AP LANG 2025–2026 – Advanced Placement English Language &
Composition | Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions &
Answers
Active Voice - correct answer The subject of the sentence performs the action. This is a more
direct and preferred style of
writing in most cases. "Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house." The opposite is
passive voice -
when the subject of the sentence receives the action. "The car was driven by Anthony." Passive
voice is
often overused, resulting in lifeless writing. When possible, try to use active voice.
Allusion - correct answer An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it
can be other things
commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to
be familiar.
Alter-Ego - correct answer A character that is used by the author to speak the author's own
thoughts; when an author
speaks directly to the audience through a character. In Shakespeare's last play, The Tempest,
Shakespeare
talks to his audience about his own upcoming retirement, through the main character in the
play, Prospero.
Do not confuse with persona.
Anecdote - correct answer - A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Anecdotes are often
inserted into fictional or non
fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
Antecedent - correct answer - The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP
language exam occasionally
asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of
sentences. "If I
could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for
it." An AP
,question might read: "What is the antecedent for "it"?
Classicism - correct answer - Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the
world; sticks to traditional
themes and structures (see romanticism).
Comic relief - correct answer - when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order
to lighten the mood
somewhat. The "gatekeeper scene" in Macbeth is an example of comic relief.
Diction - correct answer Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of
words have significant effects
on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps
more precise
than street slang. You should be able to describe an author's diction. You SHOULD NOT write in
your
thesis, "The author uses diction...". This is essentially saying, "The author uses words to write."
(Duh.)
Instead, describe the type of diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain).
Colloquial - correct answer Ordinary or familiar type of conversation. A "colloquialism" is a
common or
familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism.
Connotation - correct answer - Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the
associations suggested by a
word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. (For example, "policeman," "cop," and "The
Man" all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different
connotation.)
Denotation - correct answer The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
Jargon - correct answer - The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or
activity. Lawyers
speak using particular jargon, as do soccer players.
Venacular - correct answer - 1. Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or
dialect of a regional
clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
, Didactic - correct answer A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a
specific lesson or moral or
provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
Adage - correct answer - A folk saying with a lesson. "A rolling stone gathers no moss."
Similar to aphorism and colloquialism.
Allegory - correct answer A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and
events represent
qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal
an
abstraction or a truth. Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is an allegory.
Aphorism - correct answer - A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral
principle. An aphorism
can be a memorable summation of the author's point. Ben Franklin wrote many of these in
Poor
Richard's Almanac, such as "God helps them that help themselves," and "A watched pot never
boils."
Ellipsis - correct answer The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect
by the author. "The whole
day, rain, torrents of rain." The term ellipsis is related to ellipse, which is the three periods used
to show
omitted text in a quotation.
Euphemism - correct answer A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally
unpleasant words or concepts.
Sometimes they are used for political correctness. "Physically challenged," in place of
"crippled."
Sometimes a euphemism is used to exaggerate correctness to add humor. "Vertically
challenged" in place
of "short."
Figurative Language - correct answer "Figurative Language" is the opposite of "Literal
Language." Literal language is
Composition | Comprehensive Study Guide with Practice Questions &
Answers
Active Voice - correct answer The subject of the sentence performs the action. This is a more
direct and preferred style of
writing in most cases. "Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house." The opposite is
passive voice -
when the subject of the sentence receives the action. "The car was driven by Anthony." Passive
voice is
often overused, resulting in lifeless writing. When possible, try to use active voice.
Allusion - correct answer An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it
can be other things
commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to
be familiar.
Alter-Ego - correct answer A character that is used by the author to speak the author's own
thoughts; when an author
speaks directly to the audience through a character. In Shakespeare's last play, The Tempest,
Shakespeare
talks to his audience about his own upcoming retirement, through the main character in the
play, Prospero.
Do not confuse with persona.
Anecdote - correct answer - A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Anecdotes are often
inserted into fictional or non
fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
Antecedent - correct answer - The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP
language exam occasionally
asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of
sentences. "If I
could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for
it." An AP
,question might read: "What is the antecedent for "it"?
Classicism - correct answer - Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the
world; sticks to traditional
themes and structures (see romanticism).
Comic relief - correct answer - when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order
to lighten the mood
somewhat. The "gatekeeper scene" in Macbeth is an example of comic relief.
Diction - correct answer Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of
words have significant effects
on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps
more precise
than street slang. You should be able to describe an author's diction. You SHOULD NOT write in
your
thesis, "The author uses diction...". This is essentially saying, "The author uses words to write."
(Duh.)
Instead, describe the type of diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain).
Colloquial - correct answer Ordinary or familiar type of conversation. A "colloquialism" is a
common or
familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism.
Connotation - correct answer - Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the
associations suggested by a
word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. (For example, "policeman," "cop," and "The
Man" all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different
connotation.)
Denotation - correct answer The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
Jargon - correct answer - The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or
activity. Lawyers
speak using particular jargon, as do soccer players.
Venacular - correct answer - 1. Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or
dialect of a regional
clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
, Didactic - correct answer A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a
specific lesson or moral or
provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
Adage - correct answer - A folk saying with a lesson. "A rolling stone gathers no moss."
Similar to aphorism and colloquialism.
Allegory - correct answer A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and
events represent
qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal
an
abstraction or a truth. Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is an allegory.
Aphorism - correct answer - A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral
principle. An aphorism
can be a memorable summation of the author's point. Ben Franklin wrote many of these in
Poor
Richard's Almanac, such as "God helps them that help themselves," and "A watched pot never
boils."
Ellipsis - correct answer The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect
by the author. "The whole
day, rain, torrents of rain." The term ellipsis is related to ellipse, which is the three periods used
to show
omitted text in a quotation.
Euphemism - correct answer A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally
unpleasant words or concepts.
Sometimes they are used for political correctness. "Physically challenged," in place of
"crippled."
Sometimes a euphemism is used to exaggerate correctness to add humor. "Vertically
challenged" in place
of "short."
Figurative Language - correct answer "Figurative Language" is the opposite of "Literal
Language." Literal language is
