AP Latin : Content of Prose Passages
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Passage Comprehension In Prose Passages
Primus amor Phoebi Daphne Peneia, quem non
fors ignara dedit, sed saeva Cupidinis ira,
Delius hunc nuper, victa serpente superbus,
viderat adducto flectentem cornua nervo
'quid' que 'tibi, lascive puer, cum fortibus armis?' 5
dixerat: 'ista decent umeros gestamina nostros,
qui dare certa ferae, dare vulnera possumus hosti,
qui modo pestifero tot iugera ventre prementem
stravimus innumeris tumidum Pythona sagittis.
tu face nescio quos esto contentus amores 10
inritare tua, nec laudes adsere nostras!'
filius huic Veneris 'figat tuus omnia, Phoebe,
te meus arcus' ait; 'quantoque animalia cedunt
cuncta deo, tanto minor est tua gloria nostra.'
What has happened in lines 12-14?
Apollo is showing cupid how to use a bow
Cupid has drawn his weapon on Apollo
Apollo is criticizing Cupid
Cupid is explaining to Apollo how to use a bow
Cupid has drawn his weapon on Apollo
With the words "your bow peirces all things, Phoebus, my bow peirces you," Cupid draws his weapon on Apollo and prepares to shoot.
(Passage adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, 1.452-465)
Example Question #32 : Content Of Prose Passages
Saepe pater dixit: 'generum mihi, filia, debes,'
saepe pater dixit: 'debes mihi, nata, nepotes';
illa velut crimen taedas exosa iugales
pulchra verecundo suffuderat ora rubore
inque patris blandis haerens cervice lacertis 5
'da mihi perpetua, genitor carissime,' dixit
'virginitate frui! dedit hoc pater ante Dianae.'
ille quidem obsequitur, sed te decor iste quod optas
esse vetat, votoque tuo tua forma repugnat:
Phoebus amat visaeque cupit conubia Daphnes, 10
quodque cupit, sperat, suaque illum oracula fallunt,
utque leves stipulae demptis adolentur aristis,
ut facibus saepes ardent, quas forte viator
vel nimis admovit vel iam sub luce reliquit,
sic deus in flammas abiit, sic pectore toto 15
uritur et sterilem sperando nutrit amorem.
In lines 1-2, we learn that __________.
the father is taking care of his daughter's children
the daughter just gave birth to some children
the father wants grandchildren
the father is urging the daughter to take care of her children
the father wants grandchildren
In lines 1 and 2, the father is urging his daughter to give him grandchildren. He makes use of the word "debes"—you ought to. The word "dare" is omitted, because the meaning can be implied without it due to the use of the dative case.
(Adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, 1.481-496)
Example Question #33 : Content Of Prose Passages
Saepe pater dixit: 'generum mihi, filia, debes,'
saepe pater dixit: 'debes mihi, nata, nepotes';
illa velut crimen taedas exosa iugales
pulchra verecundo suffuderat ora rubore
inque patris blandis haerens cervice lacertis 5
'da mihi perpetua, genitor carissime,' dixit
'virginitate frui! dedit hoc pater ante Dianae.'
ille quidem obsequitur, sed te decor iste quod optas
esse vetat, votoque tuo tua forma repugnat:
Phoebus amat visaeque cupit conubia Daphnes, 10
quodque cupit, sperat, suaque illum oracula fallunt,
utque leves stipulae demptis adolentur aristis,
ut facibus saepes ardent, quas forte viator
vel nimis admovit vel iam sub luce reliquit,
sic deus in flammas abiit, sic pectore toto 15
uritur et sterilem sperando nutrit amorem.
In lines 3-7, we learn that __________.
The daughter wishes to go hunting
The daughter worships Diana
The daughter does not want children
The daughter wants children
The daughter does not want children
In these lines, the author presents the daughter's reaction to her father's words. She blushes and asks that he allow her to follow the ways of Diana and stay a virgin.
(Adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, 1.481-496)
Example Question #1 : Passage Comprehension In Prose Passages
saepe pater dixit: 'generum mihi, filia, debes,'
saepe pater dixit: 'debes mihi, nata, nepotes';
illa velut crimen taedas exosa iugales
pulchra verecundo suffuderat ora rubore
inque patris blandis haerens cervice lacertis 5
'da mihi perpetua, genitor carissime,' dixit
'virginitate frui! dedit hoc pater ante Dianae.'
ille quidem obsequitur, sed te decor iste quod optas
esse vetat, votoque tuo tua forma repugnat:
Phoebus amat visaeque cupit conubia Daphnes, 10
quodque cupit, sperat, suaque illum oracula fallunt,
utque leves stipulae demptis adolentur aristis,
ut facibus saepes ardent, quas forte viator
vel nimis admovit vel iam sub luce reliquit,
sic deus in flammas abiit, sic pectore toto 15
uritur et sterilem sperando nutrit amorem.
What is the father's reply to his daughter's reaction (line 8-9)?
He is sad
He refuses
He concedes
He is surprised
He concedes
The father yields/concedes ("obsequitur") to his daughter's request.
(Adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, 1.481-496)
Example Question #4 : Passage Comprehension In Prose Passages
Saepe pater dixit: 'generum mihi, filia, debes,'
saepe pater dixit: 'debes mihi, nata, nepotes';
illa velut crimen taedas exosa iugales
pulchra verecundo suffuderat ora rubore
inque patris blandis haerens cervice lacertis 5
'da mihi perpetua, genitor carissime,' dixit
'virginitate frui! dedit hoc pater ante Dianae.'
ille quidem obsequitur, sed te decor iste quod optas
esse vetat, votoque tuo tua forma repugnat:
Phoebus amat visaeque cupit conubia Daphnes, 10
quodque cupit, sperat, suaque illum oracula fallunt,
utque leves stipulae demptis adolentur aristis,
ut facibus saepes ardent, quas forte viator
vel nimis admovit vel iam sub luce reliquit,
sic deus in flammas abiit, sic pectore toto 15
uritur et sterilem sperando nutrit amorem.
Why are the words "suaque illum oracula fallunt" (line 11) used in this passage?
To emphasize that this match was prophesized
To explain that Phoebus is not a powerful god
To emphasize the depth of Phoebus' love
To show the reader that all love is due to fate
To emphasize the depth of Phoebus' love
The passage mentions oracles and prophecy because Apollo (Phoebus) is also the god of prophecy. Due to Cupid's actions, he is completely blinded by love and fails to see the events to come of this love. Even though he should be able to foresee the future failure, he cannot because of the depth of this love.
(Adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, 1.481-496)
Example Question #5 : Passage Comprehension In Prose Passages
saepe pater dixit: 'generum mihi, filia, debes,'
saepe pater dixit: 'debes mihi, nata, nepotes';
illa velut crimen taedas exosa iugales
pulchra verecundo suffuderat ora rubore
inque patris blandis haerens cervice lacertis 5
'da mihi perpetua, genitor carissime,' dixit
'virginitate frui! dedit hoc pater ante Dianae.'
ille quidem obsequitur, sed te decor iste quod optas
esse vetat, votoque tuo tua forma repugnat:
Phoebus amat visaeque cupit conubia Daphnes, 10
quodque cupit, sperat, suaque illum oracula fallunt,
utque leves stipulae demptis adolentur aristis,
ut facibus saepes ardent, quas forte viator
vel nimis admovit vel iam sub luce reliquit,
sic deus in flammas abiit, sic pectore toto 15
uritur et sterilem sperando nutrit amorem.
Why is the word "flammas" in line 15?
The author is talking about the burning of stars
To emphasize Apollo's love
Apollo has been set on fire
A place is on fire
To emphasize Apollo's love
The word "flammas" is being used to show the extent of Apollo's love. Similar to the English phrasing "to burn with passion," the Roman's used similar words to describe passion and love. The author describes the god as setting out in flames and with a heart on fire.
(Adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, 1.481-496)
Example Question #351 : Sight Reading
Praebuerat dictis Tritonia talibus aures
carminaque Aonidum iustamque probaverat iram;
tum secum: 'laudare parum est, laudemur et ipsae
numina nec sperni sine poena nostra sinamus.'
Maeoniaeque animum fatis intendit Arachnes, 5
quam sibi lanificae non cedere laudibus artis
audierat. non illa loco nec origine gentis
clara, sed arte fuit: pater huic Colophonius Idmon
Phocaico bibulas tinguebat murice lanas;
occiderat mater, sed et haec de plebe suoque 10
aequa viro fuerat; Lydas tamen illa per urbes
quaesierat studio nomen memorabile, quamvis
orta domo parva parvis habitabat Hypaepis.
huius ut adspicerent opus admirabile, saepe
deseruere sui nymphae vineta Timoli, 15
deseruere suas nymphae Pactolides undas.
From lines 1-4, we can tell that this story is about which of the following?
The songs of the fates
History of the Roman Empire
Praises of heroes
A god's retribution
A god's retribution
The content of this story is revealed in lines 3-4 of this passage ("laudare . . . sinamus"). The sentence translates: it is insufficient to prase (us)—we are praised and we (those gods) are not accustomed to be spurned without our penalty. In short, someone has gotten on a god's bad side and will be punished.
(Passage adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, VI.1-16)
Example Question #501 : Ap Latin Language
Pallas anum simulat: falsosque in tempora canos
addit et infirmos, baculo quos sustinet, artus.
tum sic orsa loqui 'non omnia grandior aetas,
quae fugiamus, habet: seris venit usus ab annis.
consilium ne sperne meum: tibi fama petatur 5
inter mortales faciendae maxima lanae;
cede deae veniamque tuis, temeraria, dictis
supplice voce roga: veniam dabit illa roganti.'
adspicit hanc torvis inceptaque fila relinquit
vixque manum retinens confessaque vultibus iram 10
talibus obscuram resecuta est Pallada dictis:
'mentis inops longaque venis confecta senecta,
et nimium vixisse diu nocet. audiat istas,
si qua tibi nurus est, si qua est tibi filia, voces;
consilii satis est in me mihi, neve monendo 15
profecisse putes, eadem est sententia nobis.
cur non ipsa venit? cur haec certamina vitat?'
In lines 1-2, we learn that __________.
Minerva is disquising herself as an old woman
Minerva is speaking with Bacchus
an old woman has approached Minerva
the author is describing Minerva's godly appearance
Minerva is disquising herself as an old woman
In lines 1-2, the author is describing the appearance of Minerva as she changes into an old woman. "Pallas anum simulat" translates as Pallas pretends to be an old woman.
(Passage adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, VI.26-42)
Example Question #351 : Sight Reading
Pallas anum simulat: falsosque in tempora canos
addit et infirmos, baculo quos sustinet, artus.
tum sic orsa loqui 'non omnia grandior aetas,
quae fugiamus, habet: seris venit usus ab annis.
consilium ne sperne meum: tibi fama petatur 5
inter mortales faciendae maxima lanae;
cede deae veniamque tuis, temeraria, dictis
supplice voce roga: veniam dabit illa roganti.'
adspicit hanc torvis inceptaque fila relinquit
vixque manum retinens confessaque vultibus iram 10
talibus obscuram resecuta est Pallada dictis:
'mentis inops longaque venis confecta senecta,
et nimium vixisse diu nocet. audiat istas,
si qua tibi nurus est, si qua est tibi filia, voces;
consilii satis est in me mihi, neve monendo 15
profecisse putes, eadem est sententia nobis.
cur non ipsa venit? cur haec certamina vitat?'
What is happening in lines 3-8 ("non...roganti")?
Minerva is asking a question
Minerva is lecturing someone
The old woman is scolding the God
A girl is scolding the old woman
Minerva is lecturing someone
From the context of lines 1-3, we know that this is Minerva speaking to someone else, as there was no mention of a change in subject. We know that she is commanding someone because of the use of many imperative verbs, like "sperne." Reading the words in the lines, it is obvious that Minerva is lecturing someone.
(Passage adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, VI.26-42)
Example Question #352 : Sight Reading
Pallas anum simulat: falsosque in tempora canos
addit et infirmos, baculo quos sustinet, artus.
tum sic orsa loqui 'non omnia grandior aetas,
quae fugiamus, habet: seris venit usus ab annis.
consilium ne sperne meum: tibi fama petatur 5
inter mortales faciendae maxima lanae;
cede deae veniamque tuis, temeraria, dictis
supplice voce roga: veniam dabit illa roganti.'
adspicit hanc torvis inceptaque fila relinquit
vixque manum retinens confessaque vultibus iram 10
talibus obscuram resecuta est Pallada dictis:
'mentis inops longaque venis confecta senecta,
et nimium vixisse diu nocet. audiat istas,
si qua tibi nurus est, si qua est tibi filia, voces;
consilii satis est in me mihi, neve monendo 15
profecisse putes, eadem est sententia nobis.
cur non ipsa venit? cur haec certamina vitat?'
The girl's reaction to Minerva's words is __________.
anger
acceptance
sadness
happiness
anger
The girl's reaction to Minerva's words is revealed in line 10 ("vixque...iram"): And scarcely holding back her hand and having revealed her anger with her expressions.
(Passage adapted from Metamorphoses by Ovid, VI.26-42)
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