AP® Latin Literature
2009 Free-Response Questions
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
LATIN: LATIN LITERATURE
SECTION II
Time— 2 hours
Percent of total grade—60
Directions: Read the directions carefully and answer SIX of the questions.
• You are required to answer the Catullus questions:
LL1, LL2, and LL3.
• If you have chosen Cicero, answer LL4, LL5, and LL6.
• If you have chosen Horace, answer LL7, LL8, and LL9.
• If you have chosen Ovid, answer LL10, LL11, and LL12.
Please indicate the letter and number of the question and the number of the part you are answering.
The responsibility rests with the student to convince the reader that the student is drawing conclusions or support
from the Latin text and not from a general recall of the passage.
Part A
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: LL1, LL2, AND LL3.
Question LL1—Catullus (15 percent)
(Suggested time—10 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
Quin tu animo offirmas atque istinc teque reducis,
et dis invitis desinis esse miser?
Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem,
difficile est, verum hoc qua lubet efficias:
una salus haec est, hoc est tibi pervincendum,
hoc facias, sive id non pote sive pote.
Catullus 76. 11-16
Translate the passage above as literally as possible.
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Question LL2—Catullus (20 percent)
(Suggested time—30 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
10
Quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores!
Quanto saepe magis fulgore expalluit auri,
cum saevum cupiens contra contendere monstrum
aut mortem appeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis!
Non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis
promittens tacito succepit vota labello.
Nam velut in summo quatientem brachia Tauro
quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum
indomitus turbo contorquens flamine robur,
eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata
prona cadit, late quaevis cumque obvia frangens),
sic domito saevum prostravit corpore Theseus
nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis.
Catullus 64. 99-111
In the passage above, Catullus describes how Ariadne worried about Theseus as he went to fight and kill the
Minotaur. In a well-developed essay, analyze what the portrayal of both Ariadne’s worries and Theseus’ situation
suggests about Theseus as a hero.
BE SURE TO REFER SPECIFICALLY TO THE LATIN THROUGHOUT THE PASSAGE TO SUPPORT
YOUR ESSAY. Do NOT simply summarize what the passage says.
(When you are asked to refer specifically to the Latin, you must write out the Latin and/or cite line numbers AND
you must translate, accurately paraphrase, or make clear in your discussion that you understand the Latin.)
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Question LL3—Catullus (15 percent)
(Suggested time—20 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
10
Passer, deliciae meae puellae,
quicum ludere, quem in sinu tenere,
cui primum digitum dare appetenti
et acres solet incitare morsus,
cum desiderio meo nitenti
carum nescio quid lubet iocari,
et solaciolum sui doloris,
credo, ut tum gravis acquiescat ardor:
tecum ludere sicut ipsa possem
et tristes animi levare curas!
Catullus 2
In the passage above, Catullus depicts the relationship between his girlfriend and her pet. In a short essay, analyze
the qualities of their relationship and the effect that their bond has on Catullus. Refer specifically to the Latin
throughout the passage to support the points you make in your essay.
(When you are asked to refer specifically to the Latin, you must write out the Latin and/or cite line numbers AND
you must translate, accurately paraphrase, or make clear in your discussion that you understand the Latin.)
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Part B
IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN CICERO, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: LL4, LL5, AND LL6.
Question LL4—Cicero (20 percent)
(Suggested time—20 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
Quod si exemeris ex rerum naturā benevolentiae iunctionem, nec domus ulla nec urbs stare
poterit, nec agri quidem cultus permanebit. Id si minus intellegitur, quanta vis amicitiae
concordiaeque sit, ex dissensionibus atque discordiis percipi potest. Quae enim domus tam
stabilis, quae tam firma civitas est, quae non odiis et discidiis funditus possit everti? Ex quo
quantum boni sit in amicitiā iudicari potest.
De Amicitia 7. 23
In the passage above, Laelius emphasizes the importance of friendship. In a short essay, analyze the ways in which
he illustrates its importance. Refer specifically to the Latin throughout the passage to support the points you make
in your essay.
(When you are asked to refer specifically to the Latin, you must write out the Latin and/or cite line numbers AND
you must translate, accurately paraphrase, or make clear in your discussion that you understand the Latin.)
Question LL5—Cicero (15 percent)
(Suggested time—15 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Sit igitur, iudices, sanctum apud vos, humanissimos homines, hoc poetae nomen, quod nulla umquam barbaria
violavit. Saxa atque solitudines voci respondent, bestiae saepe immanes cantu flectuntur atque consistunt; nos
instituti rebus optimis non poetarum voce moveamur?
Pro Archia 8. 19
Translate the passage above as literally as possible.
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Question LL6—Cicero (15 percent)
(Suggested time—10 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
Quā re quis tandem me reprehendat, aut quis mihi iure suscenseat, si, quantum ceteris ad suas res obeundas,
quantum ad festos dies ludorum celebrandos, quantum ad alias voluptates et ad ipsam requiem animi et
corporis conceditur temporum, quantum alii tribuunt tempestivis conviviis, quantum denique alveolo, quantum
pilae, tantum mihi egomet ad haec studia recolenda sumpsero? Atque id eo mihi concedendum est magis quod
ex his studiis haec quoque crescit oratio et facultas quae, quantacumque est in me, numquam amicorum
periculis defuit.
Pro Archia 6. 13
Answer the following questions in English unless the question specifically asks you to write out Latin words.
1. In line 1 (Quā . . . suscenseat), Cicero asks who would do two things. What is one of those things?
2. Name a figure of speech that occurs in lines 1-3 (quantum ceteris . . . temporum), and write out the specific
Latin words that illustrate it.
3. In lines 1-3 (quantum ceteris . . . temporum), Cicero lists four ways in which other people spend their time.
What are two of those ways?
4. According to line 4 (tantum . . . sumpsero), how did Cicero spend his time? Write out the Latin for the activity.
Either translate or accurately paraphrase that Latin.
5. According to lines 4-5 (Atque . . . facultas), how does Cicero justify the way he spends his time?
6. According to lines 5-6 (quae . . . defuit), how has Cicero used his skill?
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN HORACE, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: LL7, LL8, AND LL9.
Question LL7—Horace (20 percent)
(Suggested time—20 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Rectius vives, Licini, neque altum
semper urgendo neque, dum procellas
cautus horrescis, nimium premendo
litus iniquum.
Line
5
10
15
Auream quisquis mediocritatem
diligit, tutus caret obsoleti
sordibus tecti, caret invidenda
sobrius aula.
Saepius ventis agitatur ingens
pinus et celsae graviore casu
decidunt turres feriuntque summos
fulgura montes.
...
Rebus angustis animosus atque
fortis appare; sapienter idem
contrahes vento nimium secundo
turgida vela.
Odes 2. 10. 1-12; 21-24
In the passage above, Horace urges Licinius to practice moderation. In a short essay, analyze how he illustrates his
advice. Refer specifically to the Latin throughout the passage to support the points you make in your essay.
(When you are asked to refer specifically to the Latin, you must write out the Latin and/or cite line numbers AND
you must translate, accurately paraphrase, or make clear in your discussion that you understand the Latin.)
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Question LL8—Horace (15 percent)
(Suggested time—15 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
. . . Nam gelidos inficiet tibi
rubro sanguine rivos
lascivi suboles gregis.
Line
5
10
Te flagrantis atrox hora Caniculae
nescit tangere, tu frigus amabile
fessis vomere tauris
praebes et pecori vago.
Fies nobilium tu quoque fontium
me dicente cavis impositam ilicem
saxis . . .
Odes 3. 13. 6-15
Translate the passage above as literally as possible.
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Question LL9—Horace (15 percent)
(Suggested time—10 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum,
arreptaque manu, “Quid agis, dulcissime rerum?”
“Suaviter, ut nunc est,” inquam, “et cupio omnia quae vis.”
Cum adsectaretur, “Numquid vis?” occupo. At ille
“Noris nos” inquit; “Docti sumus.” Hic ego “Pluris
hoc” inquam “mihi eris.” Misere discedere quaerens,
ire modo ocius, interdum consistere, in aurem
dicere nescio quid puero . . .
Satires 1. 9. 3-10
Answer the following questions in English unless the question specifically asks you to write out Latin words.
1. In lines 1-2 (Accurrit . . . manu), Horace says that a man did two things to him. What is one of those things?
2. In lines 2-3 (Quid agis . . . vis), Horace and the other man exchange compliments. Write out the Latin for one of
the compliments. Either translate or accurately paraphrase that Latin.
3. In lines 4-5 (At ille . . . sumus), the other man makes a request of Horace and a claim about himself.
(a) What is the request?
(b) What is the claim?
4. In lines 6-8 (Misere . . . puero), Horace does three things in an attempt to escape from the other man. What
are two of those things?
5. Name a figure of speech that occurs in line 7 (ire . . . aurem) and write out the specific Latin words that
illustrate it.
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN OVID, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: LL10, LL11, AND LL12.
Question LL10— Ovid (20 percent)
(Suggested time—20 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
10
Mantua Vergilio gaudet, Verona Catullo;
Paelignae dicar gloria gentis ego,
quam sua libertas ad honesta coegerat arma,
cum timuit socias anxia Roma manus.
Atque aliquis spectans hospes Sulmonis aquosi
moenia, quae campi iugera pauca tenent,
“Quae tantum” dicet “potuistis ferre poetam,
quantulacumque estis, vos ego magna voco.”
Culte puer puerique parens Amathusia culti,
aurea de campo vellite signa meo;
corniger increpuit thyrso graviore Lyaeus:
pulsanda est magnis area maior equis.
Inbelles elegi, genialis Musa, valete,
post mea mansurum fata superstes opus.
Amores 3. 15. 7-20
In the passage above, Ovid bids farewell to elegy. In a short essay, analyze the ways in which he views his
achievements as an elegiac poet. Refer specifically to the Latin throughout the passage to support the points you
make in your essay.
(When you are asked to refer specifically to the Latin, you must write out the Latin and/or cite line numbers AND
you must translate, accurately paraphrase, or make clear in your discussion that you understand the Latin.)
Question LL11 —Ovid (15 percent)
(Suggested time—15 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
Questus eram, pharetra cum protinus ille soluta
legit in exitium spicula facta meum
lunavitque genu sinuosum fortiter arcum
“Quod”que “canas, vates, accipe” dixit “opus.”
Me miserum! Certas habuit puer ille sagittas:
uror, et in vacuo pectore regnat Amor.
Amores 1. 1. 21-26
Translate the passage above as literally as possible.
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2009 AP® LATIN LITERATURE FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Question LL12— Ovid (15 percent)
(Suggested time—10 minutes)
Begin your answer to this question on a clean page.
Line
5
Tum murmure parvo
multa prius questi statuunt ut nocte silenti
fallere custodes foribusque excedere temptent,
cumque domo exierint, urbis quoque tecta relinquant.
Neve sit errandum lato spatiantibus arvo,
conveniant ad busta Nini lateantque sub umbra
arboris; arbor ibi niveis uberrima pomis,
ardua morus, erat, gelido contermina fonti.
Metamorphoses 4. 83-90
Answer the following questions in English unless the question specifically asks you to write out Latin words.
1. In lines 1-2 (Tum murmure . . . questi), Ovid mentions two characteristics of a conversation between Pyramus
and Thisbe. What is one of those characteristics?
2. In lines 2-4 (statuunt . . . relinquant), Pyramus and Thisbe decide to do three things. Write out the Latin for two
of them. Either translate or accurately paraphrase that Latin.
3. In lines 5-6 (Neve sit . . . Nini), Ovid describes Pyramus and Thisbe’s choice of a meeting place.
(a) Where do they decide to meet?
(b) What reason is given for their choice?
4. Name a figure of speech that occurs in line 7 (arboris . . . pomis) and write out the specific Latin words that
illustrate it.
5. In lines 7-8 (arbor ibi . . . fonti), Ovid describes a tree. What are two characteristics of that tree?
STOP
END OF EXAM
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