VCE Latin study materials
VCE Latin study resources

VCE Latin practice questions

One question at a time. Build your VCE Latin 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 1Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In the sentence 'Caesar, ubi id audivit, ad castra contendit', what is the grammatical function of 'ubi'?

  1. Subordinating conjunction introducing a temporal clause Correct answer.
  2. Preposition governing the ablative
  3. Adverb of place meaning 'there'
  4. Relative pronoun referring to Caesar

Explanation

'Ubi' meaning 'when' introduces a subordinate temporal clause and is a subordinating conjunction. The main verb 'contendit' carries the principal statement, while 'audivit' sits inside the clause. Prepositions govern nouns, and relative pronouns agree with an antecedent, neither of which fits here.

Question 2Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Choose the correct form to complete: 'Milites fortiter ______.' (The soldiers fought bravely.)

  1. pugnabunt
  2. pugnent
  3. pugnaverat
  4. pugnaverunt Correct answer.

Explanation

A completed past action in narrative is expressed by the perfect tense, here 'pugnaverunt'. The subject 'milites' is plural, so the third person plural ending -erunt is required. The other forms are pluperfect, future, and present subjunctive, each giving a different time or mood.

Question 3Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What case is 'puellae' in the phrase 'liber puellae'?

  1. Vocative
  2. Genitive Correct answer.
  3. Nominative plural
  4. Dative

Explanation

In 'liber puellae' the noun depends on the head noun 'liber' and expresses possession, 'the girl's book', which is the genitive. The genitive singular of first-declension nouns ends in -ae. Dative and nominative plural share the same ending, so context and the possessive sense decide the case.

Question 4Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which English word derives from the Latin 'miles, militis'?

  1. Millennium
  2. Mildew
  3. Militia Correct answer.
  4. Mimic

Explanation

'Militia' comes from 'miles, militis' (soldier) through the abstract noun 'militia' meaning military service. The other words have unrelated origins, though some resemble the Latin stem in spelling only. Derivations must be traced to the actual Latin etymon, not to superficial similarity.

Question 5Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Dux militibus signum dedit', what is the case and function of 'militibus'?

  1. Genitive of possession
  2. Ablative of means
  3. Accusative of direct object
  4. Dative of indirect object Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb 'dedit' (gave) takes a direct object 'signum' and a recipient, so 'militibus' is dative plural marking the indirect object, 'to the soldiers'. Dative plural of the third declension ends in -ibus, which is shared with the ablative, but the verb of giving points to the dative.

Question 6Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which Latin pronoun correctly completes '______ librum legisti?' (Did you read this book?)

  1. Hunc Correct answer.
  2. Hoc
  3. Haec
  4. Huius

Explanation

'Liber' is masculine, and as the direct object of 'legisti' it must be accusative, giving 'hunc librum'. Demonstrative pronouns agree with their noun in gender, number, and case. 'Hoc' would be neuter or ablative, and 'huius' is genitive.

Question 7Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

The Latin verb 'fero, ferre, tuli, latum' is best described as which kind of verb?

  1. An irregular verb with suppletive principal parts Correct answer.
  2. A deponent verb
  3. An impersonal verb
  4. A regular first-conjugation verb

Explanation

'Fero' is irregular: its present system is athematic, and its perfect 'tuli' and supine 'latum' come from different roots, a feature called suppletion. Deponent verbs have passive forms with active meaning, and impersonal verbs lack a personal subject. Recognising the principal parts prevents misparsing forms like 'tuli'.

Question 8Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What is the mood of 'venias' in 'Rogat ut venias'?

  1. Infinitive
  2. Imperative
  3. Subjunctive Correct answer.
  4. Indicative

Explanation

After 'ut' following a verb of asking or commanding, Latin uses the present subjunctive to express a purpose or indirect command. Here 'venias' is present subjunctive active second person singular. The indicative would state a fact rather than the content of the request.

Question 9Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Urbs Roma a hostibus capta est', what construction is 'capta est'?

  1. Future perfect active
  2. Present passive infinitive
  3. Perfect passive indicative Correct answer.
  4. Perfect active indicative

Explanation

The phrase combines the perfect passive participle 'capta' (agreeing with feminine 'urbs') with a form of 'esse', producing the perfect passive indicative, 'was captured'. The ablative of agent 'a hostibus' confirms a passive verb with an agent. Active perfect would be 'cepit'.

Question 10Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which is the correct translation of 'Si pluisset, domi mansissemus'?

  1. If it rains, we will stay at home
  2. If it were raining, we would stay at home
  3. If it had rained, we would have stayed at home Correct answer.
  4. If it rains, we stay at home

Explanation

A pluperfect subjunctive in both protasis and apodosis marks a past contrary-to-fact condition, translated 'if it had rained, we would have stayed'. The pluperfect subjunctive 'mansissemus' corresponds to 'would have stayed'. Present and imperfect subjunctives would signal different time frames.

Question 11Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Imperator milites hortatus est ut fortiter pugnarent', what is the function of 'ut fortiter pugnarent'?

  1. Indirect command after a verb of urging Correct answer.
  2. Fear clause after a verb of fearing
  3. Result clause after a verb of happening
  4. Relative clause modifying 'milites'

Explanation

'Hortatus est' means 'he urged', a verb of exhorting, so 'ut' with the imperfect subjunctive expresses an indirect command, 'that they fight bravely'. The imperfect subjunctive reflects the sequence of tenses after a past main verb. Result clauses follow verbs like 'accidit' and fear clauses use 'ne'.

Question 12Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What is the case and use of 'gladio' in 'Hostem gladio interfecit'?

  1. Ablative of means Correct answer.
  2. Genitive of value
  3. Dative of purpose
  4. Accusative of place to which

Explanation

'Gladio' names the instrument by which the killing is done, so it is an ablative of means, translated 'with a sword'. Latin uses the bare ablative for tools and instruments without a preposition. The dative of purpose typically appears with a form of 'esse'.

Question 13Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which sentence correctly uses a gerundive to express obligation?

  1. Carthago delenda erat
  2. Carthago delenda est Correct answer.
  3. Carthago delendo est
  4. Carthago delendae sunt

Explanation

The gerundive agrees with its noun in gender, number, and case and, with a form of 'esse', expresses necessity or obligation: 'Carthago delenda est' means 'Carthage must be destroyed'. 'Carthago' is feminine singular, so the gerundive must be 'delenda'.

Question 14Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Tanta erat virtus militum ut hostes fugerent', what does 'ut hostes fugerent' express?

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

Explanation

The correlative 'tanta' in the main clause signals a result clause introduced by 'ut', 'such was the courage that the enemy fled'. The imperfect subjunctive follows the sequence of tenses after the imperfect main verb. Purpose clauses are not anticipated by a correlative adjective.

Question 15Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What is the meaning of the gerund in 'Discendo discimus'?

  1. By learning we learn Correct answer.
  2. We learn to teach
  3. We are learned by others
  4. We must learn

Explanation

The gerund is a verbal noun declining in the neuter singular; here 'discendo' is ablative, expressing means: 'by learning'. The main verb 'discimus' gives 'we learn'. Gerunds supply the oblique cases that the infinitive cannot.

Question 16Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Identify the construction in 'Dicit se venturum esse'.

  1. Indirect question
  2. Indirect command
  3. Indirect statement with a future active infinitive Correct answer.
  4. Ablative absolute

Explanation

After 'dicit', indirect statement uses the accusative subject 'se' with an infinitive; 'venturum esse' is the future active infinitive, 'that he would come'. The participle agrees with the accusative subject. Indirect questions use interrogative words, and indirect commands use 'ut'.

Question 17Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'His rebus confectis, Caesar profectus est', what is 'His rebus confectis'?

  1. Ablative of agent
  2. Dative of reference
  3. Accusative absolute
  4. Ablative absolute Correct answer.

Explanation

An ablative absolute consists of a noun and a participle in the ablative, grammatically independent of the main clause, expressing time or circumstance: 'when these things had been done'. The perfect passive participle 'confectis' agrees with 'rebus'. The subject of the main verb is Caesar, not the things.

Question 18Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which form of 'eo, ire' is 'ierunt'?

  1. Imperfect subjunctive active, third person plural
  2. Perfect indicative active, third person plural Correct answer.
  3. Future perfect indicative active, third person plural
  4. Present indicative active, third person plural

Explanation

'Eo, ire, ii/ivi, itum' is irregular, and 'ierunt' is the contracted perfect third person plural, 'they went'. The present third plural is 'eunt'. Perfect forms of 'ire' are built on the stem 'i-' with the usual perfect endings.

Question 19Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Nemo est qui hoc credat', what does the subjunctive 'credat' express?

  1. A purpose clause
  2. A relative clause of characteristic after a general or nonexistent antecedent Correct answer.
  3. A jussive subjunctive
  4. An indirect statement

Explanation

After a general or indefinite antecedent such as 'nemo est qui', Latin uses the subjunctive in a relative clause of characteristic, describing the kind of person who would believe this. The main clause asserts that no such person exists. Purpose would use 'ut', and jussive subjunctives stand as independent commands.

Question 20Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which word is a deponent verb?

  1. Conare
  2. Conari Correct answer.
  3. Canere
  4. Capere

Explanation

'Conor, conari, conatus sum' is deponent: it has passive forms but active meaning, 'to try'. Deponent verbs are recognisable by their passive-looking principal parts alongside an active infinitive in -ari. 'Capere' and 'canere' are ordinary active verbs.

Question 21Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Cum haec dixisset, tacuimus', how is the 'cum' clause best rendered?

  1. Since he says these things, we fall silent
  2. Although he said these things, we fell silent
  3. When he had said these things, we fell silent Correct answer.
  4. While he says these things, we are silent

Explanation

'Cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive in a narrative commonly forms a temporal clause, 'when he had said these things'. The pluperfect places the speaking before the main past action. A concessive sense would require context or 'tamen' in the main clause.

Question 22Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What does the supine in 'Legati pacem petitum venerunt' express?

  1. A passive state, 'peace having been sought'
  2. A completed action, 'having sought peace'
  3. Purpose, 'to seek peace' Correct answer.
  4. Obligation, 'peace must be sought'

Explanation

The accusative supine ending in -tum is used after verbs of motion to express purpose: 'they came to seek peace'. It is a verbal noun limited to the accusative and ablative singular. The ablative supine in -tu is used with adjectives like 'facilis'.

Question 23Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Non dubito quin verum dixerit', what construction follows 'non dubito'?

  1. A future condition
  2. An indirect question
  3. A subjunctive clause with 'quin' meaning 'that' Correct answer.
  4. An ablative absolute

Explanation

'Non dubito quin' takes the subjunctive and means 'I do not doubt that'; 'quin' here equals 'that' in positive statements after a negated verb of doubting. The perfect subjunctive 'dixerit' shows the statement is regarded as true. Affirmative 'dubito' would take an indirect question.

Question 24Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which best explains the mood in 'Utinam venisset!'?

  1. Optative subjunctive expressing an unfulfilled wish about the past Correct answer.
  2. Potential subjunctive expressing possibility
  3. Jussive subjunctive giving a command
  4. Deliberative subjunctive asking a question

Explanation

'Utinam' introduces an optative subjunctive; with the pluperfect it expresses a wish that cannot now be fulfilled, 'if only he had come'. The pluperfect subjunctive marks the wish as contrary to past fact. Potential and deliberative subjunctives occur without 'utinam'.

Question 25Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Veritus ne hostes advenirent, portas clausit', what does 'ne hostes advenirent' express?

  1. An indirect command, 'that the enemy arrive'
  2. A fear clause, 'lest the enemy arrive' Correct answer.
  3. A purpose clause, 'in order that the enemy arrive'
  4. A result clause, 'so that the enemy arrived'

Explanation

After a verb of fearing such as 'veritus', 'ne' introduces a fear clause with the subjunctive, 'fearing lest the enemy should arrive'. The imperfect subjunctive follows the past main verb. Purpose clauses use 'ut' or 'ne' but depend on verbs of motion or effort, not fearing.

Question 26Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which form of the relative pronoun correctly completes 'Puella ______ librum dedi est mea soror'?

  1. cui Correct answer.
  2. quam
  3. quae
  4. cuius

Explanation

The verb 'dedi' (I gave) takes a dative of the person receiving, so the relative pronoun must stand for 'to whom'. The feminine dative singular of the relative pronoun is 'cui', which is identical across genders in this form. 'Quae' would be nominative, 'quam' accusative, and 'cuius' genitive, none of which can serve as indirect object here.

Question 27Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Milites pontem resciderunt', what is the case and function of 'pontem'?

  1. Nominative, subject of the verb
  2. Ablative, means or instrument
  3. Accusative, direct object of the verb Correct answer.
  4. Dative, indirect object

Explanation

'Resciderunt' is a transitive verb meaning 'they cut down' and requires a direct object in the accusative case. 'Pontem' is the accusative singular of 'pons', so it functions as the object of the verb. The accusative ending '-em' belongs to the third declension and marks it clearly as object rather than subject.

Question 28Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which is the correct translation of 'Caesar milites trans flumen duxit'?

  1. The soldiers led Caesar along the river.
  2. Caesar led the soldiers away from the river.
  3. Caesar led the soldiers across the river. Correct answer.
  4. Caesar was led across the river by the soldiers.

Explanation

'Duxit' is the perfect active of 'duco' meaning 'led', with 'Caesar' as subject and 'milites' as accusative object. The preposition 'trans' takes the accusative and means 'across'. The passive rendering is impossible because 'duxit' is active, and 'trans' does not mean 'away from' or 'along'.

Question 29Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which pair correctly gives the principal parts of 'ago'?

  1. ago, agere, agi, agtum
  2. ago, agere, egi, actum Correct answer.
  3. ago, agere, egi, agere
  4. ago, agire, egi, actus

Explanation

The four principal parts of 'ago' are 'ago, agere, egi, actum', giving present, infinitive, perfect and supine. These parts supply the stems for all tenses and for verbal nouns. The other options alter the infinitive, the perfect stem, or replace the supine with an unrelated form.

Question 30Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What is the case and use of 'Roma' in 'Roma profectus est'?

  1. Accusative of place to which
  2. Vocative address
  3. Nominative subject of the sentence
  4. Ablative of separation with a verb of leaving Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs of departing such as 'proficiscor' take an ablative of separation to name the place left behind. 'Roma' is the ablative singular of 'Roma', so it means 'from Rome'. No preposition is needed with names of towns, which is why the bare ablative appears.

Question 31Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which sentence correctly expresses a future condition contrary to fact?

  1. Si venerit, gaudebo.
  2. Si veniret, gavisus essem.
  3. Si veniat, gaudeam.
  4. Si venisset, gavisus essem. Correct answer.

Explanation

A past contrary-to-fact condition uses the pluperfect subjunctive in both clauses: 'si venisset' (if he had come) with 'gavisus essem' (I would have rejoiced). The pluperfect subjunctive signals that the condition was not fulfilled in the past. Present contrary-to-fact conditions instead use the imperfect subjunctive in both clauses.

Question 32Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Tam fortis erat dux ut omnes eum sequerentur', what does the 'ut' clause express?

  1. A result Correct answer.
  2. A command
  3. A purpose
  4. A concession

Explanation

The correlative 'tam ... ut' introduces a result clause: the leader was so brave that everyone followed him. Result clauses take the subjunctive and are signalled by 'tam', 'ita', or 'tantus' in the main clause. Purpose clauses would use 'ut' with a different antecedent and no such correlative.

Question 33Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which form correctly completes 'Hostes ______ urbem oppugnaverunt' to mean 'the enemies, having been defeated, attacked the city'?

  1. victoria
  2. vincunt
  3. victi Correct answer.
  4. vincere

Explanation

A perfect passive participle agreeing with the subject expresses an action completed before the main verb: 'victi' means 'having been defeated'. It agrees with 'hostes' in the nominative plural masculine. The other forms are an infinitive, a noun, and a present indicative verb, none of which conveys prior passive action.

Question 34Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Cives, quorum virtus magna erat, urbem servaverunt', what is the function of 'quorum'?

  1. Dative of reference
  2. Genitive of possession in a relative clause Correct answer.
  3. Accusative direct object
  4. Ablative of means

Explanation

'Quorum' is the genitive plural of the relative pronoun and depends on 'virtus', expressing whose courage it was. The relative clause is thus 'whose courage was great'. Genitive forms of the relative pronoun regularly express possession within the clause.

Question 35Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which is the correct passive form of 'mittent'?

  1. mittentur Correct answer.
  2. mittuntur
  3. missi sunt
  4. mittant

Explanation

'Mittent' is third person plural future active of 'mitto'. The future passive keeps the future stem and replaces the active endings with passive ones, giving 'mittentur' (they will be sent). The other options are present passive, perfect passive, and present subjunctive active respectively.

Question 36Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What does the ablative absolute 'Urbe capta' most naturally mean in 'Urbe capta, cives fugerunt'?

  1. Because the city was capturing
  2. After the city had been captured Correct answer.
  3. With the city about to capture
  4. Although the city will be captured

Explanation

An ablative absolute consists of a noun and a participle in the ablative, grammatically detached from the main clause. Here 'capta' is a perfect passive participle, so the phrase means 'the city having been captured'. It expresses circumstance or time prior to the main verb.

Question 37Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which verb form correctly completes 'Rogavit quid ______' to mean 'he asked what I was doing'?

  1. facerem
  2. faciam Correct answer.
  3. feci
  4. facere

Explanation

In an indirect question the verb stands in the subjunctive, and the sequence of tenses after a past main verb ('rogavit') calls for the imperfect subjunctive to express contemporaneous action. 'Faciam' is first person singular imperfect subjunctive active, giving 'what I was doing'. The indicative and infinitive forms cannot stand in an indirect question.

Question 38Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which word is a supine in 'Miserunt legatos pacem petītum'?

  1. pacem
  2. legatos
  3. petitum Correct answer.
  4. miserunt

Explanation

The supine in '-um' is used after verbs of motion to express purpose, here 'to seek peace'. 'Petitum' is the accusative supine of 'peto' and depends on 'miserunt'. The other words are an accusative object, an accusative object, and the main verb.

Question 39Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What is the meaning of 'fore' in 'Dixit fore ut hostes vincerentur'?

  1. That it has happened
  2. To be about to speak
  3. That they are conquering
  4. That it would happen Correct answer.

Explanation

'Fore' is the future infinitive of 'sum' and is used with 'ut' plus the subjunctive to express a future event in indirect statement. The phrase 'fore ut hostes vincerentur' means 'that it would happen that the enemy would be conquered'. It supplies a future passive idea where no future passive infinitive exists.

Question 40Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which is the correct comparative form of the adjective 'facilis'?

  1. facilissimus
  2. facilior Correct answer.
  3. magis facilis
  4. facile

Explanation

Adjectives ending in '-ilis' form the comparative with '-ior' and the superlative with '-limus', giving 'facilior' and 'facillimus'. The comparative 'facilior' is declined as a third-declension adjective. 'Magis' with the positive is used only where the ending would be awkward or where the adjective lacks regular forms.

Question 41Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Non dubitabam quin ille venturus esset', what does 'quin' introduce?

  1. A causal clause
  2. A purpose clause
  3. A temporal clause
  4. A clause of doubting after a negative expression Correct answer.

Explanation

After expressions of doubting that are negated, 'quin' introduces a subjunctive clause meaning 'that ... not' or 'but that'. With 'non dubitabam' the sense is 'I did not doubt that he would come'. The subjunctive 'esset' is required in this construction.

Question 42Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which form correctly completes 'Si quis ______, ei aperiamus' to mean 'if anyone comes, let us open for him'?

  1. venturus est
  2. venit
  3. venerit Correct answer.
  4. veniret

Explanation

In a future more vivid condition the 'si' clause takes the future perfect indicative when referring to a completed action before the main clause. 'Venerit' is future perfect and gives 'if anyone has come'. The main clause uses the present subjunctive as a hortatory command.

Question 43Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which sentence uses the gerundive correctly to express obligation?

  1. Haec via nobis nunc eunda est. Correct answer.
  2. Haec via nobis nunc ire est.
  3. Haec via nobis nunc itur.
  4. Haec via nobis nunc eundum est.

Explanation

The gerundive agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case, and with a dative of agent expresses obligation. Here 'eunda' agrees with 'via' (feminine singular), giving 'this road must be travelled by us'. The impersonal gerund construction would use 'eundum est' without agreement.

Question 44Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'Tantus erat timor ut nemo loqui auderet', what is the force of 'ut'?

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

Explanation

The correlative 'tantus ... ut' introduces a result clause: such was the fear that no one dared to speak. The subjunctive 'auderet' is regular in result clauses, which express an outcome rather than an intention. Purpose clauses answer 'why', while result clauses answer 'with the consequence that'.

Question 45Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which best explains the mood of 'esset' in 'Nesciebam ubi esset'?

  1. Subjunctive in a purpose clause
  2. Subjunctive in an indirect question after a past main verb Correct answer.
  3. Imperfect indicative in a direct statement
  4. Future indicative in a temporal clause

Explanation

The verb 'nesciebam' introduces an indirect question, and indirect questions always take the subjunctive. Because the main verb is past, the imperfect subjunctive 'esset' expresses contemporaneous action. The clause means 'where he was'.

Question 46Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

In 'His rebus cognitis, Caesar, cum adesset hiems, in hiberna concessit', what does the 'cum' clause express?

  1. Cause, since 'cum' always takes the indicative
  2. Purpose, meaning 'in order that'
  3. Time, with the subjunctive because it describes circumstances Correct answer.
  4. Concession, meaning 'although'

Explanation

'Cum' with the subjunctive in past narrative commonly expresses circumstance or time, often rendered 'when' or 'since'. Here 'cum adesset hiems' sets the temporal background: when winter was at hand. The subjunctive marks it as descriptive circumstance rather than a simple fact.

Question 47Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which correctly renders 'He said that the city had been captured' in Latin?

  1. Dixit urbem capere.
  2. Dixit urbem capi.
  3. Dixit urbem captam fore.
  4. Dixit urbem captam esse. Correct answer.

Explanation

Indirect statement uses the accusative and infinitive, and a past passive event is expressed by the perfect passive infinitive 'captam esse'. The participle agrees with 'urbem' in gender, number, and case. 'Captam fore' would point to a future capture rather than a completed one.

Question 48Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

What is the case and use of 'consule' in 'Cicerone consule, coniuratio detecta est'?

  1. Vocative address
  2. Accusative of duration
  3. Dative of agent
  4. Ablative in an ablative absolute of time Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'Cicerone consule' is an ablative absolute naming the consuls in office, used to date the event. Both words stand in the ablative and are grammatically independent of the main clause. It is rendered 'in the consulship of Cicero'.

Question 49Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which is the correct translation of 'Utinam ne hoc umquam audivissem'?

  1. Since I have heard this, I am glad.
  2. If only I had never heard this! Correct answer.
  3. I wish that I might hear this.
  4. Do not let anyone hear this.

Explanation

'Utinam' introduces an optative wish, and with 'ne' it is negative. The pluperfect subjunctive 'audivissem' expresses an unfulfilled wish about the past: 'if only I had never heard this'. The combination of 'utinam ne' plus pluperfect subjunctive is the standard pattern.

Question 50Latin language and texts (Units 1-4 areas of study, including prescribed text study)

Which word in 'Puella, quae in horto sedebat, librum legit' is the antecedent of 'quae'?

  1. horto
  2. Puella Correct answer.
  3. legit
  4. librum

Explanation

The antecedent is the noun to which the relative pronoun refers, and here 'quae' is feminine nominative singular matching 'puella'. The relative clause describes the girl sitting in the garden. 'Horto' and 'librum' are nouns within the clause or its surroundings, not the antecedent.