Syntax Quiz

Multiple choice questions with the answer in gray under the question. Highlight the space under the question to see the correct answer.

 (Inspired by Roan Sample's 2024 Ovid Project)

What is the correct scansion of line 625?

1. DSDS

2. SSDS

3. DDDD

4. DDSS

Correct answer: DDDD

What is the case and case use of “dextera” on line 628?

1. Ablative of accompaniment

2. Nominative subject

3. Ablative of means

4. Ablative of separation

Correct answer: Ablative of means

What poetic device can be found on line 639?

1. Sibilance

2. Polyptoton 

3. Hyperbaton 

4. Polysyndeton 

Correct answer: Sibilance

What form is “poterēntur” in line 640?

1. 3rd person, singular imperfect, passive, subjunctive

2. 3rd person, plural, perfect, passive, indicative

3. 3rd person, singular, perfect, passive, subjunctive

4. 3rd person, plural, imperfect, passive, subjunctive

Correct answer: 3rd person, plural, imperfect, passive, subjunctive

Which of these lines has the same metrical structure as line 642?

1. Line 644

2. Line 641

3. Line 639

4. Line 642

Correct answer: Line 644

What does the phrase “neque erat felicior illis” on line 642 express about Vertumnus?

1. Vertumnus was more lucky than anyone.

2. Vertumnus was the most unlucky.

3. Vertumnus was not luckier than anybody else.

4. Vertumnus was not typically lucky.

Correct answer: Vertumnus was not luckier than anybody else.

What grammatical construction can be seen in the phrase “falce datā frondātor erat” on line 649?

1. Purpose clause

2. Ablative absolute

3. Relative clause of characteristic

4. Indirect statement

Correct answer: Ablative absolute

Where is the midline caesura in line 650?

1. Early

2. Late 

3. Standard positioning

4. No midline caesura

Correct answer: Standard positioning

What does line 651 imply about Vertumnus?

1. Vertumnus and Pomona are a soldier and a fisher.

2. Vertumnus likes to fight and fish.

3. Vertumnus is a shapeshifter.

4. Vertumnus used to be a soldier, and now he is a fisherman.

Correct answer: Vertumnus is a shapeshifter.

What grammatical construction can be seen in the phrase “ut caperet spectātae gaudia fōrmae” on line 653?

1. Indirect command

2. Purpose clause

3. Indirect question

4. Result clause

Correct answer: Purpose clause

According to the text, who was ruling at the time this story takes place?

1. Aenas

2. Tiberinus

3. Romulus

4. Proca

Correct answer: Proca 

Bonus: Pomona’s name is similar to the latin word for which of the following?

1. Tree

2. Field

3. Apple

4. Water

Correct answer: Apple (poma)