AP Latin : AP Latin Language
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #13 : Sight Reading
Passer, deliciae meae puellae,
quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere,
cui primum digitum dare appetenti
et acris solet incitare morsus,
cum desiderio meo nitenti 5
carum nescio quid lubet iocari
et solaciolum sui doloris,
credo ut tum gravis acquiescat ardor:
tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem
et tristis animi levare curas! 10
"Nitenti" (line 5) comes from the verb meaning ____________.
to play
to find
to struggle
to shine
to shine
The word "nitenti" comes from "niteo," "nitere," which means to shine. The author compares the bird to shining (as in an object of great affection), as opposed to him.
(Passage adapted from "Poem II" by Gaius Valerius Catullus, 1-10)
Example Question #13 : Poetry
Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res, 5
irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.
The word "laetitia" in line 2 means __________.
lights
honor
task
joy
joy
The word "laetitia" translates as joy or happiness.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #14 : Poetry
Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res, 5
irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.
The word "fatuo" (line 2) means ___________.
rich
idiot
mean
fat
idiot
The word "fatuo" comes from "fatuus, a, um," which means stupid or silly. The best choice provided here is "idiot."
Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #15 : Poetry
Lesbia mi praesente viro mala plurima dicit:
haec illi fatuo maxima laetitia est.
mule, nihil sentis? si nostri oblita taceret,
sana esset: nunc quod gannit et obloquitur,
non solum meminit, sed, quae multo acrior est res, 5
irata est. hoc est, uritur et loquitur.
The word "gannit" (line 4) translates as __________.
she yells
she gossips
she speaks badly of
she whispers
she speaks badly of
The word "gannit" comes from "gannio," "gannire," which means to speak about someone in a hostile manner. The best choice here is, "she speaks badly of."
Passage adapted from "Carmen 83" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #16 : Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
What is the translation of "quondam" (line 1)?
Since
Once
A certain one
Also
Once
The word "quondam" translates as once/formerly.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #17 : Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
The word "dilexi" (line 3) comes from the word meaning _____________.
to love
to lie
to say
to decide
to love
The word "dilexi" comes from "diligo," "diligere," "dilexi," "dilectus," another common word for to love.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #18 : Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
The word "tantum" (line 2) translates as __________.
how much
so much
great
little
so much
The word "tantum" translates as so much/to such an extent.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #19 : Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
The word "gnatos" (line 4) means ___________.
cats
family
children
gnats
children
The word "gnatos" comes from "gnatus," "gnati," which means children.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #21 : Poetry
Dicebas quondam solum te nosse Catullum,
Lesbia, nec prae me velle tenere Iovem.
dilexi tum te non tantum ut vulgus amicam,
sed pater ut gnatos diligit et generos.
nunc te cognovi: quare etsi impensius uror, 5
multo mi tamen es vilior et levior.
qui potis est, inquis? quod amantem iniuria talis
cogit amare magis, sed bene velle minus.
The word "uror" (line 5) translates as ____________.
I burn
I urge
I am urged
I am burned
I am burned
The word "uror" comes from "uro," "urere," which means to burn. The "-r" on the end of this form tells us that the verb is in the passive voice, so the best translation is I am burned.
Passage adapted from "Carmen 72" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
Example Question #22 : Poetry
Ille mi par esse deo videtur,
ille, si fas est, superare divos,
qui sedens adversus identidem te
spectat et audit
dulce ridentem, misero quod omnis 5
eripit sensus mihi: nam simul te,
Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi
lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus
flamma demanat, sonitu suopte
tintinant aures gemina, teguntur 10
lumina nocte.
otium, Catulle, tibi molestum est:
otio exsultas nimiumque gestis:
otium et reges prius et beatas
perdidit urbes. 15
What is the translation of the word "fas" (line 2)?
Torch
Seen
Is
Right
Right
The word "fas" is a special word that does not decline. It translates as morally right, just, or allowed. It often appears in this exact phrasing: "si fas est" - if it is right.
Passage adapted from "Poem 51" by Gaius Valerius Catullus
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