AP Practice Test Number 2: Multiple-Choice Self Reflections

Hello everyone, here are five questions from the multiple choice section on the AP Practice Test that stumped me. I have given my answer, the correct answer, and an explanation of both. 

1) Henry Fielding’s The History of Tom Jones (1749) 

15. (Question) The main concern of the passage is… 

A) Sophia's trials and tribulations

B) the impression Sophia creates on others

C) Sophia's relationship with Mrs. Fitzpatrick

D) Sophia's manner and appearance

E) the differences between Sophia and Mrs. Fitzpatrick

Correct answer: "C: Sophia's manner and appearance." 

My answer: “B: the impression Sophia creates on others.” 

I chose B because the passage had a lot of focus on Sophia and the other people she was making contact with, so this answer seemed to make sense at the time. Looking at it again, it makes sense that the main concern of the passage would be Sophia’s manner and appearance because the author talks a lot about those two aspects of her character as well as aspects of the other characters, not necessarily the impression Sophia creates on others. 

2) Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach” (1850)

26. (Question) The primary theme of the poem is derived chiefly from… 

A) a comparison between the past and the present

B) the contrast between the peacefulness of nature and the tumult of battle 

C) a description of the sea

D) the symbolism of The Sea of Faith

E) the speaker’s disenchantment with the world. 

Correct answer: "E: The speaker’s disenchantment with the world.”

My answer: “C: a description of the sea.” 

I did not have a good understanding of the word “disenchantment” and as a result chose C because the poem is filled with descriptions about the sea. I looked up the definition of disenchantment (a feeling of disappointment about someone or something you previously respected or admired) and now that I have a better understanding of the word I see why the answer is E. I read the poem again and it is clear that the speaker is “disenchanted” with the ocean. The sea has become something sad that no longer brings joy, for the speaker states “I only hear its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar” (lines 24, 25).

3) Mark Twain’s “What Stumped the Bluejays” (1880)

35. (Question) In context, “and where is your cat?” (line 46) can best be paraphrased to read… 

A) and you'll be dumbfounded

B) and where do you think the cat will go?

C) and the cat will hide from shame

D) and a cat will run away

E) and a cat doesn't stand a chance

Correct answer: "E: and a cat doesn’t stand a chance. 

My answer: "A: and you’ll be dumbfounded."

 I chose A because it made sense to me that the reader would be “dumbfounded” after hearing about the intelligence of the bluejay and comparing it to that of their cat’s intelligence for the speaker made a bluejay sound superior to a cat. E makes sense as well, the cat doesn’t stand a chance in comparison to the bluejay,  so I wasn’t far off in my train of thought in regards to how “and where is your cat” can be paraphrased to read. 

4) D. H. Lawrence “Snake” (1923)

45. (Question) Which of the following best describes the prevailing poetic technique used in lines 8-15? 

A) Hyperbole that stresses the snake's malevolence 

B) Personification that endows the snake ___ human personality 

C) Imagery that captures the snake's intimidating appearance

D) Onomatopoetic words that replicate snake sounds

E) Diction that suggests the snake's slithering movement 

Correct answer: "E: Diction that suggests the snake’s slithering movement."

My answer: "D: Onomatopoetic words that replicate snake sounds."

I was not far off on this one as I was aware that the writer was trying to sound snake-like. The answer description says that the writer uses “smooth-sounding phrases” such as “yellow-brown slackness soft-bellied down” (line 9), and the use of specific-diction makes more sense than the use of onomatopoetic words to suggest the snake’s movement. 

5) D. H. Lawrence “Snake” (1923)

51. (Question) The questions that the speaker asks in lines 36-38 serve mainly to… 

A) illustrate conflicting feelings clashing inside him

B) hint that he intends to harm the snake

C) disclose that he identifies with the snake
D) suggest his awareness that snakes often have symbolic meaning

E) help him rationalize his reaction to the snake

Correct answer: "A: illustrate conflicting feelings clashing inside him." 

My answer: "E: help him rationalize his reaction to the snake."

 I marked on my paper that A was my second choice, I should have gone with my gut! I ended up choosing E because he is acknowledging his reaction, one that welcomes the snake, as well as the reaction he thinks he should be having, one that involves him killing the snake. He is then struggling with the two reactions, which one is acceptable and which one isn’t, and is rationalizing his feelings and initial instinct. However, A makes more sense, for the feelings he has about the snake are incredibly conflicting and make up a majority of the poem.