AP Language MULTIPLE CHOICE Test Strategy Olson and Bailey

Annotate the Passage Clear statement of Argument or Thesis Identify the kind of argument being made Vivid Language or vivid Metaphors Shifts in point of view or tone Parallel syntax Underline unknown words with context clues Bold claims or false arguments CONTROL THE PASSAGE

General Guidelines Answer every question in which you can eliminate at least one or two answers Leave blank the answers you don’t have time to finish Context clues Often times the unknown word will be placed with a passage with a certain image, that should be enough to give you a clue as to the answer, Questions are sequential from the beginning of the passage to the end, not from easiest to hardest

Advice for Certain Questions Pronoun Antecedents “It refers to which of the following nouns?” To answer this question, substitute each word in its place Familiar but unfamiliar vocabulary “In colonial times, it was important to husband the food supply during the winter.” “Our future would be better insured if we carefully husband our natural resources.” Best Answer: To use, to marry, to conserve, to waste, to join

Advice for Certain Questions Roman Numeral Questions Look at the Roman Numerals first, decide which of these are correct then move to the A, B, C choices OR Find the Roman numeral you know is wrong then eliminate those answers. Figures of Speech Questions clarify an unknown with something that is known and add a layer of meaning “The new CEO entered the boardroom with the flair of a matador.” This analogy makes all the following inferences EXCEPT: The new CEO is the center of attention The new CEO is in high risk profession The new CEO faces substantial opposition from others The new CEO exudes power and strategy The new CEO is and effective delegator of responsibility

Advice for Certain Questions Main Idea Stem Questions “the author’s primary focus” “the intent of the passage” “the anticipated outcome of the argument” Don’t be fooled by the partial idea distractor Tone or Mood Questions Defined by the connotation or imagery Know your tone words

Footnote Questions Footnotes can Identify sources Define Terms Add facts or details Clarify confusion Set the Record Straight READ FOOTNOTES!

Syntax Questions Parallel Syntax Rhetorical Question Provides good momentum, gives drive and energy Rhetorical Question The reader is being manipulated into giving the answer the writer wants Function as transitions Organizational techniques from discussion to solution

Syntax Questions Clauses and Phrases Loose Sentence Periodic Clauses are either Independent or Dependent Phrases do not have verbs Think about what the clause and phrase is doing for the writer to the reader Loose Sentence Ind. Clause followed by Dependent Clauses Periodic Dependent clause followed by the Ind. Clause

Attacking the Questions Read and annotate the question stem Underline words like “except, best, primarily” Make sure you know what each question is asking Your Answer Think of the answer before looking at the distractors POE: Rule out certain answers “x” words/phrases/clauses that make answers wrong “” Possible answers