AP Latin : Content in Vergil
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Syllabus Passages
Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos,
sollemnis taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras.
Ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta
(horresco referens) immensis orbibus angues
incumbunt pelago pariterque ad litora tendunt; 5
pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque
sanguineae superant undas, pars cetera pontum
pone legit sinuatque immensa volumine terga.
Fit sonitus spumante salo; iamque arva tenebant
ardentisque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni 10
sibila lambebant linguis vibrantibus ora.
Diffugimus visu exsangues. Illi agmine certo
Laocoonta petunt; et primum parva duorum
corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque
implicat et miseros morsu depascitur artus. 15
The underlined word "pectora" in line 6 refers to __________.
monsters
bending
fish
chest
chest
The word "pectora" comes from the noun "pectus," "pectoris," which refers to the chest area of the body. It can also be used to refer to the heart or soul.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 2.201-215)
Example Question #2 : 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,
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
What does the word "conderet" mean?
To condition
To found
To preserve
To sing
To found
"Conderet" comes from the word "condo," "condere," which means to found.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)
Example Question #2 : 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
What is the case of "opum" in line 3?
Nominative
Genitive
Vocative
Accusative
Genitive
The word "opum" comes from "ops," "opis," a third declension noun. The "-um" ending is only seen in the genitive plural of the third declension. Therefore, the answer is "genetive."
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.12-16)
Example Question #3 : Syllabus Passages
Hinc via Tartarei quae fert Acherontis ad undas.
turbidus hic caeno vastaque voragine gurges
aestuat atque omnem Cocyto eructat harenam.
Portitor has horrendus aquas et flumina servat
terribili squalore Charon, cui plurima mento 5
canities inculta iacet, stant lumina flamma,
sordidus ex umeris nodo dependet amictus.
Ipse ratem conto subigit velisque ministrat
et ferruginea subvectat corpora cumba,
iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus. 10
Huc omnis turba ad ripas effusa ruebat,
matres atque viri defunctaque corpora vita
magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptaeque puellae,
impositique rogis iuvenes ante ora parentum . . .
How should "hinc" (line 1) be translated?
With him
To there
From here
By him
From here
The word "hinc" translates at from here or from this place.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.295-308)
Example Question #1 : Vocabulary In Vergil
Hinc via Tartarei quae fert Acherontis ad undas.
turbidus hic caeno vastaque voragine gurges
aestuat atque omnem Cocyto eructat harenam.
Portitor has horrendus aquas et flumina servat
terribili squalore Charon, cui plurima mento 5
canities inculta iacet, stant lumina flamma,
sordidus ex umeris nodo dependet amictus.
Ipse ratem conto subigit velisque ministrat
et ferruginea subvectat corpora cumba,
iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus. 10
Huc omnis turba ad ripas effusa ruebat,
matres atque viri defunctaque corpora vita
magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptaeque puellae,
impositique rogis iuvenes ante ora parentum . . .
The word "tartarei" (line 1) refers to __________.
Carthage
the underworld
Garum
Greece
the underworld
The word "tartareus, a, um" means belonging to the underworld. "Tartarus" is one of the words for the underworld. It is also referred to by other names, such as "Orcus." Additionally, "Acherontis" is one of the rivers of the underworld.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.295-308)
Example Question #2 : Syllabus Passages
Hinc via Tartarei quae fert Acherontis ad undas.
turbidus hic caeno vastaque voragine gurges
aestuat atque omnem Cocyto eructat harenam.
Portitor has horrendus aquas et flumina servat
terribili squalore Charon, cui plurima mento 5
canities inculta iacet, stant lumina flamma,
sordidus ex umeris nodo dependet amictus.
Ipse ratem conto subigit velisque ministrat
et ferruginea subvectat corpora cumba,
iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus. 10
Huc omnis turba ad ripas effusa ruebat,
matres atque viri defunctaque corpora vita
magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptaeque puellae,
impositique rogis iuvenes ante ora parentum . . .
What is another word for "ratem" (line 8)?
Navigo
Mare
Navis
Nauta
Navis
The word "ratem" comes from "rates, ratis," and means ship. The only other word for ship here is "navis."
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.295-308)
Example Question #3 : Syllabus Passages
Hinc via Tartarei quae fert Acherontis ad undas.
turbidus hic caeno vastaque voragine gurges
aestuat atque omnem Cocyto eructat harenam.
Portitor has horrendus aquas et flumina servat
terribili squalore Charon, cui plurima mento 5
canities inculta iacet, stant lumina flamma,
sordidus ex umeris nodo dependet amictus.
Ipse ratem conto subigit velisque ministrat
et ferruginea subvectat corpora cumba,
iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus. 10
Huc omnis turba ad ripas effusa ruebat,
matres atque viri defunctaque corpora vita
magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptaeque puellae,
impositique rogis iuvenes ante ora parentum . . .
The word "ruebat" (line 11) translates as __________.
It destroyed
It regretted
It hated
It cried
It destroyed
"Ruebat" comes from "ruo, ruere," which means to destroy. The best translation here is it destroyed.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.295-308)
Example Question #1 : Vocabulary In Vergil
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 translation of "ait" (line 2)?
He is
He cries
He said
He shouts
He said
"Ait" is a common word for he says/said in Vergil. It is interchangeable with "inquit."
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.317-325)
Example Question #2 : Vocabulary In Vergil
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 . . .
"Proles" (line 6) translates as which of the following?
Spears
Diety
Offspring
Poles
Offspring
The word "proles" translates as offspring and is a word that frequently comes up in Vergil's Aenied in order to refer to different races, the descendents of people, and so on.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.317-325)
Example Question #10 : 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 translation of "hae" (line 4)?
The sands
From there
These
To him
These
"Hae" is the feminine plural form of "hic, haec, hoc." It translates as these.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.317-325)
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