AP English Language Exam Thread

<p>@manbean, skim through the questions so you know what to pay attention for.</p>

<p>How many questions on the multiple choice and how long do we have? My teacher said there are 100 questions in 60 minutes…i don’t see how that is physically possible? </p>

<p>And should i skim the questions first before reading the passage or just read the passage and then go for the questions?</p>

<p>55 questions in 60 minutes</p>

<p>Anyone who took the test last year- were there four or five passages on the MC section?</p>

<p>You will see approx. 55 questions on 4-5 passages. It varies year to year. Also, they don’t guarantee anything but the synthesis… You could get two arguments (doubtful) or 2 analysis (possible), or one of each.</p>

<p>Watch for the 2 different types of synthesis questions they have offered. One is an argument–should the penny be abolished? The other is “What would need to be considered?”–museums, NASA, etc. In both just address the prompt and fully analyze what should be considered.</p>

<p>@manbean - an adequate stance would be something like “i’m right because of reason XYZ”
an effective stance would be more like “im right because XY, and even though the opposition says Q, this is why Z is really right”</p>

<p>i’m a little lost…we have a dbq-type question? ***! </p>

<p>Can someone explain to me what we are supposed to do here, do we present both sides of the argument or what?</p>

<p>If there were 2 rhetorical analysis’ i’d shoot myself. I usually get a 7 on those, max</p>

<p>For the DBQ/Synthesis - Do we pick one side, or do we argue for both sides? And we use 3 documents, or more if applicable, and whatever outside knowledge we may have?</p>

<p>Argument Essay - Just pick a side, no matter if it’s right or wrong, then argue for it?</p>

<p>Rhetorical Analysis - Just analyze, what is the author trying to tell you, and how are they doing it?</p>

<p>Can someone tell me if this is right? And answer the DBQ question please?
Thanks.</p>

<p>Any outside info suggested to review for the free responses?</p>

<p>I’m pretty nervous. I’m not in an AP course because my school doesn’t offer it, but rather claims that all of its English classes prepare the students well for either the Lit or Lang AP. I hardly even know the difference between the two exams and I’ve already taken Lit…</p>

<p>Lit is analyzing literature, Lang is analyzing argument.</p>

<p>Most important thing to do is to show you can think. Taking one side is effective, so is viewing both sides (if you answer the prompt and show deep thoughts).</p>

<p>Quick question: what happens to the score if the essay isn’t finished? That is, let’s say, hypothetically, the essay itself is very well-developed, but lacks a conclusion. Would this essay be automatically barred from scoring 6+? Is there a rule regarding incomplete responses?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance. :)</p>

<p>I’m most confused with the DBQ/synthesis. How do you know when to argue vs. make a “plan” (ie. the essay from 2006? and it was also in 5 steps to a 5 was “What do government agencies and businesses need to consider before importing foreign species?” and I got a 70 because I did an argument instead of “making a plan” >.< (only essay below an 85 all year including the crappy ones from the beginning).</p>

<p>Also, is there any particular order best for answering the prompts–e.g. synthesis first and then argument, etc.?</p>

<p>@Yamster - I used Barron’s formula to calculate your score and it was quite literally right on the border of the approximation for a 5. You are going to be right between a 4 and a 5 if you do similarly on the MC and get 6s on all of your essays.</p>

<p>I have some questions (I’m taking this as a self study).</p>

<p>1) What’s the difference between support and qualify on the argumentative essay?</p>

<p>2) The Princeton Review book says first person is “required” on the argumentative essay. I’ve always been taught to avoid first person, even in argumentative writing. Thoughts…?</p>

<p>what is the curve for a 5? 100-150 or 110-150?</p>

<p>Just a tip for some people. This is not a DBQ. Just because there are documents, do not write it like APUSH, AP world, or AP euro. You must EFFECTIVELY integrate the documents to get a good score.</p>

<p>For example, don’t just say this.</p>

<p>“Like in document C, we see the graph that shows population distributions raising”.</p>

<p>Integrate the document into your argument.</p>

<p>“In document C, the graph is flawed and shows how population is ever raising, but it does not consider the rampant diseases that are at hand.”</p>

<p>You have to ask yourself this. If I remove this document from my essay, will it make it weaker? The point of the documents is to strengthen your essay, not to just be included. In world DBQ’s you are just supposed to mention the document once, and talk a little about it. Often, writing one sentence and a point of view will score enough for that document. The point of the synthesis is that you integrate the document.</p>

<p>Also, remember, you MUST use at least half the documents; HOWEVER, you will not make your essay look “Better” if you use more documents. It will only show how you are using weaker evidence for each document, whereas in world, euro, and apush, you are rewarded for using as many documents as possible.</p>

<p>Good luck tmrw everyone! I hope to get a 4 or a 5, if I am lucky :).</p>

<p>@Luminouzz - I took the exam last year, and here are my thoughts on your questions:</p>

<p>1) “Support” means that you will uphold and attempt to prove a certain point rather than challenge it. In contrast, “qualify” means that you will demonstrate both sides of an argument - for and against - and not necessarily culminate in a final decision. You’re basically taking an “in-between” position and exploring both sides of an argument rather than supporting one side.</p>

<p>2) I wouldn’t say first-person is ever required. You can give a first person viewpoint without necessarily using the word “I”. In fact, if you’re able to do that, that’s probably much more impressive than using the word “I” at all. I don’t think that I used the word “I” in any essays on my exam, and I got a 5.'</p>

<p>good luck!</p>