MC Answers and Review (Claims and Evidence)
5 min read•november 19, 2021
AP English Language ✍🏽
224 resourcesSee Units
Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Claims and Evidence
Image from PrepScholar Blog
⛔STOP!⛔ Before you look at the answers make sure you gave this practice quiz a try so you can assess your understanding of the concepts covered in unit 1. Click here for the practice questions: AP English Language Claims and Evidence Multiple Choice Questions.
Facts about the test: The AP English Language exam has 45 multiple choice questions and you will be given 1 hour to complete the section. That means it should take you around 20 minutes to complete 15 questions.
*The following questions were not written by CollegeBoard and although they cover information outlined in the AP English Language Course and Exam Description the formatting on the exam may be different.
1. What is a claim?
A. A defensible position about a given topic.
B. Reasons proving something is valid and true.
C. Opinions about a topic.
D. Analysis linking the evidence together.
Answer: A claim is the position made in regards to a given topic. The evidence supports the claim, and the role of the analysis is to link these pieces.
2. Which of the following best describes the role of evidence?
A. Opinions about a topic.
B. A position about a given topic.
C. Valid and sound support for a given claim.
D. Analysis linking the evidence together.
Answer: Evidence is the support for a given claim. Evidence can come in a variety of forms -- testimony, statistics, examples -- but "opinions" isn't the right answer because strong evidence should be valid and sound while opinions are still arguable.
3. A claim might be presented as a fact even if it is really an opinion.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
Answer: An argument presented with authority will rely on claims of fact even when, at first glance, it looks like it could be an opinion statement. The role of the evidence is to support the claim in a manner that builds support and helps to achieve the desired audience movement.
4. Which of the following are strong examples of evidence for an argument?
A. Statistics and data points
B. Specific examples and real-world scenarios
C. Testimony and personal experience
D. All of the above.
Answer: Each of these examples can be used to help support a claim as evidence as evidence can be both qualitative and quantitative. If you are looking for an acronym to help, remember REHUGO.
5. Addressing the counterclaim usually increases the strength of the argument being made.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
Answer: When you address the counterclaim, you can increase the strength of your argument because you are exposing the limitations or faulty elements of the opposition.
6. Which of the following are ways to address opposition in an argument?
A. Concession
B. Refutation
C. State other positions.
D. All of the above.
Answer: The opposition is the counterargument, and this can be addressed through direct statement of other positions, conceding that part of an issue is true or valid, or refuting the validity or soundness of a position.
7. How does reasoning function in regards to the claim and evidence?
A. It draws the audience's attention to the call to act.
B. It supports the claim with evidence.
C. It brings emphasis to the logical fallacies in an argument.
D. It gives a logical connection between the evidence and claims presented in an argument.
Answer: This is the definition of reasoning.
8. Which of the following is a claim statement?
A. The AP Language exam is scheduled for 12 May.
B. Fiveable is the best way to self-study for an AP exam.
C. Mrs. Kirk has brown hair.
D. This information comes from the College Board website.
Answer: While "Fiveable is" feels like an opinion, it is set up in a manner that indicates evidence is coming to support the claim. The other three options are simple facts that are easily proven rather than defensible.
9. Which of the following best describes a rebuttal?
A. A specific claim against the opposition's claim.
B. A defensible position about a given topic.
C. To admit that something is true or partly true.
D. Analysis linking the evidence together.
Answer: A rebuttal is intended to address the counterargument by making a specific claim about a claim on the opposition side.
10. What is deliberative argument?
A. An argument that deals with actions that have occurred in the past.
B. An argument that focuses on the current situation of praise and blame.
C. An argument that focuses on the future and typically deals with policy.
D. An argument used in any tense that is intentionally broken into logical chunks of persuasive purposes.
Answer: Though the occasions for argument can overlap, a deliberative argument typically addresses what should be done in the future and might includes elements such as proposals, bills, regulations, and mandates. Bonus tip: Jay Heinrichs, a known rhetorician, argues that the most effective argument is one that shifts into the future tense.
11. What is epideictic argument?
A. An argument that deals with actions that have occurred in the past.
B. An argument that focuses on the current situation of praise and blame.
C. An argument that focuses on the future and typically deals with policy.
D. An argument used in any tense that is intentionally broken into logical chunks of persuasive purposes.
Answer: Though the occasions for argument can overlap, an epideictic argument typically addresses current situations in terms of who deserves praise or blame. This includes elements such as eulogies, graduation speeches, inaugural addresses, roasts.
12. What is forensic argument?
A. An argument that deals with actions that have occurred in the past.
B. An argument that focuses on the current situation of praise and blame.
C. An argument that focuses on the future and typically deals with policy.
D. An argument used in any tense that is intentionally broken into logical chunks of persuasive purposes.
Answer: Though the occasions for argument can overlap, a forensic argument tends to focus on what happened in the past and involves court decisions, legal briefs, legislative hearings, investigative reports, and academic studies.
13. Which of the following best describes qualitative evidence?
A. Evidence based on reason, tradition, precedent, or logic.
B. Evidence based on criteria that can be measured numerically.
Answer: Qualitative evidence includes more abstract or complicated issues that generally cannot be measured or represented in a numerical manner.
14. Which of the following best describes quantitative evidence?
A. Evidence based on reason, tradition, precedent, or logic.
B. Evidence based on criteria that can be measured numerically.
Answer: Quantitative evidence includes criteria that is measured, counted, or objectively demonstrated, and this involved some sort of numerical value or statistic.
15. The best claims are effective because the evidence is built on the speaker's knowledge of the rhetorical situation.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE
Answer: As with any claim, the analysis of the rhetorical situation can help a speaker determine what the audience needs in order to adjust the content of the argument to create the desired audience movement.
What can we help you do now?
🦘Jump to AP English Language Reasoning and Organization Multiple Choice Questions
🤝 Connect with other students studying AP English Language with Hours
Browse Study Guides By Unit
🧠Exam Skills
📑Exam Review - Synthesis Essay
📝Exam Review - Rhetorical Analysis Essay
💬Exam Review - Argument Essay
🧐 Multiple Choice Questions
📆Big Reviews: Finals & Exam Prep
🥇Unit 1 – Claims, Reasoning, & Evidence
🗂️Unit 2 – Organizing Information for a Specific Audience
👀Unit 3 – Perspectives & How Arguments Relate
🔚Unit 4 – How writers develop arguments, intros, & conclusions
🎀Unit 5 – How a writer brings all parts of an argument together
👥Unit 6 – Position, Perspective, & Bias
🥊Unit 7 – Successful & Unsuccessful Arguments
😎Unit 8 – Stylistic Choices
😈Unit 9 – Developing a Complex Argument
© 2023 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.