AP English Language and Composition Unit 9: Exam Strategies and Timed Writing Practice Exam

1. Read the following sentence from an essay by Samuel Johnson: 'The task of an author is, either to teach what is not known, or to recommend known truths by his manner of adorning them; either to let new light in upon the mind, and open new scenes to the prospect, or to vary the dress and situation of common objects, so as to give them fresh grace and more powerful attractions, to spread such flowers over the regions through which the intellect has already made its progress, as may tempt it to return, and take a second view of things hastily passed over, or negligently regarded.' Which of the following best describes the rhetorical function of the parallel structure ('either to... or to...') employed in the sentence?

2. The following is a draft of an introduction for a timed argument essay about the relevance of public libraries. (1) In an era dominated by instant digital access to information, some argue that physical libraries are becoming obsolete relics of the past. (2) With e-books, online databases, and search engines available at one's fingertips, the necessity of a brick-and-mortar building dedicated to books seems to be diminishing. (3) However, this perspective overlooks the multifaceted role libraries play in communities. (4) Public libraries should be maintained and funded. The student wants to revise sentence 4 to create a defensible thesis statement that establishes a clear line of reasoning. Which of the following versions of sentence 4 best accomplishes this goal?

3. The following is a draft of a body paragraph from a timed rhetorical analysis essay regarding a speech by a political leader during a crisis. (1) The speaker begins by acknowledging the severity of the economic downturn to establish credibility with the suffering audience. (2) He states, "I see the empty storefronts on Main Street, and I hear the quiet machinery in our factories." (3) By using this imagery, the speaker shows he knows what is happening. (4) This strategy helps him connect with the audience before he proposes his solution. The student wants to replace sentence 3 to provide more effective commentary that explains the rhetorical function of the evidence in sentence 2. Which version of sentence 3 best accomplishes this goal?

4. A student is applying the self-diagnosis strategy to a draft of their rhetorical analysis essay. Read the excerpt from the student's draft below: 'In the passage, the author argues that urban gardening is a necessary step for community revitalization. She cites statistics about reduced crime rates in neighborhoods with green spaces. She also includes anecdotes from residents who feel more connected to their neighbors. These examples clearly show that the author is right about the benefits of gardening.' Which of the following critiques best identifies the weakness in the student's line of reasoning that should be addressed in a targeted practice loop?