langofcomp2e

AP-Style Multiple-Choice Quiz (Walt Whitman, “Slang in America”)

AP-Style Multiple Choice Quiz

Walt Whitman, “Slang in America”

After reading the selection from “Slang in America,” choose the best answer to each question. Click the submit button when finished. The following questions refer to paragraphs 1–4.

Question 10.28 In the second sentence of paragraph 1, the word “it” is an antecedent for

1. In the second sentence of paragraph 1, the word “it” is an antecedent for

English language.

dialect.

race.

range of time.

composition.

Question 10.29 In the first sentence of paragraph 2, “germinal” most nearly means

2. In the first sentence of paragraph 2, “germinal” most nearly means

rebellious.

fertile.

primitive.

basic.

crucial.

Question 10.30 Which of the following noun phrases does the author use to illustrate that language is derived from every living organism?

3. Which of the following noun phrases does the author use to illustrate that language is derived from every living organism?

“a sort of universal absorber, combiner, and conqueror” (third sentence, para. 1)

“the history of Nature in all departments, and of the organic Universe, brought up to date” (fourth sentence, para. 1)

“a certain perennial rankness and protestantism” (first sentence, para. 2)

“most precious possession” (second sentence, para. 2)

“some mighty potentate” (third sentence, para. 2)

Question 10.31 It can be inferred from the passage that language is

4. It can be inferred from the passage that language is

a living thing that evolves and grows.

a unique part of American culture.

a complex form that cannot be easily described.

a reflection of man’s ability and power.

a commonly misunderstood figure of speech.

Question 10.32 The purpose of providing examples of definitions in paragraph 3 is to

5. The purpose of providing examples of definitions in paragraph 3 is to

prove how antiquated commonly used words are.

suggest that commonly held definitions are inferior to original definitions.

demonstrate the intellectual prowess of the speaker.

clarify the true meanings of the words.

highlight the evolution of language.

Question 10.33 The analogy at the end of paragraph 2 serves to

6. The analogy at the end of paragraph 2 serves to

reinforce the relationship between science and language.

suggest that slang is a byproduct of language that becomes a fixture in speech.

challenge the notion that slang is organic and dynamic.

present the speaker’s knowledge of the fermentation process.

emphasize the low-brow nature of slang.

Question 10.34 The speaker of the passage would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

7. The speaker of the passage would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

The most important feature of slang is that it has a simple origin.

Slang is more refined than most people realize.

Language is to be valued because it is related to the common man.

Language will never truly be understood by the masses.

Slang cannot be controlled by the authorities.

Question 10.35 What is the purpose of including the quotation from Addington Symonds (para. 4)?

8. What is the purpose of including the quotation from Addington Symonds (para. 4)?

to support the speaker’s theory that language develops collectively

to counter the notion that slang should be celebrated

to introduce a new idea about the origin of language

to promote the acceptance of slang

to suggest that slang is a product of the working man