1. March 29 - Woodchucks Agenda: AP Lit Exam: Poetry MC Questions
Practice Poetry MC Questions
“Woodchucks”
Answer Discussion
Homework:
Complete and submit your Critical Lens essay by Sunday at midnight
Self-assess you essay (on the rubric) and bring it in on Monday
Take out:
Pen/Pencil
Notebook
Highlighter
Goals:
Practice answering AP-style multiple choice questions in preparation for the exam

2. Multiple Choice 60 min to complete 50-60 MC Q’s
No penalty for incorrect answers
4 or 5 lit passages (2 poems, 2 prose)
USUALLY:
1 old (pre 1900 poem)
1 new (post 1900 poem)
1 old prose passage
1 new prose passage

3. 3 Types of Questions General Comprehension Questions:
Ask about: primary purpose, overall characterization, or tone of passage.
They tend to be the most challenging questions on the exam.
Examples:
The passage is primarily about . . .
Which of the following choices best describes the tone of the passage?
Which of the following choices best describes the narrator’s relationship to his sister?
Detail Questions:
Refer to chunks of a passage – demand close reading
What does the author mean by “aesthetic” (line 19)?
Which of the following is the best paraphrase for the sentence that begins at line 13?
Factual Knowledge Questions:
Questions are more rare
General knowledge questions about language, grammar, and literary analysis
Which of the following meters is used in line 3 of this poem?
In line 19, the phrase “frozen fire” is an example of . . .
What the object of the verb “took” in line 14?

4. Tips for Taking Control:
Scan Ahead
Look for familiar authors and styles
Change the order
You may choose to skip passages
POE!
Write in the booklet
Half Right is ALL WRONG
If part of an answer “looks good” but the other part does not… IT’S WRONG!
Watch the Clock
PACE YOURSELF! More than 15 minutes per passage is TOO LONG
Read Carefully –
This may seem obvious, but don’t space out
Guess Wisely
Always guess when in (complete and utter) doubt

5. “woodchucks” by: Maxine Kumin
You have 15 minutes to read and analyze the poem, and answer the multiple choice questions that follow
We will check the answers, and work through the explanations when you have finished