Test Preparation
THE AP ENGLISH LIT MULTIPLE CHOICE
MULTIPLE CHOICE OVERVIEW
55 Questions; counts for 45% of total score
 4-5 passages; can be prose, poetry, or drama
 Suggested time = 1 hr; approx. 1 min per
question (including reading time)
 Scoring: Gain 1 point for each correct answer;
Lose ¼ point for each incorrect answer
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KINDS OF MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Factual questions will ask about the content of a
passage. For example:
In context, the word “sensibility’’ (line 6) is best
interpreted to mean:
A. self-esteem
B. forthright and honest nature
C. capacity to observe accurately
D. ability to ignore the unimportant
E. awareness and responsiveness
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KINDS OF MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Technical questions will ask about aspects of an
author’s technique. For example:
The style of the third paragraph differs from that of
the first and second paragraphs in that it is
 (a) instructive rather than descriptive
 (b) argumentative rather than expository
 (c) interpretative rather than metaphorical
 (d) objective rather than representational
 (e) conversational rather than analytical
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KINDS OF MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Analysis questions will ask about the effect of an author’s choices.
For example:
The speaker’s allusion to Hercules and Adonis (lines 15–16) serves
primarily to
 (a) imply an undercurrent of aggressiveness in Mr. Jones’s
personality
 (b) suggest the extremes of physical attractiveness represented in
Mr. Jones’s
 appearance
 (c) assert the enduring significance of mythical beauty
 (d) symbolize the indescribable nature of Mr. Jones’s countenance
 (e) emphasize how clearly Mr. Jones’s features reflected his
personality
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KINDS OF MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
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Inferential questions will ask you to make educated guesses about
an author’s purpose. For example:
The first two paragraphs indicate that the speaker assumes that
 (a) accurate observers of human nature are rare
 (b) spirited and sensible people are by nature rather effeminate
 (c) a person’s character can be accurately discerned from his or her
outward appearance
 (d) a correlation exists between an individual’s “personal
accomplishments’’ (line 1) and his or her physical prowess
 (e) good-naturedness in a person is usually not readily apparent
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
Before beginning, skim the section quickly to
see how many passages there are.
 Answer all the questions for a passage at one
time; don’t skip around.
 Write on the test booklet! Underline! Make
margin notes!
 If you can eliminate at least two possible
answers, guess.

IF YOU’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME…
Answer the shortest questions.
 Answer the questions that direct you to a
specific line of the passage.
 Answer specific detail/ definition questions.
 Answer self-contained questions (questions
that do not require you to return to the
passage.)

TO PREPARE
Take an interactive practice AP multiple choice
test: http://www.shmoop.com/ap-englishliterature/practice-quiz.html
 Look at old AP multiple choice questions on
your practice packet and starting on page 62 of
the AP English course description:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/memb
ers/exam/exam_questions/2002.html
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