AP Latin : Context-Based Meaning of Words and Phrases in Poetry Passages
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #162 : Content Of Poetry
Quo tamen haec Ithaco, qui clam, qui semper inermis
rem gerit et furtis incautum decipit hostem?
ipse nitor galeae claro radiantis ab auro
insidias prodet manifestabitque latentem;
sed neque Dulichius sub Achillis casside vertex 5
pondera tanta feret, nec non onerosa gravisque
Pelias hasta potest inbellibus esse lacertis,
nec clipeus vasti caelatus imagine mundi
conveniet timidae nataeque ad furta sinistrae:
debilitaturum quid te petis, inprobe, munus, 10
quod tibi si populi donaverit error Achivi,
cur spolieris, erit, non, cur metuaris ab hoste,
et fuga, qua sola cunctos, timidissime, vincis,
tarda futura tibi est gestamina tanta trahenti?
The word "gerit" in line 2 should be translated as ___________.
he wages
he separates
he manages
he wears
he manages
The word "gerit" comes from the verb "gero, gerere, gessi, gestus," which typically means to wear (clothing). It has many other meanings, however, based on context. When paired with "bellum" it means to wage war; it can also mean to carry; here, with no articles of clothing or mention of war, to manage is the most appropriate translation of this word.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 103-117)
Example Question #166 : Sight Reading
Quo tamen haec Ithaco, qui clam, qui semper inermis
rem gerit et furtis incautum decipit hostem?
ipse nitor galeae claro radiantis ab auro
insidias prodet manifestabitque latentem;
sed neque Dulichius sub Achillis casside vertex 5
pondera tanta feret, nec non onerosa gravisque
Pelias hasta potest inbellibus esse lacertis,
nec clipeus vasti caelatus imagine mundi
conveniet timidae nataeque ad furta sinistrae:
debilitaturum quid te petis, inprobe, munus, 10
quod tibi si populi donaverit error Achivi,
cur spolieris, erit, non, cur metuaris ab hoste,
et fuga, qua sola cunctos, timidissime, vincis,
tarda futura tibi est gestamina tanta trahenti?
The word "nitor" (line 3) translates __________.
a fire
I shine
brightness
I am shined
brightness
The word "nitor" in this sentence comes from the noun "nitor, nitoris" and not the verb "nitor, niti, nisus sum." You can tell that "nitor" is not a verb because it would not make any sense in this sentence. "Nitor" is the accusative singular form of this noun, since it is neuter, and it is acting as the object of the verb "prodet" in line 4.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 103-117)
Example Question #162 : Poetry
vix etiam Phoebo iam lyra tuta sua est?
cum bene surrexit versu nova pagina primo,
attenuat nervos proximus ille meos;
nec mihi materia est numeris levioribus apta,
aut puer aut longas compta puella comas.' 5
Questus eram, pharetra cum protinus ille soluta
legit in exitium spicula facta meum,
lunavitque genu sinuosum fortiter arcum,
'quod' que 'canas, vates, accipe' dixit 'opus!'
Me miserum! certas habuit puer ille sagittas. 10
uror, et in vacuo pectore regnat Amor.
Sex mihi surgat opus numeris, in quinque residat:
ferrea cum vestris bella valete modis!
cingere litorea flaventia tempora myrto,
Musa, per undenos emodulanda pedes! 15
How should cum in line 2 be translated?
Although
When
With
Since
When
The word cum should be translated "when" in this sentence. A word in the ablative case does not follow cum, so it can't be "with." Furthermore, the translations "since" and "although" must have a subjunctive verb. The correct choice is "when."
Passage adapted from Amores by Ovid, I. 1-15
Example Question #163 : Poetry
vix etiam Phoebo iam lyra tuta sua est?
cum bene surrexit versu nova pagina primo,
attenuat nervos proximus ille meos;
nec mihi materia est numeris levioribus apta,
aut puer aut longas compta puella comas.' 5
Questus eram, pharetra cum protinus ille soluta
legit in exitium spicula facta meum,
lunavitque genu sinuosum fortiter arcum,
'quod' que 'canas, vates, accipe' dixit 'opus!'
Me miserum! certas habuit puer ille sagittas. 10
uror, et in vacuo pectore regnat Amor.
Sex mihi surgat opus numeris, in quinque residat:
ferrea cum vestris bella valete modis!
cingere litorea flaventia tempora myrto,
Musa, per undenos emodulanda pedes! 15
How should cum (line 6) be translated?
Because
Although
While
With
With
The word cum should be translated as "with" because it is accompanied by the ablative phrase pharetra soluta. The phrase translates as "the one with the loosened quiver."
Passage adapted from Amores by Ovid, I. 16-30
Example Question #164 : Poetry
vix etiam Phoebo iam lyra tuta sua est?
cum bene surrexit versu nova pagina primo,
attenuat nervos proximus ille meos;
nec mihi materia est numeris levioribus apta,
aut puer aut longas compta puella comas.' 5
Questus eram, pharetra cum protinus ille soluta
legit in exitium spicula facta meum,
lunavitque genu sinuosum fortiter arcum,
'quod' que 'canas, vates, accipe' dixit 'opus!'
Me miserum! certas habuit puer ille sagittas. 10
uror, et in vacuo pectore regnat Amor.
Sex mihi surgat opus numeris, in quinque residat:
ferrea cum vestris bella valete modis!
cingere litorea flaventia tempora myrto,
Musa, per undenos emodulanda pedes! 15
How should the word legit (line 7) be translated?
Read
Chose
Weighed
Collected
Chose
All the answers given are possible translations of the word legit (from lego, legere). The only choice that makes sense in the context of this sentence, though, is "chose." The phrase ille...meum translates: "He chose my ruin with regard to the arrow that was made."
Passage adapted from Amores by Ovid, I. 16-30
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