I85PREP
⌘ K
HSC Latin Continuers study materials
HSC Latin Continuers study resources

HSC Latin Continuers practice questions

One question at a time. Build your HSC Latin Continuers understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In a Latin sentence, which case is most commonly used to express the subject of a finite verb?

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

Explanation

The nominative case marks the grammatical subject of a finite verb, and the verb's personal ending agrees with it in number and person. Other cases serve different syntactic roles such as object or possession.

Question 2Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What does the accusative case most typically mark when used without a preposition?

  1. The direct object of a transitive verb Correct answer.
  2. The means by which something is done
  3. The possessor of a noun
  4. The person addressed in speech

Explanation

A transitive verb governs an accusative direct object, which is the case's core function. Possession belongs to the genitive, means to the ablative, and address to the vocative.

Question 3Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In the phrase 'magnā cum laude', what case and number is 'laude'?

  1. Nominative plural
  2. Ablative singular Correct answer.
  3. Accusative singular
  4. Dative singular

Explanation

The preposition cum takes the ablative, and 'laude' is the ablative singular of laus. The adjective magnā agrees with it in gender, number, and case.

Question 4Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which Latin verb form is passive in voice?

  1. amat
  2. amātur Correct answer.
  3. amābat
  4. amāvit

Explanation

The ending -tur is a passive personal ending, so 'amātur' means 'he/she/it is loved'. The other forms carry active endings -t and -vit and are active in voice.

Question 5Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What tense is the form 'portāverant'?

  1. Future perfect active
  2. Imperfect active
  3. Pluperfect active Correct answer.
  4. Perfect active

Explanation

The ending -erant marks the third person plural pluperfect active, so 'portāverant' means 'they had carried'. The perfect would be 'portāvērunt' and the future perfect 'portāverint'.

Question 6Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which English rendering best captures the force of the gerundive in 'urbs dēfendenda est'?

  1. The city has been defended
  2. The city will defend itself
  3. The city is defending
  4. The city must be defended Correct answer.

Explanation

A gerundive agreeing with the subject plus a form of esse expresses necessity or obligation, often called the passive periphrastic. The agent, if stated, appears in the dative with a person.

Question 7Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'imperātor militibus signum dedit', what is the function of 'militibus'?

  1. Ablative of means
  2. Genitive of possession
  3. Indirect object in the dative Correct answer.
  4. Accusative direct object

Explanation

The verb 'dedit' (gave) takes an accusative thing ('signum') and a dative person ('militibus'), so the dative marks the recipient or indirect object. The accusative is already occupied by 'signum'.

Question 8Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What construction is used in 'Rōmam vēnit'?

  1. Locative of place where
  2. Accusative of place to which without a preposition Correct answer.
  3. Ablative of place from which
  4. Dative of purpose

Explanation

Names of towns and small islands express 'to' with the plain accusative and no preposition, so 'Rōmam' means 'to Rome'. The ablative would be used for 'from Rome'.

Question 9Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which sentence contains an ablative absolute?

  1. Urbe captā, cīvēs fūgērunt. Correct answer.
  2. Urbs quae capta erat dēlēta est.
  3. Urbs capta est ā mīlitibus.
  4. Cīvēs urbem captam vīdērunt.

Explanation

An ablative absolute consists of a noun and a participle in the ablative, grammatically independent of the main clause. 'Urbe captā' fits this pattern, with 'fūgērunt' as the main verb.

Question 10Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the meaning of the subjunctive in 'ut cīvēs līberī essent'?

  1. Purpose: so that the citizens might be free Correct answer.
  2. Result: with the result that the citizens were free
  3. Concession: although the citizens were free
  4. Indirect command: that the citizens be free

Explanation

An ut clause with a present or imperfect subjunctive after a main verb of action commonly expresses purpose. The imperfect subjunctive 'essent' follows a secondary tense main verb, showing purpose in the past.

Question 11Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'cum Caesar vēnisset, hostēs fūgērunt', what does the cum clause express?

  1. Comparison: as if Caesar had come
  2. Concession: although Caesar had come
  3. Time: after Caesar had come Correct answer.
  4. Cause: because Caesar was coming

Explanation

'Cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive in a past narrative usually expresses time, often 'when' or 'after'. Cause would need a clear causal sense, and concession requires a contrast in the main clause.

Question 12Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What does the indirect statement 'dīxit sē Rōmam itūrum esse' mean?

  1. He ordered him to go to Rome
  2. He asked whether he had gone to Rome
  3. He said that he would go to Rome Correct answer.
  4. He said that he was going to Rome

Explanation

Indirect statement uses an accusative subject with an infinitive, and 'sē' refers back to the speaker. The future active infinitive 'itūrum esse' shows the going is future relative to the saying.

Question 13Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which form is a future passive participle (gerundive)?

  1. amātus
  2. amāns
  3. amātūrus
  4. amandus Correct answer.

Explanation

The gerundive ends in -ndus, -nda, -ndum and expresses obligation or fitness. The perfect passive participle ends in -tus, the future active in -tūrus, and the present active in -ns.

Question 14Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'mīlitēs fortiter pugnantēs vīdimus', how does 'pugnantēs' function?

  1. It modifies 'mīlitēs' as an attributive participle Correct answer.
  2. It is the main verb of the sentence
  3. It is a supine expressing purpose
  4. It is an ablative absolute

Explanation

The present participle 'pugnantēs' agrees with 'mīlitēs' in accusative plural and describes the soldiers as fighting. The finite verb is 'vīdimus', so the participle is subordinate to it.

Question 15Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the best translation of 'haec rēs mihi magnae cūrae est'?

  1. This matter is cared for by me
  2. This matter is a great care to me Correct answer.
  3. This matter has great care
  4. I take care of this great matter

Explanation

The double dative construction pairs a dative of reference ('mihi') with a dative of purpose ('magnae cūrae'). It expresses that something serves as a concern or purpose for someone.

Question 16Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which word introduces a fear clause in Latin?

  1. quod
  2. nē Correct answer.
  3. dum
  4. ut

Explanation

Verbs of fearing take 'nē' for a positive fear ('that something may happen') and 'nē nōn' for a negative fear ('that something may not happen'). The clause uses the subjunctive.

Question 17Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'tanta tempestās erat ut nāvēs perīrent', what does the ut clause express?

  1. Purpose
  2. Indirect command
  3. Result Correct answer.
  4. Condition

Explanation

A correlative such as 'tanta' in the main clause signals a result clause, completed by 'ut' with the subjunctive. Purpose clauses lack such a correlative and often follow verbs of motion or effort.

Question 18Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What does the supine in -um express in 'lēgātī vēnērunt pacem petītum'?

  1. Means: they came by seeking peace
  2. Time: they came when peace was sought
  3. Result: they came so that peace was sought
  4. Purpose: they came to seek peace Correct answer.

Explanation

The accusative supine in -um follows verbs of motion to express purpose, so 'petītum' means 'to seek'. The ablative supine in -ū expresses respect or specification instead.

Question 19Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which translation best captures the conditional 'sī vēnisset, vīcissēmus'?

  1. If he comes, we will conquer
  2. If he had come, we would have conquered Correct answer.
  3. If he were coming, we would be conquering
  4. If he came, we used to conquer

Explanation

A past contrary-to-fact condition uses the pluperfect subjunctive in both clauses, so the sentence refers to an unreal past. The apodosis 'vīcissēmus' also carries the perfect passive form of the subjunctive.

Question 20Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'cōnsul, cum haec audīvisset, conticuit', what does the cum clause most likely express?

  1. Concession, since the consul disagreed
  2. Cause, since conticuit shows purpose
  3. Time, with the pluperfect subjunctive marking prior action Correct answer.
  4. Comparison, as if he had heard nothing

Explanation

'Cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive in past narrative typically marks an action completed before the main verb, giving 'when' or 'after'. The main verb 'conticuit' is perfect indicative and carries the narrative forward.

Question 21Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the force of the subjunctive in 'quae cum ita sint, proficīscāmur'?

  1. Hortatory: let us set out Correct answer.
  2. Deliberative: should we set out
  3. Optative: may we set out
  4. Potential: we could set out

Explanation

A first person plural present subjunctive used as a main verb expresses exhortation or resolve, translated 'let us'. The cum clause is concessive or causal and sets the circumstances for the main clause.

Question 22Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'Caesar pontem rescindī iussit', what construction follows 'iussit'?

  1. Passive infinitive expressing a commanded action Correct answer.
  2. Indirect question with subjunctive
  3. Gerundive of obligation
  4. Accusative supine of purpose

Explanation

'Iubeō' takes a passive infinitive when the subject of the command is not the person ordered, so 'rescindī' means 'to be cut down'. With an accusative person, an active infinitive would be used instead.

Question 23Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the meaning of 'nē quidem' in a Latin sentence?

  1. Not even Correct answer.
  2. So much the more
  3. By no means yet
  4. And indeed

Explanation

The idiom 'nē ... quidem' places emphasis on the word between the two parts and means 'not even'. The word enclosed by 'nē' and 'quidem' receives the focus of the negation.

Question 24Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which English word best translates the connective 'autem' in a narrative?

  1. However Correct answer.
  2. Therefore
  3. Because
  4. Meanwhile

Explanation

'Autem' is a postpositive particle marking a contrast or a shift, best rendered 'however' or 'moreover' depending on context. It never stands first in its clause.

Question 25Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'frātrēs inter sē amant', what does 'inter sē' mean?

  1. Among themselves
  2. By themselves
  3. Between the brothers
  4. For each other Correct answer.

Explanation

'Inter' with a reflexive pronoun expresses mutual relationship, translated 'for each other' or 'with one another'. The verb 'amant' then takes a reciprocal sense.

Question 26Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In the sentence 'Rōma ā mīlitibus dēfēnsa est', what does the preposition 'ā' with the ablative indicate?

  1. The place from which movement occurs
  2. The time at which something happened
  3. The agent performing the action Correct answer.
  4. The means or instrument used

Explanation

With a passive verb, 'ā' or 'ab' plus the ablative of a person marks the agent, the doer of the action. The ablative of means, by contrast, uses no preposition. Here the soldiers are persons performing the defending.

Question 27Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which case does the verb 'imperō' govern in the sentence 'dux mīlitibus imperāvit'?

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

Explanation

'Imperō' is one of a group of verbs meaning command, obey, spare and please that take the dative of the person concerned. The accusative would be used with a direct object such as 'exercitum'.

Question 28Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the best translation of 'tam fortis erat ut nēmō eum superāre posset'?

  1. Although he was brave, no one could overcome him
  2. He was brave in order that no one might overcome him
  3. He was so brave that no one could overcome him Correct answer.
  4. He was as brave as anyone who could overcome him

Explanation

'Tam ... ut' with a subjunctive introduces a result clause, showing what follows from the degree described. The adjective 'fortis' is intensified by 'tam', so the sense is 'so brave that'.

Question 29Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'cōnsul, urbem ingressus, templum petīvit', how does 'ingressus' function?

  1. It is a participle describing the consul Correct answer.
  2. It is a noun in apposition to 'templum'
  3. It is a finite verb forming the main clause
  4. It is a gerundive expressing obligation

Explanation

'Ingressus' is a perfect participle agreeing with 'cōnsul', the subject of the main verb. It describes an action completed before the main verb and is best rendered 'having entered'.

Question 30Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What does the genitive in 'cupidus glōriae' express?

  1. The whole of which a part is taken
  2. The possessor of the glory
  3. The object of the feeling described Correct answer.
  4. The quality being measured

Explanation

Adjectives expressing desire, knowledge or memory take a genitive of the thing desired or known. 'Cupidus' therefore governs 'glōriae' as its object. This is often called the objective genitive.

Question 31Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which English rendering best captures 'nē hoc fēceris'?

  1. Do not do this Correct answer.
  2. You would not have done this
  3. You cannot do this
  4. You will not do this

Explanation

'Nē' with the perfect subjunctive expresses a prohibition or negative command. The perfect subjunctive is the usual form for forbidding in classical prose, and the sense is imperative.

Question 32Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the meaning of the adverb 'vix' in 'vix ad portās pervēnerant'?

  1. Openly
  2. Quickly
  3. Again
  4. Scarcely Correct answer.

Explanation

'Vix' means 'scarcely' or 'hardly' and often introduces a temporal clause with 'cum'. It signals that the action had barely been completed when something else occurred.

Question 33Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'lēgātus, quī Rōmam missus erat, tandem advēnit', what does the relative clause tell us?

  1. Why the envoy was being sent
  2. Where the envoy was born
  3. That the envoy would send others
  4. That the envoy had been sent to Rome Correct answer.

Explanation

The relative clause with the pluperfect passive 'missus erat' states an action completed before the main verb 'advēnit'. It identifies the envoy as the one who had been sent to Rome.

Question 34Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the force of 'quīn' in 'nōn dubitō quīn vēnerit'?

  1. It marks a causal clause
  2. It introduces a clause of doubting after a negative Correct answer.
  3. It marks a purpose clause
  4. It introduces a clause of fearing

Explanation

After expressions of doubt or hindrance that are negated, 'quīn' introduces a subjunctive clause meaning 'that'. The sentence means 'I do not doubt that he has come'.

Question 35Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'hostēs, simul ac flūmen trānsiērunt, impetum fēcērunt', what does 'simul ac' introduce?

  1. A condition contrary to fact
  2. A clause of concession
  3. A temporal clause meaning 'as soon as' Correct answer.
  4. A comparison of inequality

Explanation

'Simul ac' or 'simul atque' means 'as soon as' and introduces a temporal clause. The indicative is normal because a definite occasion is described.

Question 36Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which translation best renders the impersonal 'oportet mīlitēs discēdere'?

  1. The soldiers must depart Correct answer.
  2. The soldiers want to depart
  3. The soldiers are departing
  4. The soldiers are allowed to depart

Explanation

'Oportet' is an impersonal verb meaning 'it is necessary' and takes an accusative and infinitive construction. The soldiers are the accusative subject of the infinitive 'discēdere'.

Question 37Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'dīvitiās quās cēpit, eās prūdenter cōnservāvit', what is the function of 'quās'?

  1. It is the subject of its clause
  2. It is a dative of advantage
  3. It is the direct object of 'cēpit' Correct answer.
  4. It is an ablative of means

Explanation

'Quās' is a relative pronoun agreeing with 'dīvitiās' and acting as the object of 'cēpit'. The main clause repeats the antecedent with 'eās' for emphasis, a common Latin device.

Question 38Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What does the supine in '-ū' express in 'difficile dictū est'?

  1. The agent of a passive verb
  2. The purpose of an action
  3. The respect in which an adjective applies Correct answer.
  4. The time of an action

Explanation

The ablative supine in '-ū' is used with adjectives such as 'difficile', 'facile' and 'mīrābile' to state the respect in which the adjective holds. 'Difficile dictū' means 'difficult to say'.

Question 39Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which sentence uses the gerund correctly to express 'the art of speaking well'?

  1. ars bene dictūrus
  2. ars bene dīcendī Correct answer.
  3. ars bene dīcere
  4. ars bene dictus

Explanation

The gerund is a verbal noun in the neuter singular and supplies the oblique cases of the infinitive. Here the genitive 'dīcendī' depends on 'ars'. Adverbs such as 'bene' modify the gerund.

Question 40Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'cīvēs, nē frūmentum dēficeret, magnam cōpiam parāvērunt', what does the 'nē' clause express?

  1. A result
  2. A condition
  3. A purpose, here a negative purpose Correct answer.
  4. A reported statement

Explanation

'Nē' with the imperfect subjunctive after a main verb expresses a negative purpose, often translated 'so that ... not' or 'to prevent'. The citizens stored grain to prevent shortage.

Question 41Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the best translation of 'tantum aberat ut timēret ut etiam gaudēret'?

  1. So far was he from being afraid that he even rejoiced Correct answer.
  2. Although he feared, he rejoiced
  3. He was as far from fear as from joy
  4. He feared so much that he rejoiced

Explanation

'Tantum abest ut ... ut ...' is an idiom meaning 'so far is it from being the case that ... that ...'. The first 'ut' clause states what is denied, the second what actually follows.

Question 42Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'mīles vulnerātus, quamquam aeger erat, in aciē mānsit', what does 'quamquam' signal?

  1. A cause
  2. A condition
  3. A concession Correct answer.
  4. A comparison

Explanation

'Quamquam' introduces a concessive clause meaning 'although' and normally takes the indicative. It concedes a fact that might seem to contradict the main clause.

Question 43Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

Which translation best captures the future passive periphrastic 'carthāgō dēlenda est'?

  1. Carthage must be destroyed Correct answer.
  2. Carthage is being destroyed
  3. Carthage will destroy
  4. Carthage has been destroyed

Explanation

The gerundive with a form of 'sum' expresses necessity or obligation in the passive voice. The person obliged, if stated, appears in the dative of agent. Here no agent is given.

Question 44Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'audīvī eum ā mīlitibus interfectum esse', what construction is used?

  1. A purpose clause with the subjunctive
  2. An indirect command
  3. A causal clause with the indicative
  4. A reported statement with the accusative and infinitive Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs of perceiving and saying take the accusative and infinitive in indirect statement. 'Eum' is the accusative subject and 'interfectum esse' the passive infinitive. The sense is 'I heard that he had been killed'.

Question 45Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

What is the meaning of 'nēmō' in the sentence 'nēmō patriam dēseruit'?

  1. Everyone
  2. Anyone
  3. No one Correct answer.
  4. Someone

Explanation

'Nēmō' is the negative pronoun meaning 'no one' and functions as the subject of the verb. It supplies its own negation, so no separate 'nōn' is needed.

Question 46Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'sī quid habēs, dā mihi', what type of condition is expressed?

  1. A future more vivid condition
  2. A present contrary-to-fact condition
  3. A past contrary-to-fact condition
  4. A simple present condition Correct answer.

Explanation

Both clauses use the indicative, and the condition states a straightforward present possibility. This is often called a simple or open condition, distinct from the future more vivid type.

Question 47Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'tanta erat multitūdō ut porta claudī nōn posset', which element shows that the clause is one of result rather than purpose?

  1. The correlative 'tanta' in the main clause Correct answer.
  2. The passive infinitive 'claudī'
  3. The presence of 'ut' alone
  4. The imperfect subjunctive 'posset'

Explanation

Result clauses are signalled by a correlative word such as 'tam', 'tanta', 'ita' or 'tantus' in the main clause. Purpose clauses lack such a correlative and answer the question 'why'.

Question 48Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'cōnstitit ut omnēs unā proficīscerentur', what does the 'ut' clause express?

  1. A temporal clause
  2. A substantive clause of decree Correct answer.
  3. A purpose
  4. A result

Explanation

Verbs such as 'cōnstō' meaning 'it is agreed' take a substantive 'ut' clause in apposition to the implied subject. Here the clause states the content of the agreement.

Question 49Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'quī cum ita respondisset, omnēs tacuerunt', what does the 'cum' clause express when the verb is in the subjunctive?

  1. A comparison
  2. A condition contrary to fact
  3. A circumstance explaining the main action Correct answer.
  4. A purely temporal relation

Explanation

'Cum' with the subjunctive frequently carries a circumstantial or causal colouring, explaining the situation in which the main action occurs. The pluperfect subjunctive shows the prior action.

Question 50Prescribed Text: Translation and Comprehension

In 'nōn dubium est quīn Rōmānī victūrī sint', which feature determines the mood of the 'quīn' clause?

  1. The indicative in the main clause
  2. The negative expression in the main clause Correct answer.
  3. The future participle 'victūrī'
  4. The plural subject 'Rōmānī'

Explanation

'Quīn' with the subjunctive follows negative expressions of doubt, hindrance or omission, such as 'nōn dubium est'. The negation is what licenses the construction.