1. AP Language and Composition
Multiple-Choice Portion
AP Language and Composition

2. AP Multi-Choice Format
60 min. for 54 questions
5-7 passages = 8-12 min. per passage
1-2 min. per question

3. Big Picture Details 2 types of questions
What is the gist of the passage?
Details
Point to specific lines/ words in the text.

4. Big Picture Questions These types of questions ask students to:
Characterize the speaker’s tone, style or attitude as a whole.
Fit particular details into the “big picture” or passage as a whole.
Interpret a word based on context, tone, style, or attitude of the passage as a whole.
**Big Picture questions appear at the
beginning and end of each section**

5. Big Picture Example 1. The author of this passage is most likely
(A) a scientific researcher
(B) a lexicographer
(C) a historian
(D) a sociologist
(E) a teacher

6. Detailed Questions
These questions ask students to refer back to specific lines in the passage
These questions may also ask you to reevaluate the passage as a whole.
Tricks:
Read the sentence before and the sentence after
Only read this part of the passage – DO NOT reread the whole piece (too time consuming)

7. Details Example
4. Which word from the passage gives the clearest indication as to where the author encountered the process of upknocking?
(A) entry (line 13)
(B) novel (line 7)
(C) schooling (line 3)
(D) employment (line 10)
(E) clients (line 12)

8. Strategies: How to approach the questions
2 Pass System
POE (Process of Elimination)

9. 2 Pass System
PASS #1: Answer easy questions first and circle hard questions
PASS #2: Time permitting, go back through the passage taking time to answer the more difficult questions

10. More 2 PASS SYSTEM Keep track of you timing!
If you have 8-12 minutes per passage.
1-2 minutes per question
***Each question is worth the same number of points***

11. POE (Process of Elimination)
Cross out answers you know are wrong
Circle best guess of the remaining choices
Guessing aggressively = increased chances for success!

12. REVIEW
BIG PICTURE. Read for the overall gist of the passage: author’s goal, tone, and point of view.
DETAILS. Reread lines before and after the lines indicated as part of the question.
2 PASS SYSTEM. Answer easy questions first, circle the hard questions. PACE YOURSELF!
POE (Process of Elimination). Eliminate obviously wrong answers. GUESS AGGRESSIVELY!

13. Let’s practice together!
Pair/Share
Turn to the person next to you.
1. Explain the format of the AP Multiple-Choice Test.
2. Explain the two types of questions.
3. Explain two strategies for attacking these questions.
Let’s practice together!

14. 8 question passage 10 min. to complete the passage
Read the entire passage first
Label each question (BP) Big Picture or (D) Details
Use 2 Pass System and POE (Process of Elimination) to answer the questions
With your partner, come to consensus.

15. 4-3-2-1 Scoring Scale 4 – 8-7 questions 3 – 6-5 questions
Identified question type correctly
Used 2 PASS SYSTEM
Used POE (Process of Elimination)
4 – 8-7 questions
3 – 6-5 questions
2 – 4-3 questions
1 – 2-1 questions

16. Try it on your own! Homework:
Label each question Big Picture (BP) or Details (D)
Use 2 Pass System and POE (Process of Elimination) to answer the questions
Time yourself!
13 minutes to complete the passage