2020 Practice Exam 3 Mcq Ap Lang

2020 Practice Exam 3 MCQ AP Lang: A Comprehensive Guide

The AP Language and Composition exam can be daunting, but thorough preparation is key to success. This guide delves into the 2020 Practice Exam 3 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), offering insights into the question types, strategies for tackling them, and a deeper understanding of the rhetorical concepts tested. Mastering these skills will not only improve your score on the AP exam but also enhance your overall critical reading and writing abilities.

Understanding the AP Lang Exam Structure

Before we dive into the specifics of Practice Exam 3, let's review the overall structure of the AP Language and Composition exam. The exam is divided into two sections:

• Section 1: Multiple Choice (45% of total score): This section consists of approximately 45 multiple-choice questions based on four to five passages of prose. These passages are drawn from a variety of sources and time periods, and may include excerpts from speeches, essays, letters, or literary works.

• Section 2: Free Response (55% of total score): This section features three free-response questions, testing your ability to analyze texts and construct well-supported arguments. These questions typically include:

  • Synthesis Essay: Requires you to synthesize information from multiple sources to form your own informed argument.
  • Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Demands a close reading of a given passage and an analysis of the author's rhetorical strategies.
  • Argument Essay: Asks you to present a well-reasoned argument on a given topic.

The multiple-choice section is crucial because it forms a significant portion of your final grade. Understanding the question types and strategies for approaching them is paramount.

Analyzing the 2020 Practice Exam 3 MCQ Questions

The 2020 Practice Exam 3 MCQs, like all AP Language and Composition multiple-choice questions, are designed to assess your understanding of:

• Rhetorical Strategies: Identification and analysis of techniques like tone, diction, imagery, figurative language, syntax, and rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos).
• Author's Purpose: Determining the author's intended message and audience.
• Textual Evidence: Using evidence from the passage to support your answers.
• Inference and Interpretation: Drawing logical conclusions and making informed interpretations based on the text.
• Organization and Structure: Understanding how the passage is structured and how that contributes to its overall effect.

Common Question Types Encountered:

While the specific questions vary, several common question types appear consistently in the AP Lang MCQs:

• Direct Questions: These questions explicitly ask about a specific element within the passage, such as the author's tone or the purpose of a particular sentence. For example: "What is the primary rhetorical effect of the author's use of parallelism in paragraph 3?"

• Inference Questions: These questions require you to infer meaning based on textual evidence. You need to read between the lines and draw logical conclusions. Example: "Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the author's attitude towards...?"

• Vocabulary-in-Context Questions: These questions assess your understanding of vocabulary words as they are used within the specific context of the passage. You are not simply asked for a definition but how the word functions within the sentence and paragraph. Example: "As used in line 15, 'ambivalent' most nearly means..."

• Rhetorical Analysis Questions: These questions ask you to analyze the author's use of rhetorical devices and their effect on the audience. Example: "How does the author's use of anecdote contribute to the overall argument?"

• Structure and Organization Questions: These questions focus on the organization and structure of the passage and how it affects the meaning. Example: "How does the transition from paragraph 4 to paragraph 5 contribute to the overall development of the argument?"

Strategies for Success on AP Lang MCQs

To effectively navigate the 2020 Practice Exam 3 MCQs (and future AP Language exams), implement these strategies:

1. Thorough Reading and Annotation:

• Active Reading: Don't passively read the passage. Engage actively with the text, highlighting key phrases, identifying rhetorical devices, and jotting down your initial impressions.

• Annotation System: Develop a consistent annotation system for marking key elements like thesis statements, topic sentences, supporting details, and rhetorical strategies. Use different highlighting colors or symbols to differentiate between different aspects of the text.

• Understanding the Context: Pay close attention to the context surrounding words, phrases, and sentences to accurately understand their meaning and function.

2. Breaking Down the Questions:

• Identifying Key Words: Pay close attention to keywords in the questions. Words like "primarily," "mainly," "best supports," and "most nearly" provide crucial clues about what the question is asking.

• Eliminating Incorrect Answers: Systematically eliminate incorrect answers. This helps you narrow down your choices and increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.

• Process of Elimination: Use the process of elimination effectively. Identify obviously wrong answers first and eliminate them, making it easier to focus on the remaining options.

3. Mastering Rhetorical Devices:

• Familiarize Yourself with Common Rhetorical Devices: Gain a solid understanding of common rhetorical devices, such as metaphor, simile, analogy, allusion, irony, satire, parallelism, antithesis, and rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos).

• Identify and Analyze the Purpose: Once you've identified a rhetorical device, analyze its purpose and effect within the passage. How does it contribute to the author's overall message and intended audience?

• Understanding the Context: Remember that the effectiveness of a rhetorical device often depends on the context in which it is used.

4. Using Contextual Clues:

• Contextual Clues are Essential: Use contextual clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases. Pay attention to the words and sentences surrounding them.

• Don't Rely on Prior Knowledge: While your prior knowledge is helpful, base your answers primarily on the information presented within the passage.

5. Time Management:

• Pace Yourself: Allocate your time effectively. Don't spend too long on any single question.

• Review Your Answers: If time permits, review your answers before submitting the exam.

6. Practice Makes Perfect:

• Practice Regularly: Practice with multiple AP Language and Composition practice exams to improve your speed, accuracy, and strategic thinking.

• Analyze Your Mistakes: After completing a practice exam, carefully review the questions you answered incorrectly and understand why your answers were wrong. This will help you identify areas needing improvement.

Beyond the 2020 Practice Exam 3: Broader AP Lang Strategies

While mastering the 2020 Practice Exam 3 MCQs is crucial, remember that the skills and strategies discussed above are applicable to all AP Language and Composition multiple-choice questions. Consistent practice and a focused understanding of rhetorical concepts are the keys to success.

Key Takeaways:

• Thorough comprehension of the passages is paramount.
• Effective annotation enhances comprehension and speeds up the process.
• Mastering rhetorical devices is essential for understanding the author's purpose and techniques.
• Strategic elimination of incorrect answers increases accuracy.
• Time management prevents rushing and careless errors.
• Consistent practice builds confidence and proficiency.

By applying these strategies and focusing on a comprehensive understanding of rhetorical analysis, you will significantly improve your performance on the AP Language and Composition exam and develop valuable skills in critical reading and analysis that will benefit you beyond the exam. Remember that consistent effort and focused preparation are the cornerstones of achieving a high score. Good luck!