge or meander their way through the Level 2 syllabus in years 7 and 8, some pupils, urged on by the glint of Level 3 silver or even by scholarship gold, upgrade to the cavalry and find that they have to cover, perhaps in half a year, constructions that will form the core of the GCSE grammar syllabus – a heady task, but one relished by the cavalrymen of Year 8. To help them on their way, each construction introduced in here is thoroughly treated and embedded into previous learning by the copious sentences both into and from English.
As in books 1 and 2, there are both core and extra exercises. The answers to the Latin-English sentences are to be found at the back of the book. This will allow pupils to work at their own rate and correct the exercises as they complete them. If time is very limited, the extra exercises can be omitted. On the other hand, pupils should be encouraged to attempt all the English sentences as they force recall of the core vocabulary and encourage mastery of the grammar.
Once the material up to the required level has been covered, pupils will be in a position to consolidate their knowledge by tackling some continuous passages of Latin. To encourage reading fluency and build up confidence to tackle the unseen passages in the examination pupils can work their way through The Odyssey, The Story in Basic Latin. Although written for CE level 2 pupils, the book will be useful at this level as it introduces a further two hundred common words.
Pupils who do not need to do CE level 3 can prepare for life in the senior school by working their way through my Common Entrance Conversion Booklet, which, through a series of carefully graded exercises, with answers, introduces the two hundred words that have appeared in the first two volumes of CLC and that are not on the CE syllabus. At the same time the booklet reviews the grammar covered in CE levels 1 and 2.
Suggested answers for the English-Latin exercises are available in the Teacher’s Book for CE and GCSE.
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Latin for Common Entrance
Levels 1, 2 and 3 Workbook
108 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-3-0 2013 £12.95
The exercises in the three parts cover the vocabulary and constructions for the respective three levels of Common Entrance.
I have taken the pictures, the background material and some of the exercises in the book from levels 1, 2 and 3 of Latin for Common Entrance. These materials may provide additional practice and revision for pupils following Ab Initio by Bob Bass or Latin Prep by Theo Zinn.
The exercises consist of multiple-choice, gap filling, matching the pairs, completing word searches and crosswords. Drawn by the challenge to complete each task, pupils should make rapid progress. The individual units can be completed after the topic has been covered in the course book or done as revision once the syllabus has been completed.
In Part 1 I have also included some background on the history of the Latin language, whilst The Blinding of Polyphemus will provide the opportunity to improve reading fluency. Pupils who relish the challenge of translating into Latin should enjoy the elementary prose composition that follows. There is no new grammar introduced here; words not in the level 1 syllabus are italicized and glossed at the end of the story.
Level 2 gives a broad sweep of some of the major events of Roman history. While not part of the CE syllabus, they will provide a background for some short passages of Latin. Pupils finishing level 2 will find additional reading practice in The Odyssey The Story in Basic Latin.
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Common Entrance Latin Conversion Booklet
51 pages ISBN 978-0-9549538-6-7 2015 £10.95
This booklet has been written specifically for pupils who have completed Level 2 of Common Entrance Latin and who will be starting on Book III of The Cambridge Latin Course when they move on to senior school.
The traditional and formal approach of the prep school Latin course books gives an excellent grounding in accidence, syntax and quite an extensive vocabulary. However, pupils transferring over to Book III of CLC will find that they need to learn a substantial amount of the core vocabulary introduced in books I and II of CLC. Specifically, over the 20 units in CLC books I and II, there are some 470 words in the vocabulary checklists that the pupils need to learn actively. Of these, some 210 will not be familiar to the prep school pupil starting on book III of CLC.
In the booklet’s eighteen units I have broadly followed the order of grammar topics introduced in the prep course books, the first nine units covering CE Level 1. The eighteen units follow a similar pattern:
A Brief grammar review
B New CLC vocabulary that prep school pupils will not have met
C Vocabulary common to CLC and CE that should be familiar
D Exercises of Latin sentences. Each unit has two sets of exercises, each of fifteen short sentences; core and E extension. The extension exercises make more use of known common vocabulary, and so can be skipped if time presses. The question whether the sentences should be translated into English, mentally or on paper, can be left to the teacher. Perhaps the objective to build up reading fluency, of even short sentences, should not be compromised by the conflicting need for written evidence of activity.
The points of grammar found in books I and II of CLC are broadly covered in CE levels 1 and 2, with a few exceptions: totus, alius, ipse, 4th and 5th declension nouns; volo, nolo, fero ; relative pronouns and present participles. These topics, introduced in units 15, 16 and 18, are marked **. Pupils who have previously covered the CE Level 3 syllabus should be familiar with them.
This booklet may also act as a quick revision for pupils who having completed CLC books I and II, are looking for a brisk, systematic revision of the core vocabulary and structures covered in these two books. As well as a Latin-English Word List of the core vocabulary, there is a set of suggested translations to help cover the ground quickly.
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LATIN FOR GCSE
200 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-6-1 2014 £14.95
This course book aims to prepare students for both the Foundation and Higher Tiers of the OCR GCSE. Chapters 43 and 44 have extended passages of Latin to help GCSE candidates improve their reading fluency and also to introduce the vocabulary prescribed for AS level.
Familiarity with Levels 1 and 2 of the Common Entrance syllabus, or equivalent, is assumed. There are some fifty CE words used in this course which are not on the prescribed GCSE syllabus. The book follows a grammar-based approach and there is abundant practice for translating both from and into Latin. At the rate of three hours per chapter, the core material can be covered in some 120 hours.
The Foundation Tier is covered by chapters 1 -30, while chapters 31 – 45 contain the material for the Higher Tier. There is a summary of the vocabulary introduced in each chapter on page 155 for reference so that learning of the new words can be systematic and gradual. Students learning classical Greek may well find the presentation of materials reassuringly familiar. This should be of mutual benefit. Students who have worked their way through Latin for GCSE will be ready for John Taylor’s Latin Beyond GCSE.
The cartoons with the multiple choice answers will provide additional practice for directed ‘reading for a purpose’ to encourage reading fluency. The word searches, done quickly and competitively, will encourage consolidation of new vocabulary and grammar. Reading fluency is encouraged by having, as far as possible, meaningful discrete sentences. The occasional gap-filling exercises test not only vocabulary but also an understanding of the grammar – a kind of quick check for those with limited time.
In chapter 42 there is practice of conversational Latin which, while not on the syllabus, may well interest those who would like to practise spoken Latin. In chapter 43 a series of passages, adapted from Ritchie’s Fabulae Latinae, based on the Odyssey, followed by some more sentences, should develop help develop reading fluency. The new vocabulary glossed in the passages and sentences is listed in the word list on page 135 and covers all the extra vocabulary prescribed for AS level. By reading these passages and sentences a number of times, students can familiarize themselves with the words in advance. In Chapter 44 there is the original version of the Odyssey stories from Ritchie’s Fabulae Latinae, followed by a second list of some two hundred further new words. By the very gradual addition of vocabulary into the familiar story of the Odyssey that had already been met in Books 1 and 2 of Latin for Common Entrance, students will retain and develop their confidence and reading fluency. In chapter 45 there is a series of passages to practise translation into Latin for those going on to AS and A2 . These can be tackled once chapter 43 is finished.
Translations of the Latin into English exercises are given on page 160 to allow immediate feedback and resolve any problems in the translation. Suggested answers for the English-Latin exercises are available in the Teacher’s Book for CE and GCSE.
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The Odyssey The Story in very basic Latin
75 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-5-4 2014 Available in B/W £13.95 and full colour £17.95
The Odyssey The Story in very basic Latin has been written to provide extra reading material for pupils who have covered the basic grammar and vocabulary to be found in elementary courses. It may be of particular interest to pupils sitting CE level 1.
The book assumes a familiarity with the vocabulary and constructions for the level 1 syllabus. To help the story flow more naturally, a further 240 words have been introduced, the majority of which will be met in levels 2 and 3. The first occurrence of these has been underlined and, rather than being glossed on the page itself, listed at the end of each chapter and are to be found in the word list at the back of the book together with the other level 1 vocabulary. To adhere as far as possible to the level 1 syllabus, all additional nouns and adjectives are in the 1st and 2nd declensions; in the exceptional cases where a 3rd declension noun has been used, there being no easy way of avoiding it, an asterisk has been put next to the word at the end of the chapter and it is to be treated as a ‘lexical item’. Many additional verbs have been used to provide variety. Except for the regular verbs of the 1st conjugation, the principal parts of all the verbs in the book are listed at the back, where there are tables of verbs and nouns.
The text is not progressive in difficulty of vocabulary and grammar. Rather, the aim is to provide the opportunity for pupils to improve their reading fluency and confidence, as they work their way through the text.
At the end of each chapter there is a Grammar Review to help pupils to revise basic constructions and parts of speech – noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and conjunction – using the vocabulary used in this book. The Snakes & Ladders Odyssey will help pupils learn the sequence of Odysseus’ adventures.
There is a corresponding reader for Level 2 and a companion Greek version, The Odyssey The Story in Simplified Greek.
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The Odyssey The Story in Basic Latin
77 pages ISBN 978-0-9549538-8-1 2013 Available in B/W £13.95 and full colour £17.95
comes with 2 CDs containing the stories read in Latin
The book has been written to provide extra reading material for students who have covered the basic grammar and vocabulary to be found in elementary courses. It may be of particular interest to pupils who intend to sit the CE Latin exam at levels 2 or 3.
The book assumes a familiarity with the vocabulary and constructions for the CE Level 2 syllabus. To help the story flow more naturally, a further 250 words have been introduced. These words have been highlighted in red. Rather than seeing these words glossed in the margin, the reader will find them in the Latin-English Word List, together with all the other CE Level 2 words, at the back of the book. Whilst nouns from all five cases have been used, the passive voice and the subjunctive mood have not. The occasional accusative and infinitive construction has however crept in.
The text is not progressive in difficulty of vocabulary and grammar. Rather, the aim is to provide the opportunity for pupils to improve their reading fluency and confidence, as they work their way through the text.
At the end of the book there is a set of exercises to test knowledge of the story and vocabulary. These should be completed when the pupils have completed the relevant chapters. There is also a series of picture sudokus, a word search and a crossword for pupils to complete. The Snakes & Ladders Odyssey will help pupils learn the sequence of Odysseus’ adventures as well as possibly annoy their teacher with the noise created.
A companion Greek version, The Odyssey The Story in Simplified Greek, is also available.
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The Odyssey
The Story in Basic Latin: Exercises
53 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-9-2 2014 £10.95
These exercises, which are based on the 18 units of The Odyssey The Story in Basic Latin, will provide practice in comprehension, translating and grammar for the Level 2 paper of the Common Entrance.
Before beginning the exercises of a unit, pupils should first read the relevant unit in the story to familiarize themselves with the background and vocabulary.
To help pupils revise their grammar and vocabulary, at the end of the book there is a review of grammar and a Latin-English word list, which includes all the vocabulary for Level 2 and also words found in the story but which are outside the Level 2 prescribed syllabus.
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The Odyssey Snakes and Ladders Game
£15.00
Available in A3 and A4 laminated cards, together with dice and miniature soldiers as counters. On the back of the card there is a map of the possible route taken by Odysseus and brief details of the main incidents of the Odyssey, available in English, Latin, Classical and Modern Greek.
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Latin for Common Entrance & GCSE
Teacher’s Book
96 pages ISBN 978-0-9573829-7-8 2014 £18.95
The book has suggested translation of the English to Latin exercises for the CE Levels 1, 2 and 3 and Latin for GCSE. Translations for Latin to English exercises are to be found at the end of the respective books.