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Érettségi Latin practice questions

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Question 1Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a continuous Latin prose passage, the opening sentence often establishes setting with an ablative absolute. If the text begins 'Caesare imperante, legati ad castra venerunt', what does the ablative absolute express here?

  1. A comparison between Caesar and the envoys
  2. A temporal circumstance: 'while Caesar was in command' Correct answer.
  3. A purpose clause: 'in order to command Caesar'
  4. A direct command issued by Caesar

Explanation

An ablative absolute consists of a noun/pronoun plus a participle in the ablative, grammatically detached from the main clause. Here 'Caesare imperante' sets the time or circumstance of the main verb 'venerunt'. It cannot express purpose or command, because those require conjunctions or imperatives.

Question 2Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

Reading a narrative passage, you meet 'hostes flumen transire coeperunt'. Which translation best renders the sense of the sentence?

  1. The enemy began to cross the river. Correct answer.
  2. The enemy were forced to cross the river.
  3. The enemy wanted the river to be crossed.
  4. The enemy have crossed the river.

Explanation

'Coeperunt' is a perfect of 'coepi, coepisse' meaning 'began', and it is completed by a complementary infinitive 'transire'. The accusative 'flumen' is the direct object of that infinitive. So the sense is 'began to cross the river', not compulsion or completed action.

Question 3Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage contains 'dixit se venturum esse'. How should the reflexive 'se' be understood?

  1. It refers to the person addressed by the speaker.
  2. It refers to the narrator of the whole text.
  3. It is a meaningless filler with no referent.
  4. It refers to the subject of 'dixit', i.e. the speaker himself. Correct answer.

Explanation

In indirect statement after a verb of saying, the reflexive pronoun 'se' normally refers back to the subject of the governing verb. Thus the speaker said that he himself would come. Reference to a different person would require 'eum' or a named noun.

Question 4Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In the sentence 'milites, qui primi ascenderant, mox desederunt', what does the pluperfect 'ascenderant' indicate within the narrative?

  1. A wish that the soldiers had climbed
  2. A repeated habitual action in the present
  3. An action that will happen after the main verb
  4. An action completed before the main past action Correct answer.

Explanation

The pluperfect marks an action prior to another past action, so the climbing happened before the soldiers came down. This is a standard device for backgrounding information in continuous narrative. Present habitual or future senses belong to other tenses.

Question 5Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

You read 'urbs, quam viderat, iam deleta erat'. Which element is the relative pronoun and what is its function?

  1. 'quam', ablative feminine singular, expressing means
  2. 'quam', conjunction introducing a purpose clause
  3. 'quam', nominative feminine singular, subject of 'deleta erat'
  4. 'quam', accusative feminine singular, object of 'viderat' Correct answer.

Explanation

The relative pronoun agrees with its antecedent 'urbs' in gender and number but takes the case required by its own clause. In 'quam viderat' it is the direct object of 'viderat', hence accusative feminine singular. The main clause verb 'deleta erat' has its own subject 'urbs'.

Question 6Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a prose passage you find 'tanta tempestas orta est ut naves dispergerentur'. What does the 'ut' clause express?

  1. A purpose: the storm arose in order to scatter the ships
  2. A concession: although the storm arose
  3. A condition: if the storm arose
  4. A result: the storm was so great that the ships were scattered Correct answer.

Explanation

After 'tanta' (or 'tam', 'ita', 'talis') the conjunction 'ut' with the subjunctive introduces a result clause. The correlative 'tanta...ut' signals consequence, not intention. Purpose would be shown by 'ut' with a different antecedent context and often 'quo'.

Question 7Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A narrative sentence reads 'legati, pacem petentes, ad regem missi sunt'. What is the force of 'petentes'?

  1. A gerundive expressing obligation
  2. A present participle agreeing with 'legati', expressing their purpose or accompanying circumstance Correct answer.
  3. An ablative absolute in apposition to 'rege'
  4. A future participle expressing intention after the main verb

Explanation

'Petentes' is a present active participle, nominative plural, agreeing with 'legati'. It describes what the envoys were doing when sent, giving purpose or circumstance. A gerundive would be passive and express obligation, and an ablative absolute needs a separate noun in the ablative.

Question 8Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In the clause 'cum Caesar venisset, omnes siluerunt', how is 'cum' best rendered?

  1. 'Since Caesar was coming'
  2. 'With Caesar coming'
  3. 'Although Caesar had come'
  4. 'When/after Caesar had come' Correct answer.

Explanation

'Cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive in a past narrative normally has a temporal sense, 'when/after'. The concessive 'although' reading needs clear contrast in the context, and 'with' would require an ablative absolute rather than a finite clause.

Question 9Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage says 'non solum milites sed etiam dux vulneratus est'. Which translation preserves the correlative structure?

  1. The soldiers were not wounded, but the commander was.
  2. Neither the soldiers nor the commander was wounded.
  3. The soldiers alone were wounded, and so was the commander.
  4. Not only the soldiers but also the commander was wounded. Correct answer.

Explanation

The correlatives 'non solum...sed etiam' mean 'not only...but also' and link two elements of equal grammatical status. The verb 'vulneratus est' applies to both subjects. Negating only one element or producing 'neither...nor' misrepresents the pair.

Question 10Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'imperator, ut hostes terreret, signum dedit', what is the role of 'ut hostes terreret'?

  1. A purpose clause explaining why the signal was given Correct answer.
  2. A result clause stating what happened as a consequence
  3. An indirect command depending on 'dedit'
  4. A temporal clause meaning 'when he terrified the enemy'

Explanation

'Ut' with an imperfect subjunctive after a main verb of action commonly expresses purpose, and the context 'signum dedit' fits a deliberate aim. A result clause would need a correlative such as 'tam' or 'ita' in the main clause. Temporal 'when' would use 'cum' or 'ubi'.

Question 11Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A sentence contains 'dicitur urbem condidisse'. Which reading is correct?

  1. He is said to have founded the city. Correct answer.
  2. He is said to be about to found the city.
  3. He says that he is founding the city.
  4. He orders the city to be founded.

Explanation

'Dicitur' is a passive verb of saying followed by the perfect infinitive 'condidisse', producing the personal construction 'he is said to have founded'. The perfect infinitive places the founding before the time of the main verb. Active 'he says' or a command sense would require different forms.

Question 12Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'tantum periculum erat ut nemo manere auderet', which feature confirms a result clause rather than a purpose clause?

  1. The presence of the verb 'auderet'
  2. The correlative 'tantum' in the main clause Correct answer.
  3. The absence of a negative particle
  4. The use of the imperfect subjunctive alone

Explanation

Result clauses are typically anticipated by a correlative in the main clause such as 'tantus, tam, ita, sic, adeo'. Here 'tantum periculum' sets up the consequence 'ut nemo manere auderet'. Purpose clauses lack this antecedent and express intention instead.

Question 13Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage reads 'his rebus cognitis, Caesar copias reduxit'. Which translation is best?

  1. When these things had been learned, Caesar led his troops back. Correct answer.
  2. These things being unknown, Caesar withdrew his troops.
  3. Having learned these things himself, Caesar was led back.
  4. Caesar learned that the troops had been led back.

Explanation

'His rebus cognitis' is an ablative absolute with a perfect passive participle, meaning 'these things having been learned / when these things had been learned'. The main clause has 'Caesar' as subject and 'copias' as object of 'reduxit'. The passive participle cannot mean 'Caesar learned' directly.

Question 14Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a continuous narrative you meet 'quibus rebus auditis, legati, qui missi erant, responderunt'. What is the tense relationship between 'auditis', 'missi erant' and 'responderunt'?

  1. The responding preceded both the sending and the hearing.
  2. All three actions are simultaneous.
  3. The sending preceded the responding, and the hearing preceded the responding. Correct answer.
  4. The sending followed the responding, and the hearing followed the sending.

Explanation

The perfect passive participle in an ablative absolute and the pluperfect 'missi erant' both mark prior action relative to the main verb 'responderunt'. This layering is common in Latin narrative to establish background before the main event. Simultaneous or subsequent readings contradict these forms.

Question 15Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In the sentence 'timeo ne hostes veniant', how should 'ne' be understood?

  1. It introduces a fear clause meaning 'that the enemy may come'. Correct answer.
  2. It introduces a negative purpose clause meaning 'so that they may not come'.
  3. It is a prohibitive particle meaning 'do not come'.
  4. It is a conjunction meaning 'unless they come'.

Explanation

After verbs of fearing, 'ne' introduces the feared outcome, translated 'that' or 'lest'. The apparent negative is not negative in sense; it states what the speaker fears will happen. A negative fear ('that they may not come') would use 'ne...non' or 'ut' with the subjunctive.

Question 16Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A sentence reads 'omnibus civibus conveniendum est'. What does this gerundive construction mean?

  1. All citizens have assembled.
  2. All citizens were assembled by someone.
  3. All citizens must assemble. Correct answer.
  4. All citizens are assembling willingly.

Explanation

The gerundive with a form of 'esse' expresses necessity or obligation, and the dative 'omnibus civibus' marks the person on whom the obligation falls. This is the passive periphrastic. It does not describe completed or voluntary action.

Question 17Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

Which feature of a Latin prose passage most reliably signals that a sentence is in indirect statement rather than direct statement?

  1. A subjunctive verb introduced by 'ut'
  2. An ablative absolute at the start of the sentence
  3. An accusative-and-infinitive construction after a verb of saying, thinking or perceiving Correct answer.
  4. A nominative subject with a finite verb

Explanation

Indirect statement in Latin is built with a subject accusative and an infinitive governed by verbs such as 'dixit, putavit, sensit'. Finite verbs with a nominative subject belong to direct statement. 'Ut' clauses and ablative absolutes serve other functions.

Question 18Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'urbs Roma, quae caput imperii erat, a barbaris capta est', which translation is most accurate?

  1. Rome, which had been captured, was the capital of the barbarians.
  2. The city of Rome, which was the capital of the empire, was captured by the barbarians. Correct answer.
  3. The capital of the empire captured Rome by barbarian help.
  4. The city of Rome captured the capital of the barbarians.

Explanation

The relative clause 'quae caput imperii erat' describes Rome, and the main clause 'a barbaris capta est' is passive with an ablative of agent. The relative pronoun agrees with 'urbs Roma' in gender and number and is the subject of its clause. Passive voice and agent must both be preserved in translation.

Question 19Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A narrative contains 'cum hostes appropinquarent, signum datum est'. Why is the subjunctive used with 'cum'?

  1. 'Cum' with the imperfect subjunctive in past narrative regularly expresses circumstance or time. Correct answer.
  2. Because the sentence is reported speech.
  3. Because 'signum datum est' is passive.
  4. Because 'cum' always takes the subjunctive regardless of sense.

Explanation

In past narrative, 'cum' with the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive marks temporal or circumstantial clauses, often translated 'when' or 'as'. The subjunctive here is a feature of the construction, not a consequence of reported speech or the main clause's voice. 'Cum' with the indicative also exists for purely temporal 'when'.

Question 20Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'non dubito quin verum dixerit', what does 'quin' introduce?

  1. A conditional clause meaning 'if he speaks the truth'
  2. A result clause meaning 'so that he did not speak the truth'
  3. A purpose clause meaning 'so that he may speak the truth'
  4. A clause of doubting or hindering, here meaning 'that he has spoken the truth' Correct answer.

Explanation

'Quin' follows expressions of doubt or hindrance, especially 'non dubito quin', and takes the subjunctive. The phrase means 'I do not doubt that he has spoken the truth'. Purpose and condition require different conjunctions.

Question 21Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage reads 'haec locutus, Caesar castra movit'. Which translation best captures the participle?

  1. Caesar said these things and the camp moved itself.
  2. If Caesar said these things, he would move the camp.
  3. Having said these things, Caesar moved the camp. Correct answer.
  4. While Caesar was speaking, the camp was moved.

Explanation

'Locutus' is a perfect active participle (deponent in form), nominative singular, referring to Caesar. It expresses action completed before the main verb. The main clause 'castra movit' is active with Caesar as subject and 'castra' as object.

Question 22Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A text contains 'quae cum ita sint, ad propositum revertamur'. What is the force of 'quae cum ita sint'?

  1. A jussive subjunctive meaning 'let these things be'
  2. A result clause meaning 'so that these things happen'
  3. A relative clause describing a specific thing that was said
  4. A concessive-circumstantial formula meaning 'since this is so' Correct answer.

Explanation

'Quae cum ita sint' is a fixed connective formula, literally 'which since they are so', meaning 'since this is the case'. It uses 'cum' with the subjunctive to acknowledge circumstances before returning to the main point. It is not a result clause or a command.

Question 23Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a passage describing a speech, you read 'orator, ne quid temere diceret, multa reticuit'. Which translation is correct?

  1. Although the speaker said nothing rash, he said much.
  2. The speaker was afraid that he had said too much rashly.
  3. The speaker said many rash things and then fell silent.
  4. The speaker, so as not to say anything rashly, left much unsaid. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Ne quid...diceret' is a negative purpose clause with 'ne' and the subjunctive, expressing the avoidance of rash speech. The main verb 'reticuit' means 'kept silent about / left unsaid'. A fear clause would require a verb of fearing, and 'ne' there would mean 'that...' rather than 'so that...not'.

Question 24Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

Consider 'adeo perturbatus est ut verba ei deessent'. Why is 'deessent' imperfect subjunctive rather than present?

  1. The verb 'deesse' has no present subjunctive.
  2. The result clause refers to a future possibility.
  3. The imperfect subjunctive is used because 'adeo' is present.
  4. Sequence of tenses after a past main verb requires a past subjunctive in the result clause. Correct answer.

Explanation

In result clauses, the subjunctive tense follows the sequence of tenses governed by the main verb. Because 'perturbatus est' is past, the dependent verb appears as imperfect subjunctive 'deessent'. Present subjunctive would follow a primary-tense main verb.

Question 25Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'nemo est quin haec viderit', how should the clause be understood?

  1. 'There is no one who has seen these things', i.e. nobody has seen them.
  2. 'No one doubts that these things were seen.'
  3. 'There is no one who has not seen these things', i.e. everyone has seen them. Correct answer.
  4. 'There is someone who will see these things.'

Explanation

'Nemo est quin' with the subjunctive means 'there is no one who does not...', a construction of hindrance or exclusion. The apparent negative in 'quin' combines with 'nemo' to produce an affirmative overall sense. Reading it as a plain negative reverses the meaning.

Question 26Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A narrative opens: 'His rebus gestis Caesar in Galliam profectus est.' Which translation best renders the ablative absolute in a continuous prose text?

  1. Caesar, who was doing these things, set out for Gaul.
  2. With these things about to be done, Caesar set out for Gaul.
  3. Because Caesar had done these things in Gaul, he set out.
  4. These things having been done, Caesar set out for Gaul. Correct answer.

Explanation

An ablative absolute is a grammatically independent phrase: the noun and participle are in the ablative and stand outside the main clause. 'His rebus gestis' is perfect passive, so it means 'these things having been done' before the main action. The subject of the main verb is Caesar, not the ablative phrase.

Question 27Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a prose passage you read 'milites pontem, quem fecerant, transierunt'. Which statement about the relative clause is correct?

  1. 'Quem fecerant' is an indirect question depending on 'transierunt'.
  2. 'Quem fecerant' is a relative clause with a present-tense verb because the bridge still exists.
  3. 'Quem fecerant' is a purpose clause equivalent to 'ut pontem facerent'.
  4. 'Quem fecerant' is a relative clause whose verb is pluperfect because the bridge-building preceded the crossing. Correct answer.

Explanation

Latin uses the indicative in a relative clause that simply describes the antecedent. The pluperfect 'fecerant' shows the building happened before the main verb 'transierunt', a standard tense relationship in narrative prose.

Question 28Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage reads 'consul, ubi primum licuit, contionem advocavit'. How is 'ubi primum' best translated in continuous narrative?

  1. Where it was first permitted
  2. Whenever it had been permitted
  3. As soon as it was permitted Correct answer.
  4. Since it was permitted first

Explanation

'Ubi primum' is a fixed temporal connective meaning 'as soon as', introducing the event that immediately triggers the next. It is not a local 'where' nor a causal 'since'.

Question 29Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In the sentence 'hostes flumen transire conati sunt', what does the infinitive 'transire' do?

  1. It is the subject of an impersonal passive verb.
  2. It forms an indirect statement after a verb of saying.
  3. It completes the meaning of 'conati sunt' as a complementary infinitive. Correct answer.
  4. It expresses purpose on its own without a conjunction.

Explanation

Verbs such as 'conor, conari' take a complementary infinitive that supplies the action attempted. Here 'transire' completes 'conati sunt' ('they tried to cross'). There is no accusative-and-infinitive frame and no separate purpose clause.

Question 30Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A narrative sentence runs 'oppidum, quod in colle situm erat, oppugnaverunt'. Which translation is most accurate?

  1. They attacked the town, which was situated on a hill. Correct answer.
  2. They attacked the town because it was situated on a hill.
  3. They attacked the town, and it was situated on a hill afterwards.
  4. They attacked the town in order that it be situated on a hill.

Explanation

A relative clause with the indicative adds descriptive information about the antecedent. 'Situm erat' is indicative, so the clause is attributive, not causal or final. English 'which was situated' matches this function.

Question 31Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a passage you meet 'eo tempore quo Hannibal in Italia erat'. What does 'quo' introduce?

  1. A purpose clause meaning 'in order that'
  2. An indirect question meaning 'how'
  3. A relative temporal clause specifying the time of the main action Correct answer.
  4. A causal clause meaning 'because'

Explanation

'Eo tempore quo' is a correlative time expression: the relative adverb 'quo' agrees with 'eo tempore' and introduces a clause defining when the main event happened. The indicative 'erat' confirms a plain descriptive clause.

Question 32Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage describes a march: 'agmen nostrum, quod longum erat, ab hostibus oppugnatum est'. Which element is the grammatical subject of the passive verb?

  1. 'Quod'
  2. 'Hostibus'
  3. 'Agmen' Correct answer.
  4. 'Longum'

Explanation

In a passive sentence the subject is the noun in the nominative that the verb agrees with. 'Agmen' is neuter nominative singular and agrees with 'oppugnatum est'; 'hostibus' is the ablative of agent with 'ab'.

Question 33Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a continuous prose text, 'postridie eius diei' most likely means:

  1. On the next day after that day Correct answer.
  2. On that very day
  3. Two days before that day
  4. Every day at that time

Explanation

'Postridie eius diei' is a standard historiographical formula meaning 'on the next day after that day', i.e. the following day. 'Postridie' already carries 'on the next day', and 'eius diei' specifies the day it follows.

Question 34Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage reads 'Caesar, cum id nuntiatum esset, maturavit proficisci'. What does 'cum id nuntiatum esset' express?

  1. A concession that Caesar rejected
  2. A circumstance that had already occurred when Caesar acted Correct answer.
  3. A purpose Caesar intended to achieve
  4. A condition contrary to fact

Explanation

'Cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive in narrative marks a circumstance prior to the main action; the subjunctive is characteristic of the historical 'cum' clause. Here the news had been reported before Caesar hurried to set out.

Question 35Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'legati responderunt se pacem petere', how should 'se pacem petere' be understood?

  1. As a direct command: seek peace!
  2. As a purpose clause: in order to seek peace
  3. As indirect statement: they said that they were seeking peace Correct answer.
  4. As a relative clause: who were seeking peace

Explanation

Verbs of saying introduce indirect statement with an accusative subject and infinitive. The reflexive 'se' refers back to the subject of the main verb, so the envoys said that they themselves were seeking peace. The present infinitive 'petere' reflects a present-tense original statement.

Question 36Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A narrative contains 'tam fortiter pugnaverunt ut hostes terga verterent'. Which reading of the 'ut' clause is correct?

  1. A purpose clause: they fought bravely in order to rout the enemy
  2. A result clause: they fought so bravely that the enemy turned their backs Correct answer.
  3. An indirect command: they ordered the enemy to flee
  4. A temporal clause: they fought bravely while the enemy fled

Explanation

The correlative 'tam... ut' signals a result: the degree of bravery is defined by the consequence. The imperfect subjunctive 'verterent' follows the sequence of the perfect main verb. A purpose clause would not be introduced by 'tam'.

Question 37Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a passage, 'quae cum audisset, rex legatos dimisit'. What is the force of 'quae cum audisset'?

  1. 'When he had heard these things' - a historical 'cum' clause with the pronoun 'quae' as object Correct answer.
  2. 'What he heard' - an indirect question
  3. 'Although he heard these things' - a concessive clause
  4. 'Because he was about to hear these things' - a future condition

Explanation

The neuter plural 'quae' is the object of 'audisset', and 'cum' with the pluperfect subjunctive gives a prior circumstance: when he had heard these things. The subjunctive is regular in narrative 'cum' clauses.

Question 38Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A sentence reads 'nuntiatum est Caesarem flumen transisse'. How is 'Caesarem flumen transisse' best rendered?

  1. Because Caesar was crossing the river
  2. Caesar, about to cross the river
  3. Caesar crossed the river, and this was announced
  4. That Caesar had crossed the river Correct answer.

Explanation

'Nuntiatum est' is an impersonal passive of reporting, followed by accusative-and-infinitive indirect statement. The perfect infinitive 'transisse' shows the crossing happened before the announcement, hence 'had crossed'.

Question 39Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

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

  1. A reported question about fighting
  2. An indirect command after a verb of urging Correct answer.
  3. A condition that might be fulfilled
  4. A result of the soldiers' bravery

Explanation

Verbs of urging, asking and advising take 'ut' with the subjunctive to express an indirect command. 'Hortatus est' means 'urged', so the clause reports what the commander urged the soldiers to do.

Question 40Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage reads 'plures quam credi potest milites venerunt'. How is 'quam credi potest' best translated?

  1. Than can be believed Correct answer.
  2. Than he is able to believe
  3. Because it can be believed
  4. As much as belief allows

Explanation

'Quam' after a comparative introduces the standard of comparison. 'Credi potest' is a passive impersonal ('it can be believed'), so the phrase means 'than can be believed'. English idiom keeps the passive impersonal.

Question 41Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a prose narrative, 'his rebus cognitis' and 'has res cognoscens' differ in which main respect?

  1. The first is an ablative absolute with a completed action; the second is a present participle agreeing with the subject. Correct answer.
  2. The first is indirect statement; the second is a relative clause.
  3. The first is passive; the second is deponent.
  4. The first is a purpose clause; the second is a result clause.

Explanation

'His rebus cognitis' is an ablative absolute: ablative noun plus perfect passive participle, expressing an action completed before the main verb. 'Has res cognoscens' is a present active participle in the accusative agreeing with the subject, expressing simultaneous action.

Question 42Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage contains 'non dubitabant quin victoria parata esset'. What does 'quin victoria parata esset' express?

  1. A conditional clause meaning 'if victory were ready'
  2. A clause of doubting after a negative expression, meaning 'that victory was ready' Correct answer.
  3. A purpose clause meaning 'so that victory might be ready'
  4. A relative clause describing 'victoria'

Explanation

After expressions of doubt or hindrance in the negative ('non dubitare'), Latin uses 'quin' with the subjunctive. Here it means 'they did not doubt that victory was ready'. The subjunctive is required by the construction, not by doubt itself.

Question 43Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'urbs, quae a Romanis condita est, diu florebat', which translation best preserves the relation of the relative clause to the main verb?

  1. The city, which was founded by the Romans, long flourished. Correct answer.
  2. The city flourished long because it was founded by the Romans.
  3. The city, if it was founded by the Romans, long flourished.
  4. The city, in order to be founded by the Romans, long flourished.

Explanation

The relative clause with the indicative is attributive, adding identifying information about the city. 'Condita est' is perfect passive, so 'which was founded' is the accurate rendering; the main verb 'florebat' is imperfect.

Question 44Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A narrative sentence reads 'tanta erat militum virtus ut hostes diutius resistere non possent'. Which feature most clearly shows that this is a result clause rather than a purpose clause?

  1. The correlative 'tanta' in the main clause, answered by 'ut' Correct answer.
  2. The imperfect subjunctive 'possent'
  3. The position of 'ut' before 'hostes'
  4. The presence of 'hostes' as subject of the subordinate verb

Explanation

Result clauses are regularly anticipated by a correlative in the main clause such as 'tam', 'ita', 'tantus' or 'adeo'. The 'tanta... ut' frame defines a degree whose consequence is the result. The subjunctive alone does not distinguish result from purpose.

Question 45Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a passage, 'oratio eius, quamquam brevis erat, magnam fidem fecit'. How is 'quamquam brevis erat' best rendered?

  1. So that it might be short
  2. While it was being shortened
  3. Although it was short Correct answer.
  4. Because it was short

Explanation

'Quamquam' is a concessive conjunction taking the indicative, meaning 'although'. It concedes a fact that does not prevent the main statement. English 'although' preserves both the concession and the factual indicative.

Question 46Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage reads 'quibus rebus cognitis, cum iam advesperasceret, castra posuerunt'. Which translation best reflects both subordinate elements?

  1. Having learned these things, since evening was now coming on, they pitched camp. Correct answer.
  2. Because they had pitched camp, evening was coming on, and these things were learned.
  3. These things were learned, and when evening came they had pitched camp.
  4. They pitched camp so that evening would come and these things be learned.

Explanation

The ablative absolute 'quibus rebus cognitis' gives a prior action, and 'cum iam advesperasceret' is a causal or temporal 'cum' clause with the imperfect subjunctive. The main verb 'posuerunt' is the event these circumstances lead to.

Question 47Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a continuous narrative, 'haec ubi dicta, conticuere omnes' is best understood as:

  1. A purpose clause meaning 'so that all might be silent'
  2. A compressed poetic-style construction meaning 'when these things had been said, all fell silent' Correct answer.
  3. An indirect statement meaning 'they said that all were silent'
  4. A conditional sentence meaning 'if these things are said, all are silent'

Explanation

'Ubi' here is temporal ('when'), and 'dicta' is a perfect passive participle with 'haec' in a compressed ablative-style construction common in elevated narrative. The main verb 'conticuere' is perfect active. The sense is that silence followed the words.

Question 48Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In 'non tam praeclarum est scire Latine quam turpe nescire', what does the 'non tam... quam' structure express?

  1. A result: knowing Latin is so remarkable that ignorance is shameful
  2. A comparison of degrees: knowing Latin is less remarkable than not knowing it is shameful Correct answer.
  3. A concession: although knowing Latin is remarkable, ignorance is not shameful
  4. A purpose: one learns Latin in order to avoid shame

Explanation

'Non tam... quam' compares two statements, with 'quam' introducing the second term of the comparison. The sense is that the shame of ignorance outweighs the distinction of knowledge. The structure is comparative, not consecutive or final.

Question 49Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

A passage reads 'fieri non potest ut, qui semper in deliciis vixerit, idem subito ad laborem se accommodet'. Which translation best captures the argument?

  1. He who lives in luxury cannot work, and so he suddenly adapts.
  2. It cannot be done by anyone who lives in luxury, so he suddenly adapts to work.
  3. It cannot happen that one who has always lived in luxury should suddenly adapt himself to hard work. Correct answer.
  4. It is not possible to live in luxury and at the same time to work suddenly.

Explanation

'Fieri non potest ut' introduces a result clause with the subjunctive: 'it cannot happen that...'. The relative clause 'qui... vixerit' is generic, and 'idem' emphasises that the same person cannot change suddenly. The perfect subjunctive 'vixerit' marks a life completed up to the present.

Question 50Translation and comprehension of a continuous Latin prose text

In a narrative, 'quod ubi Caesar rescivit, veritus ne hostes flumen transirent, legiones praemisit'. Which translation best preserves the logical links?

  1. Because Caesar feared the river, he learned that the legions had crossed ahead.
  2. Caesar learned that the enemy feared to cross the river, so he sent the legions ahead.
  3. When Caesar learned this, fearing that the enemy might cross the river, he sent the legions ahead. Correct answer.
  4. Caesar, having learned this, feared the legions and sent the enemy across the river.

Explanation

'Quod ubi... rescivit' is a relative-temporal clause meaning 'when he learned this'. 'Veritus ne hostes transirent' is a verb of fearing with 'ne' and the subjunctive, meaning 'fearing that they might cross'. The main verb 'praemisit' is the response.