AP English Language & Composition — Practice Exam 3
Format: Section I — 18 multiple-choice questions (rhetorical concepts & analysis) · Section II — 1 argument essay Suggested time: 30 min (MCQ) + 40 min (essay). (Answers spread A–D.)
Section I — Multiple Choice
1. An appeal to the audience's emotions is: A) pathos B) ethos C) logos D) kairos
2. An appeal to the speaker's credibility is: A) pathos B) ethos C) logos D) syntax
3. An appeal to logic and evidence is: A) pathos B) ethos C) logos D) tone
4. A defensible thesis is best described as: A) a fact B) a question C) a summary D) an arguable claim
5. Repetition of a word at the beginning of successive clauses is: A) anaphora B) hyperbole C) understatement D) allusion
6. A concession in an argument: A) restates the thesis B) acknowledges a valid opposing point C) ignores opposition D) concludes
7. Strong supporting evidence must be relevant and: A) lengthy B) emotional C) sufficient D) vague
8. Tone is conveyed primarily through diction and: A) page count B) syntax C) margins D) font
9. Inductive reasoning moves from: A) general rule to specific case B) cause to effect C) specific examples to a generalization D) conclusion to thesis
10. A counterargument is: A) supporting evidence B) the opposing viewpoint C) the conclusion D) the thesis
11. Commentary in an essay functions to: A) restate evidence B) add length C) explain how evidence supports the claim D) cite sources
12. The rhetorical situation includes speaker, audience, purpose, and: A) only the thesis B) only the conclusion C) context D) font
13. A claim of policy argues that something: A) is true B) should be done C) is beautiful D) exists
14. An effective conclusion should: A) introduce new evidence B) restate the prompt only C) list sources D) reinforce the thesis and its significance
15. Diction refers to a writer's: A) word choice B) sentence structure C) tone D) theme
16. Juxtaposition places ideas side by side to: A) summarize B) cite C) highlight contrast D) conclude
17. A rhetorical question is used to: A) get a literal answer B) prompt reflection/emphasis C) cite a source D) end the essay
18. Parallelism is the repetition of: A) sounds B) grammatical structure C) citations D) page numbers
Section II — Argument Essay (6 points, holistic)
Prompt. Some argue that competition drives people to achieve their best; others contend it discourages cooperation and harms well-being. Write an essay taking a position on the value of competition in society. Support your argument with specific evidence and a clear line of reasoning, and address a counterargument.
Plan ~40 minutes. Include: a defensible thesis, a consistent line of reasoning, specific evidence with commentary, engagement with a counterargument, and controlled style.
Answer key (Section I)
| Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 7 | C | 13 | B |
| 2 | B | 8 | B | 14 | D |
| 3 | C | 9 | C | 15 | A |
| 4 | D | 10 | B | 16 | C |
| 5 | A | 11 | C | 17 | B |
| 6 | B | 12 | C | 18 | B |
Key distribution: A×4, B×7, C×5, D×2.
Reasoning (Section I)
1. (A) Pathos = emotion. 2. (B) Ethos = credibility. 3. (C) Logos = logic/evidence. 4. (D) A thesis is an arguable claim. 5. (A) Anaphora repeats opening words. 6. (B) A concession acknowledges an opposing point. 7. (C) Evidence must be relevant and sufficient. 8. (B) Tone arises from diction and syntax. 9. (C) Induction reasons from examples to a generalization. 10. (B) A counterargument is the opposing view. 11. (C) Commentary links evidence to the claim. 12. (C) The rhetorical situation includes context. 13. (B) A policy claim argues something should be done. 14. (D) A conclusion reinforces the thesis/significance. 15. (A) Diction = word choice. 16. (C) Juxtaposition highlights contrast. 17. (B) Rhetorical questions prompt reflection. 18. (B) Parallelism repeats grammatical structure.
Argument essay scoring (6 points)
- Thesis (1 pt): responds to the prompt with a defensible position.
- Evidence & Commentary (4 pts): specific, relevant evidence + reasoning developing a consistent line of reasoning; engages complexity/counterargument.
- Sophistication (1 pt): nuance, effective rhetorical choices, or broader context.
Pedagogy: the top essays explain how each example advances the thesis and engage honestly with the opposing view — commentary over mere listing.