I85PREP
⌘ K
Pancyprian Latin study materials
Pancyprian Latin study resources

Pancyprian Latin practice questions

One question at a time. Build your Pancyprian Latin understanding.

First 50 of 190 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 morphology and syntax

What is the genitive singular of the first-declension noun "puella" (girl)?

  1. puellam
  2. puellae Correct answer.
  3. puellis
  4. puellarum

Explanation

First-declension nouns like puella form the genitive singular in -ae: puellae ('of the girl'). Learning the genitive singular is essential because it identifies the declension of every noun.

Question 2Latin morphology and syntax

In the sentence "servus dominum timet" (the slave fears the master), what is the case and function of "dominum"?

  1. Nominative - the subject
  2. Dative - the indirect object
  3. Accusative - the direct object Correct answer.
  4. Ablative - the agent

Explanation

"Dominum" is accusative singular of dominus and functions as the direct object of the verb timet: it receives the action of fearing. The subject is "servus", which is nominative.

Question 3Latin morphology and syntax

The form "puellarum" is which case and number of "puella"?

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

Explanation

"Puellarum" is the genitive plural of puella, meaning 'of the girls'. First-declension genitive plurals end in -arum.

Question 4Latin morphology and syntax

To which declension does "rex, regis" (king) belong?

  1. Second declension
  2. Fourth declension
  3. First declension
  4. Third declension Correct answer.

Explanation

"Rex, regis" is a third-declension noun: its genitive singular ends in -is and the stem (reg-) differs from the nominative. Third-declension nouns can be masculine, feminine, or neuter.

Question 5Latin morphology and syntax

What is the ablative singular of the third-declension i-stem noun "mare" (sea)?

  1. mare
  2. mari Correct answer.
  3. maris
  4. maria

Explanation

"Mare" is a neuter i-stem (nom. mare, gen. maris), and i-stem neuters form the ablative singular in -i: mari ('by/in the sea'). This distinguishes i-stems from consonant stems like consul, consule.

Question 6Latin reading and translation

When first approaching a long Latin sentence in an unseen translation, what is the recommended first analytical step?

  1. Translate the words in their printed order, resolving difficulties as they arise
  2. Look up every unknown word in the dictionary before reading the sentence
  3. Identify the finite verb(s) and map the clause structure (main clause, subordinate clauses, participial constructions) Correct answer.
  4. Rewrite the sentence in German word order before determining any forms

Explanation

Sound method starts with structure: find the finite verb, assign subject and objects, then locate subordinate clauses, AcI constructions, participles, and ablative absolutes. Only with the skeleton clear can forms be determined reliably - LehrplanPLUS explicitly trains the analysis of complex periods with self-chosen methods such as graphical layouts.

Question 7Latin reading and translation

What is generally the best way to render an ablative absolute such as "pace facta" into adequate German?

  1. Word for word: "dem Frieden gemacht"
  2. As a German subordinate clause matching the context: "nachdem der Frieden geschlossen worden war" Correct answer.
  3. Omit it, since German has no ablative
  4. Always as a relative clause: "der Frieden, der gemacht wurde"

Explanation

German has no ablative absolute, so the construction is usually unpacked into a subordinate clause whose conjunction reflects the context - temporal (nachdem/als), causal (weil/da), or concessive (obwohl). Pace facta most naturally becomes "nachdem der Frieden geschlossen worden war". A nominal rendering with a preposition can occasionally work, but a clause is the standard solution.

Question 8Latin reading and translation

How is an AcI such as "putant hostes fugere" normally rendered in German?

  1. With a dass-clause, adjusting the tense to the Latin infinitive: "Sie glauben, dass die Feinde fliehen" Correct answer.
  2. With an infinitive phrase mirroring Latin: "Sie glauben die Feinde fliehen"
  3. With a relative clause: "die Feinde, die fliehen, glauben sie"
  4. With a conditional clause: "wenn die Feinde fliehen, glauben sie es"

Explanation

German cannot reproduce the AcI literally; the standard rendering is a dass-clause (or, stylistically, a verb-first clause). The German tense tracks the Latin infinitive: present infinitive = simultaneous (fliehen/fliehen), perfect infinitive = prior (geflohen seien), future infinitive = subsequent (fliehen würden).

Question 9Latin reading and translation

"Epistula scribenda est." Which German translation captures the gerundive correctly?

  1. "Der Brief wird geschrieben."
  2. "Der Brief wurde geschrieben."
  3. "Der Brief muss geschrieben werden." Correct answer.
  4. "Der Brief ist geschrieben worden."

Explanation

The gerundive with esse expresses necessity or obligation, so German uses müssen/sollen plus a passive infinitive: "Der Brief muss geschrieben werden." Where a dative of agent is present (mihi epistula scribenda est), German can switch to an active paraphrase: "Ich muss den Brief schreiben."

Question 10Latin reading and translation

Latin participial constructions like "Caesar, haec locutus, abiit" are typically best rendered into German by:

  1. Expanding the participle into a subordinate or main clause: "Nachdem Caesar dies gesagt hatte, ging er fort" Correct answer.
  2. Keeping a participle in the same position: "Caesar, dies gesagt habend, ging fort"
  3. Ignoring the participle, since German prefers finite verbs
  4. Always translating the participle as an infinitive with zu

Explanation

German participial attributes quickly become unidiomatic, so participles are usually resolved into clauses whose conjunction matches the context (nachdem, als, weil, obwohl, und dann). The tense of the participle guides the German tense: the perfect participle locutus marks an action prior to abiit.

Question 11Latin vocabulary and etymology

What does the phrase "bellum gerere" mean?

  1. To end a war
  2. To declare peace
  3. To carry weapons
  4. To wage war Correct answer.

Explanation

"Bellum gerere" is the standard idiom 'to wage/carry on war', frequent in historical narrative. Related idioms: bellum indicere ('declare war'), bellum conficere ('finish a war').

Question 12Latin vocabulary and etymology

What does "iter facere" mean in military and travel narratives?

  1. To travel or march Correct answer.
  2. To build a road
  3. To make a mistake
  4. To do business

Explanation

"Iter facere" = 'to make a journey, to march': exercitus magnum iter fecit ('the army made a long march'). It is one of the most common idioms in Roman historical prose.

Question 13Latin vocabulary and etymology

What does "poenas dare" mean?

  1. To give thanks
  2. To pay the penalty, be punished Correct answer.
  3. To make a demand
  4. To offer a reward

Explanation

"Poenas dare" (literally 'to give penalties') is the idiom for 'to pay the penalty, be punished': scelesti poenas dederunt ('the criminals were punished'). The person exacting punishment poenas repetit or sumit.

Question 14Latin vocabulary and etymology

What does "in animo habere" mean, as in "in animo habet proficisci"?

  1. To be angry
  2. To forget
  3. To intend, have in mind Correct answer.
  4. To doubt

Explanation

"In animo habere" + infinitive means 'to intend, have in mind': in animo habet proficisci = 'he intends to set out'. Animus here is the mind's purpose, not emotion.

Question 15Latin vocabulary and etymology

In a military context, what does "castra ponere" mean?

  1. To break camp
  2. To pitch camp Correct answer.
  3. To storm the camp
  4. To guard the camp

Explanation

"Castra ponere" is the standard phrase for 'to pitch camp' - what a Roman army did at the end of each day's march. The opposite, striking camp to depart, is castra movere.

Question 16Roman culture, thought and reception

Which Roman statesman famously ended every speech with the demand that Carthage be destroyed ("Carthago delenda est")?

  1. Cicero
  2. Scipio Africanus
  3. Cato the Elder Correct answer.
  4. Julius Caesar

Explanation

Cato the Elder (Cato the Censor) reportedly closed every speech in the senate, whatever the topic, with "ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam" - 'moreover, I think Carthage must be destroyed'. Rome razed Carthage in 146 BC at the end of the Third Punic War.

Question 17Roman culture, thought and reception

What does the formula "SPQR", seen on Roman standards and inscriptions, stand for?

  1. Senatus Populusque Romanus Correct answer.
  2. Senatus Pro Quiritibus Romanis
  3. Senatus Populus Romanus Quoque
  4. Salus Populi Quaestio Romana

Explanation

SPQR = Senatus Populusque Romanus, 'the Senate and the Roman People' - the two constitutive elements of the Roman state, used as the official emblem of Rome. The -que is the enclitic 'and'.

Question 18Roman culture, thought and reception

How many consuls were elected each year in the Roman Republic, and why?

  1. One, to ensure swift decision-making
  2. Two, so that each could check the other (collegiality) Correct answer.
  3. Three, one for each social class
  4. Ten, like the decemvirs

Explanation

Rome elected two consuls annually. The principle of collegiality meant each consul could veto (intercedere) the other's acts, preventing any return to one-man rule after the expulsion of the kings. Years were named after the consuls.

Question 19Roman culture, thought and reception

At which battle of 202 BC did Scipio defeat Hannibal, ending the Second Punic War and earning the name "Africanus"?

  1. Cannae
  2. Zama Correct answer.
  3. Lake Trasimene
  4. Actium

Explanation

Scipio defeated Hannibal at Zama in North Africa (202 BC), ending the Second Punic War; he was honoured with the cognomen Africanus. Cannae (216 BC) and Lake Trasimene (217 BC) were Hannibal's great victories over Rome.

Question 20Roman culture, thought and reception

Who was consul in 63 BC and exposed the conspiracy of Catiline in a series of famous speeches?

  1. Cicero Correct answer.
  2. Caesar
  3. Pompey
  4. Cato the Younger

Explanation

Marcus Tullius Cicero, as consul in 63 BC, unmasked Lucius Sergius Catilina's plot against the Republic and delivered the four Catilinarian Orations (beginning "Quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?").

Question 21Latin morphology and syntax

What is the dative singular of "servus" (slave)?

  1. servo Correct answer.
  2. servum
  3. servi
  4. servus

Explanation

Second-declension -us nouns form the dative singular in -o: servo ('to/for the slave'). The dative marks the indirect object or the person affected by the action.

Question 22Latin morphology and syntax

The noun "manus, manus" (feminine - hand; band of men) belongs to which declension?

  1. Second declension
  2. Third declension
  3. Fourth declension Correct answer.
  4. Fifth declension

Explanation

"Manus" is the classic example of the fourth declension, whose genitive singular ends in -us (manus, manus). Other common fourth-declension nouns are exercitus, fructus, and senatus.

Question 23Latin morphology and syntax

What is the genitive singular of the fifth-declension noun "res" (thing, matter)?

  1. res
  2. rei Correct answer.
  3. rem
  4. rerum

Explanation

Fifth-declension nouns form the genitive (and dative) singular in -ei: rei ('of the thing'). The whole declension is built on the stem r- plus -e- vowel endings.

Question 24Latin morphology and syntax

What is the genitive singular of "iter" (journey, march)?

  1. iteris
  2. itineris Correct answer.
  3. itinerum
  4. itere

Explanation

"Iter" is an irregular third-declension neuter with stem itiner-: genitive itineris ('of the journey'). The phrase "iter facere" (to march/travel) uses this noun constantly in narrative texts.

Question 25Latin morphology and syntax

In "milites gladiis pugnaverunt" (the soldiers fought with swords), what is the function of "gladiis"?

  1. Ablative of agent
  2. Dative of advantage
  3. Ablative of means/instrument Correct answer.
  4. Ablative of place from which

Explanation

"Gladiis" is an ablative of means (instrument): the thing with which the action is performed, used without a preposition. It answers the question 'with what?'.

Question 26Latin morphology and syntax

In "Cicero Romae habitabat" (Cicero used to live at Rome), what is the form and function of "Romae"?

  1. Locative: 'at Rome' Correct answer.
  2. Accusative: 'to Rome'
  3. Ablative: 'from Rome'
  4. Genitive: 'of Rome'

Explanation

With names of towns (and domus, rus, humus), place where is expressed by the special locative case without a preposition: Romae = 'at Rome'. No preposition is used with city names.

Question 27Latin morphology and syntax

What is the vocative singular of "filius" (son), as in a father addressing him directly?

  1. filie
  2. fili Correct answer.
  3. filium
  4. filio

Explanation

Second-declension nouns in -ius (filius, and names like Vergilius) form the vocative singular in -i: fili ('O son!'). Note the contrast with regular -us nouns like servus, whose vocative is serve.

Question 28Latin morphology and syntax

The form "corpora" (from corpus, corporis, neuter - body) can be which case(s)?

  1. Genitive singular
  2. Ablative singular
  3. Nominative or accusative plural Correct answer.
  4. Dative plural

Explanation

"Corpora" is the nominative and accusative plural of the neuter noun corpus: neuter plurals always end in -a in both the nominative and accusative (corpora, 'bodies').

Question 29Latin morphology and syntax

In "domum rediit" (he returned home), what is the grammatical status of "domum"?

  1. Accusative of place to which (motion towards), used without a preposition Correct answer.
  2. Ablative of place from which
  3. Locative meaning 'at home'
  4. Genitive of possession

Explanation

With domus, names of towns, and small islands, motion towards is expressed by the bare accusative without ad/in: domum = 'homewards, home'. This mirrors the locative domi ('at home') and ablative domo ('from home').

Question 30Latin morphology and syntax

To which conjugation does "amo, amare, amavi, amatum" (to love) belong?

  1. Second conjugation
  2. Third conjugation
  3. First conjugation Correct answer.
  4. Fourth conjugation

Explanation

"Amo, amare" is the model first-conjugation verb, recognizable by the -are infinitive with a long a (present stem ama-). Other first-conjugation verbs include portare, laudare, and parare.

Question 31Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 3rd person plural present indicative of "legere" (to read, to choose)?

  1. legit
  2. legunt Correct answer.
  3. legebant
  4. legerunt

Explanation

"Legunt" is the 3rd person plural present of legere: 'they read/are reading'. Third-conjugation presents use the vowel pattern -o, -is, -it, -imus, -itis, -unt.

Question 32Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 1st person singular imperfect of "sum" (to be)?

  1. eram Correct answer.
  2. ero
  3. fui
  4. essem

Explanation

The imperfect of sum is eram, eras, erat... ('I was'). It describes ongoing or habitual past states, as opposed to the perfect fui ('I was/have been', a completed event).

Question 33Latin morphology and syntax

What is the present passive infinitive of "portare" (to carry)?

  1. portare
  2. portavisse
  3. portari Correct answer.
  4. portatum esse

Explanation

The present passive infinitive of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th conjugations replaces final -e with -i: portari ('to be carried'). Compare moneri (2nd) and audiri (4th).

Question 34Latin morphology and syntax

What is the perfect active infinitive of "mittere" (to send), whose perfect stem is mis-?

  1. mittere
  2. missum esse
  3. misisse Correct answer.
  4. mitteri

Explanation

The perfect active infinitive adds -isse to the perfect stem: mis- + -isse = misisse ('to have sent'). You find the perfect stem by dropping -i from the 1st person perfect (misi).

Question 35Latin morphology and syntax

What is the singular imperative of "venire" (to come)?

  1. venite
  2. venire
  3. veni Correct answer.
  4. venito

Explanation

The singular imperative of regular verbs is the bare present stem: veni ('come!'). The plural adds -te (venite), and -to forms are the less common 'future' imperatives.

Question 36Latin morphology and syntax

What kind of verb is "sequor, sequi, secutus sum" (to follow)?

  1. It is a deponent: passive in form but active in meaning Correct answer.
  2. It is a semi-deponent used only in the perfect
  3. It is a defective verb lacking a present stem
  4. It is fully irregular like sum

Explanation

"Sequor" is a deponent verb: all its forms look passive (sequor, sequeris, sequitur...) but are translated actively ('I follow'). Its perfect secutus sum also means 'I followed', active in sense.

Question 37Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 1st person singular future indicative of "facere" (to make, to do)?

  1. faciet
  2. faciam Correct answer.
  3. feceram
  4. faciebam

Explanation

Third- and fourth-conjugation futures use the vowels -a-/-e-: faciam, facies, faciet ('I shall do'). Do not confuse this with the first/second-conjugation future in -bo, -bis, -bit.

Question 38Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 1st person singular perfect of "ferre" (to bring, to bear)?

  1. feravi
  2. ferebam
  3. tuli Correct answer.
  4. latum

Explanation

"Ferre" is irregular in the perfect system: tuli ('I brought/bore'), supine latum. Its principal parts fero, ferre, tuli, latum must simply be memorized, as they derive from different roots.

Question 39Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 3rd person plural pluperfect indicative active of "audire" (to hear)?

  1. audiebant
  2. audient
  3. audiverant Correct answer.
  4. audiunt

Explanation

The pluperfect adds -eram to the perfect stem: audiv- + -erant = audiverant ('they had heard'). It marks an action completed before another past action.

Question 40Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 1st person singular present subjunctive of "sum" (to be)?

  1. sim Correct answer.
  2. essem
  3. fuissem
  4. eram

Explanation

The present subjunctive of sum is irregular: sim, sis, sit, simus, sitis, sint. It appears in purpose clauses, wishes, and indirect questions in primary sequence.

Question 41Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 1st person singular imperfect subjunctive of "sum" (to be)?

  1. sim
  2. sit
  3. essem Correct answer.
  4. fuerim

Explanation

The imperfect subjunctive of sum is essem, esses, esset... It appears in subordinate clauses in historic sequence (after a past main verb) and in present contrary-to-fact conditions.

Question 42Latin morphology and syntax

What is the present infinitive of "volo" (I want)?

  1. volere
  2. velle Correct answer.
  3. voluisse
  4. volui

Explanation

"Volo" is irregular: volo, velle, volui ('I want, to want, I wanted'). Its relatives nolo (non velle, not to want) and malo (magis velle, to prefer) share the same irregular infinitive pattern.

Question 43Latin morphology and syntax

What is "fiunt" (as in "haec saepe fiunt")?

  1. Present indicative of fio - 'they become/are made/are done' Correct answer.
  2. Future of facere
  3. Perfect passive of facere
  4. Imperfect of fugere

Explanation

"Fiunt" is the 3rd person plural present of fio, fieri ('to become, be made, happen'), which serves as the passive of facere in the present system. Its perfect system is borrowed from the passive of facere: factus sum.

Question 44Latin morphology and syntax

"amamur" means...

  1. we love
  2. we were loving
  3. we are loved Correct answer.
  4. we shall love

Explanation

"Amamur" is the 1st person plural present passive of amare: passive endings -r, -ris, -tur, -mur, -mini, -ntur replace the active endings. Hence 'we are loved'.

Question 45Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 1st person singular perfect of "moneo, monere" (to warn, advise)?

  1. monavi
  2. monui Correct answer.
  3. monivi
  4. monitus

Explanation

Second-conjugation verbs typically form the perfect in -ui: moneo, monere, monui, monitum ('I warned'). Compare habui (habere) and tacui (tacere).

Question 46Latin morphology and syntax

Which set gives the correct irregular short singular imperatives of dicere, ducere, facere, and ferre?

  1. dice, duce, face, fere
  2. dic, duc, fac, fer Correct answer.
  3. dici, duci, faci, feri
  4. dicite, ducite, facite, ferte

Explanation

Four common verbs drop the final -e of the expected imperative: dic (say!), duc (lead!), fac (do!), fer (bring!). Their plurals are regular: dicite, ducite, facite, ferte.

Question 47Latin morphology and syntax

What is "memini" (as in "memini illius diei")?

  1. A perfect-tense verb with present meaning: 'I remember' Correct answer.
  2. A future perfect of memoro
  3. A deponent meaning 'I forget'
  4. The imperative of a verb meminere

Explanation

"Memini" is a defective verb that exists only in the perfect system but has present meaning: memini 'I remember', memineram 'I remembered'. It takes a genitive (illius diei) or accusative object, and its imperative is the famous memento.

Question 48Latin morphology and syntax

"poterant" (from possum, posse, potui - to be able) means...

  1. they are able
  2. they will be able
  3. they were able/could Correct answer.
  4. they have been able

Explanation

"Poterant" is the imperfect 3rd person plural of possum, 'they were able / they could'. Possum is formed from pot- + the forms of sum (pot-sum, pot-es, pot-est, imperfect pot-eram).

Question 49Latin morphology and syntax

What is the 1st person singular perfect of "ire" (to go)?

  1. eui
  2. ii (also written ivi) Correct answer.
  3. itum
  4. ibam

Explanation

The verb eo, ire has the perfect ii (or ivi) and supine itum: eo, ire, ii/ivi, itum ('I go, to go, I went'). Compounds follow suit: redii (from redire, 'to return').

Question 50Latin morphology and syntax

"Dicit puerum currere." What is the best translation?

  1. He says that the boy is running Correct answer.
  2. He tells the boy to run
  3. The boy says that he runs
  4. He said that the boy had run

Explanation

After verbs of saying, thinking, and knowing, Latin uses the accusative + infinitive construction (indirect statement): puerum (subject accusative) currere (present infinitive) = 'that the boy is running'. The present infinitive shows action at the same time as dicit.