AP Latin : Poetry
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : 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 ____________.
holy
flame
stars
grave
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 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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 ___________.
mountains
shores
arena
sands
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 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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 play
to struggle
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 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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
joy
honor
joy
The word "laetitia" translates as joy or happiness.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #15 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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 ___________.
idiot
rich
fat
mean
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 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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 whispers
she gossips
she yells
she speaks badly of
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 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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)?
Once
Since
A certain one
Also
Once
The word "quondam" translates as once/formerly.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #18 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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 say
to love
to decide
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 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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 __________.
how much
so much
little
great
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 : Vocabulary In Poetry Passages
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
gnats
cats
children
The word "gnatos" comes from "gnatus," "gnati," which means children.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
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