AP English Language & Composition — Practice Exam 2
Format: Section I — 18 multiple-choice questions (rhetorical concepts & analysis) · Section II — 1 argument free-response prompt Suggested time: 30 min (MCQ) + 40 min (essay) Coverage: Rhetorical Situation · Claims & Evidence · Reasoning & Organization · Style · Rhetorical Analysis · Argument. (Correct answers are spread across A–D by design.)
Section I — Multiple Choice
1. An appeal to the speaker's credibility and character is known as: A) an appeal to credibility (ethos) B) an appeal to emotion C) an appeal to logic D) an appeal to timing
2. An appeal to the audience's emotions is known as: A) credibility B) logic C) an appeal to emotion (pathos) D) structure
3. An appeal to logic and evidence is known as: A) ethos B) an appeal to logic and evidence (logos) C) pathos D) tone
4. A strong thesis is best described as: A) a fact B) a question C) a summary D) a defensible, arguable claim
5. Anaphora is: A) the repetition of a word at the start of successive clauses B) deliberate exaggeration C) understatement D) verbal irony
6. A concession in an argument: A) restates the thesis B) ignores the opposition C) acknowledges a valid opposing point D) concludes the essay
7. Strong supporting evidence must above all be: A) lengthy B) relevant and sufficient C) emotional D) vague
8. Tone is most directly conveyed through an author's: A) page count B) font C) margins D) diction and syntax
9. A rhetorical question primarily functions to: A) engage the audience and prompt reflection B) demand a literal answer C) cite a source D) end an essay
10. Inductive reasoning moves from: A) general principle to specific case B) cause to effect C) specific examples to a general conclusion D) conclusion to thesis
11. A counterargument is: A) supporting evidence B) the opposing viewpoint C) the conclusion D) the thesis
12. Commentary in an argumentative essay functions to: A) restate the evidence B) add length C) cite sources D) explain how the evidence supports the claim
13. Parallelism is a device that: A) repeats grammatical structure for effect B) exaggerates C) asks questions D) quotes experts
14. The rhetorical situation includes: A) only the thesis B) only the conclusion C) speaker, audience, purpose, and context D) font and margins
15. A claim of policy: A) asserts a fact B) argues that something should be done C) judges value D) describes a scene
16. An effective conclusion should: A) introduce new evidence B) restate the prompt only C) list sources D) reinforce the thesis and its significance
17. Diction refers to a writer's: A) word choice B) sentence structure C) tone D) theme
18. Juxtaposition is used to: A) summarize B) cite a source C) place ideas side by side to highlight contrast D) conclude
Section II — Argument Essay (6 points, holistic)
Prompt. Some argue that access to information through the internet has made people better informed; others argue it has made careful, deep thinking rarer. Write an essay that takes a position on the relationship between easy access to information and the quality of thought. Support your argument with specific evidence and reasoning.
Plan for ~40 minutes. Your essay should: (1) state a defensible thesis, (2) develop a clear line of reasoning, (3) support claims with specific evidence, (4) address a counterargument, and (5) use controlled, purposeful style.
Answer key (Section I)
| Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 7 | B | 13 | A |
| 2 | C | 8 | D | 14 | C |
| 3 | B | 9 | A | 15 | B |
| 4 | D | 10 | C | 16 | D |
| 5 | A | 11 | B | 17 | A |
| 6 | C | 12 | D | 18 | C |
Key distribution: A×5, B×4, C×5, D×4.
Reasoning (Section I)
1. (A) Ethos appeals to credibility/character. 2. (C) Pathos appeals to emotion. 3. (B) Logos appeals to logic and evidence. 4. (D) A thesis is a defensible, arguable claim. 5. (A) Anaphora repeats a word at the start of successive clauses. 6. (C) A concession acknowledges a valid opposing point. 7. (B) Evidence must be relevant and sufficient. 8. (D) Tone emerges from diction and syntax. 9. (A) Rhetorical questions engage and prompt reflection. 10. (C) Induction reasons from specific examples to a general conclusion. 11. (B) A counterargument is the opposing viewpoint. 12. (D) Commentary explains how evidence supports the claim. 13. (A) Parallelism repeats grammatical structure for effect. 14. (C) The rhetorical situation = speaker, audience, purpose, context. 15. (B) A policy claim argues something should be done. 16. (D) A conclusion reinforces the thesis and its significance. 17. (A) Diction = word choice. 18. (C) Juxtaposition places ideas side by side to highlight contrast.
Argument essay scoring (6 points, AP-style rubric)
- Thesis (1 pt): responds to the prompt with a defensible position.
- Evidence & Commentary (4 pts): specific, relevant evidence + reasoning that explains how it supports the thesis; develops a consistent line of reasoning; addresses complexity/counterargument.
- Sophistication (1 pt): a nuanced argument, effective rhetorical choices, or situating the argument in a broader context.
Pedagogy: the highest-scoring essays don't just list examples — they explain how each piece of evidence advances the thesis and engage honestly with the opposing view. Train the commentary, not just the claim.