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HSC Classical Greek Extension study materials
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HSC Classical Greek Extension practice questions

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Question 1Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ στρατηγὸς τοὺς στρατιώτας ἐκέλευσεν ἐπὶ τὸν ποταμὸν πορεύεσθαι, what is the grammatical function of ἐπὶ τὸν ποταμόν?

  1. It expresses motion towards: 'to the river'. Correct answer.
  2. It expresses the direct object: 'the river'.
  3. It expresses purpose: 'for the river'.
  4. It expresses position: 'by the river'.

Explanation

The preposition ἐπί with the accusative case, when used with a verb of motion such as πορεύεσθαι, expresses motion towards a place, meaning 'to' or 'towards'. The accusative τὸν ποταμόν is the object of the preposition, not the direct object of the main verb. Purpose would require a future participle or a phrase like ἵνα with the subjunctive, and position would require the dative.

Question 2Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which form is the correct aorist passive infinitive of λύω?

  1. λυθῆναι Correct answer.
  2. λῦσαι
  3. λύεσθαι
  4. λύσειν

Explanation

The aorist passive infinitive is formed from the aorist passive stem (λυθη-) plus the ending -ναι, giving λυθῆναι. The other forms are different infinitives: λύεσθαι is present middle/passive, λῦσαι is aorist active, and λύσειν is future active.

Question 3Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the phrase οἱ μὲν πολῖται ἔφευγον, οἱ δὲ ἔμενον, what does the pair μὲν ... δέ indicate?

  1. A temporal sequence.
  2. A contrast between two groups. Correct answer.
  3. A conditional clause.
  4. A causal relationship.

Explanation

The particles μέν and δέ are commonly used in correlative pairs to mark a contrast or balance between two statements or groups. Here they contrast the citizens who fled with those who stayed. They do not express time, cause, or condition on their own.

Question 4Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the case of the underlined noun in the sentence ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ πολλοὶ ἄνθρωποι ἦσαν?

  1. Genitive
  2. Accusative
  3. Dative Correct answer.
  4. Nominative

Explanation

The noun ἀγορᾷ is the object of the preposition ἐν, which takes the dative case to express location ('in the marketplace'). The ending -ᾳ is a first-declension dative singular ending. The nominative would be ἀγορά, the accusative ἀγοράν, and the genitive ἀγορᾶς.

Question 5Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following is the correct meaning of the particle ἄν when used with a past tense in a contrary-to-fact condition?

  1. It turns the verb into a question.
  2. It negates the verb.
  3. It marks the verb as unreal or hypothetical. Correct answer.
  4. It makes the statement future.

Explanation

In past contrary-to-fact conditions, ἄν is used with the indicative in the apodosis to indicate that the action is contrary to fact or hypothetical. It does not by itself make the statement future, negative, or interrogative. The tense of the indicative (usually aorist or imperfect) shows the time reference.

Question 6Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ πατὴρ τὸν υἱὸν ἔπεμψεν, what is the case of τὸν υἱόν?

  1. Dative
  2. Genitive
  3. Nominative
  4. Accusative Correct answer.

Explanation

The form τὸν υἱόν is accusative singular, functioning as the direct object of the transitive verb ἔπεμψεν ('sent'). The article τόν also marks the accusative masculine singular. The nominative would be ὁ υἱός, the genitive τοῦ υἱοῦ, and the dative τῷ υἱῷ.

Question 7Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following is the correct translation of the participle λύσαντες in the sentence οἱ στρατιῶται λύσαντες τοὺς ἵππους ἀπέβησαν?

  1. 'Having been untied' (aorist passive)
  2. 'About to untie' (future active)
  3. 'Untying' (present active)
  4. 'Having untied' (aorist active) Correct answer.

Explanation

λύσαντες is the aorist active participle, nominative plural masculine, from λύω. It expresses an action completed before the main verb, best translated 'having untied'. The present participle would be λύοντες, the future λύσοντες, and the aorist passive λυθέντες.

Question 8Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the function of the word ὅτι in the sentence εἶπεν ὅτι οἱ πολέμιοι ἥκοιεν?

  1. It introduces a temporal clause.
  2. It introduces a purpose clause.
  3. It introduces a causal clause.
  4. It introduces an indirect statement. Correct answer.

Explanation

ὅτι is commonly used to introduce indirect statement after verbs of saying, thinking, or perceiving, meaning 'that'. Here it introduces the content of what was said. It can also mean 'because' in causal clauses, but the context after εἶπεν indicates indirect statement.

Question 9Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ ἀνὴρ σοφὸς ὢν οὐκ ἐπλούτει, what does the participle ὤν express?

  1. Concession Correct answer.
  2. Cause
  3. Result
  4. Purpose

Explanation

The participle ὤν ('being') combined with the negative οὐκ and the main clause 'was not rich' expresses concession: 'although he was wise, he was not rich'. A concessive participle often uses μέν or καίπερ, but the contrast alone can imply concession. Cause would be 'because he was wise', purpose 'in order to be wise', and result 'so that he was wise'.

Question 10Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following correctly translates the genitive absolute in τούτων λεχθέντων οἱ πολῖται ἀνέστησαν?

  1. The citizens said these things and rose.
  2. When these things had been said, the citizens rose. Correct answer.
  3. The citizens rose to say these things.
  4. These things said the citizens rose.

Explanation

A genitive absolute consists of a noun or pronoun and a participle in the genitive case, grammatically independent of the main clause. It is usually translated as a subordinate clause expressing time, cause, or condition. Here τούτων λεχθέντων means 'when these things had been said'.

Question 11Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence εἰ τοῦτο ἔπραξας, καλῶς ἂν εἶχες, what is the force of the aorist indicative ἔπραξας with ἄν in the apodosis?

  1. It refers to a past action contrary to fact. Correct answer.
  2. It refers to a future possibility.
  3. It refers to a present general condition.
  4. It refers to a past action that did happen.

Explanation

In a past contrary-to-fact condition, the protasis uses εἰ with the aorist or imperfect indicative, and the apodosis uses ἄν with the same tenses. The whole sentence means 'if you had done this, you would have been fine', implying that you did not do it. The aorist indicative here does not refer to a real past event.

Question 12Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the meaning of the particle ἄρα in the sentence ἄρα ὁ βασιλεὺς πάρεστιν;

  1. It expresses a wish.
  2. It expresses strong affirmation.
  3. It introduces a question expecting the answer 'no'.
  4. It introduces a question, often expecting the answer 'yes'. Correct answer.

Explanation

The particle ἄρα is often used in questions to indicate that the speaker expects an affirmative answer, or to express surprise or inference. In this sentence it asks 'is the king present, then?' with an expectation that he is. The negative expectation would be marked by μή or μῶν, affirmation by particles like δή, and wishes by εἴθε or ὤφελον.

Question 13Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence οἱ Ἀθηναῖοι ναῦς ἐποιήσαντο, what is the voice and meaning of ἐποιήσαντο?

  1. Deponent: 'they sailed'
  2. Active: 'they made'
  3. Middle: 'they made for themselves' Correct answer.
  4. Passive: 'they were made'

Explanation

The form ἐποιήσαντο is aorist middle, third person plural, of ποιέω. The middle voice often indicates that the subject acts for its own benefit or interest, so 'they made for themselves' or 'they got made'. The passive would be ἐποιήθησαν, and the active ἐποίησαν.

Question 14Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following is the correct translation of the optative in the sentence εἴθε ὁ πατὴρ ἔλθοι?

  1. The father came.
  2. The father will come.
  3. If only the father would come! Correct answer.
  4. The father is coming.

Explanation

The optative with εἴθε expresses a wish, often translated 'if only ... would' or 'may ...'. Here ἔλθοι is aorist optative, expressing a wish for the father's coming. The indicative would state a fact, and the future indicative would express simple future.

Question 15Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ δὲ ἀνὴρ τούτων ἀκούσας οὐδὲν ἀπεκρίνατο, what does the participle ἀκούσας modify?

  1. The main verb ἀπεκρίνατο
  2. οὐδέν
  3. ὁ ἀνήρ Correct answer.
  4. τούτων

Explanation

The participle ἀκούσας is nominative singular masculine, agreeing with the subject ὁ ἀνήρ. Participles agree with the noun or pronoun they modify in gender, number, and case. Here it expresses an action prior to the main verb: 'having heard these things, the man answered nothing'.

Question 16Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the force of the particle δή in the sentence ταῦτα δὴ πάντα ἐγένετο?

  1. It introduces a condition.
  2. It expresses a wish.
  3. It emphasizes or makes the statement more vivid. Correct answer.
  4. It marks a question.

Explanation

The particle δή is often emphatic, adding force or vividness to a statement, sometimes translated 'indeed' or 'of course'. In this sentence it emphasizes 'all these things happened'. It does not mark a question, a wish, or a condition; those are expressed by other particles or moods.

Question 17Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which case is used for the subject of an indirect statement after verbs of saying in Greek?

  1. Genitive
  2. Nominative
  3. Dative
  4. Accusative Correct answer.

Explanation

In indirect statement after verbs of saying, thinking, or perceiving, Greek uses the accusative and infinitive construction. The subject of the infinitive is put in the accusative case. The nominative is used for the subject of a finite verb, the genitive for possession or separation, and the dative for indirect object or means.

Question 18Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ στρατηγὸς τοὺς ἄνδρας ἐκέλευσεν ὅπλα λαβεῖν, what is the case of ὅπλα?

  1. Nominative
  2. Genitive
  3. Dative
  4. Accusative Correct answer.

Explanation

ὅπλα is the direct object of the infinitive λαβεῖν ('to take'), and so it stands in the accusative case. The accusative plural neuter form is ὅπλα, identical to the nominative plural neuter. The context of the infinitive after ἐκέλευσεν shows it is accusative.

Question 19Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the meaning of the verb μέλλω in the sentence ὁ βασιλεὺς μέλλει ἀποκτενεῖν τὸν αἰχμάλωτον?

  1. He has killed
  2. He intends to kill Correct answer.
  3. He is killed
  4. He was killing

Explanation

μέλλω with the future infinitive expresses intention or imminence: 'I am about to' or 'I intend to'. Here μέλλει ἀποκτενεῖν means 'he intends to kill' or 'he is about to kill'. The other options do not match the future infinitive construction.

Question 20Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence οἱ μὲν ἐπολέμουν, οἱ δὲ εἰρήνην ἦγον, what is the force of the imperfect ἦγον?

  1. It expresses a single completed action.
  2. It expresses a wish.
  3. It expresses a future action.
  4. It expresses an ongoing or repeated past action. Correct answer.

Explanation

The imperfect tense in Greek typically expresses ongoing, repeated, or customary action in the past. Here ἦγον (from ἄγω) with εἰρήνην means 'they were keeping peace' or 'they used to keep peace'. The aorist would express a single completed action, the future would express future time, and the optative would express a wish.

Question 21Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following correctly translates the construction ἐὰν ἔλθῃς, ἀσθήσομαι?

  1. If you are coming, I am pleased.
  2. If you come, I will be pleased. Correct answer.
  3. If you had come, I would have been pleased.
  4. If you came, I would be pleased.

Explanation

This is a future more vivid condition: ἐάν with the aorist subjunctive in the protasis and the future indicative in the apodosis. It presents the condition as a future possibility, translated 'if you come, I will be pleased'. Past contrary-to-fact would use past indicatives with ἄν, present contrary-to-fact would use imperfect with ἄν, and the present simple condition would use εἰ with the present indicative.

Question 22Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ δὲ ἀνὴρ οὐχ οὕτως ἀπεκρίνατο, ἀλλ' εἶπεν ὅτι οὐκ ἂν ποιήσειε τοῦτο, what does the optative ποιήσειε with ἄν express?

  1. A past habitual action.
  2. A potential action in indirect statement. Correct answer.
  3. A future action in direct speech.
  4. A wish.

Explanation

The optative with ἄν can express potentiality, meaning 'would do' or 'might do'. In indirect statement after a past tense verb, the original potential optative may be retained or changed to a future optative. Here it expresses what the man said he would not do. It is not a wish, a past habitual, or a simple future.

Question 23Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the meaning of the particle ἄρα in the sentence ἄρα γε ταῦτα ἀληθῆ ἐστιν;

  1. It introduces a question with a sense of inference or surprise. Correct answer.
  2. It negates the statement.
  3. It introduces a purpose clause.
  4. It expresses a condition.

Explanation

In questions, ἄρα (often with γε) can express inference, surprise, or a desire to confirm: 'is this then true?' It does not introduce purpose, condition, or negation. Purpose would use ἵνα, condition εἰ or ἐάν, and negation οὐ or μή.

Question 24Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence εἰ μὲν ταῦτα ἐποίησας, καλῶς ἂν ἔσχες, what is the force of the aorist ἐποίησας?

  1. It refers to a future action that may happen.
  2. It refers to a present action that is happening.
  3. It refers to a past action that did happen.
  4. It refers to a past action that did not happen. Correct answer.

Explanation

The combination of εἰ with the aorist indicative and ἄν with the aorist indicative in the apodosis forms a past contrary-to-fact condition. It implies that the action did not occur: 'if you had done this, you would have been fine'. The aorist here is not a simple past fact.

Question 25Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ στρατηγὸς ᾔδει ὅτι οἱ πολέμιοι ἐγγὺς εἶεν, what is the mood of εἶεν and why?

  1. Subjunctive, because it is in a purpose clause.
  2. Imperative, because it gives a command.
  3. Optative, because it is in indirect statement after a past tense main verb. Correct answer.
  4. Indicative, because it states a fact.

Explanation

In indirect statement after a past tense main verb such as ᾔδει, Greek often uses the optative to represent the original indicative, especially in historic sequence. Here εἶεν is present optative, representing the original statement 'they are near'. It is not subjunctive, indicative, or imperative.

Question 26Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ ἄγγελος ἀφίκετο λέγων ὅτι νενικήκασιν οἱ Ἕλληνες, what does the participle λέγων express?

  1. A purpose that the subject hoped to achieve
  2. The manner or accompanying circumstance of the main verb Correct answer.
  3. A condition that was not fulfilled
  4. A concession contrary to the main clause

Explanation

A present participle agreeing with the subject of a finite verb normally describes how, or in what accompanying circumstances, the action was performed. Here λέγων tells us the messenger arrived while speaking, so it is circumstantial, expressing manner. Purpose would require a future participle or an infinitive, and unreal condition requires εἰ with the appropriate mood.

Question 27Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following is the correct translation of the infinitive in the sentence οἱ Ἀθηναῖοι οὐκ ἐδύναντο τοὺς πολεμίους νικῆσαι;

  1. The Athenians were not defeated by the enemy.
  2. The Athenians were not able to be defeated by the enemy.
  3. The Athenians were not able to defeat the enemy. Correct answer.
  4. The Athenians did not wish to defeat the enemy.

Explanation

The verb δύναμαι takes a complementary infinitive, and the infinitive shares the subject of the main verb. Since νικῆσαι is aorist active, the Athenians are the ones who would do the defeating. The whole phrase therefore means that they were unable to win.

Question 28Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς πρέσβεις ἀπέπεμψεν, what is the case and function of τοὺς πρέσβεις?

  1. Accusative, direct object of the verb Correct answer.
  2. Genitive, possessive modifier
  3. Dative, indirect object of the verb
  4. Nominative, subject of the verb

Explanation

The article τούς marks the accusative plural, and the verb ἀποπέμπω is transitive, so the phrase is the direct object of the action. The nominative subject is already supplied by ὁ βασιλεύς. The dative plural would be τοῖς and the genitive would be τῶν.

Question 29Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following is the correct translation of the future passive in the sentence αἱ σπονδαὶ λυθήσονται ὑπὸ τῶν στρατηγῶν;

  1. The truce will be dissolved by the generals. Correct answer.
  2. The truce will dissolve the generals.
  3. The generals will dissolve the truce.
  4. The truce was dissolved by the generals.

Explanation

The ending -θήσονται is the future passive of λύω, and ὑπό with the genitive marks the agent. So the subject αἱ σπονδαί undergoes the action, and the generals perform it. The English must therefore be passive and future.

Question 30Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ νεανίας μείζων ἐστὶν ἢ ὁ ἀδελφός, what is the force of ἤ?

  1. It introduces a question expecting the answer yes.
  2. It introduces an indirect question.
  3. It introduces the standard of comparison after a comparative. Correct answer.
  4. It introduces a purpose clause.

Explanation

After a comparative adjective such as μείζων, the particle ἤ means 'than' and introduces the second term of the comparison. Here it sets the brother against the young man in respect of size. It does not mark a question, purpose, or indirect question in this position.

Question 31Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the meaning of the verb ἔοικε in the sentence ὁ παῖς τῷ πατρὶ ἔοικε;

  1. He fears him
  2. He resembles him Correct answer.
  3. He follows him
  4. He obeys him

Explanation

The verb ἔοικα, 'be like', regularly takes a dative of the person or thing resembled. The sentence therefore says that the child is like his father. Its perfect form has present meaning, which is a characteristic of this verb.

Question 32Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ἅμα δὲ ταῦτα ἔλεγεν καὶ ἀνέστη, what is the force of ἅμα ... καί?

  1. It links two actions happening at the same time. Correct answer.
  2. It marks a contrast between two actions.
  3. It expresses a condition for the second action.
  4. It introduces a result of the first action.

Explanation

The combination ἅμα ... καί means 'at the same time as' and joins two clauses whose actions coincide. Here the speaker both spoke and rose together. It does not signal contrast, consequence, or condition.

Question 33Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following is the correct translation of the imperative in the sentence μὴ φοβοῦ, ὦ παῖ;

  1. The child is not afraid.
  2. He was not afraid, child.
  3. Do not be afraid, child. Correct answer.
  4. Let the child not be afraid.

Explanation

φοβοῦ is the present middle imperative singular of φοβοῦμαι, and μή with an imperative gives a prohibition. The vocative ὦ παῖ addresses the child directly. The sentence is therefore a command not to fear.

Question 34Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence οἱ πολῖται τῇ βουλῇ ἐπίστευον, what is the case and function of τῇ βουλῇ?

  1. Accusative, direct object
  2. Dative, object of a compound verb Correct answer.
  3. Nominative, subject
  4. Genitive, partitive

Explanation

πιστεύω takes its object in the dative, so τῇ βουλῇ is the person or body trusted. The ending -ῃ marks the dative singular of the first declension. The subject is οἱ πολῖται in the nominative.

Question 35Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following correctly translates the construction in ἐὰν ταῦτα λέγῃς, ἀκούσομαι;

  1. If you had said these things, I would have listened.
  2. If you said these things, I would listen.
  3. Although you say these things, I will listen.
  4. If you say these things, I will listen. Correct answer.

Explanation

ἐάν with the present subjunctive forms a future more vivid condition, and the future indicative in the main clause confirms this. The sense is open and undetermined: whether or not the condition is met, the consequence follows. The other options use past or counterfactual forms that do not match the Greek.

Question 36Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ δὲ ταῦτα ἀκούσας γελάσας ἀπῆλθεν, what does the participle γελάσας most naturally express?

  1. The purpose of the departure
  2. Manner accompanying the departure Correct answer.
  3. A concession against the departure
  4. A condition of the departure

Explanation

Two aorist participles agree with the same subject, and the second one, γελάσας, describes how the departure took place. It is best rendered 'with a laugh' or 'laughing'. Purpose and condition would each require different constructions.

Question 37Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the force of the genitive absolute in τούτων οὕτως ἐχόντων οἱ στρατιῶται ἀνέβησαν;

  1. Although matters stood thus, the soldiers went up.
  2. While the soldiers went up, matters stood thus.
  3. Since matters stood thus, the soldiers went up. Correct answer.
  4. The soldiers went up in order that matters might stand thus.

Explanation

A genitive absolute consists of a participle and noun or pronoun in the genitive, grammatically independent of the main clause. Its force is determined by context; here it gives the circumstance or cause of the main action. The subject of the main verb is οἱ στρατιῶται, distinct from the genitive phrase.

Question 38Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ στρατηγὸς τοὺς ἄνδρας ἐκέλευσεν ἀπιέναι, what is the case of τοὺς ἄνδρας and why?

  1. Dative, because it is the indirect object
  2. Nominative, because it is the subject of the main verb
  3. Genitive, because it depends on the infinitive
  4. Accusative, because it is the object of ἐκέλευσεν and the subject of the infinitive Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs of ordering such as κελεύω take an accusative of the person ordered plus a complementary infinitive. The same accusative serves as the logical subject of that infinitive, so τοὺς ἄνδρας is both object and subject of ἀπιέναι. Greek keeps the accusative here rather than a nominative.

Question 39Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following is the correct translation of the optative in the sentence οὐκ ἂν εἶπεν τοῦτο, εἰ μὴ ἐκείνῳ ἐπίστευεν;

  1. He would not have said this if he had not trusted him. Correct answer.
  2. He would not say this if he did not trust him.
  3. He did not say this because he did not trust him.
  4. He will not say this unless he trusts him.

Explanation

εἰ with the imperfect indicative and ἄν with the aorist optative form a past potential or habitual construction, but the aorist optative with ἄν here refers to a single past act viewed as possible. The combination is best rendered 'he would not have said'. The imperfect in the protasis conveys the continuing state of not trusting.

Question 40Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence οἱ μὲν Ἕλληνες ἐνίκων, οἱ δὲ βάρβαροι ἔφευγον, what is the force of the imperfect ἐνίκων?

  1. It marks a single completed victory.
  2. It describes an action in progress, 'were winning'. Correct answer.
  3. It expresses a future intention to win.
  4. It states a wish that they might win.

Explanation

The imperfect presents an action as ongoing or repeated in the past. Paired with ἔφευγον, it creates a scene in which the victory was in progress and the enemy were fleeing. A single completed victory would require the aorist ἐνίκησαν.

Question 41Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the meaning of the particle γε in the sentence ἐγώ γε οὐκ ἂν τοῦτο ποιήσαιμι;

  1. It emphasises the word it follows, 'I at least'. Correct answer.
  2. It joins two alternatives meaning 'either ... or'.
  3. It marks a question expecting a negative answer.
  4. It introduces a temporal clause meaning 'when'.

Explanation

The enclitic particle γε is restrictive or emphatic, drawing attention to the word immediately before it. Here it singles out ἐγώ, giving 'I, at any rate'. It does not mark questions, time, or alternatives.

Question 42Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ πατὴρ τὸν παῖδα ἔπεισεν ἀπελθεῖν, which word is the logical subject of the infinitive ἀπελθεῖν?

  1. ὁ πατήρ
  2. ἀπελθεῖν has no subject
  3. τὸν παῖδα Correct answer.
  4. The subject is impersonal

Explanation

With verbs of persuading such as πείθω, the accusative of the person persuaded serves as the logical subject of the complementary infinitive. So the child, not the father, is the one who would depart. The father is the subject of the main verb only.

Question 43Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following correctly renders the indirect question in ἠρώτησεν εἰ οἱ πολέμιοι πάρεισιν;

  1. He asked the enemy to be present.
  2. He said that the enemy were present.
  3. He asked that the enemy be present.
  4. He asked whether the enemy were present. Correct answer.

Explanation

After a verb of asking, εἰ introduces an indirect question meaning 'whether'. The verb of the subordinate clause stays in the same mood as the direct question would have, here the indicative. The sentence therefore reports a question about the enemy's presence.

Question 44Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ ἀνὴρ οὗτος, ὃν πάντες ἐθαύμαζον, ἀπέθανεν, what is the case of ὃν and why?

  1. Accusative, because it is the object of ἐθαύμαζον Correct answer.
  2. Genitive, because it depends on a verb of remembering
  3. Dative, because it is the object of a compound verb
  4. Nominative, because it is the subject of ἀπέθανεν

Explanation

The relative pronoun takes its case from its function within its own clause. Here it is the direct object of ἐθαύμαζον and so stands in the accusative. Its gender and number, however, agree with the antecedent ὁ ἀνήρ.

Question 45Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

What is the force of the aorist participle in the sentence ταῦτα ποιήσας ὁ στρατηγὸς ἀπῆλθεν;

  1. It denotes an action completed before the main verb. Correct answer.
  2. It denotes an action later than the main verb.
  3. It denotes an action simultaneous with the main verb.
  4. It denotes a repeated action in the past.

Explanation

The aorist participle normally expresses action prior to that of the main verb, so the general first did these things and then departed. Simultaneity would be expressed by the present participle, and purpose by the future participle.

Question 46Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence δέδοικα μὴ ὁ παῖς πέσῃ, what does μή introduce?

  1. A clause of purpose, 'in order that the child may fall'
  2. A clause of concession, 'although the child may fall'
  3. A clause of fear, 'lest the child fall' Correct answer.
  4. A clause of indirect statement, 'that the child fell'

Explanation

After verbs of fearing, μή introduces the feared outcome, and the subjunctive is used when the outcome is still uncertain. The sentence means 'I am afraid that the child may fall'. The negative of this construction is μὴ οὐ.

Question 47Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

Which of the following best captures the nuance of the particle δή in the sentence τοῦτο δὴ τὸ τέλος ἐγένετο;

  1. It asks whether this was the outcome.
  2. It marks the outcome as a future event.
  3. It stresses that this was precisely the outcome. Correct answer.
  4. It denies that this was the outcome.

Explanation

The particle δή adds emphasis or certainty, often rendered 'indeed' or 'precisely'. Here it underlines that this was exactly the end that came about. It is not interrogative, negative, or temporal in force.

Question 48Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence εἰ ταῦτα ἀληθῆ ἦν, ἐπίστευον ἂν αὐτῷ, what kind of condition is expressed?

  1. Simple past condition
  2. Future more vivid condition
  3. Present contrary-to-fact condition Correct answer.
  4. Past contrary-to-fact condition

Explanation

εἰ with the imperfect indicative in the protasis and ἄν with the imperfect in the apodosis marks a present condition that is contrary to fact. The meaning is 'if these things were true (they are not), I would trust him'. A past contrary-to-fact condition would use the aorist in both clauses.

Question 49Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἔφη τοῦτο ποιῆσαι ἄν, what is the force of ἔφη with the infinitive?

  1. It commands him not to do this.
  2. It asks whether he did this.
  3. It expresses a wish that he would not do this.
  4. It reports his denial in indirect statement, 'he said he would not do this'. Correct answer.

Explanation

φημί takes an infinitive in indirect statement, and the negative οὐ is retained because the negation belongs to the reported words. The ἄν with the aorist infinitive gives the potential sense 'would do'. The whole therefore reports a denial with a potential force.

Question 50Translation and comprehension of an unseen Greek prose passage

In the sentence οὐδεὶς ἦν ὃς οὐκ ἐθαύμαζε τὸν ἄνδρα, what is the effect of the double negative?

  1. It cancels out to mean that no one admired the man.
  2. It produces a strong positive assertion, 'everyone admired the man'. Correct answer.
  3. It expresses doubt about whether anyone admired him.
  4. It marks the sentence as a question.

Explanation

Greek often reinforces a negative with another negative in a relative clause, and the two do not cancel as in English. Here οὐδείς with ὃς οὐκ yields the sense that there was no one who did not admire him, that is, everyone did. This is a common emphatic idiom.