1. AP Language MULTIPLE CHOICE Test Strategy
Olson and Bailey

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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