AP Latin : Vocabulary in Vergil

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Vergil

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

chest

fish

bending

monsters

Correct answer:

chest

Explanation:

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 #1 : Vocabulary In Vergil

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?

Possible Answers:

To sing

To condition

To preserve

To found

Correct answer:

To found

Explanation:

"Conderet" comes from the word "condo," "condere," which means to found.

(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 1.1-7)

Example Question #3 : 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?

Possible Answers:

Vocative

Nominative

Genitive

Accusative

Correct answer:

Genitive

Explanation:

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 #4 : 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?

Possible Answers:

With him

From here

By him

To there

Correct answer:

From here

Explanation:

The word "hinc" translates at from here or from this place.

(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.295-308)

Example Question #5 : 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 "tartarei" (line 1) refers to __________.

Possible Answers:

the underworld

Carthage

Garum

Greece

Correct answer:

the underworld

Explanation:

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 #6 : 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)?

Possible Answers:

Nauta

Navigo

Navis

Mare

Correct answer:

Navis

Explanation:

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 #7 : 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 __________.

Possible Answers:

It destroyed

It cried

It regretted

It hated

Correct answer:

It destroyed

Explanation:

"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 : 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)?

Possible Answers:

He is

He said

He cries

He shouts

Correct answer:

He said

Explanation:

"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 #21 : Ap Latin Language

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?

Possible Answers:

Offspring

Diety

Spears

Poles

Correct answer:

Offspring

Explanation:

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 #2 : 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 "hae" (line 4)?

Possible Answers:

The sands

To him

These

From there

Correct answer:

These

Explanation:

"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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