AP Latin Multiple-Choice Item Writing Tutorial
Phrasing of Multiple-Choice Questions

Points to keep in mind
Questions based on passages are numbered in the order in which the answers are found in the passage (i.e., a question whose answer is found in line 1 comes before a question whose answer is found in line 2).

In questions about verb forms, the stem usually asks for any or all of the following, in this order: person, number, tense, voice, mood.

The following list is not exhaustive and alternate phraseology within each item type may occur.

Note: In the following examples, blanks (_______) are to be filled in with Latin words. "In line ____ (________ … ________)" means "In line x (first Latin word in line … last Latin word in line)."

Grammar

1. What part of speech is the word _________ (line ___ )?
   (A)	A verb
   (B)	An adverb
   (C)	A noun
   (D)	An adjective (etc.)

   
   
   

2. The subject (object) of _________ (line ___ ) is
   (A)	_________ (line 1 )
   (B)	_________ (line 2 )
   (C)	_________ (line 2 )
   (D)	_________ (line 3 )

(Note: options are given in order of occurrence in the passage)

3. The case and number of _______ (line ___) are
   
   
4. The case of ________ (line ___) is determined by
   
   
5. In line ____ (________ … ________), _________ describes (modifies)
   [Insert Latin words at beginning and end of line]
   
   
6. The tense and mood of ________ (line ___ ) are
   
   
7. In line ___, cum (ut, quid, etc.) is translated

Translation/Comprehension

Translation Questions

1. The words ___________ … ________ (lines _____ ) are translated
   
   
2. In line ___, __________ … __________ is translated

Comprehension Questions

1. The words ________ (line ___ ) tell us that
   
   
2. Lines ____ (_________ … _______) tell us that

Reference

1. In line ___, qui (ille, se, etc.) refers to
   
   
2. In line ___, qui (ille, se, etc.) refers to the same thing as
   
   
3. From lines _____ (______ … _______), we can infer that

Metrics

1. The metrical pattern of the first four feet of line ___ (______ … ______) is
   
   

(A)	dactyl-spondee-dactyl-spondee
(A)	|||



2. How many elisions occur in line ___ (_______ … _______)?

Figures of Speech

1. What figure of speech occurs in ______ … _______ (line ___)?
   
   

(A)	Anaphora
(B)	Hendiadys
(C)	Tmesis
(D)	Zeugma



2. Which of the following figures of speech (rhetorical devices) occurs in lines ____ (______ … _______)?

Background

Because background questions may take a variety of forms, depending on the passage, it is impossible to give suggested phraseology. Note the following examples: Option #1, Vergil, questions 1, 3, and 7; Option #2, Catullus, question 8.

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Option #1: Vergil Option #2: Catullus Option #3: Sight Passage (Poetry) Option #4: Sight Passage (Prose)