AP English Language- Rhetorical Strategies

1. Which rhetorical device is predominantly employed in the following sentence: “Her smile was a ray of sunshine, warming the hearts of all those around her”?

a) Hyperbole

b) Metaphor

c) Simile

d) Personification

2. The author’s use of anaphora in the given excerpt is intended to:
“We will fight for justice. We will fight for equality. We will fight for a better future.”

a) evoke a sense of nostalgia.

b) create a rhythmic effect.

c) emphasize the repeated actions.

d) convey a sense of urgency.

3. The author’s appeal to logos is most evident in which of the following sentences?

a) “Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer!”

b) “Studies have shown that regular exercise improves cardiovascular health.”

c) “Join the thousands who have already experienced the benefits of our product.”

d) “Imagine a world without poverty, where everyone has equal opportunities.”

4. The author’s use of irony in the given passage is primarily aimed at:
“He was known as the greatest chef in town, yet his own meals consisted of microwaved TV dinners.”

a) criticizing the chef’s culinary skills.

b) highlighting the chef’s popularity.

c) emphasizing the chef’s lack of time.

d) revealing the chef’s hypocrisy.

5. The sentence “The rain poured down like a thousand angry tears” is an example of:

a) simile.

b) metaphor.

c) hyperbole.

d) personification.

6. In the given argument, the author’s use of rhetorical questions is intended to:
“How can we stand by and watch as the environment crumbles around us? Can we afford to ignore this pressing issue?”

a) engage the reader’s attention.

b) challenge the reader’s beliefs.

c) present counterarguments.

d) offer possible solutions.

7. The author’s use of alliteration in the sentence “Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers” primarily serves to:

a) create a musical effect.

b) emphasize the importance of Peter.

c) highlight the difficulty of the task.

d) convey a sense of urgency.

8. Which of the following rhetorical devices is used in the sentence: “His words cut through the silence like a sharp knife”?

a) Metaphor

b) Simile

c) Hyperbole

d) Personification

9. The author’s use of antithesis in the given sentence primarily serves to:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

a) highlight the contrasting nature of the times.

b) emphasize the importance of making choices.

c) convey a sense of urgency.

d) introduce a series of examples.

10. The author’s use of understatement in the following sentence is primarily aimed at:
“The presentation was not bad; it had a few minor issues.”

a) downplaying the significance of the issues.

b) highlighting the exceptional quality of the presentation.

c) creating a humorous effect.

d) conveying a sense of disappointment.