AP Latin : AP Latin Language

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #433 : Sight Reading

Erat Miseni classemque imperio praesens regebat. Nonum Kal. Septembres hora fere septima mater mea indicat ei apparere nubem inusitata et magnitudine et specie. Usus ille sole, mox frigida, gustaverat iacens studebatque; poscit soleas, ascendit locum ex quo maxime miraculum illud conspici poterat. Nubes — incertum procul intuentibus ex quo monte; Vesuvium fuisse postea cognitum est — oriebatur, cuius similitudinem et formam non alia magis arbor quam pinus expresserit. Nam longissimo velut trunco elata in altum quibusdam ramis diffundebatur, credo quia recenti spiritu evecta, dein senescente eo destituta aut etiam pondere suo victa in latitudinem vanescebat, candida interdum, interdum sordida et maculosa prout terram cineremve sustulerat. Magnum propiusque noscendum ut eruditissimo viro visum. Iubet liburnicam aptari; mihi si venire una vellem facit copiam; respondi studere me malle, et forte ipse quod scriberem dederat. Egrediebatur domo; accipit codicillos Rectinae Tasci imminenti periculo exterritae — nam villa eius subiacebat, nec ulla nisi navibus fuga -: ut se tanto discrimini eriperet orabat. Vertit ille consilium et quod studioso animo incohaverat obit maximo. Deducit quadriremes, ascendit ipse non Rectinae modo sed multis — erat enim frequens amoenitas orae — laturus auxilium. Properat illuc unde alii fugiunt, rectumque cursum recta gubernacula in periculum tenet adeo solutus metu, ut omnes illius mali motus omnes figuras ut deprenderat oculis dictaret enotaretque.

What is the Tense, Mood, and Voice of "vellem"?

Possible Answers:

Present Active Subjunctive

Future Passive Indicative

Imperfect Active Subjunctive

Present Active Indicative

Correct answer:

Imperfect Active Subjunctive

Explanation:

"Vellem" is an example of an imperfect subjunctive. It comes from the verb "volo," "velle," "volui." The imperfect subjunctive always looks like someone has added endings to the infinitive form of a verb. "Vellem" is the 1st Singular Imperfect Active Subjunctive form.

(Passage adapted from Pliny the Younger's Letters to Tacitus Book 6, #16)

Example Question #431 : Sight Reading

Erat Miseni classemque imperio praesens regebat. Nonum Kal. Septembres hora fere septima mater mea indicat ei apparere nubem inusitata et magnitudine et specie. Usus ille sole, mox frigida, gustaverat iacens studebatque; poscit soleas, ascendit locum ex quo maxime miraculum illud conspici poterat. Nubes — incertum procul intuentibus ex quo monte; Vesuvium fuisse postea cognitum est — oriebatur, cuius similitudinem et formam non alia magis arbor quam pinus expresserit. Nam longissimo velut trunco elata in altum quibusdam ramis diffundebatur, credo quia recenti spiritu evecta, dein senescente eo destituta aut etiam pondere suo victa in latitudinem vanescebat, candida interdum, interdum sordida et maculosa prout terram cineremve sustulerat. Magnum propiusque noscendum ut eruditissimo viro visum. Iubet liburnicam aptari; mihi si venire una vellem facit copiam; respondi studere me malle, et forte ipse quod scriberem dederat. Egrediebatur domo; accipit codicillos Rectinae Tasci imminenti periculo exterritae — nam villa eius subiacebat, nec ulla nisi navibus fuga -: ut se tanto discrimini eriperet orabat. Vertit ille consilium et quod studioso animo incohaverat obit maximo. Deducit quadriremes, ascendit ipse non Rectinae modo sed multis — erat enim frequens amoenitas orae — laturus auxilium. Properat illuc unde alii fugiunt, rectumque cursum recta gubernacula in periculum tenet adeo solutus metu, ut omnes illius mali motus omnes figuras ut deprenderat oculis dictaret enotaretque.

What grammatical construction is present in the underlined phrase?

Possible Answers:

Relative Clause

Ablative Absolute

Supine

Ablative of Manner

Correct answer:

Ablative Absolute

Explanation:

Here, you have a noun paired with a participle, both in the ablative case. This is a classic way to form the ablative absolute.

(Passage adapted from Pliny the Younger's Letters to Tacitus Book 6, #16)

Example Question #41 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion In Prose Passages

Si quis, iudices, forte nunc adsit ignarus legum, iudiciorum, consuetudinis nostrae, miretur profecto, quae sit tanta atrocitas huiusce causae, quod diebus festis ludisque publicis, omnibus forensibus negotiis intermissis unum hoc iudicium exerceatur, nec dubitet, quin tanti facinoris reus arguatur, ut eo neglecto civitas stare non possit; idem cum audiat esse legem, quae de seditiosis consceleratisque civibus, qui armati senatum obsederint, magistratibus vim attulerint, rem publicam oppugnarint, cotidie quaeri iubeat: legem non improbet, crimen quod versetur in iudicio, requirat; cum audiat nullum facinus, nullam audaciam, nullam vim in iudicium vocari, sed adulescentem illustri ingenio, industria, gratia accusari ab eius filio, quem ipse in iudicium et vocet et vocarit, oppugnari autem opibus meretriciis: [Atratini] illius pietatem non reprehendat, muliebrem libidinem comprimendam putet, vos laboriosos existimet, quibus otiosis ne in communi quidem otio liceat esse.

What is the use of "festis"?

Possible Answers:

Ablative Time When

Dative Indirect Object

Ablative of Accompaniment

Genitive of Possession

Correct answer:

Ablative Time When

Explanation:

The word "festis" is being modified by "diebus," to indicate a currently occurring period of time. This is called "Ablative Time When."

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 1 (56 BCE))

Example Question #42 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion In Prose Passages

Si quis, iudices, forte nunc adsit ignarus legum, iudiciorum, consuetudinis nostrae, miretur profecto, quae sit tanta atrocitas huiusce causae, quod diebus festis ludisque publicis, omnibus forensibus negotiis intermissis unum hoc iudicium exerceatur, nec dubitet, quin tanti facinoris reus arguatur, ut eo neglecto civitas stare non possit; idem cum audiat esse legem, quae de seditiosis consceleratisque civibus, qui armati senatum obsederint, magistratibus vim attulerint, rem publicam oppugnarint, cotidie quaeri iubeat: legem non improbet, crimen quod versetur in iudicio, requirat; cum audiat nullum facinus, nullam audaciam, nullam vim in iudicium vocari, sed adulescentem illustri ingenio, industria, gratia accusari ab eius filio, quem ipse in iudicium et vocet et vocarit, oppugnari autem opibus meretriciis: [Atratini] illius pietatem non reprehendat, muliebrem libidinem comprimendam putet, vos laboriosos existimet, quibus otiosis ne in communi quidem otio liceat esse.

The words "eo neglecto" is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

Ablative of Specification

Ablative Absolute

Ablative with a Preposition

Ablative of Separation

Correct answer:

Ablative Absolute

Explanation:

The phrase "eo neglecto" is an example of an ablative absolute. You have the pronoun eo paired with a perfect passive participle: "neglecto." This is a common way to form the ablative absolute and the phrase should be translated as with him neglected/disregarded.

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 1 (56 BCE))

Example Question #581 : Ap Latin Language

Ac mihi quidem videtur, iudices, hic introitus defensionis adulescentiae M. Caeli maxime convenire, ut ad ea, quae accusatores deformandi huius causa, detrahendae spoliandaeque dignitatis gratia dixerunt, primum respondeam. Obiectus est pater varie, quod aut parum splendidus ipse aut parum pie tractatus a filio diceretur. De dignitate M. Caelius notis ac maioribus natu et sine mea oratione et tacitus facile ipse respondet; quibus autem propter senectutem, quod iam diu minus in foro nobiscumque versatur, non aeque est cognitus, ii sic habeant, quaecumque in equite Romano dignitas esse possit, quae certe potest esse maxima, eam semper in M. Caelio habitam esse summam hodieque haberi non solum a suis, sed etiam ab omnibus, quibus potuerit aliqua de causa esse notus.

In which form of the subjective is "respondeam"?

Possible Answers:

Deliberative Subjunctive

The Potential Subjunctive

The Jussive Subjunctive

The Horatory Subjunctive

Correct answer:

The Jussive Subjunctive

Explanation:

The word "respondeam" is not in an "ut" clause, so it must be an independent use of the subjunctive. The verb "respondeam" is being used to issue a command: let me____, which is called the jussive subjunctive use.

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 2 (56 BCE))

Example Question #582 : Ap Latin Language

Ac mihi quidem videtur, iudices, hic introitus defensionis adulescentiae M. Caeli maxime convenire, ut ad ea, quae accusatores deformandi huius causa, detrahendae spoliandaeque dignitatis gratia dixerunt, primum respondeam. Obiectus est pater varie, quod aut parum splendidus ipse aut parum pie tractatus a filio diceretur. De dignitate M. Caelius notis ac maioribus natu et sine mea oratione et tacitus facile ipse respondet; quibus autem propter senectutem, quod iam diu minus in foro nobiscumque versatur, non aeque est cognitus, ii sic habeant, quaecumque in equite Romano dignitas esse possit, quae certe potest esse maxima, eam semper in M. Caelio habitam esse summam hodieque haberi non solum a suis, sed etiam ab omnibus, quibus potuerit aliqua de causa esse notus.

How is "pie" being used in the second sentence?

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers is accurate

As an ablative of means

as an ablative place where

As an ablative of specification

Correct answer:

As an ablative of specification

Explanation:

The word "pie" is being used to specify exactly how the father is equal ("parum") to the son. This use of the ablative case is called ablative of specification.

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 2 (56 BCE))

Example Question #583 : Ap Latin Language

Ac mihi quidem videtur, iudices, hic introitus defensionis adulescentiae M. Caeli maxime convenire, ut ad ea, quae accusatores deformandi huius causa, detrahendae spoliandaeque dignitatis gratia dixerunt, primum respondeam. Obiectus est pater varie, quod aut parum splendidus ipse aut parum pie tractatus a filio diceretur. De dignitate M. Caelius notis ac maioribus natu et sine mea oratione et tacitus facile ipse respondet; quibus autem propter senectutem, quod iam diu minus in foro nobiscumque versatur, non aeque est cognitus, ii sic habeant, quaecumque in equite Romano dignitas esse possit, quae certe potest esse maxima, eam semper in M. Caelio habitam esse summam hodieque haberi non solum a suis, sed etiam ab omnibus, quibus potuerit aliqua de causa esse notus.

What is the use of "filio" in the second sentence?

Possible Answers:

Ablative of Means

Ablative of Manner

Ablative of Agent

Ablative of Accompaniment

Correct answer:

Ablative of Agent

Explanation:

The phrase "a filio" shoud be translated as by the son, indicating that an action or circumstance happened due to the son. This use of the ablative in order to indicate the cause of a circumstance or doer of an action is called ablative of agent.

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 2 (56 BCE))

Example Question #1 : Literary Device Identification

Vivamus mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
rumoresque senum severiorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis!
soles occidere et redire possunt:
nobis cum semel occidit brevis lux,                    5
nox est perpetua una dormienda.
da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.
dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,                        10
conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
aut ne quis malus invidere possit,
cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.

What literary device is being used in lines 7-10?

Possible Answers:

Anaphora

Polysyndeton

Alliteration

Tricolon crescens

Correct answer:

Anaphora

Explanation:

In lines 7-10, the author repeats the same phrase again and again, almost verbatum, in order to emphasize the multitude of kisses he wishes to give his lover. This is an example of anaphora. It cannot be alliteration, because there is not a string of words that begin with the same letter right next to one another for emphasis. It cannot be polysyndeton because there is no excess of conjunctions, and it cannot be tricolon crescens because there is not a singular element repeated three times in succession to show that emphasis.

Passage adapted from "Catullus 5," ln.1-13

Example Question #2 : Literary Device Identification

Haec dum Dardanio Aeneae miranda videntur,
dum stupet, obtutuque haeret defixus in uno,             
regina ad templum, forma pulcherrima Dido,
incessit magna iuvenum stipante caterva.

Which literary device is present in lines 1-2 of the passage?

Possible Answers:

Alliteration

Litotes

Hyperbole

Anaphora

Correct answer:

Anaphora

Explanation:

In lines 1-2 of the passage, the same concept is repeated over and over. The phrases "miranda videntur," "stupet," "obtutuque," "haeret," and "defixus in uno" are all slightly different ways of saying to stare or to gaze. This is an example of anaphora.

(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.494-497)

Example Question #1 : Syntactical Devices

Si quis, iudices, forte nunc adsit ignarus legum, iudiciorum, consuetudinis nostrae, miretur profecto, quae sit tanta atrocitas huiusce causae, quod diebus festis ludisque publicis, omnibus forensibus negotiis intermissis unum hoc iudicium exerceatur, nec dubitet, quin tanti facinoris reus arguatur, ut eo neglecto civitas stare non possit; idem cum audiat esse legem, quae de seditiosis consceleratisque civibus, qui armati senatum obsederint, magistratibus vim attulerint, rem publicam oppugnarint, cotidie quaeri iubeat: legem non improbet, crimen quod versetur in iudicio, requirat; cum audiat nullum facinus, nullam audaciam, nullam vim in iudicium vocari, sed adulescentem illustri ingenio, industria, gratia accusari ab eius filio, quem ipse in iudicium et vocet et vocarit, oppugnari autem opibus meretriciis: [Atratini] illius pietatem non reprehendat, muliebrem libidinem comprimendam putet, vos laboriosos existimet, quibus otiosis ne in communi quidem otio liceat esse.

The underlined phrase is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

hyperbole

anaphora

apostrophe

chiasmus

Correct answer:

anaphora

Explanation:

The phrase "nullum facinus, nullam audaciam, nullam vim" is an example of anaphora. Here, the author repeats the same wording/phrasing in order to show emphasis of his point. This specific type of anaphora, where the phrasing is repeated three times, is also called tricolon crescens.

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 1 (56 BCE))

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