AP Latin : Content of Poetry
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #151 : Poetry
Vallis erat piceis et acuta densa cupressu,
nomine Gargaphie succinctae sacra Dianae,
cuius in extremo est antrum nemorale recessu
arte laboratum nulla: simulaverat artem
ingenio natura suo; nam pumice vivo 5
et levibus tofis nativum duxerat arcum;
fons sonat a dextra tenui perlucidus unda,
margine gramineo patulos incinctus hiatus.
hic dea silvarum venatu fessa solebat
virgineos artus liquido perfundere rore. 10
quo postquam subiit, nympharum tradidit uni
armigerae iaculum pharetramque arcusque retentos,
altera depositae subiecit bracchia pallae,
vincla duae pedibus demunt; nam doctior illis
Ismenis Crocale sparsos per colla capillos 15
colligit in nodum, quamvis erat ipsa solutis.
The word "hic" in line 9 should be translated _____________.
he
it
here
this
here
The word "hic" should be translated as here in this sentence. Often, forms of the word "hic" and "ille" are used to indicate spatial concepts. The most common are "hic" - here, "huc" - from here, "huic" - to here, "ille" - there, "illuc" - from there, and "illic" - to there.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses 3.155-171)
Example Question #152 : Poetry
Vallis erat piceis et acuta densa cupressu,
nomine Gargaphie succinctae sacra Dianae,
cuius in extremo est antrum nemorale recessu
arte laboratum nulla: simulaverat artem
ingenio natura suo; nam pumice vivo 5
et levibus tofis nativum duxerat arcum;
fons sonat a dextra tenui perlucidus unda,
margine gramineo patulos incinctus hiatus.
hic dea silvarum venatu fessa solebat
virgineos artus liquido perfundere rore. 10
quo postquam subiit, nympharum tradidit uni
armigerae iaculum pharetramque arcusque retentos,
altera depositae subiecit bracchia pallae,
vincla duae pedibus demunt; nam doctior illis
Ismenis Crocale sparsos per colla capillos 15
colligit in nodum, quamvis erat ipsa solutis.
How does the word "acuta" in line 1 translate?
Dense
Sharp
Severe
Thick
Severe
The word "acuta" comes from the adjective "acutus, a, um," which usually translates as sharp/wise. Another translation for this word, however, is serious or severe. In the line where "acuta" appears, the story is describing a valley and the trees in it. The meaning sharp does not fit in well here. Instead, the word "vallis" is being described by "acuta," in order to describe the valley as immensely dense with trees.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses 3.155-171)
Example Question #11 : Context Based Meaning Of Words And Phrases In Poetry Passages
quae, quamquam comitum turba est stipata suarum,
in latus obliquum tamen adstitit oraque retro
flexit et, ut vellet promptas habuisse sagittas,
quas habuit sic hausit aquas vultumque virilem
perfudit spargensque comas ultricibus undis 5
addidit haec cladis praenuntia verba futurae:
'nunc tibi me posito visam velamine narres,
si poteris narrare, licet!' nec plura minata
dat sparso capiti vivacis cornua cervi,
dat spatium collo summasque cacuminat aures 10
cum pedibusque manus, cum longis bracchia mutat
cruribus et velat maculoso vellere corpus;
additus et pavor est: fugit Autonoeius heros
et se tam celerem cursu miratur in ipso.
The phrase "oraque[...]flexit" in lines 2-3 means __________.
the girl is bending something
the girl is frowning
the girl is having an argument with her friends
the girl is smiling
the girl is frowning
This phrase can be taken to mean that the girl in this passage is frowning. Since the mouth does not usually form a frown (or at least would not be expected to), a frown can be interpreted as the reverse ("retro") direction. Additionally, the words accompanying this phrase do not indicate any sort of happiness. The preceding phrases indicate that the girl is accompanied by her friends, a situation that would expectedly bring joy, but the word "quamquam" (although) is used, meaning that the opposite reaction to what is expected is occurring here. That action here is frowning.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 3.186-200)
Example Question #151 : Content Of Poetry
quae, quamquam comitum turba est stipata suarum,
in latus obliquum tamen adstitit oraque retro
flexit et, ut vellet promptas habuisse sagittas,
quas habuit sic hausit aquas vultumque virilem
perfudit spargensque comas ultricibus undis 5
addidit haec cladis praenuntia verba futurae:
'nunc tibi me posito visam velamine narres,
si poteris narrare, licet!' nec plura minata
dat sparso capiti vivacis cornua cervi,
dat spatium collo summasque cacuminat aures 10
cum pedibusque manus, cum longis bracchia mutat
cruribus et velat maculoso vellere corpus;
additus et pavor est: fugit Autonoeius heros
et se tam celerem cursu miratur in ipso.
The word "ut" in line 3 should be translated as __________.
when
so that
as
that
that
The word "ut" in this phrase translates as that because it is in a result clause. As a result of the previous occurrence (in the preceding phrases, which caused her to frown) she wants ready arrows.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 3.186-200)
Example Question #21 : Context Based Meaning Of Words And Phrases In Poetry Passages
Inde per inmensum croceo velatus amictu
aethera digreditur Ciconumque Hymenaeus ad oras
tendit et Orphea nequiquam voce vocatur.
adfuit ille quidem, sed nec sollemnia verba
nec laetos vultus nec felix attulit omen. 5
fax quoque, quam tenuit, lacrimoso stridula fumo
usque fuit nullosque invenit motibus ignes.
exitus auspicio gravior: nam nupta per herbas
dum nova naiadum turba comitata vagatur,
occidit in talum serpentis dente recepto. 10
How should the word "quam" in line 6 should be translated as ____________.
how
than
which
indeed
which
The word "quam" is acting as a relative pronoun in this clause. Its antecedent is "fax" in the preceeding clause.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 10.1-10)
Example Question #22 : Context Based Meaning Of Words And Phrases In Poetry Passages
Dignane, cui grates ageret, cui turis honorem
ferret, Adoni, fui? nec grates inmemor egit,
nec mihi tura dedit. subitam convertor in iram,
contemptuque dolens, ne sim spernenda futuris,
exemplo caveo meque ipsa exhortor in ambos: 5
templa, deum Matri quae quondam clarus Echion
fecerat ex voto, nemorosis abdita silvis,
transibant, et iter longum requiescere suasit;
illic concubitus intempestiva cupido
occupat Hippomenen a numine concita nostro. 10
luminis exigui fuerat prope templa recessus,
speluncae similis, nativo pumice tectus,
religione sacer prisca, quo multa sacerdos
lignea contulerat veterum simulacra deorum;
hunc init et vetito temerat sacraria probro. 15
How should "in" (line 3) be translated?
Into
Against
In
Among
Into
"In" is being used with "iram" in the accusative case to mean into. The phrase translates as: I am turned around into a sudden anger. When paired with the accusative case, "in" can be translated as among, into, or against. The exact meaning depends on context.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 10.681-696)
Example Question #154 : Content Of Poetry
Forsitan audieris aliquam certamine cursus
veloces superasse viros: non fabula rumor
ille fuit; superabat enim. nec dicere posses,
laude pedum formaene bono praestantior esset.
scitanti deus huic de coniuge 'coniuge' dixit 5
'nil opus est, Atalanta, tibi: fuge coniugis usum.
nec tamen effugies teque ipsa viva carebis.'
territa sorte dei per opacas innuba silvas
vivit et instantem turbam violenta procorum
condicione fugat, 'ne' c 'sum potiunda, nisi' inquit 10
'victa prius cursu. pedibus contendite mecum:
praemia veloci coniunx thalamique dabuntur,
mors pretium tardis: ea lex certaminis esto.'
illa quidem inmitis, sed (tanta potentia formae est)
venit ad hanc legem temeraria turba procorum. 15
sederat Hippomenes cursus spectator iniqui
et 'petitur cuiquam per tanta pericula coniunx?'
dixerat ac nimios iuvenum damnarat amores;
The word "usum" in line 6 can be translated as __________.
joy
win
force
used
joy
The word "usum" comes from "utor, uti, usus sum," which normally translates as to use. Given the right context, however, it can also be used to mean joy or to enjoy, which is what is happening here. The best translation for "usum" in this sentence is enjoyment/joy or friendship.
Example Question #23 : Context Based Meaning Of Words And Phrases In Poetry Passages
Consedere duces et vulgi stante corona
surgit ad hos clipei dominus septemplicis Aiax,
utque erat inpatiens irae, Sigeia torvo
litora respexit classemque in litore vultu
intendensque manus 'agimus, pro Iuppiter!' inquit 5
'ante rates causam, et mecum confertur Ulixes!
The word "corona" (line 1) is referring to __________.
"Aiax" (line 2)
the king of a country
a crown
the "duces" (line 1)
the "duces" (line 1)
The word "corona" comes from "corona, coronae," which normally translates as a crown or ring, but here the word is being used with the word "vulgi" (line 1) to describe the ring of men sitting around and discussing matters in the passage.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses 8.1-6)
Example Question #24 : Context Based Meaning Of Words And Phrases In Poetry Passages
Consedere duces et vulgi stante corona
surgit ad hos clipei dominus septemplicis Aiax,
utque erat inpatiens irae, Sigeia torvo
litora respexit classemque in litore vultu
intendensque manus 'agimus, pro Iuppiter!' inquit 5
'ante rates causam, et mecum confertur Ulixes!
How should the word "stante" in line 1 be translated?
Standing
Remained
Remaining
Stood
Remaining
The word "stante" should be translated as remaining here. Just a few words previously, the men were described as sitting, it would not make sense to describe them standing three words later. The word "sto, stare" is often used to indicated remaining in a certain position (the same way we say in English to stand your ground). Furthermore, "stante" is the present active participle form of "sto, stare: stans, stantis," which should always be translated as __________ing.
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses 8.1-6)
Example Question #25 : Context Based Meaning Of Words And Phrases In Poetry Passages
Atque ego, si virtus in me dubitabilis esset,
nobilitate potens essem, Telamone creatus,
moenia qui forti Troiana sub Hercule cepit
litoraque intravit Pagasaea Colcha carina;
Aeacus huic pater est, qui iura silentibus illic 5
reddit, ubi Aeoliden saxum grave Sisyphon urget;
Aeacon agnoscit summus prolemque fatetur
Iuppiter esse suam: sic a Iove tertius Aiax.
nec tamen haec series in causam prosit, Achivi,
si mihi cum magno non est communis Achille: 10
frater erat, fraterna peto! quid sanguine cretus
Sisyphio furtisque et fraude simillimus illi
inseris Aeacidis alienae nomina gentis?
How should "forti" in line 3 be translated?
For the strong
With strength
By chance
For luck's sake
By chance
The word "forti" comes from "fors, fortis," which means chance/luck. The form "forti" is actually in the ablative singular form. It is not unusual to see an "-i" ending used for some third declension words instead of the usual -e. In general, the "e" in the third declension endings are sometimes substituted for "i."
(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8.21-34)
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