AP Latin : Context-Based Meaning of Words and Phrases in Vergil
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Content In Vergil
inter quas Phoenissa recens a vulnere Dido
errabat silva in magna; quam Troius heros
ut primum iuxta stetit agnovitque per umbras
obscuram, qualem primo qui surgere mense
aut videt aut vidisse putat per nubila lunam, 5
demisit lacrimas dulcique adfatus amore est:
'infelix Dido, verus mihi nuntius ergo
venerat exstinctam ferroque extrema secutam?
funeris heu tibi causa fui? per sidera iuro,
per superos et si qua fides tellure sub ima est, 10
inuitus, regina, tuo de litore cessi.
The word "de" (line 11) is best translated as which of the following?
From
Down from
According to
About
From
All of the above answer choices are possible translations of "de," but the use of the word "cessi" (I ran) makes from the most appropriate choice due to context: I ran from you and the shore.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.450-460)
Example Question #42 : Content In Vergil
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram;
multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem, 5
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
What is the best translation of "conderet" (line 5)?
He defended
He watched
He attacked
He founded
He founded
The word "conderet" comes from "condo, condere, condidi, conditus," which means to found, especially when in reference to a city, country, etc.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Example Question #43 : Content In Vergil
Urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,
Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe
ostia, dives opum studiisque asperrima belli;
quam Iuno fertur terris magis omnibus unam
posthabita coluisse Samo; hic illius arma, 5
hic currus fuit; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,
si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque.
Progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci
audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces
How does "hic" in line 6 translate?
This
He
Then
Here
Here
The word "hic" is often translated as here if it is being used to show direction. It is possible that "hic" is modifying "currus," but it is used in the same way in the phrase "hic illius arma," in which "hic" definitely cannot modify "arma."
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
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