AP Latin : AP Latin Language

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Ap Latin Language

Passer, deliciae meae puellae,
quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere,
cui primum digitum dare appetenti
et acris solet incitare morsus,
cum desiderio meo nitenti                       5
carum nescio quid lubet iocari
et solaciolum sui doloris,
credo ut tum gravis acquiescat ardor:
tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem
et tristis animi levare curas!                    10

"Nitenti" (line 5) comes from the verb meaning ____________.

Possible Answers:

to find

to struggle

to play

to shine

Correct answer:

to shine

Explanation:

The word "nitenti" comes from "niteo," "nitere," which means to shine. The author compares the bird to shining (as in an object of great affection), as opposed to him.

(Passage adapted from "Poem II" by Gaius Valerius Catullus, 1-10)

Example Question #162 : Ap Latin Language

Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
     haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
     sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res,           5
     irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.

The word "laetitia" in line 2 means __________.

Possible Answers:

joy

task

lights

honor

Correct answer:

joy

Explanation:

The word "laetitia" translates as joy or happiness.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #163 : Ap Latin Language

Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
     haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
     sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res,           5
     irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.

The word "fatuo" (line 2) means ___________.

Possible Answers:

idiot

mean

fat

rich

Correct answer:

idiot

Explanation:

The word "fatuo" comes from "fatuus, a, um," which means stupid or silly. The best choice provided here is "idiot."

Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #164 : Ap Latin Language

Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
     haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
     sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res,           5
     irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.

The word "gannit" (line 4) translates as __________.

Possible Answers:

she whispers

she yells

she speaks badly of

she gossips

Correct answer:

she speaks badly of

Explanation:

The word "gannit" comes from "gannio," "gannire," which means to speak about someone in a hostile manner. The best choice here is, "she speaks badly of."

Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #165 : Ap Latin Language

Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
     Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
     sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,               5
     multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
     cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

What is the translation of "quondam" (line 1)?

Possible Answers:

Once

Also

A certain one

Since

Correct answer:

Once

Explanation:

The word "quondam" translates as once/formerly.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #166 : Ap Latin Language

Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
     Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
     sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,               5
     multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
     cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

The word "dilexi" (line 3) comes from the word meaning _____________.

Possible Answers:

to love

to say

to decide

to lie

Correct answer:

to love

Explanation:

The word "dilexi" comes from "diligo," "diligere," "dilexi," "dilectus," another common word for to love.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #167 : Ap Latin Language

Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
     Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
     sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,               5
     multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
     cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

The word "tantum" (line 2) translates as __________.

Possible Answers:

little

so much

how much

great

Correct answer:

so much

Explanation:

The word "tantum" translates as so much/to such an extent.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #168 : Ap Latin Language

Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
     Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
     sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,               5
     multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
     cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

The word "gnatos" (line 4) means ___________.

Possible Answers:

gnats

children

cats

family

Correct answer:

children

Explanation:

The word "gnatos" comes from "gnatus," "gnati," which means children.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #21 : Sight Reading

Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
     Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
     sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror,               5
     multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
     cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.

The word "uror" (line 5) translates as ____________.

Possible Answers:

I urge

I am urged

I burn

I am burned

Correct answer:

I am burned

Explanation:

The word "uror" comes from "uro," "urere," which means to burn. The "-r" on the end of this form tells us that the verb is in the passive voice, so the best translation is I am burned.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #22 : Sight Reading

Ille mi par esse deo videtur,
ille, si fas est, superare divos,
qui sedens adversus identidem te
     spectat et audit
dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis             5
eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te,
Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi

lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus
flamma demanat, sonitu suopte
tintinant aures gemina, teguntur                 10
     lumina nocte.
otium, Catulle, tibi molestum est:
otio exsultas nimiumque gestis:
otium et reges prius et beatas
     perdidit urbes.                                      15

What is the translation of the word "fas" (line 2)?

Possible Answers:

Is

Torch

Seen

Right

Correct answer:

Right

Explanation:

The word "fas" is a special word that does not decline. It translates as morally right, just, or allowed. It often appears in this exact phrasing: "si fas est" - if it is right.

Passage adapted from "Poem 51" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

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