Cambridge OCR GCSE (9-1) · Classical Civilisation - J199

Satire and Fiction: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 4 written questions with worked solutions. All on Satire and Fiction.

9 questions26 marksFree, no account
Question 1
1 mark

In Juvenal's Satire 3, which specific danger of living in Rome does the speaker Umbricius highlight by saying, "Look at the height of this high rooftop, from which a tile cracks my skull"?

Question 2
1 mark

In Horace's Satire 2.6, the fable of the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse is used to support which philosophical preference?

Question 3
1 mark

In Petronius' Satyricon, how does the character Trimalchio primarily demonstrate his immense wealth during the dinner party (cena)?

Question 4
1 mark

In Juvenal's Satire 3, why does Umbricius claim that an honest man can no longer live in Rome?

Question 5
1 mark

In the Satyricon (37–38), how is Fortunata, Trimalchio's wife, characterized regarding her role in the household?

Question 6
4 marks

Explain how Petronius utilizes the physical description of the entrance to Trimalchio’s house in the Satyricon to create a sense of overwhelming ostentation for the reader.

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Question 7
6 marks

How does Juvenal’s use of the character Umbricius in Satire 3 serve to contrast the lost traditional Roman values with the perceived corrupting influence of Greek immigrants in the city?

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Question 8
4 marks

In Satire 2.8, how does Horace use the character of Nasidienus to satirise the behavior of the nouveaux riches at a dinner party?

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Question 9
7 marks

Roman Satire often uses exaggeration and humor to critique society. Compare the approaches of Horace and Juvenal.

a) Contrast Horace's "smiling" style in Satire 2.2 or 2.6 with the "angry" tone of Juvenal in Satire 3 regarding the city of Rome.
b) How does Petronius use the character of Trimalchio in the Satyricon to satirize the freedman class?
c) Analyze how the theme of the "dangers of city life" is used by these authors to moralize about Roman behavior.

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