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AP English Language MCQ Practice 2017

The document outlines the structure and instructions for an English Language and Composition exam, specifically focusing on Section I which includes prose selections and related questions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the content, form, and style of the passages, and highlights the need to pay attention to specific wording in the questions. Additionally, it provides guidance on how to fill out the answer sheet correctly.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
2K views18 pages

AP English Language MCQ Practice 2017

The document outlines the structure and instructions for an English Language and Composition exam, specifically focusing on Section I which includes prose selections and related questions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the content, form, and style of the passages, and highlights the need to pay attention to specific wording in the questions. Additionally, it provides guidance on how to fill out the answer sheet correctly.

Uploaded by

sujithsamprit
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

SECTION I
Time-1 hour

Directions: This part consists of selections from prose works and questions on their content, form, and style. After
reading each passage, choose the best answer to each question and completely fill in the corresponding circle on the
answer sheet.

Note: Pay particular attention to the requirement of questions that contain the words NOT, LEAST, or EXCEPT.

Questions 1-14. Read the following passage a richer mind with which to animate all about her, and
carefully before you choose your answers. to solace her own spirit in the midst of her labours. If
nobody doubts the difference in pleasantness of
(The passage below is from a book by a nineteenth- having to do with a silly and narrow-minded woman

century British writer.) 45 and with one who is intelligent and enlightened, it
must be clear that the more intelligence and
I suppose none of us will doubt that everything
enlightenment there is, the better. One of the best
possible should be done to improve the quality of the
housekeepers I know,-a simple-minded,
mind of every human being.-If it is said that the
affectionate-hearted woman, whose table is always fit
Line female brain is incapable of studies of an abstract
50 for a prince to sit down to, whose house is always
5 nature,-that is not true: for there are many instances
neat and elegant, and whose small income yields the
of women who have been good mathematicians, and
greatest amount of comfort, is one of the most learned
good classical scholars. The plea is indeed nonsense
women ever heard of. When she was a little girl, she
on the face of it; for the brain which will learn French
was sitting sewing in the window-seat while her
will learn Greek; the brain which enjoys arithmetic is
55 brother was receiving his first lesson in mathematics
10 capable of mathematics.-If it is said that women are
from his tutor. She listened, and was delighted with
light-minded and superficial, the obvious answer is
what she heard; and when both left the room, she
that their minds should be the more carefully sobered
seized upon the Euclid that lay on the table, ran up to
by grave studies, and the acquisition of exact
her room, went over the lesson, and laid the volume
knowledge.-If it is said that their vocation in life 60 where it was before. Every day after this, she sat
15 does not require these kinds of knowledge,-that is
stitching away and listening, in like manner, and
giving up the main plea for the pursuit of them by
going over the lesson afterwards, till one day she let
boys;-that it improves the quality of their minds. out the secret. Her brother could not answer a
-If it is said that such studies unfit women for their
question which was put to him two or three times;
proper occupations,-that again is untrue. Men do not 65 and, without thinking of anything else, she popped out
20 attend the less to their professional business, their
the answer. The tutor was surprised, and after she had
counting-house or their shop, for having their
told the simple truth, she was permitted to make what
minds enlarged and enriched, and their faculties
she could of Euclid. Some time after, she spoke
strengthened by sound and various knowledge; nor do
confidentially to a friend of the family,-a scientific
women on that account neglect the work-basket, the
25 market, the dairy and the kitchen. If it be true that
70 professor,-asking him, with much hesitation and
many blushes, whether he thought it was wrong for
women are made for these domestic occupations, then
a woman to learn Latin. "Certainly not," he said;
of course they will be fond of them. They will be so
"provided she does not neglect any duty for it.-But
fond of what comes most naturally to them that no
why do you want to learn Latin?" She wanted to study
book-study (if really not congenial to their minds)
75 Newton's Principia: and the professor thought this a
30 will draw them off from their homely duties. For my
part, I have no hesitation whatever in saying that the
very good
reason. Before she was grown into a
woman, she had mastered the Principia of Newton.
most ignorant women I have known have been the
And now, the great globe on which we live is to her a
worst housekeepers; and that the most learned women
book in which she reads the choice secrets of nature;
I have known have been among the best, -wherever 80 and to her the last known wonders of the sky are
35 they have been early taught and trained to household
disclosed: and if there is a home more graced with
business, as every woman ought to be. A woman of
accomplishments, and more filled with comforts, I do
superior mind knows better than an ignorant one what
not know such an one. Will anybody say that this
to require of her servants, how to deal with
woman would have been in any way better without
tradespeople, and how to economise time: she is more
85 herlearning?-while we may confidently say that she
40 clear-sighted about the best ways of doing things; has
would have been much less happy.
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this page is illegal.
GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.
-4-
51. In the sentence beginning "It may be" 54. Words such as "fallible" (line 80) and
(lines 47-50), the author shifts from "fragmentary" (line 81) in the final paragraph
imply which of the following about the author?
(A) expressing conviction to revealing doubts
about that conviction (A) He suffers from an increasing sense of
(B) reflecting on personal experience to alienation.
hypothesizing about other authors (B) He interprets the history of India as tragic in
(C) presenting a conflict to providing its nature.
resolution (C) He can only portray successfully his present
(D) describing one culture to speculating about experience in North London.
other cultures (D) He cannot represent the past with complete
(E) explaining an effect to analyzing its causes accuracу.
(E) He is committed to the idea of objective
52. Which of the following is emphasized in the truth.
fourth paragraph (lines 47-58)?
55. Taken as a whole, the passage is best described as
(A) The rewards of the author's perseverance
(B) The challenges of an author's desire for (A) a discussion of various aspects of a
representation
accurate controversial issue
(C) The ambivalence of an immigrant toward his (B) reflection on changes in India during the
a

new country mid- to late twentieth century


(D) The persuasive power of an author's (C) a reminiscence of characters who shaped the
imagination author's childhood
(E) The need for authors to be faithful to the past (D) a discourse on the experience of alienation
in immigrant populations
53. The author indicates that he coped with "the (E) an analysis of the circumstances and
distortions of memory" (lines 66-67) by emotions that inspired the author's work

(A) visiting his home in Bombay to create new

memories

(B) presenting several versions of the same story


(C) imitating the project of capturing lost history
(D) trusting his memory in the long run to record
the past accurately
(E) making memory one of the topics of his
novel

END OF SECTION I
IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY
CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION.

DO NOT GO ON TO SECTION II UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING.

PLACED YOUR AP NUMBER LABEL ON YOUR ANSWER SHEEТ

WRITTEN AND GRIDDED YOUR AP NUMBER CORRECTLY ON YOUR


ANSWER SHEEТ

TAKEN THE AP EXAM LABEL FROM THE FRONT OF THIS BOOKLET


AND PLACED IT ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET

Unauthorized copying or reuse of


any part of this page is illegal.

-21-

Common questions

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The author's argument for broader educational opportunities for women is rooted in the reasoning that intellectual capacities and educational pursuits enrich rather than detract from a woman's contributions to society and domestic life . By showcasing examples of women achieving excellence in mathematics and scholarly endeavors, the author debunks the myth of female inferiority in abstract thinking . Additionally, the narrative of the self-taught woman posits education as a fundamental right that enhances happiness and personal fulfillment . Therefore, advocating for women's education is framed not only as an issue of equity but also as a means of maximizing societal and personal potential.

The author disputes the claims about women's intellectual capabilities by arguing that such beliefs are unfounded and nonsensical. He highlights that women are as capable as men in abstract studies and provides examples of women excelling in mathematics and classical scholarship . He argues that if women are perceived as light-minded, it is all the more reason to engage them in serious studies. He also deftly refutes the argument that educating women detracts from their domestic roles, explaining that educated women are even more efficient in household management . This demonstrates that their intelligence enhances rather than detracts from their domestic skills.

The author perceives a positive relationship between domestic competency and education, suggesting that educated women are actually superior housekeepers . He argues that women of superior intellect are better equipped to manage domestic duties effectively, as they possess greater clarity and insight about optimal methods of task management, such as interacting with tradespeople and managing households efficiently . This contrasts with the conventional view of the time that women’s education would detract from their ability to perform domestic roles, emphasizing instead that intellectual enrichment fortifies these abilities.

The narrative of the woman who taught herself mathematics challenges societal norms by showcasing her determination to acquire knowledge despite the absence of formal educational opportunities typically afforded to her male counterpart . Her clandestine acquisition of mathematical skills illustrates a defiance of the gendered restrictions on learning during the nineteenth century. The story also rebukes the notion that women are naturally disinclined to study abstract subjects and highlights how societal barriers, rather than inherent capability, restricted women's educational pursuits . Her success in mastering Newton's Principia and her vibrant intellectual life serve as powerful counterexamples to prevailing norms.

The discussion of the woman's experience contests preconceived ideas of women's educational capacities by demonstrating her ability to excel in rigorous disciplines independently . Her story reveals a stark contrast between the conventional beliefs about women's intellectual inferiority and her actual achievements, which include not only mastering mathematical concepts but also comfortably engaging with Latin and Newton's Principia. These achievements illustrate an unrealized potential that society had failed to acknowledge, effectively debunking misconceptions about women's limited capacities for abstract intellectual endeavors .

The example of the woman who secretly learns mathematics and later studies Newton's Principia illustrates how personal determination can overcome societal limitations . Despite societal restrictions on female education, she pursues knowledge by listening to her brother's lessons and practicing independently, embodying self-motivated learning. Her success in mastering complex subjects typically reserved for men, such as Euclid and Newton's works, challenges gender norms and exemplifies how intrinsic motivation and curiosity can subvert external educational barriers, ultimately leading to fulfillment and recognition from figures of authority, such as the scientific professor who encouraged her .

The concept of intellectual fulfillment is presented as an inherent benefit of women's education, countering traditional arguments that deem such education unnecessary or even harmful. The narrative demonstrates that educated women not only manage domestic tasks competently but also derive personal satisfaction and richness of mind from their intellectual pursuits . This fulfillment translates into more effective and enriched domestic life, directly opposing the notion that education distracts women from their "natural" roles . By providing concrete examples of women's personal and household enhancements attributable to education, the text challenges the patriarchal view that women should remain uneducated.

The author implies a positive correlation between education and happiness, as illustrated by the woman's contented and fulfilled life resulting from her intellectual pursuits . Her narrative culminates in a home graced with comforts and accomplishments, and the author confidently asserts that she would have been much less happy without her education . This suggests that intellectual engagement, rather than being merely an academic pursuit, profoundly enriches personal well-being and life satisfaction.

The text dissects the argument about gender roles by illustrating that intellectual pursuits not only coexist with domestic duties but enhance them. The narrative posits that educated women apply their intellect to household tasks more effectively, contrary to societal perceptions that these roles are mutually exclusive . The portrayal of an educated woman excelling both in her intellectual undertakings and domestic responsibilities underscores the flawed nature of societal perceptions which undervalue women's potential for intellectual development . This suggests that intellectual accomplishments and domesticity are harmoniously integrative rather than contradictory.

Intelligence and enlightenment in women offer significant benefits both personally and socially. Personally, the text suggests that an educated woman possesses a "richer mind" that provides solace and animates her spirit amidst her labors, implying a higher level of personal satisfaction and mental resilience . Socially, an informed and enlightened woman is preferable to one who is "silly and narrow-minded," enhancing interactions and increasing domestic pleasantness . This enrichment helps women understand and improve their social environment, contributing positively to their households and larger community.

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