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MATSEC AM Latin study materials
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MATSEC AM Latin practice questions

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Question 1Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In the sentence 'Caesar, ubi id audivit, milites suos in castra reduxit', what grammatical function does 'ubi' perform?

  1. It is a preposition governing the ablative
  2. It is an interrogative adverb in a direct question
  3. It introduces a subordinate temporal clause Correct answer.
  4. It is a coordinating conjunction linking two main clauses

Explanation

'Ubi' here means 'when' and introduces a subordinate clause of time whose verb 'audivit' is in the perfect indicative because of the secondary sequence in a past narrative. It is not a preposition, since it governs no noun in the ablative, and it does not join two independent clauses as a coordinator.

Question 2Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which case is required by the preposition 'propter' in classical prose?

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

Explanation

'Propter' is one of the prepositions that take the accusative, expressing cause or position, as in 'propter metum'. Prepositions of the ablative include 'ab', 'cum', 'de', 'ex' and 'sine'.

Question 3Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'hostes, cum primum flumen transissent, signum dederunt', the form 'transissent' is best parsed as:

  1. Third person plural pluperfect subjunctive active Correct answer.
  2. Third person plural perfect indicative active
  3. Third person plural future perfect indicative active
  4. Third person plural present subjunctive active

Explanation

'Transissent' is the pluperfect subjunctive of 'transeo', used in a 'cum' clause of time with the subjunctive to express an action completed before the main verb. The perfect indicative would be 'transierunt' and the future perfect 'transierint'.

Question 4Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which of the following correctly expresses 'He said that the city had been captured' in indirect statement?

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

Explanation

Indirect statement uses the accusative subject with an infinitive, and the prior action requires the perfect passive infinitive 'captam esse' agreeing with 'urbem'. The present infinitive would suggest the capture is simultaneous, and a finite verb cannot stand in indirect statement.

Question 5Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What is the metrical quantity of the final syllable of 'arma' in the opening of the Aeneid, 'Arma virumque cano'?

  1. Elided with the next word
  2. Short by nature Correct answer.
  3. Long by position before the following consonant
  4. Anceps because it stands before a pause

Explanation

The final '-a' of 'arma' is short by nature and remains short before the single consonant 'v' in 'virumque'. A single following consonant does not make a syllable long by position. The opening dactyl scans 'ar-ma-vi', with two short syllables after the initial long syllable.

Question 6Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which Latin construction corresponds to the English 'by reading good authors we learn style'?

  1. Bonis auctoribus legendis stilum discimus Correct answer.
  2. Bonos auctores legendo stilum discimus
  3. Bonos auctores legere stilum discimus
  4. Bonos auctores lectos stilum discimus

Explanation

The gerundive of purpose or means takes the ablative, and here the gerundive 'legendis' agrees with the ablative noun 'auctoribus' in an ablative absolute-like instrumental phrase. The gerund 'legendo' would be used if no noun were present to agree with.

Question 7Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In the phrase 'tanta erat virtus militum ut hostes fugerent', what does the 'ut' clause express?

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

Explanation

After 'tanta' or 'tam' in the main clause, 'ut' with the subjunctive expresses a result, 'so great was the courage ... that the enemy fled'. Purpose clauses would use different signalling words and often 'quo' or a different main clause.

Question 8Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which form is the correct ablative singular of 'mare'?

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

Explanation

'Mare' is a neuter third-declension noun of the i-stem type; its ablative singular is 'mari', identical to the dative singular. The genitive singular is 'maris' and the dative and ablative plural is 'maribus'.

Question 9Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What does the subjunctive in 'quid faciam?' most naturally express when a speaker is deliberating?

  1. A potential statement
  2. A deliberative question Correct answer.
  3. A wish for the future
  4. A prohibition

Explanation

The present subjunctive in the first person is used for deliberative questions, as when a character asks what he is to do. 'Quid faciam?' thus means 'What am I to do?'. Wishes use 'utinam' with the optative subjunctive.

Question 10Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which word in 'puella, cuius pater consul erat, in foro stabat' is the antecedent of 'cuius'?

  1. consul
  2. foro
  3. puella Correct answer.
  4. pater

Explanation

'Cuius' is a relative pronoun in the genitive singular, and its antecedent is the noun it refers back to, 'puella', even though it agrees grammatically with 'pater' inside its own clause. The case of the relative is determined by its function in the relative clause.

Question 11Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which translation best renders 'nisi venisses, periissemus'?

  1. Unless you come, we perish
  2. If you had not come, we would have perished Correct answer.
  3. If you were not coming, we would perish
  4. If you do not come, we shall perish

Explanation

This is a past contrary-to-fact condition: the pluperfect subjunctive appears in both the protasis and the apodosis, so English uses 'had come' and 'would have perished'. The negative 'nisi' means 'unless' or 'if not'.

Question 12Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'urbs Roma a Gallis capta est', what is the function of 'a Gallis'?

  1. Cause with an impersonal verb
  2. Place from which
  3. Means or instrument
  4. Agent of the passive verb Correct answer.

Explanation

With a passive verb, the personal agent is expressed by 'a' or 'ab' with the ablative, here 'a Gallis'. Instrument or means would use the bare ablative without a preposition.

Question 13Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which of these verbs is deponent?

  1. sequor Correct answer.
  2. sequo
  3. secui
  4. secutus

Explanation

'Sequor' is a deponent verb: it has passive form but active meaning, 'I follow'. Its participle 'secutus' is active in sense, and 'secui' is the perfect of the separate verb 'seco', to cut.

Question 14Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What is the effect of the enclitic '-que' in 'arma virumque'?

  1. It makes 'virum' indefinite
  2. It intensifies the meaning of 'virum'
  3. It marks 'virum' as a vocative
  4. It joins 'virum' to 'arma' as a coordinate pair Correct answer.

Explanation

The enclitic '-que' is attached to the second of two words and means 'and', joining 'arma' and 'virum' into a single coordinated phrase. It does not intensify or make the noun indefinite.

Question 15Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'dixit se venturum esse', why is 'venturum' masculine accusative singular?

  1. It agrees with 'se' as an ablative
  2. It is impersonal and has no agreement
  3. It agrees with an unexpressed object of 'dixit'
  4. It agrees with the implied subject of the infinitive, the speaker Correct answer.

Explanation

In indirect statement the future active participle agrees with the accusative subject of the infinitive, here the reflexive 'se' referring to the speaker. If a woman were speaking, the form would be 'venturam'.

Question 16Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which sentence uses the ablative absolute correctly?

  1. His rebus gerendis, Caesar profectus est
  2. His rebus gestis, Caesar profectus est Correct answer.
  3. Has res gestas, Caesar profectus est
  4. His rebus gestis, Caesarem profectum esse

Explanation

An ablative absolute consists of a noun or pronoun in the ablative with a participle agreeing with it, grammatically independent of the main clause: 'his rebus gestis', 'these things having been done'. The main clause must have its own finite verb, as here.

Question 17Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What is the best rendering of 'timeo ne hostes adveniant'?

  1. I fear that the enemy are not coming
  2. I fear the enemy who are coming
  3. I fear that the enemy are coming Correct answer.
  4. I do not fear that the enemy are coming

Explanation

After verbs of fearing, 'ne' introduces the feared outcome, so 'timeo ne hostes adveniant' means 'I fear that the enemy are coming'. The negative 'ne non' or 'ut' would express fear that something is not happening.

Question 18Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In the phrase 'consul, vir summae prudentiae', what case and number is 'summae prudentiae'?

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

Explanation

The genitive of quality expresses a characteristic, as in 'vir summae prudentiae', 'a man of the greatest prudence'. The genitive 'prudentiae' agrees with the adjective 'summae' in case, number and gender.

Question 19Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which of the following is a correct scansion of the first foot of 'Arma virumque cano'?

  1. Dactyl (arma vir-) Correct answer.
  2. Anapest (arma vi-)
  3. Trochee (ar-)
  4. Spondee (arma vir-)

Explanation

The first foot is a dactyl: the long syllable 'ar-' followed by two short syllables '-ma' and 'vi-'. Dactylic hexameter permits either dactyls or spondees in the first four feet.

Question 20Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What is the function of the dative in 'mihi liber est'?

  1. Dative of agent
  2. Dative of possessor Correct answer.
  3. Ethical dative
  4. Dative of purpose

Explanation

With a form of 'sum', the dative indicates the person who possesses something: 'mihi liber est' means 'I have a book'. The dative of agent with 'sum' occurs only with the gerundive, as in 'mihi faciendum est'.

Question 21Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which clause type is illustrated by 'imperavit ut milites castra moverent'?

  1. Concessive clause
  2. Result clause
  3. Indirect command Correct answer.
  4. Causal clause

Explanation

Verbs of ordering such as 'impero' take 'ut' with the subjunctive to express an indirect command. A result clause would be signalled by 'tam', 'ita' or 'tantus' in the main clause.

Question 22Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'si quid habet, det', what mood and use is 'det'?

  1. Present indicative, simple statement
  2. Imperative, direct command
  3. Future indicative, prediction
  4. Present subjunctive, jussive or hortatory in a conditional Correct answer.

Explanation

'Det' is present subjunctive of 'do', used here for a jussive idea within a conditional sentence, 'if he has anything, let him give'. The present indicative would be 'dat'.

Question 23Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which Latin word correctly completes 'Caesar ... flumen pontem fecit' meaning 'Caesar built a bridge over the river'?

  1. ad
  2. in
  3. apud
  4. trans Correct answer.

Explanation

'Trans' takes the accusative and means 'across' or 'over', fitting a bridge over a river. 'Ad' means 'to' or 'at' and 'apud' means 'at the house of' or 'among'.

Question 24Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What is the effect of the historical infinitive in 'milites currere, hostes fugere'?

  1. It reports an indirect statement after a verb of saying
  2. It gives vivid narration of repeated or rapid past action Correct answer.
  3. It states a general truth
  4. It expresses a wish for the future

Explanation

The historical infinitive replaces an imperfect or perfect indicative in lively narrative, often in a series, and takes a nominative subject: 'the soldiers ran, the enemy fled'. It is a stylistic feature of historians such as Sallust and Livy.

Question 25Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which form of 'fero' is the present passive infinitive?

  1. ferre
  2. ferri Correct answer.
  3. latus
  4. ferens

Explanation

The present passive infinitive of 'fero' is 'ferri', built from the passive stem plus '-i'. The active infinitive is 'ferre', and 'latus' is the perfect passive participle.

Question 26Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In the sentence 'Caesar, cum hostes appropinquarent, castra movit', what use of the subjunctive is 'appropinquare' performing?

  1. cum temporal referring to a single completed event
  2. cum causal, since the reason is asserted as fact
  3. cum concessive, admitting a fact against the main clause
  4. cum circumstantial (descriptive) with the imperfect subjunctive Correct answer.

Explanation

A 'cum' clause with the imperfect subjunctive normally describes the circumstances surrounding the main action, here the enemy's approach. The causal and concessive senses are possible only where context makes the logical relation explicit, and a single completed event would call for the perfect subjunctive.

Question 27Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which Latin rendering most accurately expresses 'He was so brave that he was praised by all'?

  1. Tantus erat ut ab omnibus laudaretur.
  2. Tam fortis erat ut omnes eum laudarent. Correct answer.
  3. Tantae virtutis erat ut omnes eum laudarent.
  4. Tantus erat ut eum omnes laudarent.

Explanation

A result clause is introduced by 'ut' with the subjunctive, and the adjective 'tam' modifies 'fortis' to give 'so brave that'. The passive 'laudaretur' is also possible, but option 2 wrongly uses 'tantus', which agrees with a noun rather than describing personal courage.

Question 28Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'imperator milites hortatus est ut fortiter pugnarent', what does the 'ut' clause depend on?

  1. A verb of happening, expressing a result
  2. A verb of fearing, expressing a feared outcome
  3. A verb of ordering or urging, expressing a command Correct answer.
  4. An impersonal verb of remaining, expressing a residue

Explanation

'Hortor' is a verb of exhorting, so the following 'ut' clause is a jussive noun clause expressing what the soldiers were urged to do. Such clauses complete verbs of commanding, urging, persuading and requesting, and take the subjunctive.

Question 29Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which case does 'fretus' (relying on) normally govern?

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

Explanation

'Fretus' is an adjective meaning 'relying on' and regularly takes the ablative, as in 'fretus virtute militum'. It belongs with other ablative-governing adjectives such as 'contentus' and 'dignus'.

Question 30Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What is the metre of the line 'Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris'?

  1. Sapphic stanza
  2. Dactylic hexameter Correct answer.
  3. Elegiac couplet
  4. Iambic senarius

Explanation

The line is the opening of an epic in dactylic hexameter, built from six feet of dactyls and spondees. The pattern of long and short syllables, with the characteristic closing '– u u – –', confirms the hexameter.

Question 31Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'urbem quam statuo vestra est', what is the case and function of 'quam'?

  1. Ablative singular feminine, ablative of means
  2. Genitive plural feminine, partitive genitive
  3. Nominative singular feminine, subject of 'est'
  4. Accusative singular feminine, object of 'statuo' Correct answer.

Explanation

The relative pronoun 'quam' is feminine singular accusative, agreeing with its antecedent 'urbem' and serving as the direct object of 'statuo'. Its case is determined by its role inside the relative clause, not by the case of the antecedent.

Question 32Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which Latin sentence correctly uses the gerundive of obligation?

  1. Carthago delenda est. Correct answer.
  2. Carthago delenda erat.
  3. Carthago delere est.
  4. Carthago delens est.

Explanation

The gerundive 'delenda' agrees with 'Carthago' in the feminine singular and, with a form of 'esse', expresses necessity: 'Carthage must be destroyed'. This passive periphrastic construction regularly takes a dative of agent if one is expressed.

Question 33Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'hostes, simul ac signum datum est, impetum fecerunt', what does 'simul ac' introduce?

  1. A causal clause meaning 'because'
  2. A conditional clause meaning 'provided that'
  3. A temporal clause meaning 'as soon as' Correct answer.
  4. A comparative clause meaning 'just as if'

Explanation

'Simul ac' (or 'simul atque') is a temporal conjunction meaning 'as soon as' and is regularly followed by the perfect indicative in narrative. It marks the immediate sequence of one event upon another.

Question 34Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which form is the perfect passive participle of 'vereor'?

  1. veriturus
  2. verens
  3. verendus
  4. veritus Correct answer.

Explanation

'Vereor' is a deponent verb, so its perfect participle 'veritus' has passive form but active meaning, 'having feared'. Deponent verbs regularly supply active meanings from passive-looking participles.

Question 35Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'tantum abest ut laudem, ut etiam vituperationem mereatur', how is the construction best described?

  1. A conditional clause followed by a concessive clause
  2. A fear clause followed by a jussive noun clause
  3. A double 'ut' construction meaning 'so far from… that…' Correct answer.
  4. A purpose clause followed by a result clause

Explanation

The idiom 'tantum abest ut… ut…' expresses 'so far from (one thing happening), that (the opposite happens)'. Both clauses take the subjunctive, and the second 'ut' introduces the actual result.

Question 36Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What does the supine in '-um' express in 'legati pacem petitum venerunt'?

  1. Means, 'by seeking peace'
  2. Manner, 'in the manner of seeking peace'
  3. Time, 'at the seeking of peace'
  4. Purpose, 'to seek peace' Correct answer.

Explanation

The accusative supine in '-um' is used after verbs of motion to express purpose, here 'they came to seek peace'. It is a verbal noun with an object in its own case.

Question 37Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which of the following is the correct present subjunctive passive third person singular of 'capio'?

  1. capiebatur
  2. capietur
  3. capiatur Correct answer.
  4. caperetur

Explanation

The present subjunctive passive of a third conjugation -io verb uses the stem 'capi-' plus '-atur', giving 'capiatur'. The subjunctive is signalled by the vowel '-a-' characteristic of this conjugation's present subjunctive.

Question 38Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'nemo tam stultus est quin haec intellegat', what does 'quin' introduce?

  1. A causal clause, 'since'
  2. A conditional clause, 'unless'
  3. A purpose clause, 'in order that'
  4. A result clause after a negative expression, 'but that' Correct answer.

Explanation

After a negative main clause, 'quin' with the subjunctive means 'but that' or 'who does not', expressing a natural result. The negative sense of 'nemo' is what licenses this construction.

Question 39Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which word in 'consul, qui bellum gessit, triumphum egit' is the antecedent of 'qui'?

  1. egit
  2. triumphum
  3. bellum
  4. consul Correct answer.

Explanation

The antecedent is the noun to which the relative pronoun refers, here 'consul'. The relative clause 'qui bellum gessit' describes the consul, and 'qui' agrees with 'consul' in gender and number.

Question 40Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What is the effect of 'ne' with the perfect subjunctive in 'ne hoc feceris'?

  1. A fear clause, 'that you may not do this'
  2. A wish, 'if only you had not done this'
  3. A purpose clause, 'so that you would not do this'
  4. A prohibition, 'do not do this' Correct answer.

Explanation

'Ne' with the perfect subjunctive expresses a negative command or prohibition, often translated 'do not…'. The present subjunctive is also used for prohibition, but the perfect is common in classical prose.

Question 41Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which case is used for the agent with a passive verb when the agent is a person?

  1. Ablative with 'a' or 'ab' Correct answer.
  2. Accusative with 'ad'
  3. Genitive with 'causa'
  4. Dative alone

Explanation

A personal agent of a passive verb is expressed by 'a' or 'ab' with the ablative, as in 'a Caesare victus est'. Impersonal means are expressed by the bare ablative without a preposition.

Question 42Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'Romulus, cum Remum fratrem occidisset, urbem condidit', what does the pluperfect subjunctive with 'cum' express?

  1. An action subsequent to the main verb, 'after he would kill'
  2. An action completed before the main verb, 'when he had killed' Correct answer.
  3. An unfulfilled condition, 'if he had killed'
  4. An action simultaneous with the main verb, 'while he was killing'

Explanation

In a 'cum' clause the pluperfect subjunctive marks an action already completed when the main verb occurs, giving 'when he had killed'. The imperfect subjunctive would mark simultaneity.

Question 43Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which Latin phrase correctly expresses 'a man of great loyalty' using a genitive of quality?

  1. vir magnae fidei causa
  2. vir magna fide
  3. vir magnam fidem
  4. vir magnae fidei Correct answer.

Explanation

The genitive of quality pairs an adjective with a noun in the genitive, often with 'vir' understood: 'vir magnae fidei' means 'a man of great loyalty'. The adjective agrees with the genitive noun, not with the person described.

Question 44Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'dixit se regem interfecturum esse', why is 'interfecturum' accusative singular masculine?

  1. It is the object of 'dixit'
  2. It agrees with 'regem' as its object
  3. It is attracted into the case of the main verb
  4. It agrees with the accusative subject of the infinitive, 'se' Correct answer.

Explanation

In indirect statement the future active participle forming the future infinitive agrees with the accusative subject of the infinitive. Here 'se' refers to the speaker, so the participle is masculine singular accusative.

Question 45Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

What kind of subjunctive appears in 'moriendum est omnibus'?

  1. A potential subjunctive expressing possibility
  2. A deliberative subjunctive expressing doubt
  3. A passive periphrastic expressing necessity Correct answer.
  4. A jussive subjunctive expressing a command

Explanation

The gerundive with a form of 'esse' forms the passive periphrastic, expressing necessity or obligation. The dative 'omnibus' names the persons on whom the necessity falls, giving 'all must die'.

Question 46Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which Latin word correctly completes 'milites ... hostibus cesserunt' meaning 'the soldiers yielded to the enemy'?

  1. hostibus as dative Correct answer.
  2. hostibus in ablative with 'ab'
  3. hostes in accusative
  4. hostium in genitive

Explanation

'Cedo' in the sense 'yield to' takes the dative of the person or thing yielded to, so 'hostibus' is dative. Other verbs of obeying, pleasing and trusting follow the same pattern.

Question 47Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'quae cum ita sint, pergamus', what does the subjunctive 'sint' express?

  1. A future condition, 'if this will be so'
  2. A reported statement, 'that this is so'
  3. A purpose clause, 'so that this may be so'
  4. A concessive or causal clause in an idiomatic phrase, 'since this is so' Correct answer.

Explanation

'Quae cum ita sint' is a set phrase meaning 'since this is so' or 'this being so', with 'cum' plus the subjunctive expressing circumstance or cause. The main clause then carries the exhortation 'pergamus'.

Question 48Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which of these is the correct ablative singular of 'vis' (force)?

  1. vi Correct answer.
  2. vī
  3. ve
  4. vim

Explanation

'Vis' is an irregular noun whose ablative singular is 'vi'. Its other forms include 'vim' in the accusative and 'vires' in the plural, and it lacks a normal genitive singular.

Question 49Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

In 'haec res mihi magnae curae est', what is the function of 'magnae curae'?

  1. A double dative: dative of purpose with 'mihi' Correct answer.
  2. A genitive of quality modifying 'res'
  3. An ablative of means with 'est'
  4. An accusative of respect after 'est'

Explanation

The double dative construction pairs a dative of the person concerned ('mihi') with a dative of purpose or result ('magnae curae'). It is common with forms of 'esse' and means 'this is a matter of great concern to me'.

Question 50Latin language and comprehension (unseen translation and reading)

Which translation best renders 'utinam adesset!'?

  1. Since he is here.
  2. If only he were here! Correct answer.
  3. Let him be here.
  4. He is here, is he not?

Explanation

'Utinam' introduces an optative subjunctive expressing a wish, and the imperfect subjunctive marks an unfulfilled wish about the present: 'if only he were here'. The pluperfect would express an unfulfilled wish about the past.