English Language and Composition Exam AP English Language and Composition Synthesis 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student writes: 'Source F proves my point completely.' Which revision best corrects the overuse of source authority?
- 'Source F proves this beyond all doubt.'
- 'Source F strongly supports this claim by demonstrating that...' (Correct answer)
- 'Source F is correct when it says...'
- 'Even Source F agrees with me.'
Correct answer: 'Source F strongly supports this claim by demonstrating that...'
Qualified, specific attribution is more credible than absolute claims; 'supports' and 'demonstrates' invite explanation rather than assertion.
Question 2: In the context of AP synthesis, 'concession and refutation' means:
- Giving up your argument when challenged by a source
- Acknowledging an opposing viewpoint and then explaining why your position is nonetheless stronger (Correct answer)
- Listing sources that disagree with your thesis in the conclusion
- Replacing your thesis with a source's conclusion
Correct answer: Acknowledging an opposing viewpoint and then explaining why your position is nonetheless stronger
Concession acknowledges the opposing view's merit, while refutation explains why your argument still holds — together they strengthen credibility.
Question 3: When a source in the AP synthesis packet is a photograph, the writer should:
- Describe the photograph in detail and explain what rhetorical or argumentative point it illustrates (Correct answer)
- Skip it since photographs cannot be analyzed in written essays
- Use it only as an emotional appeal, never as evidence
- Cite it without describing it since readers can see it too
Correct answer: Describe the photograph in detail and explain what rhetorical or argumentative point it illustrates
Photographs can serve as visual evidence; the writer should describe relevant details and explain how they support the argumentative claim.
Question 4: A synthesis essay prompt asks students to argue whether technology improves or harms education. A student who argues it does both equally is:
- Demonstrating sophisticated nuance that will earn the sophistication point
- Likely producing an unfocused essay without a defensible position (Correct answer)
- Following the correct approach since the prompt asks for balance
- Required by the AP rubric to take a neutral stance
Correct answer: Likely producing an unfocused essay without a defensible position
A 'both sides equally' thesis typically lacks the specificity and commitment required for a strong argument; the prompt asks for a defensible position.
Question 5: Which of the following most clearly demonstrates commentary that goes beyond restating the source?
- Source B says that schools with longer recess have higher test scores.
- Source B's finding that longer recess correlates with higher test scores implies that cognitive performance depends on physical breaks, challenging the assumption that more instructional time always produces better outcomes. (Correct answer)
- According to Source B, recess and test scores are related.
- Source B provides statistics about recess and academic performance.
Correct answer: Source B's finding that longer recess correlates with higher test scores implies that cognitive performance depends on physical breaks, challenging the assumption that more instructional time always produces better outcomes.
Genuine commentary draws an inference and connects the evidence to a broader implication, rather than simply restating what the source says.
Question 6: In a synthesis essay, the introduction's primary function is to:
- Summarize every source in the provided packet
- Establish context, present a clear thesis, and orient the reader to the argument (Correct answer)
- List all sources the writer intends to use
- Begin with a quotation from the most credible source
Correct answer: Establish context, present a clear thesis, and orient the reader to the argument
An effective introduction grounds the reader in the topic's context and presents a specific, arguable thesis that the body paragraphs will develop.
Question 7: A student finishes the synthesis essay by restating the thesis word for word and listing the sources used. This conclusion would most likely:
- Earn a high score because it reinforces the main argument
- Earn a low score because it adds no new insight or broader significance (Correct answer)
- Be irrelevant to the score since conclusions are not evaluated
- Earn a sophistication point for thoroughness
Correct answer: Earn a low score because it adds no new insight or broader significance
An effective conclusion extends the argument by considering broader implications, not merely restating the thesis or cataloguing sources.
English Language and Composition Exam AP English Language and Composition Synthesis 5
A student writes: 'Source F proves my point completely.' Which revision best corrects the overuse of source authority?