Title
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Deconstruction of 2007 Multiple Choice Exam
Paul Stevenson, Edison Preparatory School
The 2007 Multiple Choice Exam was published by the College Board in the AP English Language and Composition Workshop Handbook, 2009-10.
Essay 1
This essay is from Section Two of “Bentham” by John Stewart Mills, published in the Westminster Review in 1838. Mills was a proponent of Utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by Jeremy Bentham, the subject of the essay, although Mills’ conception of utilitarianism was very different from Bentham's. Utilitarianism holds that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome, and is often described by the phrase "the greatest good for the greatest number of people." This passage focuses on what Mills perceives as Bentham’s lack of empathy, the ability to emotional identify with other people. Mills ascribes this lack of emotional depth to Bentham’s life which was without the hardships or challenges most people experience.
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1. In the passage, the author's overall attitude toward Bentham can best be described as
A) grudgingly appreciative
B) cleverly nonjudgmental
C) bitterly disillusioned
D) viciously sarcastic (E) essentially negative 1. Answer: E
This passage focuses on Bentham’s limited vision and is thus essentially negative (E), although it is neither vicious nor sarcastic (D). It is neither bitter nor disillusioned (C). Since it focuses on Bentham’s limitations, it is judgmental (B).
2. Which of the following best describes the function of the second sentence (lines 3-9) in the first paragraph?
A) It qualifies and expands the opening sentence.
B) It focuses on qualities Bentham's language lacks. (C) It compares Bentham's skills to those of other writers. (D) It provides an example of a brief digression. (E) It signals a transition in thought from the opening sentence. 2.
Deconstruction of 2007 Multiple Choice Exam
Paul Stevenson, Edison Preparatory School
The 2007 Multiple Choice Exam was published by the College Board in the AP English Language and Composition Workshop Handbook, 2009-10.
Essay 1
This essay is from Section Two of “Bentham” by John Stewart Mills, published in the Westminster Review in 1838. Mills was a proponent of Utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by Jeremy Bentham, the subject of the essay, although Mills’ conception of utilitarianism was very different from Bentham's. Utilitarianism holds that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome, and is often described by the phrase "the greatest good for the greatest number of people." This passage focuses on what Mills perceives as Bentham’s lack of empathy, the ability to emotional identify with other people. Mills ascribes this lack of emotional depth to Bentham’s life which was without the hardships or challenges most people experience.
[pic]
1. In the passage, the author's overall attitude toward Bentham can best be described as
A) grudgingly appreciative
B) cleverly nonjudgmental
C) bitterly disillusioned
D) viciously sarcastic (E) essentially negative 1. Answer: E
This passage focuses on Bentham’s limited vision and is thus essentially negative (E), although it is neither vicious nor sarcastic (D). It is neither bitter nor disillusioned (C). Since it focuses on Bentham’s limitations, it is judgmental (B).
2. Which of the following best describes the function of the second sentence (lines 3-9) in the first paragraph?
A) It qualifies and expands the opening sentence.
B) It focuses on qualities Bentham's language lacks. (C) It compares Bentham's skills to those of other writers. (D) It provides an example of a brief digression. (E) It signals a transition in thought from the opening sentence. 2.