AP Latin : Sight Reading

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion In Poetry

Hector adest secumque deos in proelia ducit,
quaque ruit, non tu tantum terreris, Ulixe,
sed fortes etiam: tantum trahit ille timoris.
hunc ego sanguineae successu caedis ovantem              
eminus ingenti resupinum pondere fudi,                       5
hunc ego poscentem, cum quo concurreret, unus
sustinui: sortemque meam vovistis, Achivi,
et vestrae valuere preces. si quaeritis huius
fortunam pugnae, non sum superatus ab illo.              
ecce ferunt Troes ferrumque ignesque Iovemque          10
in Danaas classes: ubi nunc facundus Ulixes?
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes,
spem vestri reditus: date pro tot navibus arma.

"Pondere" in line 5 is ___________.

Possible Answers:

an adverb

a participle

an ablative case noun

an infinitive

Correct answer:

an ablative case noun

Explanation:

The word "pondere" comes from "pondus, ponderis," which is a noun meaning a weight or burden.

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 82-95)

Example Question #241 : Sight Reading

Hector adest secumque deos in proelia ducit,
quaque ruit, non tu tantum terreris, Ulixe,
sed fortes etiam: tantum trahit ille timoris.
hunc ego sanguineae successu caedis ovantem              
eminus ingenti resupinum pondere fudi,                       5
hunc ego poscentem, cum quo concurreret, unus
sustinui: sortemque meam vovistis, Achivi,
et vestrae valuere preces. si quaeritis huius
fortunam pugnae, non sum superatus ab illo.              
ecce ferunt Troes ferrumque ignesque Iovemque          10
in Danaas classes: ubi nunc facundus Ulixes?
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes,
spem vestri reditus: date pro tot navibus arma.

What is the use of the word "proelia" in line 1?

Possible Answers:

Subject of "ducit" (line 1)

Modifies "deos" (line 1)

Object of "ducit" (line 1)

Object of "in" (line 1)

Correct answer:

Object of "in" (line 1)

Explanation:

The word "proelia" comes from "proelium, proelii." In this sentence, proelia is in the accusative case because it is the object of the preposition "in," to be translated as into the battles.

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 82-95)

Example Question #62 : Poetic Syntax

Hector adest secumque deos in proelia ducit,
quaque ruit, non tu tantum terreris, Ulixe,
sed fortes etiam: tantum trahit ille timoris.
hunc ego sanguineae successu caedis ovantem              
eminus ingenti resupinum pondere fudi,                       5
hunc ego poscentem, cum quo concurreret, unus
sustinui: sortemque meam vovistis, Achivi,
et vestrae valuere preces. si quaeritis huius
fortunam pugnae, non sum superatus ab illo.              
ecce ferunt Troes ferrumque ignesque Iovemque          10
in Danaas classes: ubi nunc facundus Ulixes?
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes,
spem vestri reditus: date pro tot navibus arma.

The word "poscentem" in line 6 should be translated as _____________.

Possible Answers:

demanding

demand

having demanded

he demands

Correct answer:

demanding

Explanation:

The word "poscentem" comes from "posco, poscere," which means to demand. The form "poscentem" is the present active participle (from "poscens, poscentis") and should be translated as demanding.

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 82-95)

Example Question #63 : Poetic Syntax

Hector adest secumque deos in proelia ducit,
quaque ruit, non tu tantum terreris, Ulixe,
sed fortes etiam: tantum trahit ille timoris.
hunc ego sanguineae successu caedis ovantem              
eminus ingenti resupinum pondere fudi,                       5
hunc ego poscentem, cum quo concurreret, unus
sustinui: sortemque meam vovistis, Achivi,
et vestrae valuere preces. si quaeritis huius
fortunam pugnae, non sum superatus ab illo.              
ecce ferunt Troes ferrumque ignesque Iovemque          10
in Danaas classes: ubi nunc facundus Ulixes?
nempe ego mille meo protexi pectore puppes,
spem vestri reditus: date pro tot navibus arma.

How should the word "valuere" in line 8 be translated?

Possible Answers:

Haivng been strong

To greet

To be powerful

They were strong

Correct answer:

They were strong

Explanation:

The word "valuere" is an example of a syncopated verb. It is the shortened form for "valuerunt," which comes from the verb "valeo, valere, valui" - to be strong. This form should be translated they were strong. The syncopated form is noticeable because, even though it looks like an infinitive with the "-ere" ending, it makes use of the perfect stem of this verb ("valu-").

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 82-95)

Example Question #64 : Poetic Syntax

Quo tamen haec Ithaco, qui clam, qui semper inermis
rem gerit et furtis incautum decipit hostem?
ipse nitor galeae claro radiantis ab auro              
insidias prodet manifestabitque latentem;
sed neque Dulichius sub Achillis casside vertex                5
pondera tanta feret, nec non onerosa gravisque
Pelias hasta potest inbellibus esse lacertis,
nec clipeus vasti caelatus imagine mundi               
conveniet timidae nataeque ad furta sinistrae:
debilitaturum quid te petis, inprobe, munus,                    10
quod tibi si populi donaverit error Achivi,
cur spolieris, erit, non, cur metuaris ab hoste,
et fuga, qua sola cunctos, timidissime, vincis,              
tarda futura tibi est gestamina tanta trahenti?

Which word is the subject of "prodet"on line 4?

Possible Answers:

"insidias" (line 4)

"auro" (line 3)

"nitor" (line 3)

"Ipse" (line 3)

Correct answer:

"Ipse" (line 3)

Explanation:

The only word of these choices that is in the nominative case (and therefore could be the subject of this verb) is "ipse."

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 103-117)

Example Question #65 : Poetic Syntax

Quo tamen haec Ithaco, qui clam, qui semper inermis
rem gerit et furtis incautum decipit hostem?
ipse nitor galeae claro radiantis ab auro              
insidias prodet manifestabitque latentem;
sed neque Dulichius sub Achillis casside vertex                5
pondera tanta feret, nec non onerosa gravisque
Pelias hasta potest inbellibus esse lacertis,
nec clipeus vasti caelatus imagine mundi               
conveniet timidae nataeque ad furta sinistrae:
debilitaturum quid te petis, inprobe, munus,                    10
quod tibi si populi donaverit error Achivi,
cur spolieris, erit, non, cur metuaris ab hoste,
et fuga, qua sola cunctos, timidissime, vincis,              
tarda futura tibi est gestamina tanta trahenti?

Which word is the subject of "feret" (line 6)?

Possible Answers:

"casside" (line 5)

"Achillis" (line 5)

"vertex" (line 5)

"pondera" (line 6)

Correct answer:

"vertex" (line 5)

Explanation:

The only answer choice that is in the nominative case (and therefore could be the subject of this verb) is "vertex."

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 103-117)

Example Question #66 : Poetic Syntax

At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,              
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi.                     5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum              
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,]                           10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,             
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.

How should "pensandum" in line 3 be translated?

Possible Answers:

Considered

It considered

Considering

Must be considered

Correct answer:

Must be considered

Explanation:

The word "pensandum" should be translated as must be considered, since the word is a gerundive adjective. Considered would be the translation for Perfect Passive Participle, it considered for the perfect tense, and considering for the present active participle.

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)

Example Question #67 : Poetic Syntax

At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,              
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi.                     5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum              
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,]                           10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,             
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.

What is the use of "praemia" in line 1?

Possible Answers:

Ablative of Separation

Object of "date" (line 1)

Subject of "date" (line 1)

Ablative, with "vestro" (line 1)

Correct answer:

Object of "date" (line 1)

Explanation:

The word "praemia" comes from "praemium, praemii," which means a reward. "Praemia"as used here is the accusative plural form ("praemium" is neuter), since it is acting as the object of the imperative verb date.

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)

Example Question #68 : Poetic Syntax

At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,              
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi.                     5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum              
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,]                           10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,             
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.

"Faciendo" in line 5 is a __________.

Possible Answers:

Gerund

Gerundive

Present Active Participle

Perfect Passive Participle

Correct answer:

Gerund

Explanation:

"Faciendo" in line 5 is translated as by doing. Since it is being used as a noun in the sentence, it is a gerund.

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)

Example Question #69 : Poetic Syntax

At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,              
proque tot annorum cura, quibus anxius egi,
hunc titulum meritis pensandum reddite nostris:
iam labor in fine est; obstantia fata removi
altaque posse capi faciendo Pergama, cepi.                     5
per spes nunc socias casuraque moenia Troum              
perque deos oro, quos hosti nuper ademi,
per siquid superest, quod sit sapienter agendum,
siquid adhuc audax ex praecipitique petendum est,
[si Troiae fatis aliquid restare putatis,]                           10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,             
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.

"Casura" in line 6 should be translated __________.

Possible Answers:

falling

having fell

about to fall

it will fall

Correct answer:

about to fall

Explanation:

The word "casura" is an example of a future active participle, which should be translated as about to ______About to fall is the best choice.

(Passage adapted from Ovid's Metamorphoses, 8. 370-382)

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