Free AP English Language and Composition Argumentation Practice Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The passage's primary goal for the author is to

criticize the male-dominated society (Correct answer)
protest tariffs
argue for women being drafted
criticize colonialism
present a pacifist philosophy

Correct answer: criticize the male-dominated society

The passage consistently critiques societal structures and norms that are presented as being shaped by male perspectives and priorities. The author highlights how these 'man-made' systems, particularly in politics and warfare, lead to detrimental outcomes, thereby aiming to expose and challenge the inherent biases of a male-dominated society.

Question 2: Which of the following tactics does the author claim men use to promote their stance on women's equality in paragraph 2?

a syllogism using a faulty premise (Correct answer)
begging the question
circular reasoning
an ad hoc argument
an appeal to emotion

Correct answer: a syllogism using a faulty premise

In paragraph 2, the author describes how men argue against women's equality by stating that women are 'different' and then concluding they are 'inferior.' This structure represents a syllogism (a form of logical reasoning), but it relies on the unproven and biased premise that 'different' inherently means 'inferior,' making it a faulty premise.

Question 3: One can infer from literary hints that "androcentric" most likely denotes

female-centered
world-centered
male-centered (Correct answer)
robot-centered
self-centered

Correct answer: male-centered

The term 'androcentric' is used in the context of discussing societal structures and viewpoints created and dominated by men. The prefix 'andro-' means male, as seen in words like 'androgen.' Therefore, inferring from the context and the prefix, 'androcentric' most logically means male-centered.

Question 4: The author utilizes quotation marks to indicate a direct quotation as well as

a definition
that the author does not take responsibility for her words
the jargon of politics and warfare (Correct answer)
the coining of a phrase
the author's scholarship

Correct answer: the jargon of politics and warfare

Beyond direct quotations, the author uses quotation marks around terms like 'conquered,' 'annexed,' 'spoils system,' and 'preferential tariffs.' These terms are often associated with political and military discourse, and the quotation marks suggest the author is either using them ironically, critically, or to highlight them as specific jargon of the systems she is critiquing.

Question 5: The phrase "increasingly injurious as society advances" is supported by all of the following, with the exception of:

weaker nations to be 'conquered' and 'annexed' [paragraph 5]
ill effects already touched on [paragraph 4]
Women do not understand politics [paragraph 8] (Correct answer)
active war [paragraph 4]
illegitimate expenses of fighting [paragraph 6]

Correct answer: Women do not understand politics [paragraph 8]

The phrase 'increasingly injurious as society advances' refers to the negative consequences of male-dominated systems. Options A, B, D, and E all describe specific harms or negative aspects (war, 'conquest,' 'ill effects,' 'illegitimate expenses') that worsen with societal progress. Option C, 'Women do not understand politics,' is presented in the passage as a male assertion, not a consequence or support for the author's claim about society's injurious advancement.

Question 6: The author claims that men believe the main goal of government should be

economics
educating the people
solving the "mass of public problems"
obtaining as much power as possible (Correct answer)
health

Correct answer: obtaining as much power as possible

The author suggests that men view government primarily through the lens of power dynamics, likening it to a 'game' or 'fight.' She states that 'fighting is to them the real business of life' and that 'government is primarily a process of obtaining as much power as possible.' This indicates men prioritize power acquisition.

Question 7: Which of the following paragraphs' opening words marks the transition of the argument from a discussion of war to a discussion of politics?

paragraph 7
paragraph 6 (Correct answer)
paragraph 9
paragraph 4
paragraph 5

Correct answer: paragraph 6

Paragraph 5 discusses the 'evil effects' of war and 'man-managed nations' in terms of 'conquest' and 'annexation.' Paragraph 6 then transitions by stating, 'The same spirit which makes for war and conquest in the outer world, makes for politics in the inner.' This clearly shifts the focus from external warfare to internal political processes, marking paragraph 6 as the transition point.

Question 8: The best way to characterize the passage's tone is

indifferent
ambivalent
accusatory (Correct answer)
condescending
reverent

Correct answer: accusatory

The author uses strong, critical language to challenge the male-dominated societal structures and the arguments used to uphold them. Words and phrases like 'faulty premise,' 'evil effects,' and descriptions of men's actions as 'injurious' convey a clear sense of blame and disapproval, making the tone accusatory.

Question 9: The passage's tone is best characterized as

authoritative and pretentious
mocking and self-serving
editorial and analytical (Correct answer)
poetic and emotional
preaching and moralistic

Correct answer: editorial and analytical

The passage presents a well-reasoned argument, analyzing the flaws in male-dominated society and politics. The author's language is formal and intellectual, characteristic of an editorial piece, and she systematically breaks down her points with analytical precision, rather than being overly emotional or merely descriptive.

Question 10: Gilman predominantly use which of the following rhetorical devices (techniques/modes of discourse) to present her argument?

description
process
definition
cause and effect (Correct answer)
narration

Correct answer: cause and effect

Gilman predominantly uses cause and effect to structure her argument. She identifies male dominance and its associated characteristics (the 'fighting spirit') as the cause, and then details the various negative societal outcomes, such as war, political corruption, and the subjugation of women, as the effects.

Question 11: In sentences 4, 5, and 6, "it" exclusively refers to

man-managed nation [paragraph 4]
preferential tariffs [paragraph 5]
Fighting is to them the real business of life [paragraph 3] (Correct answer)
evil effects [paragraph 4]
spoils system [paragraph 6]

Correct answer: Fighting is to them the real business of life [paragraph 3]

To determine the antecedent of 'it,' one must look at the preceding sentences. Sentence 3 states, 'Fighting is to them the real business of life.' Sentences 4, 5, and 6 then use 'it' to refer back to this 'fighting' spirit or activity as the driving force behind various societal issues, such as war and politics.

Question 12: It's likely that RFK's speech was primarily intended to

offer condolences to the black community at large
inform the people of the event
call for calm and unity between blacks and whites (Correct answer)
praise the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr.
offer condolences to King's family

Correct answer: call for calm and unity between blacks and whites

RFK's speech was delivered immediately after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., a highly volatile moment. His primary goal was to appeal for peace and understanding, urging the audience not to resort to violence but to find unity and compassion between races in the wake of the tragedy.

Question 13: Which of the following sentences doesn't use parallel structure examples?

paragraph 10 beginning with "But the vast majority …"
paragraph 7 beginning with "What we need …"
paragraph 6 beginning with "My favorite poet …" (Correct answer)
paragraph 3 beginning with "In this difficult …"
paragraph 9 beginning with "We can do well …"

Correct answer: paragraph 6 beginning with "My favorite poet …"

Parallel structure involves using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. While other paragraphs listed use this device effectively (e.g., 'What we need... is not... is not... is...'), paragraph 6, beginning 'My favorite poet...', primarily introduces a quote and does not exhibit a series of grammatically balanced phrases or clauses.

Question 14: An example is provided in paragraph 5 of

sarcasm
analogous example (Correct answer)
figurative language
logical fallacy
understatement

Correct answer: analogous example

In paragraph 5, RFK uses the example of the ancient Greeks and their pursuit of beauty in poetry and philosophy despite their flaws. This serves as an analogous example to suggest that even in times of great sorrow and division, humanity can still strive for and achieve ideals like compassion and wisdom, much like the Greeks did.

Question 15: The best way to sum up the speech's tone is

accusatory and bitter
formal and detached
elevated and conciliatory (Correct answer)
angry and inflammatory
informal and emotional

Correct answer: elevated and conciliatory

RFK's speech uses elevated language and references to historical figures and personal experiences to convey a sense of solemnity and importance. Simultaneously, his message is one of reconciliation, urging listeners to overcome anger and division with understanding and compassion, making the tone conciliatory.

Question 16: Which of the following does RFK employ to stop his remarks from inciting violence?<br> I. constantly repeating King's name and his desire for unity between races<br> II. an ethical appeal based on the power of religion<br> III. emphasizing a common bond to show the connection between himself and his audience<br>

II
I, II and III (Correct answer)
I
III
I and III

Correct answer: I, II and III

RFK employs all three tactics: he repeatedly invokes King's name and message of non-violence (I), appeals to religious values like love and compassion (II), and emphasizes shared human experiences of loss and the common goal of a better society to connect with his diverse audience (III), all to prevent violence.

Free AP English Language and Composition Argumentation Practice Test

The passage's primary goal for the author is to