AP Latin : Syntax of Prose Passages
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Prose
Ac mihi quidem videtur, iudices, hic introitus defensionis adulescentiae M. Caeli maxime convenire, ut ad ea, quae accusatores deformandi huius causa, detrahendae spoliandaeque dignitatis gratia dixerunt, primum respondeam. Obiectus est pater varie, quod aut parum splendidus ipse aut parum pie tractatus a filio diceretur. De dignitate M. Caelius notis ac maioribus natu et sine mea oratione et tacitus facile ipse respondet; quibus autem propter senectutem, quod iam diu minus in foro nobiscumque versatur, non aeque est cognitus, ii sic habeant, quaecumque in equite Romano dignitas esse possit, quae certe potest esse maxima, eam semper in M. Caelio habitam esse summam hodieque haberi non solum a suis, sed etiam ab omnibus, quibus potuerit aliqua de causa esse notus.
How should "obiectus est" be translated?
He is opposed
He opposed
He is having been opposed
He opposes
He is opposed
When the perfect passive participle is combined with a form of the verb "sum, esse," it creates what is called a periphrastic, which changes the translation of the participle a bit. The perfect passive participle "+ sum, esse" (present tense) forms the perfect passive translation of the verb. It should be translated as: he is opposed.
(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 2 (56 BCE))
Example Question #92 : Prose
Ac mihi quidem videtur, iudices, hic introitus defensionis adulescentiae M. Caeli maxime convenire, ut ad ea, quae accusatores deformandi huius causa, detrahendae spoliandaeque dignitatis gratia dixerunt, primum respondeam. Obiectus est pater varie, quod aut parum splendidus ipse aut parum pie tractatus a filio diceretur. De dignitate M. Caelius notis ac maioribus natu et sine mea oratione et tacitus facile ipse respondet; quibus autem propter senectutem, quod iam diu minus in foro nobiscumque versatur, non aeque est cognitus, ii sic habeant, quaecumque in equite Romano dignitas esse possit, quae certe potest esse maxima, eam semper in M. Caelio habitam esse summam hodieque haberi non solum a suis, sed etiam ab omnibus, quibus potuerit aliqua de causa esse notus.
The word "videtur" should be translated as __________.
it seems
she watches
he is watched
he sees
it seems
The word "videtur" comes from "video, videre, vidi, visus." "Videtur" is the passive voice form of "videt." When this verb is in the passive voice, it is most often translated as to seem. "It seems" is therefore the best choice.
(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 2 (56 BCE))
Example Question #93 : Prose
Ac mihi quidem videtur, iudices, hic introitus defensionis adulescentiae M. Caeli maxime convenire, ut ad ea, quae accusatores deformandi huius causa, detrahendae spoliandaeque dignitatis gratia dixerunt, primum respondeam. Obiectus est pater varie, quod aut parum splendidus ipse aut parum pie tractatus a filio diceretur. De dignitate M. Caelius notis ac maioribus natu et sine mea oratione et tacitus facile ipse respondet; quibus autem propter senectutem, quod iam diu minus in foro nobiscumque versatur, non aeque est cognitus, ii sic habeant, quaecumque in equite Romano dignitas esse possit, quae certe potest esse maxima, eam semper in M. Caelio habitam esse summam hodieque haberi non solum a suis, sed etiam ab omnibus, quibus potuerit aliqua de causa esse notus.
The word "haberi" should be translated as __________.
to be held
I will hold
I will have held
to hold
to be held
The word "haberi" comes from the verb "habeo, habere, habui, habitus," which means to have/hold. Haberi is the passive infinitive form of this verb. Since there is no special clause that it is a part of, it should be translated to be held.
(Passage adapted from Cicero's Pro Caelio, Section 2 (56 BCE))
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