1 | MCQ (Reading Questions) | Practice Sessions | AP English Language and Composition

Summary

In this video, John Zia, an AP Language teacher from Chelsea High School, discusses strategies for succeeding in the AP reading multiple-choice section. He emphasizes the importance of summarizing main ideas, understanding the relationship between paragraphs, and identifying key rhetorical elements such as tone, purpose, and claim. Zia provides insights into how to approach different question types, from analyzing diction to evaluating the passage's structure. Through a detailed walkthrough of a sample passage, he demonstrates how to effectively narrow down answer choices and avoid common pitfalls, ensuring students are well-prepared for the exam.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video focuses on helping students prepare for the AP Language reading section of the exam.
• 😀 The reading section consists of two passages, each with 11 to 14 questions, and requires different skills compared to the writing section.
• 😀 To succeed in the reading section, students should summarize the main idea of each paragraph as they read.
• 😀 It is important to analyze the relationship between paragraphs, noting whether they complement or contrast with each other.
• 😀 Pay attention to the rhetorical elements of the passage, such as tone, purpose, and claim, as they often appear in questions.
• 😀 When answering questions, students should narrow down options by validating or disqualifying keywords and phrases.
• 😀 An answer is considered incorrect if it is only partially correct or half-right.
• 😀 The passage discusses tornadoes, focusing on their power and the scientific details about them in the first paragraph.
• 😀 In the second paragraph, the tone shifts to a more anecdotal and light-hearted approach, sharing stories and myths about tornadoes.
• 😀 Understanding the author's style and the rhetorical choices made in each paragraph is crucial for answering the multiple-choice questions accurately.
• 😀 The review emphasizes that students should practice these strategies to improve their ability to analyze and answer reading questions effectively.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video presented by John Zia?

The video focuses on strategies for answering the reading multiple-choice questions on the AP Language and Composition exam.

How many sections are there in the AP Language multiple-choice test, and what are they?

The AP Language multiple-choice test has two sections: the reading section and the writing section.

What is one key strategy suggested for tackling the reading section?

One key strategy is to summarize the main idea of each paragraph in the passage to better understand the overall content.

Why is it important to consider the relationship between paragraphs in the passage?

Understanding the relationship between paragraphs helps in recognizing how the ideas are developed and whether they complement or contrast each other.

What should you look for when analyzing the rhetorical elements of a passage?

You should focus on the author's tone, purpose, and claim, as these elements are often central to answering the multiple-choice questions.

How does the video suggest narrowing down your answer choices in the reading section?

The video suggests validating or disqualifying keywords or phrases in the answer choices to eliminate incorrect options, especially when an answer is only partly correct.

What is one way the author develops the passage in the practice example discussed?

The author develops the passage through an accumulation of details, particularly scientific facts and anecdotes, to convey the power and dynamism of tornadoes.

How does the diction in paragraph one of the practice passage differ from the diction in paragraph two?

Paragraph one uses technical and specialized diction, particularly scientific terms, while paragraph two shifts to more anecdotal and informal language, using descriptions and folklore about tornadoes.

What does the phrase 'as bald as if a cyclonic wind had taken his scalp' accomplish in the passage?

This phrase provides a humorous and figurative description of the grandfather, suggesting a lighter tone in the paragraph and helping to establish a more anecdotal, tongue-in-cheek atmosphere.

What is the significance of the phrase 'old Nell' in the second paragraph of the passage?

'Old Nell' is a nickname used for tornadoes by a grandfather, which adds a personal, familiar touch to the otherwise serious subject, helping to create a more light-hearted and informal tone in the passage.