AP Latin : Poetic Syntax
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #61 : Poetic Syntax
Hector adest secumque deos in proelia ducit,
quaque ruit, non tu tantum terreris, Ulixe,
sed fortes etiam: tantum trahit ille timoris.
hunc ego sanguineae successu caedis ovantem
eminus ingenti resupinum pondere fudi, 5
hunc ego poscentem, cum quo concurreret, unus
sustinui: sortemque meam vovistis, Achivi,
et vestrae valuere preces. si quaeritis huius
fortunam pugnae, non sum superatus ab illo.
ecce ferunt Troes ferrumque ignesque Iovemque 10
in Danaas classes: ubi nunc facundus Ulixes?
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes,
spem vestri reditus: date pro tot navibus arma.
What is the use of the word "proelia" in line 1?
Subject of "ducit" (line 1)
Object of "ducit" (line 1)
Modifies "deos" (line 1)
Object of "in" (line 1)
Object of "in" (line 1)
The word "proelia" comes from "proelium, proelii." In this sentence, proelia is in the accusative case because it is the object of the preposition "in," to be translated as into the battles.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 82-95)
Example Question #62 : Poetic Syntax
Hector adest secumque deos in proelia ducit,
quaque ruit, non tu tantum terreris, Ulixe,
sed fortes etiam: tantum trahit ille timoris.
hunc ego sanguineae successu caedis ovantem
eminus ingenti resupinum pondere fudi, 5
hunc ego poscentem, cum quo concurreret, unus
sustinui: sortemque meam vovistis, Achivi,
et vestrae valuere preces. si quaeritis huius
fortunam pugnae, non sum superatus ab illo.
ecce ferunt Troes ferrumque ignesque Iovemque 10
in Danaas classes: ubi nunc facundus Ulixes?
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes,
spem vestri reditus: date pro tot navibus arma.
The word "poscentem" in line 6 should be translated as _____________.
having demanded
demanding
demand
he demands
demanding
The word "poscentem" comes from "posco, poscere," which means to demand. The form "poscentem" is the present active participle (from "poscens, poscentis") and should be translated as demanding.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 82-95)
Example Question #63 : Poetic Syntax
Hector adest secumque deos in proelia ducit,
quaque ruit, non tu tantum terreris, Ulixe,
sed fortes etiam: tantum trahit ille timoris.
hunc ego sanguineae successu caedis ovantem
eminus ingenti resupinum pondere fudi, 5
hunc ego poscentem, cum quo concurreret, unus
sustinui: sortemque meam vovistis, Achivi,
et vestrae valuere preces. si quaeritis huius
fortunam pugnae, non sum superatus ab illo.
ecce ferunt Troes ferrumque ignesque Iovemque 10
in Danaas classes: ubi nunc facundus Ulixes?
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes,
spem vestri reditus: date pro tot navibus arma.
How should the word "valuere" in line 8 be translated?
They were strong
To greet
To be powerful
Haivng been strong
They were strong
The word "valuere" is an example of a syncopated verb. It is the shortened form for "valuerunt," which comes from the verb "valeo, valere, valui" - to be strong. This form should be translated they were strong. The syncopated form is noticeable because, even though it looks like an infinitive with the "-ere" ending, it makes use of the perfect stem of this verb ("valu-").
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 82-95)
Example Question #64 : Poetic Syntax
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?
Which word is the subject of "prodet"on line 4?
"insidias" (line 4)
"auro" (line 3)
"nitor" (line 3)
"Ipse" (line 3)
"Ipse" (line 3)
The only word of these choices that is in the nominative case (and therefore could be the subject of this verb) is "ipse."
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 103-117)
Example Question #65 : Poetic Syntax
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?
Which word is the subject of "feret" (line 6)?
"pondera" (line 6)
"casside" (line 5)
"vertex" (line 5)
"Achillis" (line 5)
"vertex" (line 5)
The only answer choice that is in the nominative case (and therefore could be the subject of this verb) is "vertex."
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 103-117)
Example Question #66 : Poetic Syntax
At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi. 5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,] 10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.
How should "pensandum" in line 3 be translated?
It considered
Considered
Considering
Must be considered
Must be considered
The word "pensandum" should be translated as must be considered, since the word is a gerundive adjective. Considered would be the translation for Perfect Passive Participle, it considered for the perfect tense, and considering for the present active participle.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)
Example Question #67 : Poetic Syntax
At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi. 5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,] 10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.
What is the use of "praemia" in line 1?
Object of "date" (line 1)
Subject of "date" (line 1)
Ablative, with "vestro" (line 1)
Ablative of Separation
Object of "date" (line 1)
The word "praemia" comes from "praemium, praemii," which means a reward. "Praemia"as used here is the accusative plural form ("praemium" is neuter), since it is acting as the object of the imperative verb date.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)
Example Question #68 : Poetic Syntax
At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi. 5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,] 10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.
"Faciendo" in line 5 is a __________.
Gerundive
Perfect Passive Participle
Gerund
Present Active Participle
Gerund
"Faciendo" in line 5 is translated as by doing. Since it is being used as a noun in the sentence, it is a gerund.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)
Example Question #69 : Poetic Syntax
At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi. 5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,] 10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.
"Casura" in line 6 should be translated __________.
about to fall
falling
it will fall
having fell
about to fall
The word "casura" is an example of a future active participle, which should be translated as about to ______. About to fall is the best choice.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)
Example Question #70 : Poetic Syntax
At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi. 5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,] 10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.
"Este" in line 11 is a(n) ___________.
present active participle
imperative
infinitive
gerund
imperative
The word "este" is the plural imperative form of the verb "sum, esse, fui, futurus."
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)
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