1987 AP English Exam

1. C
2. A
3. C
4. E
5. D
6. D
7. A
8. B
9. E
10. C
11. B
12. B
13. C
14. C
15. E
16. A
17. A
18. E
19. E
20. A
21. A
22. C
23. A
24. E
25. C
26. E
27. B
28. C
29. A
30. B
31. C
32. B

   47.  B

   48. C

   49. C

   50. D

   51. B

   52. A

   53. E

   54. B

   55. B

   56. B

   57. C

   58. D

   59. D

   60. B

   61. A

ESSAY QUESTION #1

 As we analyze human history we see that the older generations always find the younger generations to be lost, irresponsible and thoughtless. George Eliot was one of the members of the older generation when she wrote of old leisure in "Adam Bebe" and she had many criticisms for the younger generations. Her views are expressed with the use of personification and irony. 

Old Leisure as Eliot puts it, is now gone and doesn't mean the same thing as the younger generations define leisure as. she believes the new leisure is not leisure at all but activities that are fast paced. Nothing has its down time because their are so many things to amuse people. She described old leisure as "easy, jolly conscience", everything about old leisure was calm, slow and happy where as she describes new leisure to be a fabrication of machines and technology, not real leisure but eagerness instead was created from these technologies. As part of an older generation, Eliot criticized this contrast in times as if it were in her nature to do so, All older generations think younger ones are lost but some how each generations finds its way and goes on to criticize the younger generation below it, Eliot takes this route and expresses herself effectively. 

Eliot, with the use of personification and irony, communicative her points about old leisure versus new adequately  Throughout the passage the reader is introduced to a man who does calm and leisurely activities. This man she speaks of descriptively is no man at all and Eliot just personify the activities one does when being leisurely. This tool showed the readers all that one does when participating in leisure and she adds detail which brings him to life. This method gives a good picture of how people used to enjoy their time. Eliot uses irony to convey here thoughts as well. " Fine old Leisure! Do not be severe upon him and judge him by our modern standard...", This quote has irony written all over it.  She tells us with a sarcastic voice not to judge him because he never had the opportunities that new leisure had. 

Old generations and new ones come and go but one thing is certain the older ones will always ridicule the younger. This is what Eliot did on the subject of leisure, old and new, with the used of personification and irony. 

ESSAY QUESTION #2 

Inhumanity towards other humans is a constant theme in "The Grapes of Wrath". The author shows his disapproval of this theme throughout the book to try to advocate changes in society. The author uses symbolism and examples to get his point across.

In "The Grapes of Wrath", Steinbeck doesn't point to the weather, stars or bad luck to excuse the misfortune of the Joads, he always shows how people are the ones to blame for the struggles they face. Even when weather is to blame, he always points to other humans. The Dust Bowl was causing farmers to stop farming and banks not mother nature kicked them out of their farms. He shows and gives examples of human brutality and injustice towards the poor and respect for the rich. The rich dominating the poor and mistreating them is a part of society Steinbeck does not like. He didn't like how the poor were treated and he saw this through history. The rich dominating the poor. Always. Steinbeck pictured a perfect world where all is good and everyone is equal.  

Steinbeck relays this message with the use of examples and symbolism. Bugs pop out here and there in the book and at one point Joad smashed a bug, crushed the head and flicked it out. The bug is not just a bug but a symbol of the poor. The bug symbolizes the poor while Joad's fingers are the rich.