AP Latin : Content of Poetry
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Content Of Poetry
Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes
tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque.
quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae
lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis
oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi 5
et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum;
aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox,
furtivos hominum vident amores:
tam te basia multa basiare
vesano satis et super Catullo est, 10
quae nec pernumerare curiosi
possint nec mala fascinare lingua.
The word "sepulcrum" (line 6) means ____________.
grave
holy
flame
stars
grave
The word "sepulcrum" comes from "sepulcrum," "sepulcri" and is the word for a grave.
(Passage adapted from "Poem II" by Gaius Valerius Catullus, 1-10)
Example Question #12 : Content Of Poetry
Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes
tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque.
quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae
lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis
oraclum Iovis inter aestuosi 5
et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum;
aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox,
furtivos hominum vident amores:
tam te basia multa basiare
vesano satis et super Catullo est, 10
quae nec pernumerare curiosi
possint nec mala fascinare lingua.
The word "harenae" (line 3) means ___________.
sands
mountains
arena
shores
sands
The word "harenae" comes from "harena," "harenae" and literally means sands. Given the right context, it could mean arena, but there is no indication that the author is speaking of any sort of arena.
(Passage adapted from "Poem II" by Gaius Valerius Catullus, 1-10)
Example Question #13 : Content Of Poetry
Passer, deliciae meae puellae,
quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere,
cui primum digitum dare appetenti
et acris solet incitare morsus,
cum desiderio meo nitenti 5
carum nescio quid lubet iocari
et solaciolum sui doloris,
credo ut tum gravis acquiescat ardor:
tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem
et tristis animi levare curas! 10
"Nitenti" (line 5) comes from the verb meaning ____________.
to find
to struggle
to play
to shine
to shine
The word "nitenti" comes from "niteo," "nitere," which means to shine. The author compares the bird to shining (as in an object of great affection), as opposed to him.
(Passage adapted from "Poem II" by Gaius Valerius Catullus, 1-10)
Example Question #14 : Content Of Poetry
Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res, 5
irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.
The word "laetitia" in line 2 means __________.
lights
task
honor
joy
joy
The word "laetitia" translates as joy or happiness.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #15 : Content Of Poetry
Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res, 5
irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.
The word "fatuo" (line 2) means ___________.
mean
idiot
fat
rich
idiot
The word "fatuo" comes from "fatuus, a, um," which means stupid or silly. The best choice provided here is "idiot."
Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #16 : Content Of Poetry
Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res, 5
irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.
The word "gannit" (line 4) translates as __________.
she yells
she speaks badly of
she whispers
she gossips
she speaks badly of
The word "gannit" comes from "gannio," "gannire," which means to speak about someone in a hostile manner. The best choice here is, "she speaks badly of."
Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #17 : Content Of Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
What is the translation of "quondam" (line 1)?
Since
Once
A certain one
Also
Once
The word "quondam" translates as once/formerly.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #18 : Content Of Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
The word "dilexi" (line 3) comes from the word meaning _____________.
to lie
to decide
to love
to say
to love
The word "dilexi" comes from "diligo," "diligere," "dilexi," "dilectus," another common word for to love.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #19 : Content Of Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
The word "tantum" (line 2) translates as __________.
little
how much
great
so much
so much
The word "tantum" translates as so much/to such an extent.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #20 : Content Of Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
The word "gnatos" (line 4) means ___________.
children
family
cats
gnats
children
The word "gnatos" comes from "gnatus," "gnati," which means children.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
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