AP Latin : Grammatical and Syntactic Terminology in Prose Passages

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Grammatical And Syntactic Terminology In Prose Passages

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:

As an ablative of means

None of the other answers is accurate

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 #22 : Grammatical And Syntactic Terminology In Prose Passages

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 Accompaniment

Ablative of Manner

Ablative of Agent

Ablative of Means

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))

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