AP Latin : Syllabus Passages
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
All AP Latin Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Syllabus Passages
Aeneas miratus enim motusque tumultu
'dic,' ait, 'o virgo, quid vult concursus ad amnem?
quidve petunt animae? vel quo discrimine ripas
hae linquunt, illae remis vada livida verrunt?'
olli sic breviter fata est longaeva sacerdos: 5
'Anchisa generate, deum certissima proles,
Cocyti stagna alta vides Stygiamque paludem,
di cuius iurare timent et fallere numen.
haec omnis, quam cernis, inops inhumataque turba est . . .
What is the best translation of "sacerdos" (line 5)?
Priest
Priestesses
Cursed
Sacred
Priest
The word sacerdos comes from "sacerdos, sacerdotis" and is a noun meaning a priest or priestess. This form, however, is singular, so priestesses would not be correct.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.317-325)
Example Question #12 : Syllabus Passages
Aeneas miratus enim motusque tumultu
'dic,' ait, 'o virgo, quid vult concursus ad amnem?
quidve petunt animae? vel quo discrimine ripas
hae linquunt, illae remis vada livida verrunt?'
olli sic breviter fata est longaeva sacerdos: 5
'Anchisa generate, deum certissima proles,
Cocyti stagna alta vides Stygiamque paludem,
di cuius iurare timent et fallere numen.
haec omnis, quam cernis, inops inhumataque turba est . . .
The word "numen" in line 8 translates as which of the following?
River
Divine will
Name
Numitor
Divine will
The word "numen" appears often in the Aeneid and can be used to refer to a god or divine will. Here, it is claimed that the gods fear to swear and deceive divine will (fate). In other words, the gods would rather not get in the way of fate.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.317-325)
Example Question #13 : Syllabus Passages
inter quas Phoenissa recens a vulnere Dido
errabat silva in magna; quam Troius heros
ut primum iuxta stetit agnovitque per umbras
obscuram, qualem primo qui surgere mense
aut videt aut vidisse putat per nubila lunam, 5
demisit lacrimas dulcique adfatus amore est:
'infelix Dido, verus mihi nuntius ergo
venerat exstinctam ferroque extrema secutam?
funeris heu tibi causa fui? per sidera iuro,
per superos et si qua fides tellure sub ima est, 10
inuitus, regina, tuo de litore cessi.
The word "heu" in line 9 translates as which of the following?
Alas
They
These
Those
Alas
The word "heu" is a shortened form of "eheu," which translates as alas.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.450-460)
Example Question #14 : Syllabus Passages
inter quas Phoenissa recens a vulnere Dido
errabat silva in magna; quam Troius heros
ut primum iuxta stetit agnovitque per umbras
obscuram, qualem primo qui surgere mense
aut videt aut vidisse putat per nubila lunam, 5
demisit lacrimas dulcique adfatus amore est:
'infelix Dido, verus mihi nuntius ergo
venerat exstinctam ferroque extrema secutam?
funeris heu tibi causa fui? per sidera iuro,
per superos et si qua fides tellure sub ima est, 10
inuitus, regina, tuo de litore cessi.
The word "tellure" (line 10) translates as which of the following?
At Tellus
Under the Earth
From the land
With the Telluran ____.
Under the Earth
The word "tellure" comes from "tellus, telluris," meaning Earth. It is one of the many words that are used to refer to the Earth in Vergil's Aeneid. It is paired with the word "sub" here, so the best translation is under the Earth.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.450-460)
Example Question #15 : Syllabus Passages
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram;
multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem, 5
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
Which word is a synonym for "litora"?
Litteras
Oras
Libros
Terras
Oras
The word "litora" means shores. The only other word that matches this definition is "oras." "Litteras" refers to the letters of the alphabet, "libros" means books, and "terras" means lands.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Example Question #16 : Syllabus Passages
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram;
multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem, 5
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
The word "genus" (line 6) means which of the following?
Latin
Shield
Knee
Race
Race
The word "genus" comes from "genus, generis" and means a race of people. Do not confuse this with "genu, genus," knee.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Example Question #17 : Syllabus Passages
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram;
multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem, 5
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
The word "moenia" (line 7) means which of the following?
Walls
Treasures
Armor
Camps
Walls
The word "moenia" appears often in Vergil's Aeneid and means walls, as in the walls of a city.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Example Question #18 : Syllabus Passages
Urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,
Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe
ostia, dives opum studiisque asperrima belli;
quam Iuno fertur terris magis omnibus unam
posthabita coluisse Samo; hic illius arma, 5
hic currus fuit; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,
si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque.
Progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci
audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces
The word "ostia" (line 3) means __________.
country
entrance
city
river
entrance
The word "ostia" means an entrance. It can be used to refer to a port, like Rome's port city, Ostia.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Example Question #19 : Syllabus Passages
Urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,
Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe
ostia, dives opum studiisque asperrima belli;
quam Iuno fertur terris magis omnibus unam
posthabita coluisse Samo; hic illius arma, 5
hic currus fuit; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,
si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque.
Progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci
audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces
The word "dives" (line 3) means __________.
strong
rich
famous
gods
rich
The word "dives" comes from "dives, divitis" and can be an adjective meaning rich or a noun meaning a rich person.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Example Question #20 : Syllabus Passages
Urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,
Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe
ostia, dives opum studiisque asperrima belli;
quam Iuno fertur terris magis omnibus unam
posthabita coluisse Samo; hic illius arma, 5
hic currus fuit; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,
si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque.
Progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci
audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces
The word "opum" (line 3) means __________.
influence
opium
fortifications
service
influence
The word "opum" comes from "ops, opis," which refers to power or influence.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All AP Latin Resources
