Ap Lang 2020 Practice Exam 1 Mcq

AP Lang 2020 Practice Exam 1 MCQ: A Comprehensive Guide

The 2020 AP Lang practice exam, specifically the multiple-choice section, provides a crucial opportunity for students to hone their reading comprehension, rhetorical analysis, and argumentative skills. Mastering this section is key to achieving a high score on the AP Language and Composition exam. This comprehensive guide delves deep into the nuances of the 2020 practice exam's multiple-choice questions (MCQs), offering strategies and explanations to help you succeed.

Understanding the AP Lang Exam's MCQ Structure

Before we dive into specific questions, let's establish the framework. The AP Language and Composition exam's multiple-choice section typically consists of 45 questions based on four to five passages. These passages encompass diverse genres, including but not limited to:

• Literary Prose: Extracts from novels, short stories, and memoirs.
• Informational Prose: Articles, essays, speeches, and letters.
• Primary Source Documents: Historical texts, speeches, and letters.

Each passage is followed by a series of questions testing your ability to:

• Identify the author's purpose and intended audience.
• Analyze the author's rhetorical strategies (ethos, pathos, logos).
• Understand the meaning and implications of specific words and phrases.
• Interpret figurative language and symbolism.
• Determine the overall structure and organization of the passage.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the author's argument.

Strategies for Tackling AP Lang MCQs

Success on the AP Lang MCQs relies on more than just reading comprehension. It requires a strategic approach:

1. Pre-Reading Strategies:

• Skim the passage first: Get a general sense of the topic, tone, and style before diving into the details. Note any apparent shifts in tone or argument.
• Identify the type of passage: Knowing if it's a persuasive essay, narrative, or informational text helps you anticipate the author's purpose and rhetorical strategies.
• Pay attention to the title and author (if provided): This context can significantly influence your understanding of the passage.

2. Active Reading:

• Annotate the passage: Underline key words, phrases, and sentences. Note any rhetorical devices used (metaphors, similes, allusions, etc.). Mark shifts in tone or argument.
• Focus on the main idea: What is the author's central claim or argument? What evidence do they use to support it?
• Consider the author's perspective and bias: Are there any implicit or explicit assumptions or biases present?

3. Approaching the Questions:

• Read the question carefully: Understand exactly what is being asked before looking at the answer choices.
• Eliminate obviously incorrect answers: This process of elimination can significantly improve your chances of selecting the correct answer.
• Look for keywords: Pay close attention to words like "primarily," "mainly," "best," and "most likely." These words indicate the best fit among the options.
• Consider the context: Always refer back to the passage to support your answer choices. Avoid relying solely on your prior knowledge or assumptions.
• Don't overthink: Trust your analytical skills and the evidence in the passage.

Analyzing Specific Question Types from the 2020 Practice Exam

Without access to the specific 2020 AP Lang practice exam, we'll use hypothetical examples mirroring common question types. These examples illustrate the strategies discussed above.

Example 1: Identifying the Author's Purpose

Passage Excerpt: "The relentless pursuit of economic growth has left an undeniable scar on our planet. The melting ice caps, the rising sea levels, the increasingly frequent extreme weather events – these are not mere abstractions; they are stark realities demanding immediate action."

Question: The author's primary purpose in this passage is to:

(A) Celebrate the achievements of economic progress. (B) Argue for a balanced approach to economic growth and environmental protection. (C) Warn about the devastating consequences of unchecked economic growth. (D) Promote a specific economic policy to address environmental concerns.

Analysis: The passage's tone is clearly cautionary and alarming. The author uses strong imagery ("stark realities," "melting ice caps") to highlight the negative effects of economic growth. Therefore, (C) is the correct answer.

Example 2: Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies

Passage Excerpt: "As a physician who has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of climate change on human health, I implore you to act. The evidence is overwhelming; the consequences are dire."

Question: The author primarily employs which rhetorical appeal in this passage?

(A) Logos (appeal to logic) (B) Pathos (appeal to emotion) (C) Ethos (appeal to credibility) (D) All of the above

Analysis: The author establishes credibility ("As a physician...") – ethos. The use of words like "devastating" and "dire" appeals to emotion – pathos. The reference to "overwhelming evidence" suggests a logical appeal – logos. While all three appeals are present, the author's primary appeal is ethos, establishing their credibility to speak authoritatively on the topic. Therefore (C) is the strongest answer.

Example 3: Understanding Word Choice and Tone

Passage Excerpt: "The politician's speech was characterized by bombastic pronouncements and gratuitous flattery."

Question: The words "bombastic" and "gratuitous" in the passage suggest that the politician's speech was:

(A) Inspiring and heartfelt. (B) Thoughtful and persuasive. (C) Overblown and insincere. (D) Modest and humble.

Analysis: "Bombastic" suggests excessive and pompous speech, while "gratuitous" implies unnecessary and undeserved flattery. This points to (C) as the correct answer.

Beyond Individual Questions: Holistic Understanding

Remember, the AP Lang exam isn't just about answering individual questions correctly; it's about demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the passage as a whole. Consider the following:

• The overall structure of the argument: How does the author organize their ideas? Do they use a chronological approach, a comparative approach, or another method?
• The author's tone and style: Is the tone formal or informal? Is the style concise or elaborate? How does the author's style contribute to the overall message?
• The relationship between the passage and its context (if provided): If the passage is an excerpt from a larger work, how does it fit within the overall context?

By carefully analyzing these elements and employing the strategies outlined above, you can significantly improve your performance on the AP Lang 2020 practice exam's multiple-choice section and increase your chances of achieving a high score on the actual exam. Consistent practice and a focus on strategic reading are key to success. Remember to review your mistakes, understand why certain answers are correct or incorrect, and continue to refine your approach. Good luck!