AP Lang MCQ

Which is an example of an appeal to pathos?

• An author might refer to work credentials, degrees, etc. The writer can also “borrow” credibility by citing evidence from another author who is an expert in the topic.

• appealing to the audience’s emotions to invoke empathy and/or sympathy towards the topic as well as the author

• using data, statistics, relevant evidence/examples, and any other forms of proof appropriate to the topic

Which is an example of an appeal to logos?

• An author might refer to work credentials, degrees, etc. The writer can also “borrow” credibility by citing evidence from another author who is an expert in the topic.

• appealing to the audience’s emotions to invoke empathy and/or sympathy towards the topic as well as the author

• using data, statistics, relevant evidence/examples, and any other forms of proof appropriate to the topic

What makes a claim defensible? (choose all that apply)

• controversial

• supported by evidence

• statement of fact

• formal language

Which of the following IS NOT an element of argument?

• Claim

• Reason

• Evidence

• Writer

Define ethos.

• appeal to authority

• appeal to emotions

• appeal to logic

Which technique does the author employ to focus the reader's attention on the specific topic of the passage?

• A. use of parallel structure

• B. identifying herself with her audience

• C. beginning each paragraph with the same subject

• D. use of passive voice

• E. use of anecdote

Answer explanation

C Each paragraph opens with the words “the essay.” With this repetition, Dillard guarantees that the reader’s focus does not waver. It also provides the organizational framework of the passage. There is no passive voice present. (By the way, the previous sentence is an example of passive voice.) The author relates no personal narrative and does not identify herself with her audience.

Based on a careful reading of the first paragraph, the reader can conclude that the author blames the death of the "novel of idea" on

• real life and situations

• simplicity

• appeal to philosophy

• reliance on historical data

• artificiality

Answer explanation

E In the first two sentences, the author blames “contrived entrances” for killing “the novel of idea.” She supports this in the next to the last sentence in paragraph 1 by criticizing “fabricated dramatic occasions.” Both of these examples point to the artificial construct of fiction.

The primary rhetorical strategy the author uses to develop the first paragraph is

• process

• narration

• description

• cause and effect

• definition

Answer explanation

D The first paragraph contains two major cause-and-effect situations. The first is found in sentences 1–3, and the second is found in the last two sentences.

Near the end of the third paragraph, Dillard states, "The essayist does what we do with our lives; the essayist thinks about actual things. He can make sense of them analytically or artistically." The most probable reason for the author choosing to write two separate sentences rather than constructing a single, longer sentence using a listing, is

• to reinforce cause and effect

• both subjects are of equal importance, although separate processes

• to create a parallel situation

• to contrast the two ideas

• to highlight the criticism of fictional writing

Answer explanation

B The first of the two sentences states what the essayist does: he thinks. The second sentence tells the reader how he thinks and writes. By writing two separate sentences, Dillard reinforces the equal importance of each of these points.

In paragraph 3, in the sentence beginning with "The real world …," the word "there" refers to

• the fictional world

• novels

• poetry

• the real world

• short stories

Answer explanation

D A careful reading of the sentence and a knowledge of how to locate antecedents can only lead the reader to choose “the real world.” Any other choice negates the correct meaning of antecedent/referent.