AP Latin : Grammar, Syntax, and Scansion in Prose Passages

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion In Prose Passages

Si quis, iudices, forte nunc adsit ignarus legum, iudiciorum, consuetudinis nostrae, miretur profecto, quae sit tanta atrocitas huiusce causae, quod diebus festis ludisque publicis, omnibus forensibus negotiis intermissis unum hoc iudicium exerceatur, nec dubitet, quin tanti facinoris reus arguatur, ut eo neglecto civitas stare non possit; idem cum audiat esse legem, quae de seditiosis consceleratisque civibus, qui armati senatum obsederint, magistratibus vim attulerint, rem publicam oppugnarint, cotidie quaeri iubeat: legem non improbet, crimen quod versetur in iudicio, requirat; cum audiat nullum facinus, nullam audaciam, nullam vim in iudicium vocari, sed adulescentem illustri ingenio, industria, gratia accusari ab eius filio, quem ipse in iudicium et vocet et vocarit, oppugnari autem opibus meretriciis: [Atratini] illius pietatem non reprehendat, muliebrem libidinem comprimendam putet, vos laboriosos existimet, quibus otiosis ne in communi quidem otio liceat esse.

What is the use of "festis"?

Possible Answers:

Genitive of Possession

Ablative Time When

Dative Indirect Object

Ablative of Accompaniment

Correct answer:

Ablative Time When

Explanation:

The word "festis" is being modified by "diebus," to indicate a currently occurring period of time. This is called "Ablative Time When."

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 1 (56 BCE))

Example Question #42 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion In Prose Passages

Si quis, iudices, forte nunc adsit ignarus legum, iudiciorum, consuetudinis nostrae, miretur profecto, quae sit tanta atrocitas huiusce causae, quod diebus festis ludisque publicis, omnibus forensibus negotiis intermissis unum hoc iudicium exerceatur, nec dubitet, quin tanti facinoris reus arguatur, ut eo neglecto civitas stare non possit; idem cum audiat esse legem, quae de seditiosis consceleratisque civibus, qui armati senatum obsederint, magistratibus vim attulerint, rem publicam oppugnarint, cotidie quaeri iubeat: legem non improbet, crimen quod versetur in iudicio, requirat; cum audiat nullum facinus, nullam audaciam, nullam vim in iudicium vocari, sed adulescentem illustri ingenio, industria, gratia accusari ab eius filio, quem ipse in iudicium et vocet et vocarit, oppugnari autem opibus meretriciis: [Atratini] illius pietatem non reprehendat, muliebrem libidinem comprimendam putet, vos laboriosos existimet, quibus otiosis ne in communi quidem otio liceat esse.

The words "eo neglecto" is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

Ablative of Separation

Ablative with a Preposition

Ablative of Specification

Ablative Absolute

Correct answer:

Ablative Absolute

Explanation:

The phrase "eo neglecto" is an example of an ablative absolute. You have the pronoun eo paired with a perfect passive participle: "neglecto." This is a common way to form the ablative absolute and the phrase should be translated as with him neglected/disregarded.

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 1 (56 BCE))

Example Question #41 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion 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.

In which form of the subjective is "respondeam"?

Possible Answers:

The Potential Subjunctive

The Horatory Subjunctive

Deliberative Subjunctive

The Jussive Subjunctive

Correct answer:

The Jussive Subjunctive

Explanation:

The word "respondeam" is not in an "ut" clause, so it must be an independent use of the subjunctive. The verb "respondeam" is being used to issue a command: let me____, which is called the jussive subjunctive use.

(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 2 (56 BCE))

Example Question #42 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion 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 place where

As an ablative of means

As an ablative of specification

None of the other answers is accurate

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 #43 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion 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 Agent

Ablative of Accompaniment

Ablative of Means

Ablative of Manner

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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