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QCAA Latin (SEE) practice questions

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Question 1Translation of unseen Latin prose

In the sentence 'Caesar, ubi id audivit, legatos misit', what is the grammatical function of 'ubi id audivit'?

  1. An indirect statement
  2. A principal clause
  3. A subordinate temporal clause Correct answer.
  4. A relative clause

Explanation

The subordinating conjunction 'ubi' introduces a temporal clause meaning 'when he heard this'. It modifies the main clause 'legatos misit' by establishing the time of the sending. A relative clause would be introduced by a relative pronoun such as 'quod', not by 'ubi'.

Question 2Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which case does the preposition 'ad' govern in classical prose?

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

Explanation

The preposition 'ad' expresses motion towards or purpose and regularly takes the accusative case. Its common companion 'ab' takes the ablative, which is a frequent source of confusion. Remembering that 'ad' answers 'to where?' helps fix the accusative.

Question 3Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'milites pontem fecerunt', what is the role of 'pontem'?

  1. Direct object Correct answer.
  2. Agent
  3. Subject
  4. Predicate nominative

Explanation

'Pontem' is in the accusative singular, the case used for the direct object of a transitive verb. 'Fecerunt' means 'they made', so the bridge is what was made. The subject is 'milites' in the nominative.

Question 4Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which Latin word is a subordinating conjunction meaning 'although'?

  1. igitur
  2. namque
  3. quamquam Correct answer.
  4. enim

Explanation

'Quamquam' introduces a concessive clause and means 'although'. The other words are connectives: 'namque' and 'enim' introduce explanations, while 'igitur' marks a conclusion. Recognising these connectives helps you track the argument of a passage.

Question 5Translation of unseen Latin prose

What does the imperfect tense 'portabat' express in a narrative?

  1. A future intention
  2. A single completed action
  3. Ongoing or habitual past action Correct answer.
  4. A completed action before another past action

Explanation

The imperfect describes an action in progress, repeated, or habitual in the past, often setting the scene. It contrasts with the perfect, which reports a single completed event. In translation the imperfect is often rendered 'was carrying' or 'used to carry'.

Question 6Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'urbs a Romanis capta est', how is the agent expressed?

  1. Genitive after the verb
  2. Ablative with 'a' or 'ab' Correct answer.
  3. Dative of interest
  4. Accusative with 'ad'

Explanation

With a passive verb, the person performing the action is expressed by 'a' or 'ab' plus the ablative, here 'a Romanis'. Things, rather than persons, may use the plain ablative of means without a preposition. The construction is called the ablative of personal agent.

Question 7Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which English rendering best captures the force of 'non dubito quin venturus sit'?

  1. I do not doubt that he will come Correct answer.
  2. I doubt that he is coming
  3. I do not doubt whether he comes
  4. I doubt whether he will come

Explanation

After expressions of doubting or not doubting, 'quin' with the subjunctive is used, and in English the clause is rendered with 'that'. Since 'non dubito' is negative, the meaning is positive certainty. The subjunctive 'venturus sit' expresses future time within the clause.

Question 8Translation of unseen Latin prose

What is the meaning of the gerundive in 'pons a militibus faciendus est'?

  1. The bridge has been built by the soldiers
  2. The bridge must be built by the soldiers Correct answer.
  3. The soldiers are making a bridge
  4. The soldiers want to build a bridge

Explanation

A gerundive agreeing with the subject, combined with a form of 'esse', expresses obligation or necessity, the passive periphrastic. The gerundive agrees with 'pons', and the agent appears in the dative or, as here, with 'a' plus the ablative. It is translated 'must be built'.

Question 9Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'imperator milites hortatus est ut fortiter pugnarent', what does 'ut fortiter pugnarent' express?

  1. A result clause
  2. An indirect command Correct answer.
  3. A purpose clause
  4. An indirect question

Explanation

Verbs of ordering, urging, and asking take 'ut' plus the subjunctive to express an indirect command. Here 'hortatus est' means 'urged', so the clause means 'to fight bravely'. Purpose clauses also use 'ut' but answer 'why?' rather than completing a verb of command.

Question 10Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which translation correctly renders the indirect statement 'dicit se venturum esse'?

  1. He said that he had come
  2. He says that he will come Correct answer.
  3. He says that he came
  4. He says that he is coming

Explanation

Indirect statement uses the accusative subject with an infinitive, and the future active infinitive 'venturum esse' points to future time relative to the main verb. The reflexive 'se' refers back to the subject of 'dicit'. The correct rendering is 'he says that he will come'.

Question 11Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'tanta tempestas erat ut naves frangerentur', what type of clause is 'ut naves frangerentur'?

  1. A result clause Correct answer.
  2. A purpose clause
  3. A concessive clause
  4. A fear clause

Explanation

The correlative 'tanta' in the main clause signals a result clause introduced by 'ut' with the subjunctive. Result clauses express what actually happened as a consequence, translated 'such a storm that the ships were broken'. Purpose clauses answer 'why?' and would not follow 'tanta'.

Question 12Translation of unseen Latin prose

How is the ablative absolute 'hostibus victis' best rendered?

  1. Because the enemies are attacking
  2. The enemies having been defeated Correct answer.
  3. To defeat the enemies
  4. The enemies will be defeated

Explanation

An ablative absolute consists of a noun and a participle in the ablative, grammatically independent of the main sentence. With a perfect passive participle it describes an action completed before the main verb, literally 'with the enemies having been defeated'. It may be translated as a temporal, causal, or concessive clause.

Question 13Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'quaesivit quid faceremus', what kind of clause follows 'quaesivit'?

  1. A purpose clause
  2. An indirect question Correct answer.
  3. A conditional clause
  4. An indirect command

Explanation

The verb of asking followed by the interrogative 'quid' and a subjunctive verb forms an indirect question, 'he asked what we were doing'. The subjunctive is required in indirect questions in classical prose. Indirect commands instead use 'ut' or 'ne' with the subjunctive.

Question 14Translation of unseen Latin prose

What does 'ne' introduce in 'vereor ne veniat'?

  1. A prohibition
  2. A clause of fearing that he will come Correct answer.
  3. A negative purpose clause
  4. A result clause

Explanation

Verbs of fearing take 'ne' plus the subjunctive to express fear that something may happen, and 'ne non' or 'ut' for fear that it may not. The apparent negative 'ne' is not translated as 'not' in this construction. Thus 'vereor ne veniat' means 'I fear that he may come'.

Question 15Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which is the correct rendering of 'si hoc fecisset, beatus esset'?

  1. If he had done this, he would have been happy
  2. If he does this, he will be happy
  3. If he had done this, he would be happy Correct answer.
  4. If he did this, he was happy

Explanation

The pluperfect subjunctive in the 'si' clause with the imperfect subjunctive in the main clause forms a past-past contrary-to-fact condition. The main clause refers to present time, so it is translated 'he would be happy'. The mixed condition contrasts with the fully past 'would have been'.

Question 16Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'eo consilio ut pacem peterent', what does the 'ut' clause express?

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

Explanation

The phrase 'eo consilio' meaning 'with this plan' or 'for this purpose' signals an intended aim, so the 'ut' clause is a purpose clause, 'in order that they might seek peace'. Purpose clauses take the subjunctive and answer the question 'why?'. Result clauses would require a correlative such as 'tam' or 'ita'.

Question 17Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which form correctly completes 'dixit se ... venturum esse' meaning 'he said that he would come'?

  1. futurum
  2. esse
  3. ire
  4. venturum Correct answer.

Explanation

The future active infinitive of 'venio' is 'venturum esse', formed from the future active participle plus 'esse'. The reflexive 'se' is the accusative subject of the infinitive. The participle agrees with 'se' in the accusative masculine singular.

Question 18Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'cum Caesar venisset, milites eum salutaverunt', how is the 'cum' clause best described?

  1. Cum circumstantial with the indicative
  2. Cum causal with the indicative
  3. Cum concessive with the indicative
  4. Cum temporal with the subjunctive Correct answer.

Explanation

'Cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive in a past narrative commonly expresses time, often with a causal nuance, and is called the 'cum temporal' or 'cum historical' construction. The subjunctive is standard here in classical prose. The indicative after 'cum' would indicate mere circumstance or repeated time.

Question 19Translation of unseen Latin prose

What is the function of the supine in 'legati pacem petitum venerunt'?

  1. Perfect participle
  2. Accusative supine expressing purpose Correct answer.
  3. Ablative supine expressing respect
  4. Future participle

Explanation

The supine in '-um' is an accusative form used after verbs of motion to express purpose, here 'to seek peace'. It is a distinct verbal noun and is not a participle. The ablative supine in '-u' instead expresses respect, as in 'facile dictu'.

Question 20Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'non solum urbem sed etiam agros vastaverunt', which pair of correlatives is used?

  1. ita ... ut
  2. non modo ... verum
  3. tam ... quam
  4. non solum ... sed etiam Correct answer.

Explanation

The correlatives 'non solum ... sed etiam' mean 'not only ... but also' and link two parallel elements. Recognising such pairs helps you parse long sentences and predict the second half of the contrast. The other pairs are also Latin correlatives but do not appear in this sentence.

Question 21Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'tantum periculum erat ut omnes fugerent', why is the subjunctive used?

  1. Because 'ut' introduces a purpose clause
  2. Because 'ut' introduces a result clause after 'tantum' Correct answer.
  3. Because the verb is reported speech
  4. Because 'ut' is a relative pronoun

Explanation

The correlative 'tantum' in the main clause announces a result, so the 'ut' clause takes the subjunctive to express the consequence, 'so great was the danger that everyone fled'. Result clauses state what actually happened, unlike purpose clauses, which state an intention.

Question 22Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which English rendering captures the nuance of 'haec locutus discessit'?

  1. He departed in order to say these things
  2. Having said these things, he departed Correct answer.
  3. These things were said and he departs
  4. He was saying these things and departing

Explanation

'Locutus' is a perfect deponent participle meaning 'having said', and it agrees with the subject of 'discessit'. A participle of prior action is often best rendered in English with 'having ...'. The main verb 'discessit' is perfect, so the whole sentence is set in past time.

Question 23Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'timeo ne non venturus sit', what does the clause mean?

  1. I fear that he will not come Correct answer.
  2. I fear that he will come
  3. I fear lest he come
  4. I do not fear that he will come

Explanation

With verbs of fearing, 'ne non' (or 'ut') expresses fear that something will not happen. The double negative in Latin is not redundant but reverses the expected sense of 'ne'. Thus the sentence means 'I fear that he will not come'.

Question 24Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'imperator, quos milites fortissime pugnare viderat, eos donavit', what does 'quos ... viderat' illustrate?

  1. A relative clause of characteristic with the indicative
  2. An indirect question
  3. A relative clause with a retrospective antecedent and the indicative Correct answer.
  4. A conditional relative clause

Explanation

The relative clause 'quos ... viderat' uses the indicative because it states a fact, and the demonstrative 'eos' in the main clause picks up the antecedent retrospectively. This 'relative ... demonstrative' pattern is common in Latin narrative. The indicative mood confirms the clause is factual rather than characteristic.

Question 25Translation of unseen Latin prose

How is the future periphrastic 'acturus sum' best understood?

  1. I am about to act Correct answer.
  2. I have acted
  3. I must act
  4. I was acting

Explanation

The future active periphrastic combines the future active participle with a form of 'sum' to express intention or imminence, 'I am about to act' or 'I intend to act'. It differs from the gerundive periphrastic, which expresses obligation. The distinction lies in whether the participle is future active or gerundive.

Question 26Translation of unseen Latin prose

In the sentence 'puella in horto sedet', what case is 'horto' and why?

  1. Accusative, because 'in' always takes the accusative
  2. Genitive, because it depends on 'puella'
  3. Ablative, because 'in' with a place where something happens takes the ablative Correct answer.
  4. Dative, because it is the object of 'sedet'

Explanation

The preposition 'in' takes the ablative when it expresses location, answering the question 'where?'. Here the girl sits in the garden, so 'horto' must be ablative. 'In' takes the accusative only when it expresses motion towards a place.

Question 27Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which English sentence best translates 'milites ad flumen venerunt'?

  1. The soldiers came to the river Correct answer.
  2. The soldiers are at the river
  3. The soldiers came from the river
  4. The soldiers will come to the river

Explanation

'Ad' with the accusative expresses motion towards a place, so 'ad flumen' means 'to the river'. The perfect 'venerunt' is best rendered as a simple past, 'came'. The combination gives 'The soldiers came to the river'.

Question 28Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'Marcus amicum suum vidit', what does the reflexive adjective 'suum' refer to?

  1. Marcus, the subject of the sentence Correct answer.
  2. An unnamed third person
  3. The friend, who owns himself
  4. The speaker of the sentence

Explanation

The reflexive possessive 'suus, -a, -um' refers back to the subject of the clause in which it stands. Since Marcus is the subject, 'suum' means 'his own'. A non-reflexive 'eius' would point to someone other than the subject.

Question 29Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which is the correct translation of 'liber a puero legitur'?

  1. The boy is reading the book
  2. The book reads the boy
  3. The book will be read by the boy
  4. The book is read by the boy Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a passive sentence: 'liber' is the subject, 'legitur' is present passive, and 'a puero' is the personal agent in the ablative. The natural rendering is 'The book is read by the boy'. The agent with a passive verb is expressed by 'a' or 'ab' plus the ablative.

Question 30Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'dominus servis pecuniam dedit', what case is 'servis' and what does it express?

  1. Dative plural, the indirect object receiving the money Correct answer.
  2. Dative singular, the owner of the money
  3. Ablative plural, the means by which he gave
  4. Vocative plural, the people addressed

Explanation

'Servis' is dative plural of 'servus'. The dative marks the person to whom something is given, here the recipients of the money. 'Pecuniam' is the accusative direct object.

Question 31Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which Latin word correctly completes 'puella ... in via ambulat' meaning 'the girl walks in the street'?

  1. laetae
  2. laetam
  3. laeta Correct answer.
  4. laetarum

Explanation

The adjective must agree with 'puella', which is feminine nominative singular. 'Laeta' is feminine nominative singular and so agrees. The other forms belong to different cases and cannot modify the subject.

Question 32Translation of unseen Latin prose

What tense and mood is 'amavisset'?

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

Explanation

The ending '-isset' marks the pluperfect subjunctive, formed from the perfect stem 'amav-'. It appears in subordinate clauses in secondary sequence and in contrary-to-fact conditions. The indicative pluperfect would be 'amaverat'.

Question 33Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'Caesar, vir magna virtute, milites duxit', how is 'magna virtute' best understood?

  1. An accusative of respect limiting 'duxit'
  2. A genitive of value depending on 'vir'
  3. An ablative of quality describing Caesar Correct answer.
  4. A dative of purpose explaining the march

Explanation

'Vir magna virtute' means 'a man of great courage'. The ablative with an adjective expresses quality or characteristic, often rendered in English with 'of'. This is a standard descriptive ablative.

Question 34Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which translation best captures 'ut primum hostes conspecti sunt, signum datum est'?

  1. Although the enemy were seen, a signal was given
  2. As soon as the enemy were seen, the signal was given Correct answer.
  3. Since the enemy had been seen, no signal was given
  4. In order that the enemy might be seen, a signal was given

Explanation

'Ut primum' is a fixed conjunction meaning 'as soon as'. It introduces a temporal clause with the indicative. The main clause 'signum datum est' is passive perfect, 'the signal was given'.

Question 35Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'nemo tam stultus est ut hoc credat', what does the 'ut' clause express?

  1. A purpose, following 'est'
  2. A result, following 'tam' Correct answer.
  3. A command, following 'nemo'
  4. A concession, following 'stultus'

Explanation

The correlative 'tam' in the main clause signals a result clause introduced by 'ut' with the subjunctive. The sense is 'No one is so foolish that he believes this'. Result clauses answer 'with the result that'.

Question 36Translation of unseen Latin prose

What is the best rendering of 'his rebus cognitis, Caesar castra movit'?

  1. When Caesar learns these things, he moves the camp
  2. These things having been learned by the camp, Caesar moved
  3. Having learned these things, Caesar moved the camp Correct answer.
  4. Caesar learned these things and moved the camp

Explanation

'His rebus cognitis' is an ablative absolute: a noun plus a perfect passive participle, grammatically independent of the main clause. It is naturally rendered 'having learned these things' or 'when these things had been learned'. The main clause follows in the perfect tense.

Question 37Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'rogavit num hostes adessent', what does 'num' introduce?

  1. An indirect question expecting the answer 'no' Correct answer.
  2. A direct question expecting the answer 'yes'
  3. A conditional clause
  4. A purpose clause

Explanation

'Num' introduces a question that anticipates a negative answer, and in indirect speech it follows a verb of asking. The clause is a subordinate indirect question with the subjunctive 'adessent'. The sense is 'he asked whether the enemy were present', implying doubt.

Question 38Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which form correctly completes 'si venias, te ...' meaning 'if you come, I will see you'?

  1. videbo Correct answer.
  2. viderem
  3. vidissem
  4. videam

Explanation

This is a future more vivid condition: the 'si' clause takes the present subjunctive and the main clause takes the future indicative. 'Videbo' is future indicative, so it fits. The other forms belong to different condition types.

Question 39Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'urbs Roma vocatur', what is the function of 'Roma'?

  1. Genitive of possession
  2. Ablative of means with the passive verb
  3. Vocative address to the city
  4. Predicate nominative after a passive verb of naming Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs meaning 'to be called' or 'to be named' take a predicate nominative that renames the subject. 'Roma' is nominative and agrees with the subject 'urbs'. The passive 'vocatur' links the two nominatives.

Question 40Translation of unseen Latin prose

What does the gerund 'legendi' express in 'cupidus legendi'?

  1. An ablative of the gerund, meaning 'by reading'
  2. A genitive of the gerund, meaning 'desirous of reading' Correct answer.
  3. An accusative of the gerund, meaning 'reading' as object
  4. A dative of the gerundive, meaning 'to be read'

Explanation

The adjective 'cupidus' regularly takes the genitive. The gerund 'legendi' is a verbal noun in the genitive, so the phrase means 'desirous of reading'. The gerundive would instead be an adjective agreeing with a noun.

Question 41Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'tantus erat timor ut nemo loqueretur', why is 'loqueretur' subjunctive?

  1. It is a purpose clause after a verb of motion
  2. It is a conditional clause after 'ut'
  3. It is a result clause after the correlative 'tantus' Correct answer.
  4. It is an indirect command after 'timor'

Explanation

The correlative 'tantus' in the main clause sets up a result clause introduced by 'ut' with the subjunctive. The sense is 'so great was the fear that no one spoke'. The subjunctive is required because the clause expresses a consequence.

Question 42Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which English rendering best captures 'profectus est ut consul fieret'?

  1. He set out after becoming consul
  2. He set out in order to become consul Correct answer.
  3. He set out although he was consul
  4. He set out because he had become consul

Explanation

'Ut' with the imperfect subjunctive after a verb of motion expresses purpose. The sense is 'in order that he might become consul'. The perfect 'profectus est' is the main verb.

Question 43Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'spero te valere', what construction follows 'spero'?

  1. An accusative and infinitive indirect statement Correct answer.
  2. An indirect question with the subjunctive
  3. A purpose clause with 'ut'
  4. An ablative absolute

Explanation

Verbs of hoping, saying, and thinking take the accusative and infinitive in indirect statement. Here 'te' is the accusative subject and 'valere' the present infinitive. The sense is 'I hope that you are well'.

Question 44Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which translation best captures 'cum haec audivisset, tamen processit'?

  1. Although he had heard these things, he nevertheless advanced Correct answer.
  2. Because he had heard these things, he therefore advanced
  3. Since he was about to hear these things, he advanced
  4. When he heard these things, he did not advance

Explanation

'Cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive and a 'tamen' in the main clause forms a concessive clause. The sense is 'although he had heard these things'. 'Tamen' marks the contrast.

Question 45Translation of unseen Latin prose

What is the force of 'fore ut' in 'spero fore ut vincamus'?

  1. It introduces an ablative absolute of time
  2. It introduces a direct command in the future
  3. It introduces a past condition contrary to fact
  4. It introduces a future result expressed by 'ut' plus the subjunctive Correct answer.

Explanation

'Fore ut' (from 'futurum esse ut') is used to express a future indirect statement when the event is not expressed by a simple future infinitive. It is followed by 'ut' and the subjunctive. The sense is 'I hope that we shall win'.

Question 46Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'haec res non modo urbem sed etiam totam provinciam terruit', which pair of correlatives appears?

  1. 'Non modo ... sed potius', meaning 'not only ... rather'
  2. 'Non modo ... sed ne ... quidem', meaning 'only ... not even'
  3. 'Non modo ... sed etiam', meaning 'not only ... but also' Correct answer.
  4. 'Non modo ... sed tamen', meaning 'not only ... but nevertheless'

Explanation

'Non modo ... sed etiam' is a common correlative pair meaning 'not only ... but also'. Both elements are emphasised in turn, with the second often the stronger. The verb 'terruit' is singular and agrees with 'res'.

Question 47Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which English rendering best captures the nuance of 'his dictis, discessit'?

  1. These words having departed, he spoke
  2. He departed in order to say these words
  3. Although he said these things, he departed
  4. With these words spoken, he departed Correct answer.

Explanation

'His dictis' is an ablative absolute with a perfect passive participle, meaning 'with these things having been said' or 'after these words'. It is grammatically independent of the main subject. The main verb 'discessit' means 'he departed'.

Question 48Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'imperator, cuius consilio omnia gesta erant, laudes accepit', what does 'cuius' introduce?

  1. An ablative absolute of means
  2. An indirect question depending on 'accepit'
  3. A purpose clause with a subjunctive verb
  4. A relative clause whose antecedent is 'imperator' Correct answer.

Explanation

'Cuius' is a relative pronoun in the genitive, agreeing with 'imperator' as antecedent and functioning as possessive in its clause. The relative clause 'cuius consilio omnia gesta erant' describes the commander. 'Consilio' is an ablative of means within that clause.

Question 49Translation of unseen Latin prose

Which Latin construction best expresses 'I fear that he may not come'?

  1. Timeo quod veniat
  2. Timeo ne non veniat
  3. Timeo ut veniat
  4. Timeo ne veniat Correct answer.

Explanation

After verbs of fearing, 'ne' introduces the feared outcome, so 'timeo ne veniat' means 'I fear that he may come'. To say 'I fear that he may not come', Latin uses 'ne non' or 'ut'. Thus 'timeo ne non veniat' is the correct expression of the negative fear.

Question 50Translation of unseen Latin prose

In 'quae cum ita sint, tamen pergam', what does 'quae cum ita sint' mean?

  1. Because these things had been so
  2. When these things will be so
  3. Although these things were so
  4. Since these things are so Correct answer.

Explanation

'Quae cum ita sint' is a set expression using a causal 'cum' clause with the present subjunctive. It means 'since these things are so' or 'this being the case'. The 'tamen' in the main clause marks a contrast with what follows.