AP Lang Midterm Study Guide

Dusk of Dawn - first paragraph relation to passage: A man in the European sixteenth century was born not simply in the valley of the Thames or Seine, but in a certain social class and the environment of that class made and limited his world.In relation to the rest of the passage, the first paragraph provides A historical information that illuminates the speaker's own circumstances B an analogy that puts the reader in the same situation as that in which the speaker exists C a comparison between the life of sixteenth-century artisans and twentieth-century artists D conflicting statements about the social position of artisans in Europe E a personal reminiscence that alters the speaker's views

A

Dusk of Dawn - purpose of paragraph 2: A man in the European sixteenth century was born not simply in the valley of the Thames or Seine, but in a certain social class and the environment of that class made and limited his world. The speaker uses Paragraph 2 ("I could not ... largely excluded") primarily to A emphasize the effects of racism by cataloging his experiences B criticize past social practices in discriminatory countries C signal a shift in focus that will be discussed subsequently D illustrate the fear that made it difficult for him to write E decry the injustices suffered by all peoples in subordinate stations

A

Guerrero 2: My parents came here from Colombia during a time of great instability there. In the first sentence of the sixth paragraph, the author describes her "rocky existence" during high school in order to A support the claim that her parents' absence affected her during her adolescence B show how her experiences were typical of teens in the United States C highlight the hospitality offered to her by the parents of her friends D suggest that her high school was not sufficiently supportive of students in her situation E balance a discussion of her high school triumphs with an acknowledgement of her challenges

A

Our Declaration - author will most likely continue:When one undertakes to read any text— whether fiction or nonfiction or even a poem— a handful of tried-and-true questions set one going in the right direction: What kind of text have I got in front of me?Based on the passage as a whole, it can be inferred that the author will most likely continue with a discussion that includes which of the following? A An analysis of the Declaration that addresses the questions about texts introduced at the beginning of the passage B A comparison of views of the Declaration as a sacred text and as a treatise C An examination of additional definitions of the word "memorandum" D A closer look into fundamental differences between interoffice memos and the Declaration E An account of other types of correspondence besides memos

A

Q1 Holland_Naps 2: In France, on a rented canal boat, my friends and I gazed in despair at the closed oaken gates of the lock. We'd come to them only seconds after the witching hour of noon, but we were too late.Which of the following statements most directly expresses the author's thesis in the passage? A "Americans are afraid of naps." (paragraph 3) B "Napping is too luxurious." (paragraph 4, sentence 1) C "[Napping] seems to be a natural inclination." (paragraph 4, sentence 2) D "Fighting off natural inclinations is a major Puritan virtue." (paragraph 4, sentence 4) E "[T]he process of falling asleep in the afternoon is quite different from bedtime sleep." (paragraph 5,

A

Q2 Hu_McDonald's 4: One of the first Chinese McDonald's opened on April 23, 1992, in Beijing, the largest in the world, at the time.Which of the following statements best encapsulates the author's line of reasoning in the passage? A "...McDonald's presented a different kind of comfort for my family and me." (paragraph 2) B "By 1965 the sandwich had gone national." (paragraph 4) C "Its appeal is inscrutable, perhaps out of proportion to its paltry constituent parts." (paragraph 5) D "These days, the sandwich is more expensive than ever; it's also less beautiful than I remember." (paragraph 7, sentence 1) E "Nowadays, a good Filet-O-Fish is hard to find." (paragraph 7, sentence 6)

A

Thinking It Through - main claim: In countless movies, computers play a starring role. Some talk in synthesized voices; others write a stream of words on a screen.The passage as a whole primarily advances which of the following claims? A Developing a rigorous understanding of an issue often involves questioning the validity of everyday forms of thought. B Traditional philosophical methods are capable of addressing contemporary social problems. C Philosophical insights can be gleaned from many sources, not just from the formal study of philosophy. D Society will need to develop new concepts for different types of intelligence as computers become more advanced. E Ordinary people need experts to help them understand the ethical implications of new technologies.

A

Q2 CED_Emmeline Pankhurst 1: (If I were a man and I said to you, "I come from a country which professes to have representative institutions and yet denies me, a taxpayer, an inhabitant of the country, representative rights," you would at once understand that that human being, being a man, was justified in the adoption of revolutionary methods to get representative institutions.)Which of the following best describes the author's exigence in the passage? (A) The lack of interest among eligible voters in the political process (B) The growing trend of using violence to address women's employment concerns (C) The limited resources available to women for changing existing power structures (D) Widening disparities in the socioeconomic circumstances of American and British women (E) Public resentment of the high tax rate imposed by the government

(C) The limited resources available to women for changing existing power structures

Q1 Dusk of Dawn - primary purpose: (A man in the European sixteenth century was born not simply in the valley of the Thames or Seine, but in a certain social class and the environment of that class made and limited his world.) The speaker's primary purpose in the passage is to (A) justify the need for class structures in the modern world (B) seek restitution for wrongs committed against him (C) establish the major distinctions between race issues and class issues (D) convey the psychological impact of a system of segregation (E) condemn physical force as a means of maintaining segregation

(D) convey the psychological impact of a system of segregation

Butler_6: I spent my teens and much of my twenties collecting printed rejections.The author uses a series of questions in the eighth paragraph primarily to express her A pride, which stems from the fact that she has "no gift for suffering in silence" (paragraph 4) B doubts, which support the claim that "There seems to be an unwritten rule, hurtful and at odds with the realities of American culture" (paragraph 6) C self-confidence, which is based in the idea that Black women are "supposed to know [they are] as good as anyone" (paragraph 6) D shame, which develops because "That sort of talk is embarrassing" (paragraph 6) E fear, which is grounded in her knowledge that "Positive obsession is dangerous" (paragraph 9)

B

For Argumentative Essay remember:

Thesis: "While", "Although", "; therefore," Body: Cause and effect, transitions, no "it", "that", "this", or "they"

Bentham - relationship between paragraphs: With Imagination in the popular sense, command of imagery and metaphorical expression, Bentham* was, to a certain degree, endowed.Which of the following best describes the relationship between the first paragraph and the second paragraph? A The second paragraph uses the claims made at the end of the first paragraph to examine an individual. B The second paragraph continues to expand the definition of imagination begun in the first paragraph. C The second paragraph supports the claim in the opening sentence of the first paragraph. D The second paragraph presents a more balanced view of Bentham than does the first paragraph. E The second paragraph supports the theme of the first paragraph by references to scholarly research.

A

Brown 7: When I was younger, I used to have the same recurring daydream in gym class.In the context of the passage as a whole, the fourteenth and fifteenth paragraphs do which of the following? A Amplify the significance of a comparison by making, then qualifying, an absolute claim B Increase the attractiveness of the author's proposed solution to a problem by illustrating its likely beneficial consequences C Enhance the author's credibility by reiterating her own ideas in the voice of an outside observer D Encourage readers to relate to the author's experiences by helping them visualize her facial expressions E Preempt a likely objection by demonstrating the author's lack of resentment for those who are more athletic than she is

A

Butler_4: I spent my teens and much of my twenties collecting printed rejections.The last sentence of the first paragraph ("That . . . month's rent") primarily serves to A justify an action by invoking an ethical principle B clarify a point by defining an ambiguous term C show how anecdotal evidence supports a claim D provide meaningful context for a revealing statistic E demonstrate that a common practice has harmful effects

C

Guerrero 3: My parents came here from Colombia during a time of great instability there. In order to strengthen her argument, the author references which of the following contemporary circumstances? A Legislation that has recently been passed by Congress B The backlog of cases for immigration hearings C Significant changes in the number of immigrants to the United States D An unfulfilled pledge by a political leader E Widespread abuses in the criminal justice system

D

Butler 2: I spent my teens and much of my twenties collecting printed rejections. In the fifth paragraph, the author mentions that she "got up at two or three in the morning and wrote" primarily to A demonstrate the intensity of her devotion to writing B emphasize that punctuality is necessary for writers C break her silence about a painful period in her life D show how financial insecurity can limit a writer's career E speculate that insomnia may enhance a writer's productivity

A

CED_Emmeline Pankhurst 5: If I were a man and I said to you, "I come from a country which professes to have representative institutions and yet denies me, a taxpayer, an inhabitant of the country, representative rights,"... . In the third paragraph, the author criticizes the logic of those who dismiss the methods of British feminists as "irrational" (paragraph 3, sentence 2) on the grounds that they have A misconstrued the feminists' reasons for employing the strategies they have chosen to employ B failed to verify the identities of those responsible for acts of vandalism C overlooked accounts that present a less provocative view of feminist activism in Britain D ignored a key distinction between American feminists and British feminists E assumed that feminists do not understand the normal political process

A

Q3 Hu_McDonald's 7: One of the first Chinese McDonald's opened on April 23, 1992, in Beijing, the largest in the world, at the time.In the seventh paragraph, the author concludes "a good Filet-O-Fish is hard to find" by A justifying the changes made to the sandwich B conceding other menu items are equally delicious C identifying the cause for the sandwich's rise in cost D reliving the memories from her childhood E acknowledging the flaws of the sandwich

E

Brown 8: When I was younger, I used to have the same recurring daydream in gym class.In context, the first sentence of the eighteenth paragraph ("For Lena . . . unassisted") serves primarily to A verify the accuracy of the author's self-perception by closely considering a relevant example B equate the author's opportunities as a writer with the opportunities available to athletes with disabilities C connect the author's insights about her professional life to her broader experiences as a person with cerebral palsy D cite evidence to definitively disprove critics' assertions about the author's limitations as a writer E present the author's success as a writer as the fulfillment of her desire to possess a "special talent" (paragraph 5)

C

Four Fish - last paragraph author primarily asks: Four fish, then. In the last paragraph, the author primarily asks A if conservation methods will continue to improve over the years B how much war has shaped the environmental landscape C whether humans have control over innate impulses D when scientists will be able to develop new sources of food E why humans alternate between selfishness and self-sacrifice

C

Benjamin Franklin - pronoun reference:Franklin has a particular resonance in twenty-first century America."They" in Paragraph 2 of the passage refers to people who A disagree that Franklin's life exemplifies commercial values B want to reevaluate the importance of Franklin's writings C believe that Franklin's legacy is not appreciated sufficiently D have reservations about Franklin's values E want others to be as inspired by Franklin as they have been

D

Bentham - pronoun references: With Imagination in the popular sense, command of imagery and metaphorical expression, Bentham* was, to a certain degree, endowed."This power" (first paragraph) refers to A "command of imagery" B "poetical culture" C "declamatory eloquence" D "Imagination" E "voluntary effort"

D

Well-Read Lives - central argument of passage: Literary activities not only permeated daily life; they did so in ways that were at once participatory and collaborative.Which statement best sums up the central argument of the passage? A Genres defined as feminine gave women the chance to assert their influence and express themselves. B Women used seemingly conservative genres to engage in social reform. C Diary and letter writing provided women with a foothold in the publishing world. D Women modified traditional genres in the nineteenth century to express a unique point of view. E Women's correspondence provides insightful commentaries on nineteenth-century culture at large.

A

Democracy in America - speaker's argument: Fetters and headsmen were the coarse instruments that tyranny formerly employed; but the civilization of our age has perfected despotism itself, though it seemed to have nothing to learn. The argument used by the speaker demonstrates the truth inherent in the paradox that A pain can be pleasurable B freedom can enslave C falsehoods can be true D enmity can be a form of admiration E a person can feel more alienated at home than abroad

B

Q4 On Evening Parties - author attempt to answer: Human beings are curious creatures, and in nothing more curious than in the forms of diversion which they devise for themselves. Some of these are quite comprehensible; they give physical or mental pleasure.Which of the following questions does the author attempt to answer in this passage? A Why do people decide to host parties? B Why do people attend parties? C What makes a party memorable? D What do people learn at parties? E How much money is spent on parties?

B

Bentham - writer's ability to work with metaphor: With Imagination in the popular sense, command of imagery and metaphorical expression, Bentham* was, to a certain degree, endowed. The author indicates that a writer's ability to work with metaphor and imagery is less important than A a high sense of morality B intellectual brilliance C awareness of the artist's role in society D the power to empathize with others E the imparting of pleasure to the reader

D

Ellen Terry - statements best supported: It is the fate of actors to leave only picture postcards behind them. Every night when the curtain goes down the beautiful coloured canvas is rubbed out. Which of the following statements is best supported by information given in the passage? A Terry never focused on one career; she was skilled at so many things that she did not excel in any one thing. B Terry was so clever an actress that her portrayal of a role seemed to change every night. C Shaw encouraged Terry to become a playwright by carefully tutoring her in creating plots and characters. D Because Terry lacked confidence in certain of her skills, she never fully realized she was a person of rare talents and gifts. E Because Terry did not have natural talent for either writing or acting, she struggled to learn her crafts and became great through sheer willpower.

D

Going Out for a Walk - first two sentences: Walking for walking's sake may be as highly laudable and exemplary a thing as it is held to be by those who practise it. In the passage's first two sentences, the author A anticipates support for his thesis B expresses interest in contrary views C mocks those readers who disagree with his perspective D sets forth his central claim E appeals to common experience

D

Brown 1: When I was younger, I used to have the same recurring daydream in gym class.Which of the following best describes the author's exigence in the passage? A An invitation to write for an online feminist publication B A cultural pressure for people with disabilities to strive for perfection C A growing public interest in questions of diversity and representation D A decline in the opportunities for disabled athletes that she finds troubling E A spate of high-profile athletic achievements that she finds inspiring

E

CED_Emmeline Pankhurst 3: If I were a man and I said to you... .In the second paragraph, which of the following best characterizes the author's position on the relevance of her topic for American women? A Because American women are "so well off" (paragraph 2, sentence 1), it is unnecessary for them to adopt the methods described by the author. B Because American women are "so well off" (paragraph 2, sentence 1), they have access to methods other than those described by the author. C By adopting the methods described by the author, American women have succeeded in winning important civil rights. D Although the methods described by the author are best suited for American men, American women could adapt such methods for use in the domestic sphere. E Although American women are perceived as "well off" (paragraph 2, sentence 1), they should nonetheless consider adopting the methods described by the author.

E

Castle Rackrent - author's strategy: The prevailing taste of the public for anecdote has been censured and ridiculed by critics, who aspire to the character of superior wisdom: but if we consider it in a proper point of view, this taste is an incontestible proof of the good sense and profoundly philosophic temper of the present times. The author's strategy in the first two sentences is to A flatter those who would criticize popular opinions B incite readers to act in a manner inconsistent with their beliefs C moralize about the injustices present in society D build a logical argument and support it with facts from history E promote an impression of sympathy with public preferences

E

Q3 Democracy in America - phrase "let us beware": (Fetters and headsmen were the coarse instruments that tyranny formerly employed; but the civilization of our age has perfected despotism itself, though it seemed to have nothing to learn.)The phrase "let us beware" (paragraph 2) helps establish the speaker as (A) critical of monarchical political systems (B) defensive about newly formed democratic republics (C) concerned about potential abuses of power within democratic republics (D) skeptical of the ability of a democratic republic to control the individual (E) respectful of the power inherent in absolute monarchies

(C) concerned about potential abuses of power within democratic republics

Butler 1: I spent my teens and much of my twenties collecting printed rejections.Which of the following best characterizes the author's purpose in the passage? A To describe how a potentially harmful tendency helped her to succeed as a writer B To explain why beginning writers need to receive more honest criticism C To share her concern that many young writers overestimate the obstacles to success D To correct the misperception that writing science fiction rarely proves lucrative E To express appreciation for her mother's support throughout her writing career

A

Dusk of Dawn - second paragrah significance: A man in the European sixteenth century was born not simply in the valley of the Thames or Seine, but in a certain social class and the environment of that class made and limited his world. The second paragraph is significant in that the speaker A cites a counterexample to that in the opening paragraph B makes use of the power of personal experience C outlines his assumptions about the reader's experiences D traces the history of modern discrimination E utilizes eyewitness accounts to document claims

B

Guerrero 1: My parents came here from Colombia during a time of great instability there. Which of the following best describes the author's exigence in the passage? A The increasing number of people seeking asylum in the United States B The impact of government policies on undocumented immigrant families C The lack of positive role models for children of undocumented immigrants D Widespread ignorance of the poor quality of legal representation available to undocumented immigrants E The author's desire to acknowledge her parents' efforts to support her despite their immigration status

B

Butler 3: Take classes and go to writers' workshops. Writing is communication. In the first paragraph, the author supports her claim that writers should "go to writers' workshops" (sentence 1) by A assessing whether workshops can improve writers' ability to judge their own works B noting that workshops provide opportunities to write for diverse media, including television C explaining how workshops can help writers learn unpleasant but valuable lessons D highlighting the value of workshops for writers at different stages in their careers E dispelling the misperception that workshops may stifle writers' creativity

C

Biological Diversity - primary purpose: We know less about life on earth than we know about the surface of the moon and Mars—in part because far less money has been spent studying it.The primary purpose of the first paragraph is to A inspire students to enter scientific professions B argue that certain animal groups are becoming extinct C encourage people to follow the progress of current scientific research D call attention to the decline of a significant field of study E explain the relationship between different scientific disciplines

D

Biological Diversity - third paragraph function: We know less about life on earth than we know about the surface of the moon and Mars—in part because far less money has been spent studying it.The third paragraph serves which of the following functions? A It explains the results of a controversial study. B It compares examples that illustrate a point. C It explores social and historical contexts. D It speculates about a potential improvement. E It presents an opposing point of view.

D

Butler 1 (.2): Take classes and go to writers' workshops. Writing is communication. Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in the passage? A To encourage the audience to derive confidence from their talents B To reveal the disheartening realities of pursuing a career in literature C To propose a novel method for teaching composition and rhetoric D To convince aspiring writers of the importance of hard work E To challenge a misconception about the value of studying grammar

D

Butler 3: I spent my teens and much of my twenties collecting printed rejections. In the ninth paragraph, the author makes which of the following claims about the early years of her writing career? A She continued writing because encouragement outweighed doubts about her ability. B As she continued writing, her doubts about her ability steadily diminished. C She continued writing to prove that her doubts about her ability were unfounded. D She continued writing despite lacking confidence in her ability. E As she continued writing, she became increasingly skilled at managing her obsession.

D

CED_Emmeline Pankhurst 1: If I were a man and I said to you, "I come from a country which professes to have representative institutions and yet denies me, a taxpayer, an inhabitant of the country, representative rights,"... .Which of the following best describes the author's exigence in the passage? A The lack of interest among eligible voters in the political process B The growing trend of using violence to address women's employment concerns C The limited resources available to women for changing existing power structures D Widening disparities in the socioeconomic circumstances of American and British women E Public resentment of the high tax rate imposed by the government

C

Castle Rackrent - few who read history "derive...": The prevailing taste of the public for anecdote has been censured and ridiculed by critics, who aspire to the character of superior wisdom: but if we consider it in a proper point of view, this taste is an incontestible proof of the good sense and profoundly philosophic temper of the present times. In the context of the passage, the reason that few who read history "derive any advantage from their labors" (second sentence) is that A the common reader is unable to appreciate what he or she reads B the historian's preoccupation with facts makes for dull reading C the focus of history on the distant past is too remote for most readers D the historian tends to present historical figures unrealistically E most historical accounts tend to moralize

D

Castle Rackrent - purpose "A plain...narrative": The prevailing taste of the public for anecdote has been censured and ridiculed by critics, who aspire to the character of superior wisdom: but if we consider it in a proper point of view, this taste is an incontestible proof of the good sense and profoundly philosophic temper of the present times.The purpose of the sentence "A plain . . . narrative" (middle of paragraph 2) is to A propose a self-contradictory opinion for consideration B elaborate on a specific anecdote C shift the thematic focus considerably D develop a statement made in the previous sentence E create a stylistic effect through literary allusion

D

de Blij 22: Numerous books and articles published in recent years argue, explicitly as well as implicitly, that the human world today is so mobile, so interconnected, and so integrative that it is, in one prominent and much-repeated assessment, "flat."At what point in his development of the passage's line of reasoning does the author arrive at his thesis? A The first two sentences of the first paragraph ("Numerous books . . . history") B The last four sentences of the first paragraph ("Choice . . . is yours") C The first three sentences of the second paragraph ("But is it? . . . as they go") D The first four sentences of the third paragraph ("Not yet . . . even setbacks") E The first four sentences of the fourth paragraph ("Of course . . . at issue")

D