AP Latin : AP Latin Language

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #421 : Ap Latin Language

Disertissime Romuli nepotum,
quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli,
quotque post aliis erunt in annis,
gratias tibi maximas Catullus
agit pessimus omnium poeta,               5
tanto pessimus omnium poeta,
quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

"Disertissime" (line 1) is an example of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Superlative adjective

Superlative adverb

Perfect infinitive

Pluperfect subjunctive

Correct answer:

Superlative adjective

Explanation:

"Disertissime" is a superlative adjective. Even though it seems like it would be an adverb because of the "-e" ending, it is not being used to describe any verbs. In fact, "disertissime" is in the vocative case because it is referring directly to the subject of the poem.

(Passage adapted from "Catullus 49," ln.1-7)

Example Question #422 : Ap Latin Language

Disertissime Romuli nepotum,
quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli,
quotque post aliis erunt in annis,
gratias tibi maximas Catullus
agit pessimus omnium poeta,               5
tanto pessimus omnium poeta,
quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

What use of the genetive is "nepotum" (line 1)?

Possible Answers:

Genitive of description

Partitive genitive

Possessive genitive

Genitive of value

Correct answer:

Partitive genitive

Explanation:

The word "nepotum" is being used to indicate that the subject is part of the group grandchildren. This use is the partitive genitive.

(Passage adapted from "Catullus 49," ln.1-7)

Example Question #423 : Ap Latin Language

Disertissime Romuli nepotum,
quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli,
quotque post aliis erunt in annis,
gratias tibi maximas Catullus
agit pessimus omnium poeta,               5
tanto pessimus omnium poeta,
quanto tu optimus omnium patronus.

The use of "quot" in lines 2-3 is an example of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Hyperbole

Oxymoron

Hendiadys

Tricolon crescens

Correct answer:

Tricolon crescens

Explanation:

The word "quot" is used exactly three times in succession in order to emphasize the amount of people there have been throughout the years. The use of a word or phrasing three times to show emphasis is an example of tricolon crescens.

(Passage adapted from "Catullus 49," ln.1-7)

Example Question #424 : 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

What sort of clause is present in the underlined portion?

Possible Answers:

Result Clause

Purpose Clause

Temporal Clause

Indirect Statment

Correct answer:

Purpose Clause

Explanation:

The phrase "ut...ardor" translates as: so that then the serious passion may acquiesce. It is an extension of the preceding phrase and is there to show the purpose of having the bird.

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

Example Question #425 : 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.

What is the case of "mala" in line 1?

Possible Answers:

Accusative

Ablative

Vocative

Nominative

Correct answer:

Accusative

Explanation:

The word "mala" is an adjective describing the word "plurima" in this sentence. Identifying the case of this word is a bit tricky, since "plurima" is a substantive (an adjective acting as a noun), therefore, the case is a bit dubious. It is common, however, for Latin authors to use the neuter form of an adjective when using it as a substantive. This is the case here, which means that "plurima" has to be accusative plural, since the subject is in the singular.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #426 : 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.

What is the case of "mule" (line 3)?

Possible Answers:

Ablative

Nominative

Dative

Vocative

Correct answer:

Vocative

Explanation:

The word "mule" comes from "mulus," "muli," the word for a mule (the animal). This is the vocative singular form of that word.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #427 : 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.

What is the use of "multo" in line 5?

Possible Answers:

Making a comparison

Describing degree of difference

Describing manner

Describing separation

Correct answer:

Describing degree of difference

Explanation:

The word "multo" is being used in line 5 in order to describe the degree of difference ("multo acrior" translates as more bitter by much, since there is nothing to which Lesbia or her feelings are being compared) of Lesbia's anger; that is - the more she talks, the more passionate about the relationship she is

Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #428 : 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.

What is the use of "praesente" in line 1?

Possible Answers:

Describing an instrument

Describing means

Describing manner

Describing an accompaniment

Correct answer:

Describing manner

Explanation:

The word "praesente" is being used to describe the manner in which the subject of "dicit" is speaking; that is - presently.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #429 : 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 "nosse" in line 1 is an example of ___________.

Possible Answers:

a participle

an adverb

a syncopated Verb

enclitic

Correct answer:

a syncopated Verb

Explanation:

The word "nosse" is a syncopated form of the perfect infinitive "novisse." Often in syncopation, the "vi/ve" form of a word drops off, like it does here. While this is much more common with perfect tense verbs, it is not unusual to see syncopation in perfect infinitives.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

Example Question #430 : 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.

"Velle" (line 2) is ___________.

Possible Answers:

an imperative

an adverb

a noun

an infinitive

Correct answer:

an infinitive

Explanation:

The word "velle" comes from "volo," "velle" and is the infinitive form of that verb.

Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus

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