AP English Language Multiple Choice Section Breakdown

Overview

• Video part of an AP English Language exam series
• Today focuses on the multiple choice section
• Previous video covered the overall AP English Language and Composition exam

Types of Questions in Multiple Choice Section

1. Reading Comprehension Questions
   • Ensure understanding of the passage
   • Choose the best fit from the answer choices
2. Author’s Purpose and Meaning Questions
   • Determine the author's purpose and how it fits within the text
   • Understand rhetorical techniques
   • Example sentence stems may include “Why did the author...?”
3. Implication or Inference Questions
   • Read between the lines
   • Can be tricky without basic passage understanding
4. Relationships Questions
   • Examine how different topics within the passage connect

Study Aid: SPACE CAT

• S: Speaker
• P: Purpose
• A: Audience
• C: Context
• E: Exigence
• C: Choices
• A: Appeals
• T: Tone
• Helps to remember key aspects to look for in a passage

Tips and Tricks

1. Read Questions First
   • Skim through the questions before reading the passage
2. Annotate the Passage
   • Mark up the passage with paper and pencil
   • Keep track of different questions and possible answers in the passage
3. Identify Main Ideas/Author's Claim
   • Quickly identify after reading the passage
4. Refer Back to Specific Lines
   • If a question references a specific line, reread it carefully
5. Eliminate Wrong Answers
   • Increase chances of picking the right one
6. Don’t Second-Guess Yourself
   • Go with your initial gut feeling

Conclusion

• Encouragement to practice and get ready for the exam
• Invitation to comment on which question types are easiest or most challenging
• Friendly sign-off and reminder of the ongoing support