AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION PRACTICE TEST

AP? ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION

PRACTICE TEST

Answers and Explanations

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AP? ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

Practice Test: Answers and Explanations

ANSWER KEY

1. A 2. E 3. B 4. A 5. A 6. E 7. D 8. A 9. C 10. A 11. C

12. D 13. E 14. B 15. E 16. D 17. D 18. E 19. A 20. C 21. C 22. D

23. B 24. C 25. A 26. B 27. A 28. E 29. C 30. A 31. E 32. D 33. A

34. B 35. D 36. B 37. C 38. B 39. A 40. C 41. E 42. B 43. B 44. A

45. E 46. E 47. D 48. B 49. C 50. A 51. C 52. D 53. E 54. A 55. A

EXPLANATIONS

SECTION 1: Part A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. A This question requires you to ascertain how the latter part of the paragraph is connected to the former part. Given that there are a few ways to qualify the two sets of lines, it's best to use the process of elimination. Choice (C) can be eliminated most easily because neither communism nor democracy is defined in this paragraph. Choice (E) can also be eliminated; although communism is spoken of as a danger or peril, according to the speaker, communism no longer exists, so it is not persisting at all. Eliminate (B) as well. The beginning of the paragraph does touch on the speaker's former goals, but the second half of the paragraph doesn't provide the status of those goals; it outlines new goals. Be careful of (D). The beginning of the paragraph indeed describes the president's past actions, but the second half doesn't describe actions he is presently taking; it describes actions he plans to take in the future. Therefore, (A) is the correct answer. The first part of the paragraph speaks in general terms about the changes that are taking place because communism has been defeated, and the second part of the paragraph specifies what those changes will be.

2. E Speakers deliberately employ rhetorical strategies in various ways in order to win over their audiences or make a point clearly. In this instance, the speaker employs a few strategies, so begin by narrowing down those he does not employ. Eliminate (B) because, although he speaks of himself once, using the pronoun "I," that perspective doesn't have an emotional effect. Choice (D) can be eliminated too. The lines don't exactly include advice, more like a statements of his opinion. Eliminate (A) as well, because all of the speaker's language is quite literal. Watch out for (C). The speaker does express a virtue and a vice, but they aren't stated in the form of an analogy. Therefore, (E) is the correct answer. In the later part of the lines, he states "this is a fact," when actually the two statements that follow are opinions.

3. B This question requires you to get a sense of what this paragraph comprises, as well as what comes before it. Choice (C) can be eliminated most easily, because the speaker hasn't organized his speech in any sort of chronology of events; he's tackling his subjects in an order that makes his talk flow well. Choice (D) can also be eliminated; the occasion, addressing the country at the State of the Union Address, is very formal, and he maintains the same level of formality all the way through. Eliminate (E) because in these lines he's just begun talking about the economy, so it's not possible that this marks a change in his attitude about it. Don't be distracted by (A). The speaker does begin with "good signs" followed by more challenging aspects of the economy, but that is within the paragraph; it doesn't mark a distinction between the previous paragraphs. Therefore, (B) is the correct answer. The speaker just finished talking about global concerns; in this paragraph he beings talking about domestic affairs, thereby narrowing his focus from dealing with the world at large to dealing with national concerns.

4. A Reread the entire paragraph that includes this statement. The speaker states that his proposed plan is being discussed in "a political season," alluding to the fact that there is an election coming up. During election time, it's believed by some that politicians often make statements they think will persuade their constituents to elect them, or in this case,

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AP? ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION Practice Test: Answers and Explanations

reelect them. The president was about to campaign for another presidential term. Choice (E) can be eliminated most easily because the context tells you that the intricacy of his policies isn't at all what he was alluding to. The use of the word partisan, which refers to the two major parties in U.S. government, Republican and Democrat, might tempt you to choose (B) or (C), but neither the disagreements between the parties nor the black-and-white nature is what the speaker is getting at. Be careful of (D). This answer choice does reflect some of the speaker's suggestion--that people might distrust his motivations--but he's not talking merely of people in Congress. Therefore, (A) is the correct answer. The speaker states, "But I ask you to know what is in my heart," as a way of persuading people that his intentions are indeed not politically motivated, but are genuinely intended to help the American people.

5. A Oftentimes, speakers repeat words or phrases to underscore a point they want to drill into the minds of their audience. This is also the case in these lines. The speaker repeats "on Earth" after every superlative adjective (freest, kindest, strongest). It discusses America in terms of other countries on the planet. Choice (C) can be eliminated most easily because America--not Americans--are being discussed in these lines. Choice (D) can be eliminated too. While these lines do discuss a principle that America was founded upon (freedom), the other attributes (kindness and strength) are not American principles, per se. In addition, that's not all the speaker is trying to say here. Also eliminate (B) because while one of the speaker's aims was to further emphasize the effectiveness of his leadership capabilities, that's not what the repetition in these lines was meant to achieve. Watch out for (E). The statement does place America in relation to other countries in the world, and it does suggest the values it promotes worldwide, but it doesn't exactly express America's accomplishments. Eliminate it. Therefore, (A) is the correct answer. By repeating "on Earth" and using superlative adjectives, the speaker talks about America in relationship to other countries, effectively saying that America is freer, kinder, and stronger than any other nation in the world. The lines serve to emphasize America's international standing.

6. E Footnote 1 gives President Kennedy's famous words from his inaugural address and explains they were meant to inspire civic action and public service. When you reread the text where the footnote is placed--right after the sentence "And now, members of Congress, let me tell you what you can do for your country"--you get clues about the intention of these lines. There is obviously an overlap in the diction. Choice (D) can be eliminated because President Bush is speaking about the economy, and President Kennedy was talking about public service. Eliminate (C) because if this was the intention of the lines, the speaker would have stated the role of Congress in more direct terms. Eliminate (B) because President Bush is talking about steps he wants Congress to take to improve the economy, which has nothing to do with civic action. Watch out for (A). Although the lines do connect the words of the two presidents, there isn't a direct comparison to how they speak. Therefore, (E) is the correct answer. President Bush uses some of President Kennedy's exact words--"what you can do for your country"--but he inverts President Kennedy's "ask" to "tell." These lines show that President Bush was alluding to President Kennedy's famous words.

7. D To ascertain this overview, think about the author's intention. You know it's a State of the Union Address, so that offers clues. Choice (C) can be eliminated most easily. Chronology is irrelevant in this passage. Eliminate (A) as well. Although the speaker does put forth his opinions throughout the passage, he isn't focused on experiences he had or events he personally witnessed, nor do his words become more dramatic as the passage progresses. Choice (B) can also be eliminated because the speaker isn't trying to convince his audience of just one thing, idea, or assertion. Be careful of (E). The speaker does, from time to time, talk about the arguments for and against various topics, but that's not the primary organization of the passage. Therefore, (D) is the correct answer. The speaker develops his thoughts by pronouncing his intentions and goals for the country.

8. A Personification is a literary device wherein something nonhuman--an object, idea, thing, etc.--is given human characteristics. In this case, the speaker remarks of inflation as being a thief, someone who steals illegally. Choice (E) can be eliminated, because inflation is of course something to take seriously; it affects the economy and, given the significance of the occasion (the State of the Union Address), the speaker wouldn't bring up any topic that wasn't serious. Choice (B) can be eliminated as well, because there's no connection between a thief and international affairs. Eliminate (D) because, although calling inflation a thief means the speaker thinks it's a problem, he does not necessarily see it as the main problem. Watch out for (C). Right after this sentence in the passage the speaker says that not only is inflation down, but interest rates are as well. However, that doesn't address the impact of personifying inflation as a thief. So eliminate (C). Therefore, (A) is the correct answer. By calling inflation a "thief," the speaker is suggesting that inflation is a rogue, something he can't control that does what it wants despite outside influences.

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AP? ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION Practice Test: Answers and Explanations

9. C 10. A 11. C 12. D 13. E

In this case, the speaker is using the phrases "big guy" and "little guy" figuratively, not literally. Begin by ascertaining the main point of the paragraph. The speaker is trying to convince his audience that enacting the "so-called soak-the-rich bills" is not the correct tactic to take to improve the economy. Then he uses this figurative language. So the answer will likely reflect money in some way. Choices (A), (D), and (E) can all be eliminated, because none of those individuals are described in a way that reflects a financial state. Be careful of (B). Some politicians are better off financially than some civilians, but the opposite can also be true. So eliminate (B). Therefore, (C) is the correct answer. The speaker is talking about upper-class people, or wealthy people, and lower-class people, or people with a moderate or low income. He's saying that when you tax the rich ("the big guy"), the poor ("the little guy") are harmed because wealthy people are the ones who employ working class people, invest in the country, and make other such contributions that affect the entire population.

Obtaining the context of this statement helps you answer this question, but by analyzing the sentence itself, you can arrive at the correct answer. Although the speaker refers to politics as something some consider to be a "game," that's not the primary point he is making. Eliminate (E). Choice (C) can also be eliminated, because the speaker is actually saying is almost the opposite: politicians should stop strategizing to thwart the advancement of policies they don't agree with. Similarly, (B) can be eliminated; although the speaker does state that progress is sometimes impeded by politicians, it's not because they have ill will; it's because they prefer their agendas to those of the opposing side. Be careful of (D). The speaker is hinting that being flexible, or compromising, is a way to help the country move forward and improve; however, this statement goes beyond just that notion. Therefore, (A) is the correct answer. Some politicians block other politicians with opposing views, so that nothing gets accomplished, and then complain about the lack of progress being made in improving America. They complain about the problems they in fact helped create.

The footnote explains that Puritans were members of the Protestant faith who had very strict moral and religious opinions and ways of life. Choice (E) can be eliminated most easily because there's no suggestion of the wealth this group had. Eliminate (B) because it's clear the speaker is referring to Puritans in a negative light, not a positive one like "optimistic" would suggest. Choice (D) is a bit far-fetched, but it might distract you, because in the passage the speaker does talk about Puritans being kept awake all night with worry. But that's not exactly what he's implying here. Choice (A) might also tempt you, but the speaker doesn't invoke the Puritans to comment on their religious beliefs. Rather, he references Puritans in the context of a tax policy that he is proposing. Therefore, (C) is the correct answer. The speaker is suggesting that his opponents are excessively rigid and needlessly worry about something that doesn't exist--in this case, that providing tax incentives for the wealthy is unfair to middle- and low-income people, something the speaker disagrees with completely.

The speaker employs quite a few rhetorical strategies in these lines; this question asks you which one he does not use. Choice (A) can be eliminated because the speaker repeats "right from the" and "I know." Eliminate (B), because he rhymes "start" with "heart." Choice (C) can be eliminated as well, because the speaker uses parallel phrase constructions in "right from the heart and right from the start." Eliminate (E) as well, because the speaker states, "Let me tell you," asserting his personal perspective. Therefore, (D) is the correct answer. These lines don't rely on contrast to get their point across to the audience.

What's a little tricky about this question is that the speaker is describing things by explaining what they are not. Begin by defining vice: an immoral habit or practice, a shortcoming, fault, or defective approach. And then define virtue: moral excellence, a good or admirable quality, something that's effective. Pursuing "peace" via the use of "strength" is not a vice--meaning it is not problematic to do so. Pursuing "security" via the act of isolation is not a virtue--meaning it is not an effective approach. Choice (C) can be eliminated most easily, because the lines say nothing about whether it's natural to pursue peace and nothing about whether it's essential to pursue security. Eliminate (D) as well, since although these are common adages, they are not imparted in the statements. Choice (A) can be eliminated too. "Begets" means to produce an effect, but the statements don't say that nonviolence results in peace--in fact it in some ways implies just the opposite. Choice (B) might distract you, but solitude isn't discussed in terms of animosity in the statements, so eliminate it. Choice (E) is the correct answer. The speaker is saying it's okay, and even effective, to pursue peace by using might, or strength, to enforce it, but that security can't be achieved alone, without solidarity or without forming an alliance with others.

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AP? ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION Practice Test: Answers and Explanations

14. B 15. E 16. D 17. D 18. E

In these lines, the speaker repeats the phrase "let's be frank" followed by "let me level with you." He then goes on to discuss the impact that the upcoming election has on politicians and the motivations for his proposals. Choice (A) can be eliminated most easily, because it would be unthinkable of a president to plan to say, in prepared remarks, that he was not being entirely honest with his audience. Eliminate (C) as well; in a State of the Union Address, no one else talks but the president, and although his audience does clap when they agree with him, he wholly and fully has the floor. Choice (D) can also be eliminated, because, although he is alluding to the difficulties of politics, these sentences don't serve as an introduction to the complications of his policies. Watch out for (E). These words do foreshadow an admission of some sort, but not necessarily an admission that would be difficult for the audience to take in. So eliminate (E). Therefore, (B) is the correct answer. He's about to say something that politicians don't typically disclose, which is that politicians sometimes say things just to get elected or, in his case, reelected.

To answer this question, determine how the first paragraph impacts the rest of the passage. What does it explain that the rest of the passage does not? And how does that information relate to the information in the rest of the passage? Choice (A) can be eliminated most easily, because the first paragraph doesn't say anything about the effects of the Russian Revolution. Choice (D) can also be eliminated; although the paragraph does express that people residing in various countries support the Russian Revolution, the primary function of the first paragraph goes beyond just providing that information. Eliminate (C); although the first paragraph does comprise data about who and how many support the Russian Revolution, it doesn't comprise data that explains why the goals of the Russian Revolution are important. Don't be tempted by (B). The author is clearly speaking from his own, subjective point of view, but the information in the first paragraph also contains objective data--at least readers have no reason to assume otherwise--and the purpose of the first paragraph goes beyond setting up the fact that the paragraph is about the author's opinion. Therefore, (E) is the correct answer. The primary function of the first paragraph is to establish the importance of the Russian Revolution. It is jam-packed with data showing how many individuals are actively contributing to winning it.

The words incendiarism and affrighted provide clues to this answer. In this context, incendiarism means "anger or inflammation," and affrighted means "terrified or frightened." The sentence says that many people misperceive why Russian Revolutionaries align themselves with the color red. Choice (B) can be eliminated most easily; although the footnote explains that the word bourgeois derives from the French language, the author isn't talking about the French, and he isn't offering his opinion on their education. Eliminate (A) because the author is saying something about the average person's reaction to the color red, not their emotional proclivities. Choice (E) can also be eliminated. The author is saying something about the majority of people, but it's not that they are conservative; it's that they get things wrong. Watch out for (C). A distillate of incendiarism is anger, but the sentence states a more specific idea. Therefore, (D) is the correct answer. Red has long been associated with anger or "incendiarism," but that's not all the color symbolizes. For example, for many it's also symbolic of the heart or love (like on Valentine's Day), which is the polar opposite of anger. But because the revolutionaries have aligned themselves with the color, everyday people assume it symbolizes anger, which then provokes fear in them--a reaction the author deems simpleminded.

The author exposes his character to readers quite openly. The passage has a persuasive intent, and is largely a steady stream of his opinions and why he has them. Choice (A) can be eliminated most easily, because the author is anything but hesitant. Eliminate (E) as well, because although he scrutinizes the politics, people, and society of the time, the author is not introverted, or shy and inward. He is quite extroverted, constantly spewing his opinion. Choice (B) can also be eliminated. The author might be fair and rational, but he's pretty emotional in this passage, so it's unlikely that he is even-tempered. Be careful of (C). The author is definitely combative and maybe even threatening, but there's no sign that he's violent; he just believes passionately in the revolution. So eliminate (C). Therefore, (D) is the correct answer. The author is impassioned, steadfast, and articulate throughout the passage.

In these lines, the author passes judgment on the French and German socialists who align with one another out of deference for their class status. Footnote 4 tells you that the Germans won the Franco-German War and took Alsace-Lorraine away from the French, which inspired a bitter revenge among the French. Choice (C) can be eliminated most easily, because there's no suggestion that the French and German socialist working class were jubilant, or ecstatic. Eliminate (D) as well, because socialists aren't mercenaries, or people who do anything for money, and the author frames them as conciliatory, not bitter, despite their past conflicts. Choice (B) can be eliminated as well,

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