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VCE Classical Greek study materials
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VCE Classical Greek practice questions

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Question 1Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ στρατηγὸς τοὺς στρατιώτας ἐκέλευσεν ἀπιέναι, what construction is ἀπιέναι?

  1. Infinitive as subject
  2. Purpose infinitive
  3. Complementary infinitive after ἐκέλευσεν Correct answer.
  4. Infinitive in indirect statement

Explanation

Verbs of ordering such as κελεύω regularly take an accusative object plus a complementary infinitive expressing what the object is ordered to do. The infinitive completes the meaning of the main verb rather than expressing purpose or reported speech. Here ἀπιέναι states the content of the order given to the soldiers.

Question 2Translation of unseen Greek prose

What is the function of the dative in τοῖς μὲν ἀγαθοῖς εἰρήνη ἐστίν?

  1. Dative of possession with εἰμί Correct answer.
  2. Dative of time
  3. Dative of instrument
  4. Dative of agent

Explanation

Greek expresses possession with the dative of the possessor together with a form of εἰμί, literally 'there is peace to the good'. The dative here names those who have the peace. This is a standard idiom distinct from instrument, agent, and time uses.

Question 3Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the phrase οἱ ἐν τῇ πόλει, how is the prepositional phrase best understood?

  1. As an apposition to πόλει
  2. As an adverbial phrase modifying an unstated verb
  3. As an attributive phrase modifying οἱ, 'those in the city' Correct answer.
  4. As a predicate nominative

Explanation

A prepositional phrase placed between the article and its noun, or after an article with no noun, functions attributively. Here οἱ ἐν τῇ πόλει means 'the people in the city'. The phrase restricts the reference of the article rather than describing where an action happens.

Question 4Translation of unseen Greek prose

Which translation best renders the participle in ταῦτα εἰπὼν ὁ ἀνὴρ ἀπῆλθεν?

  1. If the man said this, he departed
  2. Having said this, the man departed Correct answer.
  3. While this was being said, the man departed
  4. The man departed in order to say this

Explanation

The aorist participle εἰπών denotes an action completed before the main verb ἀπῆλθεν. An aorist participle is normally translated 'having done' when it precedes the main action. Its subject agrees with the subject of the main clause, ὁ ἀνήρ.

Question 5Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ἡ μάχη χαλεπὴ ἐγένετο, what case and function is χαλεπή?

  1. Nominative predicate adjective agreeing with ἡ μάχη Correct answer.
  2. Accusative direct object
  3. Dative of manner
  4. Genitive of description

Explanation

Verbs meaning 'become' such as γίγνομαι are linking verbs that take a predicate adjective in the nominative. The adjective χαλεπή agrees with the subject ἡ μάχη in gender, number, and case. It describes the subject rather than naming a separate object.

Question 6Translation of unseen Greek prose

What does the particle ἄν indicate in ἔλεγεν ἂν ταῦτα?

  1. Direct question, 'is he saying this?'
  2. Potential or unreal condition, 'he would say this' Correct answer.
  3. Emphatic assertion, 'he certainly says this'
  4. Past habitual action, 'he used to say this'

Explanation

The combination of a secondary-tense indicative with ἄν expresses what would happen or would have happened, depending on context. With the imperfect it often marks an unreal present condition. The particle signals contingency rather than plain statement.

Question 7Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the clause ἐπειδὴ οἱ πολέμιοι ἀφίκοντο, the verb ἀφίκοντο is best translated how?

  1. Would arrive
  2. Arrived Correct answer.
  3. Were arriving
  4. Had been arriving

Explanation

The aorist indicative ἀφίκοντο presents the action as a simple completed event in past time. In a temporal clause after ἐπειδή it is naturally rendered 'arrived' or 'had arrived'. The aorist does not itself convey duration or repeated action.

Question 8Translation of unseen Greek prose

Which word in the sentence ὁ ἀνὴρ λόγῳ πείθει τοὺς νέους expresses the means by which persuasion happens?

  1. πείθει
  2. ὁ ἀνήρ
  3. τοὺς νέους
  4. λόγῳ Correct answer.

Explanation

The dative λόγῳ without a preposition expresses the instrument or means, 'by a word or argument'. This is the standard dative of means. The subject and object identify the agent and the person persuaded, not the instrument.

Question 9Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οὐκ ἦλθεν ὅτι ἐφοβεῖτο, how is ὅτι best translated?

  1. Until
  2. Because Correct answer.
  3. Although
  4. That

Explanation

After a verb expressing a reason or emotion, ὅτι commonly introduces a causal clause meaning 'because'. The context of fear explains the failure to come. When ὅτι introduces indirect statement it is translated 'that', but here the sense is causal.

Question 10Translation of unseen Greek prose

What is the force of the optative in εἴ τις ταῦτα λέγοι, ἁμαρτάνοι ἄν?

  1. Simple past condition
  2. Future more vivid condition
  3. Unreal present condition, 'if anyone were to say this, he would err' Correct answer.
  4. Indirect question

Explanation

The optative with ἄν in both clauses marks a present unreal or potential condition, often translated 'if anyone were to say... he would err'. The structure is the optative equivalent of an unreal conditional. It presents the situation as hypothetical rather than factual.

Question 11Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the phrase τοὺς στρατιώτας ἔπεισεν ἀπελθεῖν, what role does ἀπελθεῖν play?

  1. Infinitive in indirect statement
  2. Complementary infinitive after ἔπεισεν Correct answer.
  3. Infinitive of purpose
  4. Infinitive as subject

Explanation

Verbs of persuading take an accusative object plus a complementary infinitive expressing what the object is persuaded to do. The infinitive completes the sense of ἔπεισεν. It does not introduce a separate clause or state a purpose.

Question 12Translation of unseen Greek prose

What does the genitive absolute in τούτων λεχθέντων οἱ ἄλλοι ἀπῆλθον express?

  1. An indirect command
  2. A purpose clause
  3. A circumstance grammatically independent of the main clause, 'when these things had been said' Correct answer.
  4. The subject of the main verb

Explanation

A genitive absolute consists of a participle and a noun or pronoun in the genitive that are grammatically separate from the main clause. It expresses a circumstance such as time, cause, or condition. Here it means 'when these things had been said'.

Question 13Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ πατὴρ τὸν παῖδα ἔπεισεν ὅπως ἀγαθὸς γένοιτο, what is the mood of γένοιτο and why?

  1. Optative, because the clause is reported after a secondary tense Correct answer.
  2. Indicative, because it states a fact
  3. Imperative, because it is a command
  4. Subjunctive, because the clause is primary sequence

Explanation

After a secondary tense main verb, a purpose or object clause with ὅπως regularly takes the optative in indirect discourse. This is the optative of indirect discourse in secondary sequence. The subjunctive would appear in primary sequence.

Question 14Translation of unseen Greek prose

Which is the best translation of the participle in οἱ στρατιῶται μαχόμενοι ἀπέθανον?

  1. The soldiers died because they had been fought
  2. The soldiers died in order to fight
  3. The soldiers died while fighting Correct answer.
  4. The soldiers died after having fought

Explanation

The present participle μαχόμενοι describes action simultaneous with the main verb, so 'while fighting' is the natural rendering. The participle is middle in form and agrees with the subject. It does not indicate prior completion or purpose.

Question 15Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the clause ἵνα μὴ οἱ πολέμιοι φύγωσιν, what is the construction and meaning?

  1. Negative purpose clause, 'so that the enemy might not flee' Correct answer.
  2. Temporal clause, 'until the enemy fled'
  3. Indirect statement, 'that the enemy did not flee'
  4. Conditional clause, 'if the enemy should not flee'

Explanation

ἵνα with the subjunctive expresses purpose, and μή makes the purpose negative. The clause means 'so that the enemy might not flee'. The subjunctive is required because the main verb is primary in sequence.

Question 16Translation of unseen Greek prose

What is the function of the accusative in ὁ ἄγγελος ταχὺς ἔδραμεν?

  1. Adverbial accusative of manner or extent Correct answer.
  2. Predicate accusative
  3. Accusative of respect
  4. Direct object

Explanation

The accusative ταχύς modifies the verb rather than an object, expressing manner or degree. This is the adverbial accusative. It is common with neuter adjectives and can be translated 'quickly' or 'with speed'.

Question 17Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence εἰ ταῦτα ἀληθῆ ἦν, ἐπιστεύομεν ἄν, what is the force of ἦν?

  1. Optative in a potential condition
  2. Aorist indicative in a past condition
  3. Present indicative in a simple condition
  4. Imperfect indicative in an unreal present condition Correct answer.

Explanation

The imperfect indicative in the protasis with ἄν in the apodosis marks an unreal present condition. The form ἦν is imperfect of εἰμί. The meaning is 'if these things were true, we would believe'.

Question 18Translation of unseen Greek prose

Which translation best captures the force of the middle in ἐλύσαντο τοὺς ἵππους?

  1. They untied the horses unwillingly
  2. They untied the horses for someone else
  3. They were untied by the horses
  4. They had their own horses untied Correct answer.

Explanation

The middle voice often marks action done in the subject's own interest, especially with the accusative of a possession. Here the middle ἐλύσαντο suggests the subject had his own horses untied or untied them for himself. The middle is not passive and does not express unwillingness.

Question 19Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς πρέσβεις ἔπεμψεν ἐρωτήσοντας, what does ἐρωτήσοντας express?

  1. Purpose with a future participle Correct answer.
  2. Result with an aorist participle
  3. Concession
  4. Indirect statement

Explanation

The future participle expresses purpose, especially after verbs of sending. It agrees with the object τοὺς πρέσβεις in the accusative plural. The sense is 'sent the envoys to ask'.

Question 20Translation of unseen Greek prose

What is the meaning of the particle combination in οὐ γὰρ δὴ οἱ θεοὶ ἀδικοῦσιν?

  1. A question expecting the answer no
  2. A wish for the future
  3. A conditional protasis
  4. A strengthened causal assertion, 'for surely the gods do not act unjustly' Correct answer.

Explanation

γάρ introduces a reason, and δή adds emphasis or certainty. Together they make a strong causal statement, 'for surely'. The combination does not form a question, wish, or condition.

Question 21Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the phrase ἀξίους λόγου τοὺς ἄνδρας ἐνόμιζον, what is the case and function of λόγου?

  1. Dative of means
  2. Genitive governed by ἄξιος, 'worthy of' Correct answer.
  3. Nominative predicate
  4. Accusative direct object

Explanation

The adjective ἄξιος takes a genitive of value or worth, meaning 'worthy of'. Here λόγου is the genitive complement of ἀξίους. It is not the object of the verb or a dative of means.

Question 22Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ἅμα δὲ ταῦτα ἔλεγεν καὶ ἀνέστη, how should ἅμα...καί be translated?

  1. 'At the same time as he said this, he also stood up' Correct answer.
  2. 'Before he said this, he stood up'
  3. 'After he said this, he stood up'
  4. 'Although he said this, he did not stand up'

Explanation

The correlative ἅμα...καί links two actions as simultaneous, 'at the same time as...also'. It coordinates the speaking and the standing up rather than marking sequence or concession. The imperfect ἔλεγεν supports the sense of ongoing action.

Question 23Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ νεανίας ἔφη τοὺς πολίτας ἀγαθοὺς εἶναι, what is the construction and translation?

  1. Direct statement with a nominative subject
  2. Purpose clause, 'so that the citizens would be good'
  3. Indirect statement with accusative and infinitive, 'said that the citizens were good' Correct answer.
  4. Indirect command, 'ordered the citizens to be good'

Explanation

After φημί, indirect statement is expressed by an accusative subject and an infinitive verb. Here τοὺς πολίτας is the accusative subject and εἶναι the infinitive. The sense is 'said that the citizens were good'.

Question 24Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οὐκ ἂν ἐδυνήθημεν νικῆσαι εἰ μὴ οἱ σύμμαχοι ἦλθον, what is the force of the construction?

  1. Simple past statement, 'we did not win because the allies came'
  2. Future condition, 'we will not be able to win unless the allies come'
  3. Unreal past condition, 'we would not have been able to win if the allies had not come' Correct answer.
  4. Present general condition, 'we cannot win if the allies do not come'

Explanation

The aorist indicative with ἄν in the apodosis and the aorist indicative in the protasis marked by εἰ μή form an unreal past condition. The meaning is 'we would not have been able to win if the allies had not come'. The construction refers to a past counterfactual.

Question 25Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the clause ταῦτα ποιήσας ὁ ἀνὴρ ἐπαινεθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν, what is the relationship between the two participles?

  1. The aorist active participle states prior action, and the aorist passive participle states a further prior circumstance affecting the subject Correct answer.
  2. Both participles express simultaneous ongoing action
  3. The first is passive and the second active
  4. Both express purpose

Explanation

The aorist participle ποιήσας is active and denotes action completed before the main verb. The aorist passive participle ἐπαινεθείς denotes a prior circumstance undergone by the same subject. Both attach to ὁ ἀνήρ and describe preceding events.

Question 26Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οἱ Ἀθηναῖοι ναῦς πολλὰς ἐποιήσαντο, how is ἐποιήσαντο best translated?

  1. they will make
  2. they made for themselves Correct answer.
  3. they were made
  4. they had been made

Explanation

The verb is aorist middle, and the middle voice of ποιέω with a personal subject regularly conveys action done for the subject's own interest, hence 'they made for themselves' or 'they got made'. The unaugmented-looking ending -σαντο marks it as middle, not passive.

Question 27Translation of unseen Greek prose

Which translation best renders the participle in ἀφικόμενοι οἱ πρέσβεις ἤγγειλαν τὰ γενόμενα?

  1. The envoys, being reported, arrived
  2. After arriving, the envoys reported what had happened Correct answer.
  3. The envoys reported that they were arriving
  4. Arriving envoys were reported

Explanation

The aorist participle ἀφικόμενοι agrees with the subject of the main verb and normally denotes action completed before the main verb, so it is rendered 'after arriving' or 'having arrived'. The main verb ἤγγειλαν means 'they reported', and τὰ γενόμενα is 'the things that had happened'.

Question 28Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the clause ἐὰν ταῦτα πράξωμεν, νικήσομεν, what does the mood of πράξωμεν indicate?

  1. A wish for the future
  2. A reported statement
  3. A past counterfactual condition
  4. A future-more-vivid condition, with the action presented as likely Correct answer.

Explanation

The combination ἐάν with the subjunctive in the protasis and the future indicative in the apodosis forms the future-more-vivid (or future open) condition, presenting the condition as a real possibility. The subjunctive is required after ἐάν in this construction.

Question 29Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ στρατηγὸς τοῖς στρατιώταις ἐκέλευσεν ἀναχωρῆσαι, what is the case and function of τοῖς στρατιώταις?

  1. Dative, the person commanded Correct answer.
  2. Accusative, the direct object
  3. Vocative, the addressee
  4. Genitive, the possessor

Explanation

κελεύω takes a dative of the person ordered plus an infinitive of what is ordered. The dative plural ending -οις confirms the case, and the infinitive ἀναχωρῆσαι supplies the content of the command.

Question 30Translation of unseen Greek prose

What is the best translation of the clause οὐδεὶς ἦν ὃς οὐκ ἐθαύμασεν;

  1. There was no one who did not marvel Correct answer.
  2. There was someone who did not marvel
  3. No one was marveled at
  4. No one marveled at anything

Explanation

The relative clause introduced by ὃς οὐκ after a negative main clause produces a double negative meaning 'there was no one who did not...', i.e. everyone marveled. The aorist ἐθαύμασεν is best rendered as a simple past.

Question 31Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the phrase οἱ περὶ τὸν βασιλέα φίλοι, how is the prepositional phrase best translated?

  1. the king's friends, that is, those around him Correct answer.
  2. the friends against the king
  3. the friends instead of the king
  4. the friends who are near the king's palace only

Explanation

The idiom οἱ περί τινα means 'those around someone', i.e. his associates or court. It is a periphrastic way of naming a person's circle rather than a literal statement of physical position.

Question 32Translation of unseen Greek prose

Which is the best translation of the sentence ὁ παῖς μείζων ἐγένετο ἢ ὁ ἀδελφός;

  1. The boy became as tall as his brother
  2. The boy became taller than his brother Correct answer.
  3. The boy was taller than his brother became
  4. The boy became the taller brother

Explanation

The comparative μείζων is followed by ἤ meaning 'than', and ἐγένετο means 'became'. The comparison is between the boy and his brother as the standard of comparison.

Question 33Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ταῦτα εἰπὼν ὁ ἀνὴρ ἀπῆλθεν, what does the aorist participle εἰπών express in relation to the main verb?

  1. An action that never occurred
  2. An action simultaneous with his departure
  3. A purpose for departing
  4. An action completed before he departed Correct answer.

Explanation

The aorist participle typically denotes action prior to the main verb, so 'having said these things he departed'. The participle agrees with the subject ὁ ἀνήρ.

Question 34Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ δῆμος τοὺς ἄρχοντας ἐτίμησεν, how is the aorist ἐτίμησεν best translated?

  1. will honour
  2. honoured Correct answer.
  3. was honouring
  4. would honour

Explanation

The aorist indicative presents the action as a simple completed event in past time, best rendered by the English simple past 'honoured'. It does not by itself imply continuous or repeated action.

Question 35Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ἐφοβοῦντο μὴ οἱ πολέμιοι ἔλθοιεν, how is the clause μὴ...ἔλθοιεν best translated?

  1. whenever the enemy came
  2. because the enemy came
  3. although the enemy came
  4. that the enemy might come Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs of fearing take μή (or μὴ οὐ) with the subjunctive or optative to express the content feared, so ἐφοβοῦντο μή...ἔλθοιεν means 'they feared that the enemy might come'. The optative after a past main verb represents the feared possibility.

Question 36Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὡς δὲ ταῦτα ἤκουσαν, ἀνεβόησαν, how is ὡς best translated?

  1. since (giving a reason already known)
  2. when Correct answer.
  3. so that
  4. as if

Explanation

In narrative prose ὡς with the indicative frequently functions as a temporal conjunction meaning 'when' or 'after'. The aorist ἤκουσαν marks the event that triggered the reaction.

Question 37Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the phrase ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς ὤν, what does the participle ὤν add to the description?

  1. It turns the phrase into a command
  2. It makes the phrase a question
  3. It marks the quality as a circumstance of the subject Correct answer.
  4. It places the action in the future

Explanation

The present participle of εἰμί, ὤν, agrees with the subject and attaches a circumstance or assumed quality to it, translatable as 'being a good man' or 'since he was a good man'. It does not change the mood of the sentence.

Question 38Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οἱ μὲν ἔμειναν, οἱ δὲ ἔφυγον, what does the pair μέν...δέ mark?

  1. A contrast between two groups Correct answer.
  2. A condition and its consequence
  3. A temporal sequence of events
  4. A cause and its result

Explanation

The particles μέν and δέ are correlative, setting one item against another: 'some stayed, but others fled'. They signal contrast rather than time, condition, or causation.

Question 39Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οὐχ οἷόν τε ἦν τοὺς στρατιώτας διαβῆναι, what is the construction of τοὺς στρατιώτας διαβῆναι?

  1. An indirect command
  2. A genitive absolute
  3. A purpose clause
  4. Accusative and infinitive as the subject of οἷόν τε ἦν Correct answer.

Explanation

The impersonal expression οἷόν τε ἦν ('it was possible') takes an accusative-and-infinitive construction as its logical subject: 'that the soldiers cross'. The accusative τοὺς στρατιώτας is the subject of the infinitive διαβῆναι.

Question 40Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ἔλεξεν ὅτι οἱ σύμμαχοι ἀφίκοιντο, why is the optative ἀφίκοιντο used?

  1. Because the main verb is secondary and the reported statement is indirect Correct answer.
  2. Because the statement is a command
  3. Because the statement is a wish
  4. Because the statement is a condition

Explanation

After a past-tense verb of saying, ὅτι clauses may take the optative by attraction, representing the original indicative of the direct statement. This is the optative in indirect discourse (oratio obliqua).

Question 41Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ ἀνὴρ ἔτυχε τῶν πολιτῶν ἀφικομένων, how is the genitive τῶν πολιτῶν ἀφικομένων best understood?

  1. As a partitive genitive after a noun
  2. As the genitive complement of the verb τυγχάνω with a participle Correct answer.
  3. As a genitive absolute
  4. As a genitive of price

Explanation

τυγχάνω takes the genitive of the person or thing encountered, and here a participle ἀφικομένων agrees with that genitive, meaning 'he happened upon the citizens having arrived'. The genitive is governed by the verb, not absolute.

Question 42Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence εἰ οἱ θεοὶ μὴ ἐβοήθησαν, οὐκ ἂν ἐσώθημεν, what kind of condition is expressed?

  1. Present general condition
  2. Past counterfactual, contrary to fact Correct answer.
  3. Future open condition
  4. Simple factual condition

Explanation

The protasis uses εἰ with the aorist indicative and the apodosis uses ἄν with the aorist indicative, the standard pattern for a past contrary-to-fact condition: 'if the gods had not helped, we would not have been saved'.

Question 43Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ταῦτα ἐποίησεν ὡς τὸν πατέρα λυπήσων, what does the future participle λυπήσων express?

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

Explanation

The future participle, often with ὡς, expresses purpose: 'he did this in order to grieve his father'. It agrees with the subject of the main verb and looks forward to the intended outcome.

Question 44Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οὐκ ἔστιν ὅπως ταῦτα ἀληθῆ ἐστιν, how is the clause ὅπως...ἐστιν best translated?

  1. because these things are true
  2. when these things were true
  3. he said in what manner these things were true
  4. there is no way that these things are true Correct answer.

Explanation

οὐκ ἔστιν ὅπως is an idiom meaning 'there is no way that' or 'it is impossible that', followed by the indicative. It expresses strong denial rather than manner, cause, or time.

Question 45Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ἅπαντες ᾔδεσαν ὅτι οὐκ ἀληθῆ λέγοι, why might λέγοι be used instead of λέγει?

  1. Because the speaker is expressing a wish
  2. Because the statement is a future possibility
  3. Because the main verb is past and the reported statement is shifted into the optative Correct answer.
  4. Because the verb is imperative in form

Explanation

In indirect discourse after a past-tense main verb, Greek may replace the original indicative with the optative, here λέγοι for the original λέγει. This is the optative of indirect discourse, common in historians.

Question 46Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ νεανίας τοσοῦτος ἦν ὥστε πάντας θαυμάζειν, what does ὥστε with the infinitive express?

  1. Concession
  2. Actual result Correct answer.
  3. Purpose
  4. Condition

Explanation

ὥστε with the infinitive expresses result, often after a preceding τοσοῦτος or οὕτως: 'the young man was so great that everyone marvelled'. The infinitive presents the outcome as a natural consequence.

Question 47Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οἱ στρατιῶται τὴν πόλιν ἔλιπον, how is the aorist ἔλιπον best translated?

  1. they are leaving
  2. they used to leave
  3. they left Correct answer.
  4. they were left

Explanation

The aorist of λείπω is ἔλιπον, active, meaning 'they left' as a completed past action. The form is not passive, habitual, or present.

Question 48Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence οὐκ ἔφη ὁ πατὴρ ἐλθεῖν, how is the negation best understood?

  1. The negation makes the whole sentence a question
  2. The negation belongs only to the infinitive, giving 'he said the father did not come'
  3. The negation belongs to the main verb, giving 'he denied that the father came' Correct answer.
  4. The negation makes the sentence a command

Explanation

With φημί the negative οὐ negates the verb of saying, so οὐκ ἔφη means 'he denied' or 'he said no'. To negate the infinitive instead, Greek would use οὐκ ἔφη...οὐκ ἐλθεῖν or λέγει μὴ ἐλθεῖν.

Question 49Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ἦλθον οὐχ ἵνα μείναιεν ἀλλ' ἵνα ἀπέλθοιεν, what is the force of the two ἵνα clauses?

  1. They state a rejected purpose and a real purpose in contrast Correct answer.
  2. They state two results
  3. They state two conditions
  4. They state two temporal clauses

Explanation

ἵνα with the optative after a past main verb expresses purpose, and the οὐ...ἀλλά contrast sets a rejected purpose against the actual one: 'they came not in order to stay but in order to leave'. The optative is used because the main verb is secondary.

Question 50Translation of unseen Greek prose

In the sentence ὁ ἀνὴρ ἀφικόμενος εἰς τὴν πόλιν τοὺς ἄρχοντας μετεπέμψατο, what does the middle μετεπέμψατο most likely convey?

  1. He sent them away
  2. He sent for them for his own purposes Correct answer.
  3. He was sent for by them
  4. He was sent away

Explanation

μεταπέμπομαι is a middle verb meaning 'send for, summon to oneself', with the middle indicating action directed toward the subject's interest. The aorist μετεπέμψατο with the accusative τοὺς ἄρχοντας means 'he summoned the officials'.