Are you gearing up for the AP Lang Unit 8 Progress Check? Sharpen your literary analysis skills and prepare to ace the MCQ section with this comprehensive guide.

Navigating the MCQs: A Strategic Approach
The AP Lang Unit 8 Progress Check MCQ section evaluates your understanding of literary devices, rhetorical strategies, and authorial intent. To conquer this section, adopt these strategic steps:
- Close Reading: Scrutinize the text provided, paying meticulous attention to language, structure, and symbolism.
- Identify Key Concepts: Determine the primary literary devices, rhetorical strategies, and themes employed by the author.
- Eliminate Incorrect Options: Carefully analyze each answer choice and eliminate those that are clearly incorrect or irrelevant.
- Support Your Answers: Provide textual evidence from the passage to substantiate your selections.
Literary Devices and Rhetorical Strategies
Master the following literary devices and rhetorical strategies to confidently tackle the MCQs:
– Figurative Language (Metaphor, Simile, Personification, etc.)
– Structural Devices (Anaphora, Parallelism, Juxtaposition, etc.)
– Tone and Mood
– Symbolism and Imagery
– Point of View and Narration
Authorial Intent
Comprehend the author’s purpose, perspective, and message in the text. Consider the following elements:
– Purpose (Inform, Persuade, Entertain, etc.)
– Audience
– Rhetorical Situation (Context, Genre, Occasion)
Practice Makes Perfect: Sample MCQs
Put your knowledge to the test with these sample MCQs:
1. Which literary device is used in the following sentence: “The leaves danced in the wind”?
(A) Metaphor
(B) Simile
(C) Personification
(D) Hyperbole
2. What is the author’s tone in the following passage? “The school’s curriculum is as dry as a desert.”
(A) Sarcastic
(B) Humorous
(C) Depressing
(D) Indifferent
3. What is the author’s primary purpose in this article?
(A) To inform readers about the history of the school
(B) To persuade readers to attend the school
(C) To entertain readers with amusing anecdotes
(D) To express the author’s personal opinions
4. Which rhetorical strategy is employed in the following paragraph: “First, the school has a world-class faculty. Second, it offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. Third, it provides students with access to cutting-edge technology.”
(A) Anaphora
(B) Parallelism
(C) Juxtaposition
(D) Hyperbole
5. What is the point of view used in the following story?
(A) First person
(B) Second person
(C) Third person limited
(D) Third person omniscient
Practice Table: Literary Devices and Rhetorical Strategies
Literary Device/Rhetorical Strategy | Example | Effect |
---|---|---|
Metaphor | “Life is a rollercoaster.” | Creates a vivid image |
Anaphora | “I have a dream. I have a dream of a better future.” | Builds momentum and emphasis |
Personification | “The wind whispered secrets in my ear.” | Gives human qualities to non-human things |
Parallelism | “She was beautiful, intelligent, and kind.” | Creates a sense of balance and rhythm |
Hyperbole | “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” | Exaggerates for emphasis |
Practice Table: Authorial Intent
Purpose | Audience | Rhetorical Situation |
---|---|---|
Inform | Students | School newspaper |
Persuade | Voters | Political speech |
Entertain | Children | Bedtime story |
Express personal opinions | Blog readers | Personal blog |
Practice Table: Sample MCQs
Question | Correct Answer |
---|---|
Which literary device is used in the following sentence: “The rain fell like tears”? | Metaphor |
What is the author’s tone in the following passage: “The government’s decision is nothing short of a disaster.” | Sarcastic |
What is the author’s primary purpose in this article? | To inform readers about the importance of education |
Which rhetorical strategy is employed in the following paragraph: “The candidate is a liar, a cheat, and a thief.” | Parallelism |
What is the point of view used in the following story? | Third person limited |
Practice Table: Point of View
Point of View | Characteristics | Example |
---|---|---|
First person | Narrator tells the story from their own perspective using “I”. | “I walked through the forest, the sound of my own footsteps echoing through the trees.” |
Second person | Narrator speaks directly to the reader using “you”. | “You find yourself standing at the edge of a cliff.” |
Third person limited | Narrator tells the story from the perspective of a specific character, using “he”, “she”, or “they”. | “She stared out the window, her thoughts racing.” |
Third person omniscient | Narrator knows everything about all the characters and events in the story. | “He knew that he would never be able to forget what he had seen.” |
Conclusion: Master the MCQs, Ace the Progress Check
By mastering the literary devices, rhetorical strategies, and authorial intent covered in this guide, you can confidently tackle the AP Lang Unit 8 Progress Check MCQs. Utilize the practice tables and sample MCQs to hone your skills and approach the exam with a strategic mindset. Remember, practice is paramount to success. Conquer the MCQs and elevate your AP Lang proficiency!