AP Latin : Poetic Syntax

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #252 :Poetry

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,
[siTroiaefatis aliquid restare putatis,] 10
este mei memores! aut si mihi non datis arma,
huic date!' et ostendit signum fatale Minervae.f

Which word does "Troiae" in line 10 modify?

Possible Answers:

"fatis"(line 10)

"putatis" (line 10)

"aliquid" (line 10)

"restare" (line 10)

Correct answer:

"fatis"(line 10)

Explanation:

The word "Troiae"in in the genitive case, describing the word "fatis." The phrase translates as:with the fates of Troy.

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

Example Question #253 :Poetry

At vos, o proceres, vigili date praemia vestro,
proque tot annorum cura,quibusanxius 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 antecedent of "quibus" in line 2?

Possible Answers:

"cura" (line 2)

"praemia" (line 1)

"vestro"(line 1)

"annorum" (line 2)

Correct answer:

"annorum" (line 2)

Explanation:

The antecedent of "quibus" in line 2 is "cura" (line 2). While relative pronouns must agree in number and gender, they do not need to agree in case. The only plural choices are "praemia" and "annorum," but the context of the passage makes "annorum" the more logical choice, since the phrase isin which I strive anxiously. You cannot strive in rewards, so "annorum" is the better choice.

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

Example Question #254 :Poetry

Occiderat Tatius, populisque aequata duobus,
Romule, iura dabas: posita cum casside Mavors
talibus adfatur divumque hominumque parentem:
'tempus adest, genitor, quoniam fundamine magno
res Romana valet nec praeside pendet ab uno, 5
praemia, (sunt promissa mihi dignoque nepoti)
solvere et ablatum terris inponere caelo.
tu mihi concilio quondam praesente deorum
(nam memoro memorique animo pia verba notavi)
"unus erit, quem tu tolles in caerula caeli" 10
dixisti: rata sit verborum summa tuorum!'
adnuit omnipotens et nubibusaeracaecis
occuluit tonitruque et fulgure terruit orbem.

What is the case and number of "aera" in line 12?

Possible Answers:

Ablative Singular

Accusative Plural

主格复数

Nominative Singular

Correct answer:

Accusative Plural

Explanation:

The word "aera" comes from "aer, aeris," which can be neuter and meansair/sky. In this sentence, "aera" is acting as the direct object of the verb "occuluit," so it must be in the accusative case.

(Passage adapted from Ovid'sMetamorphoses, 9. 805-818)

Example Question #255 :Poetry

Occiderat Tatius, populisque aequata duobus,
Romule, iura dabas: posita cum casside Mavors
talibus adfatur divumque hominumque parentem:
'tempus adest, genitor, quoniam fundamine magno
res Romana valet nec praeside pendet ab uno, 5
praemia, (sunt promissa mihi dignoque nepoti)
solvere et ablatum terris inponere caelo.
tu mihi concilio quondam praesente deorum
(nam memoro memorique animo pia verba notavi)
"unus erit, quem tu tolles in caerula caeli" 10
dixisti: rata sit verborum summa tuorum!'
adnuit omnipotens et nubibus aera caecis
occuluit tonitruque et fulgure terruit orbem.

How is the word "iura" (line 2) being used?

Possible Answers:

Main verb

Object of "dabas" (line 2)

Ablative of Accompaniment

Subject of "dabas" (line 2)

Correct answer:

Object of "dabas" (line 2)

Explanation:

The word "iura" as used here comes from "ius, iuris," a neuter, third declension noun meaninglaw. "Iura" is in the accusative case, acting as the direct object of "dabas."

(Passage adapted from Ovid'sMetamorphoses, 9. 805-818)

Example Question #71 :Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion In Poetry

Occiderat Tatius, populisque aequata duobus,
Romule, iura dabas: posita cum casside Mavors
talibusadfaturdivumque hominumque parentem:
'tempus adest, genitor, quoniam fundamine magno
res Romana valet nec praeside pendet ab uno, 5
praemia, (sunt promissa mihi dignoque nepoti)
solvere et ablatum terris inponere caelo.
tu mihi concilio quondam praesente deorum
(nam memoro memorique animo pia verba notavi)
"unus erit, quem tu tolles in caerula caeli" 10
dixisti: rata sit verborum summa tuorum!'
adnuit omnipotens et nubibus aera caecis
occuluit tonitruque et fulgure terruit orbem.

The word "adfatur" (line 3) should be translated as___________.

Possible Answers:

he wants to speak

you are spoken to

he speaks to

he is spoken to

Correct answer:

he speaks to

Explanation:

The word "adfatur" comes from"adfor, adfari, adfatus sum," which is a deponent verb. Remember, deponent verbs look passive, but translate actively. The correct translation is "he speaks to."

(Passage adapted from Ovid'sMetamorphoses, 9. 805-818)

Example Question #257 :Poetry

Occiderat Tatius, populisque aequata duobus,
Romule, iura dabas: posita cum casside Mavors
talibus adfatur divumque hominumque parentem:
'tempus adest,genitor, quoniam fundamine magno
res Romana valet nec praeside pendet ab uno, 5
praemia, (sunt promissa mihi dignoque nepoti)
solvere et ablatum terris inponere caelo.
tu mihi concilio quondam praesente deorum
(nam memoro memorique animo pia verba notavi)
"unus erit, quem tu tolles in caerula caeli" 10
dixisti: rata sit verborum summa tuorum!'
adnuit omnipotens et nubibus aera caecis
occuluit tonitruque et fulgure terruit orbem.

What is the case of "genitor" (line 4)?

Possible Answers:

Genitive

Nominative

Accusative

Vocative

Correct answer:

Vocative

Explanation:

The word "genitor" comes from "genitor, genitoris," which meansfather/creator. In the context of this passage, it is clear that the "genitor" is being spoken to directly, so it must be in the vocative case.

(Passage adapted from Ovid'sMetamorphoses, 9. 805-818)

Example Question #71 :Grammar, Syntax, And Scansion In Poetry

Occiderat Tatius, populisque aequata duobus,
Romule, iura dabas: posita cum casside Mavors
talibus adfatur divumque hominumque parentem:
'tempus adest, genitor, quoniam fundamine magno
res Romana valet nec praeside pendet ab uno, 5
praemia, (sunt promissa mihi dignoque nepoti)
solvere et ablatum terris inponere caelo.
tu mihi concilio quondam praesente deorum
(nam memoro memorique animopiaverba notavi)
"unus erit, quem tu tolles in caerula caeli" 10
dixisti: rata sit verborum summa tuorum!'
adnuit omnipotens et nubibus aera caecis
occuluit tonitruque et fulgure terruit orbem.

What is the case and number of "pia" (line 9)?

Possible Answers:

Nominative Singular

主格复数

Accusative Plural

Ablative Singular

Correct answer:

Accusative Plural

Explanation:

The word "pia" comes from "pius, a, um," which is an adjective meaningpious. In order to identify what case "pia" is, you must first figure out whether or not it is modifying another word. In this sentence, "pia" is modifying "verba," which is the direct object of "notavi." Since "verba"is accusative pluarl, "pia" must also be accusative plural.

(Passage adapted from Ovid'sMetamorphoses, 9. 805-818)

Example Question #259 :Poetry

Arma gravi numero violentaque bella parabam
edere, materia conveniente modis.
par erat inferior versus—risisse Cupido
dicitur atque unum surripuisse pedem.
'Quis tibi, saeve puer, dedit hoc in carmina iuris? 5
Pieridum vates, non tua turba sumus.
quid, si praeripiat flavae Venus arma Minervae,
ventilet accensas flava Minerva faces?
quis probet in silvis Cererem regnare iugosis,
lege pharetratae Virginis arva coli? 10
crinibus insignem quis acuta cuspide Phoebum
instruat, Aoniam Martemoventelyram?
sunt tibi magna, puer, nimiumque potentia regna;
cur opus adfectas, ambitiose, novum?
an, quod ubique, tuum est? tua sunt Heliconia tempe? 15

The wordmoventein line 12 is translated___________________.

Possible Answers:

Moved

Warring

Moving

Moves

Correct answer:

Moving

Explanation:

The wordmoventeis the Present Active Participle form of the verbmoveo, movere.Present Active Participles should be translatedverb-ing. The correct choice is "moving."

Passage adapted fromAmoresby Ovid, I. 1-15

Example Question #260 :Poetry

vix etiam Phoebo iam lyra tuta sua est?
cum bene surrexit versu nova pagina primo,
attenuat nervos proximus ille meos;
necmihimateria est numeris levioribus apta,
aut puer aut longas compta puella comas.' 5
Questus eram, pharetra cum protinus ille soluta
legit in exitium spicula facta meum,
lunavitque genu sinuosum fortiter arcum,
'quod' que 'canas, vates, accipe' dixit 'opus!'
Me miserum! certas habuit puer ille sagittas. 10
uror, et in vacuo pectore regnat Amor.
Sex mihi surgat opus numeris, in quinque residat:
ferrea cum vestris bella valete modis!
cingere litorea flaventia tempora myrto,
Musa, per undenos emodulanda pedes! 15

What is the role ofmihi在第4行吗?

Possible Answers:

Subject ofattenuat(line 3)

Indirect object ofattenuat(line 3)

Describesmateria

Direct object ofapta

Correct answer:

Describesmateria

Explanation:

The wordmihiis the dative singular form ofego, meus, and is being used to describe the wordmateriain this sentence. The dative is often used in Latin to show possession instead of the genitive case.

Passage adapted fromAmoresby Ovid, I. 16-30

Example Question #71 :Poetic Syntax

Armagravi numero violentaque bella parabam
edere, materia conveniente modis.
par erat inferior versus—risisse Cupido
dicitur atque unum surripuisse pedem.
'Quis tibi, saeve puer, dedit hoc in carmina iuris?
Pieridum vates, non tua turba sumus.
quid, si praeripiat flavae Venus arma Minervae,
ventilet accensas flava Minerva faces?
quis probet in silvis Cererem regnare iugosis,
lege pharetratae Virginis arva coli?
crinibus insignem quis acuta cuspide Phoebum
instruat, Aoniam Marte movente lyram?
sunt tibi magna, puer, nimiumque potentia regna;
cur opus adfectas, ambitiose, novum?
an, quod ubique, tuum est? tua sunt Heliconia tempe?

What is the role of the underlined word "arma"in line 1?

Possible Answers:

Ablative of instrument

Describes "bella"(line 1)

Direct object of "parabam" (line 1)

Subject of "parabam"(line 1)

Correct answer:

Direct object of "parabam" (line 1)

Explanation:

The word "arma" comes from "armum,""armi," meaning that "arma"is the nominative or accusative plural form of this word. Since the verb does not take a plural subject, it must be in the accusative. In fact, it is the direct object of "parabam."

(Passage adapted fromAmoresby Ovid, I.1–15)

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