AP English 考試小撇步

 

                                                    From Teacher Brian

(加拿大籍外師)

 

 

 

Language

 

Vocabulary: Understanding and using

• Connotation
• Less common usage of common words (battery, obtain, serve)
• Topic-related vocabulary

 

 

Grammar: Understanding and using

• Parallel structures
• Dangling modifiers
• Concision

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing

 

• Using less common, wide ranging, and precise vocabulary and sentence structures
• Describing things with concrete, precise, expressive vocabulary (effective instead of good; delineates instead oftalks about)
• Writing in a proper essay structure: introduction (focused, complete, direction-setting); body paragraphs with a variety of citation and analytical styles; conclusion that relates parts to each other and to the whole
• Describing a text with analytical language (logos, imagery, diction) (SAT and AP)
• Writing a synthesis essay (basing the essay on 3-7 sources) and an opinion essay (AP)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading

 

• Understanding various text types and their structures
• Describing author’s purpose
• Distinguishing main topic from supporting ideas
• Figuring out the meaning of unknown vocabulary from the context and co-text (the words immediately before or after the unknown word)
• Being aware of a wide range of precise adjectives to describe a text, author’s purpose, and author’s tone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test-taking Strategies

 

• Knowing question types and how to find the correct answer among the multiple choices and from within the text
• Using key words from the question to scan and locate the important information in the reading
• Eliminating obviously incorrect answers quickly to save time