Practice Test 8 - AP English Language and Composition

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

In a letter to a state senator, a high-school civics teacher argues against a bill that would require teachers to post all lesson materials publicly a week in advance. The teacher writes: "I support transparency, and I already share unit plans with families upon request. But a blanket requirement to post every handout and discussion prompt seven days ahead misunderstands how classrooms actually function. When a local event occurs—a court ruling, a community tragedy, a student-led walkout—good teaching often means adjusting materials within hours so students can analyze reliable sources rather than rumors. The bill would also create a significant compliance burden for small districts without dedicated staff, pulling time away from feedback and tutoring. If the goal is parent access, a more workable solution is to require districts to provide materials within 48 hours of use and to maintain an opt-in portal for families who want ongoing updates. That approach promotes openness without freezing instruction in place." The author adapts tone to the audience by…
Read the student-written argumentative passage below and answer the question that follows. Scenario: A state legislature is considering a law requiring all employers to provide paid family leave. The audience includes small business owners, employees, fiscal conservatives, and public health advocates. Passage (student essay): Paid family leave should be mandatory statewide because families deserve support, period. If you own a business and can't afford to give workers time off, then you shouldn't be running a business. People don't choose to have babies or sick parents at "convenient" times, and it's heartless to pretend they should. Opponents always say it will hurt small businesses, but that's just greed. Companies waste money on corporate perks and executive bonuses, so they can obviously pay for leave. Besides, if a business closes because it had to treat employees like humans, maybe that business didn't deserve to exist. Revision: Which change would best align the argument with the audience's values?
In this statement, the speaker presents themself as a
In a blog post about public libraries, a writer argues that eliminating late fees increases access without meaningfully reducing revenue. The post describes how some patrons avoid checking out books when they fear penalties, especially families who budget carefully. The writer cites a neighboring county that removed fines and reported more renewals and fewer conflicts at the circulation desk. The post also notes that libraries can still charge for lost materials, distinguishing between punishment and replacement. The writer concludes that libraries should be judged by community use, not by how effectively they collect small debts. The policy helps patrons who have overdue books, which the library board adopted last year. Which change best clarifies meaning in the bolded sentence?
The author's main purpose in this passage is to...
Read the following embedded passage and answer the question. A professor argues that open-note exams can be more rigorous than closed-book tests. She explains that when students expect recall-based questions, they often cram definitions; when they expect to use notes, they must practice applying concepts. As evidence, she compares two versions of the same midterm: in the closed-book semester, 72% of questions asked for definitions or formula recall, while in the open-note semester, 68% required multi-step analysis of a novel scenario. She also reports that in the open-note term, fewer students finished early and more students used scratch paper to map reasoning. The professor acknowledges that "open-note" sounds easier, but her claim is that the format can shift assessment toward higher-order thinking. The evidence supports the author's claim by…
Read the following passage and answer the question. A teacher proposes switching from traditional letter grades to standards-based feedback. She argues that a single "B" hides what a student can and cannot do, while skill-by-skill reporting makes revision more targeted. Parents worry that colleges will not understand transcripts without GPAs. Ultimately, the decision should depend on what the school values more: easy sorting or actual learning. If the goal is growth, the school can keep a GPA for transcripts while using standards-based feedback during the semester. The transition Ultimately helps reader understand the argument by…
Read the following excerpt from a public health opinion piece (7 sentences). The writer argues that cities should provide more public water fountains. On hot days, the emergency room fills with problems that are preventable, and dehydration is one of them. City leaders urge residents to "be prepared," but preparation is easier when basic infrastructure exists. Many neighborhoods have parks with playgrounds and basketball courts, yet no place to refill a bottle. The city announced new fountains near downtown, serving mostly tourists. Residents outside the center heard the news as another reminder of whose comfort matters. A fountain is a small thing, but small things determine who can stay outside safely. If officials want resilience, they should build it into the sidewalks. Which revision most improves clarity of the bolded sentence?
Read the following embedded passage and answer the question: Every semester, my college announces a "digital detox week" and wonders why participation is low. The campaign begins with stern emails about attention spans, followed by posters that shame students for checking phones in the dining hall. The result is predictable: students feel accused, not invited, and they ignore the message. Then the organizers interpret that silence as evidence that students are "addicted," so they intensify the tone the next semester, making the next round even easier to dismiss. Meanwhile, the few students who might have tried the challenge avoid it because they don't want to be publicly associated with a moral lecture. If the school actually wants fewer screens, it should stop escalating guilt and start offering alternatives—game nights, extended library hours, and spaces where conversation is easier than scrolling. The method of development helps the author accomplish purpose by…
A columnist argues that cities should replace some downtown parking spaces with protected bike lanes. The paragraph's claim is: "Protected bike lanes strengthen local economies by increasing foot traffic to small businesses." Evidence in the paragraph states: "A 2020 Toronto study comparing retail corridors found that streets with protected bike lanes saw a 16% increase in weekly customer visits, while similar streets without lanes saw no change." The commentary that follows is weak: "So, bike lanes increased weekly customer visits by 16%." Which revision of the bolded commentary would best connect the evidence to the paragraph's claim?
Read the following passage and answer the question. We praise "productivity" as if it were a moral virtue, but the word has become so elastic that it can mean anything from finishing a report to answering emails at midnight. A more useful definition is this: productivity is the creation of value per unit of attention. Under that definition, a day spent writing one clear page that solves a problem can be more productive than a day spent producing fifty messages that create new confusion. Skeptics will argue that attention is impossible to measure, so the definition is impractical. Yet workplaces already measure attention indirectly—through meeting hours, response times, and "availability"—often confusing visibility with value. The point of redefining productivity is not to invent a perfect metric; it is to shift priorities. If managers reward constant responsiveness, employees will protect their inboxes instead of their thinking. If managers reward value created, employees will protect their attention. The definition clarifies why "busy" is not a synonym for "effective," and it gives people language to defend time for deep work. Which method does the author primarily use to develop the argument?
Read the following AP English Language–style argumentative passage written as an op-ed for a town newspaper in a community with many older residents on fixed incomes. Passage (embedded): The city should raise property taxes by 12% this year to fund a new arts center downtown. We keep saying we want a "vibrant" town, yet we refuse to invest in culture. "Everyone knows that a thriving arts scene is more important than keeping taxes low." A modern arts center would attract tourists, give students a place to perform, and finally put us on the map. People complain about costs, but if you can afford a smartphone, you can afford a little more in taxes. The center could host concerts, gallery nights, and film festivals; those events would make our town feel younger and more exciting. "If you truly love this town, you'll pay what it takes to modernize it." Evaluation: Why is the passage least likely to persuade its intended audience?
Read the paragraph below from an argumentative essay about cafeteria policy. Claim: Schools should serve plant-forward lunches because doing so improves student health. Paragraph: After one large urban district introduced a "Meatless Monday" menu, the nutrition office reported that average lunch saturated fat per meal decreased by 11% and fiber increased by 9% compared with the previous menu cycle. The meals had less saturated fat and more fiber than before. Which revision of the bolded commentary would best explain the significance of the evidence?
Read the following embedded passage, then answer the question. A resident argues for planting more street trees on a stretch of road that floods after heavy rain. She explains that when rain falls on bare pavement, it runs quickly into storm drains, and in older neighborhoods those drains can be overwhelmed. Once overwhelmed, water pools at intersections, which delays buses and forces drivers to detour; detours increase congestion on nearby streets, and congestion increases minor crashes and emergency response times. Trees, she notes, intercept rainfall on leaves and increase soil absorption around their roots, slowing runoff before it reaches drains. Slower runoff means the drainage system has time to handle the water it receives, reducing pooling and keeping traffic patterns stable. Because a relatively simple change to the streetscape can reduce multiple downstream disruptions, she concludes the city should prioritize tree planting. The author develops the argument by…
Read the following passage and answer the question. A technology columnist critiques a company's promise that its new app will "fix" procrastination through notifications and streaks. The columnist cites internal user data leaked to a reporter: engagement spikes for two weeks, then drops sharply as reminders become background noise. The article argues that the marketing treats a human habit as a software bug and ignores the role of workload, anxiety, and unclear priorities. The app does not teach judgment; it teaches compliance, and compliance is fragile. The columnist concludes that tools can help, but only when they respect the complexity of why people delay. The syntax of the bolded sentence is most effective because it…
Read the following passage and answer the question. A columnist argues that public libraries should remain fine-free. The piece describes a pilot program in which one county eliminated late fees and saw card renewals rise and overdue returns increase slightly but stabilize within months. Opponents claim that fees teach responsibility; the columnist replies that the people most deterred by fines are often those already stretched thin. A $3 penalty is not a lesson; it is a locked door, quietly closing on the reader who cannot spare even that. The column ends by urging officials to measure "responsibility" by access and return rates, not by revenue. The syntax of the bolded sentence is most effective because it…
Read the student-written argumentative passage and answer the question. Our district should stop using "zero tolerance" discipline policies for minor misbehavior because they are blunt instruments that create bigger problems than they solve. When a student gets suspended for something like talking back or being late too many times, the school isn't teaching responsibility—it's removing instruction time and increasing the chance the student falls behind. That's not accountability; that's academic sabotage. Supporters say strict rules keep schools safe. But safety isn't the same as punishing everything with the same hammer. Research summaries from education policy groups have repeatedly shown that frequent suspensions correlate with lower graduation rates. And the impact isn't evenly distributed: students with disabilities and students of color are disciplined at higher rates for similar behaviors. If we care about fairness, we can't ignore that. A better approach is restorative practices for nonviolent incidents: structured conversations, restitution, and counseling supports. This doesn't mean "no consequences." It means consequences that actually change behavior instead of just ejecting kids from class. Teachers also need training and time, not just slogans. If you still think zero tolerance is "common sense," you're not using sense—you're using anger. Schools should run on evidence, not vibes. Given the author's goal of persuading parents and teachers at a PTA meeting, which aspect is least effective for the intended audience?
Read the following excerpt from a consumer watchdog article about "limited-time" online sales: "Retailers have turned urgency into a manufactured weather system: flash sale storms, countdown clocks, and the constant threat of missing out. Prices 'drop' with theatrical timing, only to rise again when the audience's attention wanders. The tactic works not because the deal is rare, but because the anxiety is reliable. Commerce has learned to monetize impatience." The word manufactured contributes to the tone by…
In a column about reading habits, the author argues that audiobooks count as reading because they engage comprehension, not just eyesight. The author cites a literacy researcher who found similar recall for listening and silent reading when distractions were controlled. The draft includes: "Audiobooks can broaden access, for commuters and for people with visual impairments." Which change best improves readability?
Read the student essay below, then answer the question. Student essay (approx. 420 words): Because social media spreads information quickly, some people want governments to ban anonymous accounts. That approach is misguided. Governments should protect online anonymity because it enables whistleblowing, supports vulnerable speakers, and encourages honest debate. Anonymity allows whistleblowers to report corruption without immediate retaliation. If every account had to be tied to a legal identity, fewer people would expose unethical behavior in workplaces or public agencies. When the cost of speaking is too high, wrongdoing grows. Anonymity also protects vulnerable groups. Teenagers questioning their identity, victims seeking help, and political dissidents often need privacy to speak safely. For them, anonymity is not a trick; it is protection. However, anonymity can enable harassment. People can hide behind fake names to threaten others. Therefore, the best solution is to ban anonymity entirely. Once everyone is identifiable, harassment will stop, and online spaces will become kinder. Finally, anonymity can improve debate. When people are not judged by their profile picture or social status, ideas can stand on their own. In some cases, anonymity reduces bias because readers focus on the argument rather than the person. Which revision would most improve the essay's logical development? (Choose the option that best fixes the argument's progression.)

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