AP English: Multiple Choice Reflection
For today, please get into groups based on the two-to-three questions you missed (preferably from the same passage) and discuss the following:
1) Re-read the passage. What is its Audience, Purpose, and Effect? What rhetorical techniques does the writer use?
2) Re-read the assigned questions. What does the question ask you to do? What answers can you automatically eliminate and why?
3) Look at the correct answer. Discuss why this answer was the most accurate choice.
4) Compare the correct answer with your own. Why did you pick this choice? Why is the other choice better?
EXIT TICKET:
When you have finished, please type up your homework answers from last night in the comments section below. You may add to and revise them using the conversation you had with your classmates today.
Question 29: I got this question wrong because I didn't know the definition of "antecedent" but looking back on the question having looked up the definition (antecedent=a substantive word, phrase, or clause whose denotation is referred to by a pronoun) it is clear how A, B, C, and E all could have been quickly and easily eliminated as answers
ReplyDeleteQuestion 42: I got this questions wrong because I didn't understand most of what the answer options were. Having looked them up, A, B, and D can be easily eliminated and context goes on to eliminate E giving the answer of C.
I'm glad you were able to see how your question would have been more easily answered by just knowing the definition. Think more critically about your thinking, however. Why would A be wrong? B? C? and E? Your answer is a bit too short.
DeleteSame feedback for Question 42. What was the question and what were the possible solutions? Dig a little deeper, please.
For question 29, the question asked what the word "it" referred too and several of the choices could have been easily eliminated. It was clear that "it" was referring to something bigger so specific answers like "shore," "sun," and "lights" could be eliminated as answers because of how specific they are. That left 2 answers ("river" and "scene") that the "it" could have been referring to. While the passage does talk about the river in its entirety, the context of the writing more clearly fit the "it" meaning "scene." For question 42 it asked "the sentence includes all of the following EXCEPT" and gave the choices "A. an appositive", "B. parallel syntax", "C. two independant clauses", "D. a parenthetical remark", and "E. loose sentence structure." Upon researching the meaning of each term, the reasoning for the elimination of certain choices becomes clear. Choices A and B can be eliminated because it includes an appositive (=a relationship between two or more words or phrases in which the two units are grammatically parallel) and is parallel because of its repition of ideas using "by." Additionally, D can be eliminated because the phrase "necessarily in miniature" is in quotes. This leaves options C and E. Since there is only one independent clause in the sentence, it is clear C is not part of the sentence and is therefor the correct choice.
Delete37: For this question I was unaware of the use of semicolons. I was therefore unable to effectively answer the question because I did not know the validity of the answer.
ReplyDelete54: I got this question wrong as I had spent too long on previous questions. This resulted in me guessing as I was unaware of the penalty for guessinh.
Humam, dig a little deeper in your reflection. What did questions 37 and 54 ask you to do? What were the possible answers and the possible solution? Your reader doesn't know why semicolons and colons are important because you haven't given them this information.
DeleteSame feedback for question 54.
37: In this question it asked what the purpose of one of the long sentences was and I answered that it created irony. However, the semicolons were used to connect the ideas and the purpose was to make the sentence present the ideas in a slow flowing pace.
Delete54: The question was asking for the purpose of including footnotes. I said it was to show that he was not alone as a guess, but the correct answer was that the footnotes were used to "define the extent of the voices engaged in the argument..."
#29
ReplyDeleteThis question was asking about the antecedent of “it”. I didn’t know what an antecedent was so I guessed “light” but it was really “scene”. The antecedent is what “it” refers to and looking back at the sentence it is obvious that scene was the correct answer.
#37
The question was asking what the primary effect of multiple lines was. It was a longing multi line sentence. I answered with the option with parallel syntax to because it sounded fancy. The correct answer was actually the one involved with semi colons creating a slow moving pace likened to the Mississippi River. That’s makes much more sense.
Good detailed reflection for question #29. What were your other possible options?
DeleteFor question 37, an answer sounding "fancy" is a common trap on the AP exam. Think about meaning, not about what sounds right. What does parallel syntax mean now that you have reviewed the term and test?
Ian Ammerman - Final Exam Multiple Choice Review
ReplyDeleteQuestion 9:
In this question, I said that the answer was B, dishonest. My reasoning for this was that the sentence was talking about trust, and since insidious was clearly a negative word, dishonest seemed to fit in the best with the sentence.
The correct answer to this question is E, loathsome. This is because the word as used is indicated to have a significant negative connotation, and loathsome is the most negative word of the five choices. The idea here is that the “traffic” is loathsome and undesirable in general. While this sort of traffic is inherently dishonest, that word is not the best fit here.
Question 2:
In this question, I selected answer C, vivid adjectives and adverbs. I selected this because I felt that the author had put a great deal of thought into providing a deep and fulfilling description the subject.
The correct answer here is parallel syntax. I did not select this answer as this is an unfamiliar term for me. Answer A is correct, however, as despite the author’s use of vivid description, parallel syntax is much more present in the piece and Johnson uses it strongly to boost his description within the piece.
Excellent, detailed response! I can see you truly thinking about your thinking. Continue to work on the vague "this."
Delete#4. The question asks to identify how Johnson became aware of the debtors issues. I answered that he was told by a family member because I thought this letter was to him, not from him. The answer is that he was walking through London and saw it as shown by the lines 2-4.
ReplyDelete#9. The question asks for a close definition to the word insidious. It is asking to use context clues. I answered dishonest because giving money to someone with the intention to sue them for more money after, is dishonest. The answer kay says the answer is lothaum because it is the more negative of the four choices.
I like your thoughtful reflection, Alana. It's important to see how misreading the description at the beginning of a passage can influence the way you answer the following questions. If you had read the description correctly, you would have gotten a few more points back on the multiple choice.
DeleteFor question #9, do you mean "loathsome?" Also, why is it more important to have the most negative answer for this question?
1) Question 8. Question 8 asked me to analyze paragraph 6 and form a conclusion about what Johnson was attempting to do in that sections. I believe that he was reflecting and discussing the problem of poverty so I chose E. However the correct answer was B, which is that Johnson outlines a solution to the problems of nonpayment. Rereading the passage I can understand why that is the correct answer as Johnson put forth a few hypothetical ideas of how to deal with poverty in that section.
ReplyDelete2) Question 12. Question 12 asks for the goal of Johnson in the legal system. I believed that Johnson was arguing for a judge to get involved in disputes and be the one that ultimately settled them between the parties, D. However Johnson never explicitly stated what I thought was the right answer, while he did say that there should be an investigation into the assets of the the debtor and if he was not hiding funds that he was to pay he would be freed, B.
Very nice (and thoughtful) response!
DeleteSection 1, Question 2:
ReplyDeleteThis question was asking about the Johnson's (the author's) style of writing. I answered that his style demonstrated vivid adjectives and adverbs because those were the strong things that stood out to me in his writing. He used words such as, "rueful", "scarcely", "gangrene", "rigorously", and many more words like this. However, the key states that although he does use vivid language, parallel syntax is the answer because it is the most dominant. After reading this and reviewing the definition of parallel syntax I agree that Johnson's use of putting similar adjectives next to each other is used a lot throughout the text.
Section 1, Questions 8:
This question was asking what Johnson did in paragraph 6 when discussing punishment for debtors. I answered that he provided an antithetical argument for his previous arguments because I thought he was giving a supporting argument along with a solution. However, the solution key says that Johnson actually outlined a solution to the problem of nonpayment, and now I can see why this is the best and clearest answer. I answered the other way because I did not fully understand what the question was asking and what the options were.
Fine work Rothery! I like your attention to detail (specifically, what language constituted parallel structure). Excellent job thinking about your thinking!
Delete3. The question asked which word in the first four paragraphs did not contribute to the central tone. I answered “gangrene”, because to me, gangrene is just a gross disease, and not actually something that sets the tone. The answer given was “zealous” as the tone of the piece is said to be negative, and of the given words, it is the one which apparently completely lacks negative connotations.
ReplyDelete9. The question asked which word was closest to the meaning of the word “insidious” in line 69. I put down “cruel”, because to me, it appeared that the act of suing somebody whom you trusted was cruel, as cruel is causing pain knowingly and without regard for others. The given answer is “loathsome” as the answer key says that of the given words, it is the most negative, even though it merely means repulsive and disgusting. As we talked about it, we still felt that at the least, these two answers are equal, and at the most, cruel is a better answer.
I'm glad you chose #3 as one of your choices. The "all of the following EXCEPT" style of questioning appears simple, but can be hard to do. I agree that the term "zealous" doesn't seem neutral, but why do you think the answer key says that the word isn't?
DeleteFor #9, "cruel" and "loathsome" are tricky because we use words like cruel everyday, but only in extreme situations might you hear a strong word like loathsome. Dig a little deeper into the definition for the second term. It is not a true synonym for the word cruel.
For #3, the answer key seemed to suggest that zealous is, for the most part, a positive word, at at least was in this usage. So even if there was negative connotations for it that would have been nullified especially in comparison to the other words which were clearly negative.
DeleteFor #9, I’m not sure I full understand what you are trying to say. You said to dig deeper into the definition for the second term, but I cannot tell whether or not you mean loathsome when you say this. If you do, I was not trying to say that loathsome and cruel are synonyms, because they are not, but rather that I’m terms of overall negativity to their meaning, they are about equal.
8. This question is asking you to identify what Johnson is saying with this statement. I answered this question wrong because I was unsure what his letter was saying. The correct answer was that he was trying to outline a solution to the problem he was adressing.
ReplyDelete9. The question asks what the word "insidious" means in the context provided. I thought the word meant cruel in the context, but it instead means loathsome, as it is the most negative word.
You're on the right path Tucker, but aren't giving enough information to complete the prompt. What were your options for questions 8 and 9? What made some more correct than others? What is the fine line between the meaning of "loathsome" and the meaning of "cruel?"
Delete#14: This question is asking to summarize the entire passage into a brief description. As the passage is a discussion on pain throughout the ages, I went for a progressive analysis of the evolution of pain. However, while it was done by the period, it was also done by the different cultural views on pain, which is what the answer key said. The article also worked around the time period, not with it.
ReplyDelete#20: The question asks us about a citation of Sir Richard Burton's writings about torture rituals, and specifically how it was used. The scene depicted is a shaman removing lots of flesh from a boy's chest. As a shaman was doing it, I assumed that it was tradition and answered as such. However, the man quoted was an authority on the subject, so it was an appeal to authority.
I like your reflections on both 14 and 20. What were the possible answers here besides the one you picked and the correct answers?
Delete14: Critique of modern American society, technical analysis of biological functions, description that relies on concrete examples. 20: A contrast to Virginia Woolf, a bandwagon or vox populi appeal, an inductive argument.
Delete1) #17 asked what literary element the author used in lines 16-23. I forgot what a hyperbole was (an exaggeration not meant to be taken seriously) and chose that. The correct answer was parallelism that was the similar grammatical structures in multiple clauses.
ReplyDelete2) #19 asked the reader what statement was incorrect about the last sentence of the second paragraph. I didn't get the EXCEPT so I wrote down that it alludes to the speakers knowledge, but the actual answer was that it didn't contradict the last sentence of the first paragraph.
This is Margaret Dow
DeleteMisremembering a literary device or vocabulary term is one of the hardest hiccups in taking the AP exam. Since you know hyperbole is a term that would appear on the test, please study it! Also, what were the possible other answers for both of your questions?
Delete18. The question wanted me to determine what literary device the example was. I answered (B) Metonymy by eliminating all the other four options. I chose it because it did not seem like a simile to me. The answer however was (c) Simile and I got it wrong. A metonymy is the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant. For example, a suit for a businessman. Therefore, metonymy is completely wrong. Also the word "like" should have made me realize that simile was the right answer.
ReplyDelete19. The question wanted me to determine what was not true. I needed to go through and cross out all the true choices. I chose (d), but the passage does offer an answer of sorts to the biological riddle of why pain is subjective. I did not understand the passage enough to realize (d) was true. The answer is (c) since it does not contradict the final statement of the first paragraph.
Excellent review of your thought process, Amanda! Good discussion of possible options and how you were able to understand the correct one.
Delete#2
ReplyDeleteI chose option C, which claimed that vivid adjectives and adverbs were demonstrated in Johnson's style. I chose this option because it seemed most prevalent and most important throughout the passage. The real answer was option A, parallel syntax, which at the time I did not know what it meant. When Dr. Brigman explained what it meant I began to see how important it was to the passage.
I'm glad my description of parallel syntax helped! Make sure to explain how parallel syntax is at work in Johnson's writings.
Delete#15: The Author uses the adjective "slender" (line 13) to...
ReplyDeleteCorrect answer: Emphasize the precarious position of human existence
My answer: Produce a painful moment of self awareness
The question wanted me to answer why the author chose the word "Slender," and what it meant. B and D are similar, but I picked D because I felt that the realising the precarious position of human existence is also a painful moment of self awareness, so it seemed a better fit.
#25: Ackerman concludes by citing Virginia Woolf in order to assert that...
Correct answer: Language is often inadequate when describing pain
My answer: Our language screams pain but does not understand it.
This question had two answers that could be right, and I picked E because it went along with the poetic nature of Virginia Woolf's writing. Looking back, I agree with Ackerman.
Why do you agree with Ackerman? How did you change your mind?
DeleteI agree with Ackerman because a recurring theme in her essay is the inability of any language to properly describe pain, which fits the correct answer more than my answer.
Delete#9
ReplyDeleteI chose dishonest as the word closest to insidious. To me, it seemed to best replace the word and continue a previous sentiment the author expressed. Knowing the right answer was loathsome, it made sense as it was the strongest rhetorically.
Make sure to state what the question was asking you to identify and what your other possible options were.
Delete20. The question was asking why Burton's writing was used in Diane's essay about pain. I thought that it was included so that it would introduce the author's argument about how pain has always been a part of humanity. However, I have come to realize that inductive means something that can be inferred not merely a substitute for introducing. The correct answer was that the passage was used to appeal to authority, because Burton was an considered an expert.
ReplyDelete23. The question asks about the tone of the last paragraph. I thought that the tone was tentative and practical, because the author defined pain in a practical manner and said that "it was difficult to define pain." The correct answer was that the tone was "confident and didactic," because the passage has a scientific tone with descriptions of types of pain. Didactic means instructive, a tone that the author attempts to achieve by describing a lot pain in an academic way.
Excellent responses. What were the other possible options for each question?
DeleteThe options for 20 were a) a contrast to Virginia Woolf, b) a bandwagno or vox populi appeal, c) an inductive argument, d) an appeal to tradition, and e) an appeal to authority.
DeleteThe options for 23 were a) confident and didactic b) tentative and practical c) detached and ironic, d) fervent and agitated, and e) supportive and reassuring.
Passage 1:
ReplyDeleteQUESTION 10 -
a)The question was asking me to infer what johnson was comparing in the next to last paragraph.
b)I answered A, creditors and debtors to trading nations because of how he brought up both nations and merchants. Merchants could've been seen as debtors and creditors .
c)Answer key says, [A] "Johnson is making a clear financial analogy comparing the way countries conduct trade and the current local situation of lending money"
Passage 2:
QUESTION 20 -
a)The question is asking what Burton's writings cite.
b)I chose an appeal to tradition because it describes tribal mutilation and torture rituals. The word ritual being one of the big things that set the link to tradition for me.
c) The answer key says, the author is referring to Burton's writing as authoritative. According to this passage, Burton has written about pain and historical conceptions of pain in other cultures.
You have some excellent information here, but you haven't fully reflected on why the correct answer is right. Now that you have looked at the key, don't just say "that's the right answer," think about your thinking and why--upon reflection--the correct answer is the best one.
DeleteQ.15: The question asked what the author meant when they used the adjective "slender." I selected option D, which stated that the use of the adjective was intended to "produce a painful moment of self-awareness." The correct answer was B, which said that the term was used to "emphasize the precarious position of human existence." Looking back on this question, I can see why this would be a good answer. However, I do feel like this question was too ambiguous and open for interpretation... In the end I was able to eliminate answers A, C, and E since they were generally unrelated to the question.
ReplyDeleteQ.21: The question asked why the author put quotation marks around the word "happiness." In the end I selected answer A, which states that happiness "is relative to the person experiencing it." The correct answer was D, saying that happiness "is another word for the absence of pain." Looking back on this question, I noticed how clear the answer was (it was stated in the lines provided). In all honesty I don't know what I was thinking when I answered this question... However, I was able to successfully eliminate answers E, C, and B since they didn't fit the context of the question.
Excellent, detailed analysis Hailey. I especially like how you describe the way you eliminated your answers. As you reflect on your multiple choice, state what those answers were that you eliminated and why they were unrelated to the question.
Delete