Look how useful the ablative absolute is. We can use it to retell the life of Vergil, reminding us that anything a verb or an adjective can do, a participle can do, too. For each item there are only two choices, so focus carefully on the grammar. Click on the choice that is the most grammatically accurate translation. Among the items may be the rare future ablative absolute. Every choice provides feedback.
Vergiliō prope Mantuam nātō
when Vergil was born near Mantua
while Vergil is born near Mantua
puerō ab magistrīs Cremōnae doctō
having been taught as a boy by teachers at Cremona
being taught as a boy by teachers at Cremona
togā virīlī sextō decimō annō sūmptō
having assumed the toga of manhood in his sixteenth year
the toga of manhood having been assumed in his sixteenth year
adulēscente Mediolānum profectō
as the young man sets/set out for Milan
when the young boy has/had set out for Milan
Vergiliō litterīs Graecīs studente
while Vergil studies Greek literature
after Vergil studied Greek literature
versibus dē pastōribus et agricolīs prīmō scrīptīs
first having written verses about shepherds and farmers
verses first having been written about shepherds and farmers
illō Rōmae habitante
after he lived in Rome
while he lived in Rome
poētā fābulam dē Aenēā ūndecim annōs scrīptūrō
as the poet writes the story of Aeneas for eleven years
when the poet is about to write the story of Aeneas for eleven years
eō iter ad Graeciam faciente
as he is about to journey to Greece
as he journeys to Greece
prīncipe eum ad Italiam redūcente
while the emperor leads him back to Italy
after the emperor led him back to Italy
poētā aegrōtante et moritūrō
when the poet became ill and was about to die
when the poet had become ill and was dying
Augustō epos dēlērī nōlente
Augustus having not wished for the epic to be destroyed