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📚AP English Literature
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📚AP English Literature

FRQ 1 – Poetry Analysis
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FRQ Types & Units

Each FRQ type tests specific skills taught in particular units. Here's why certain units appear for each question type:

This mapping reflects College Board's exam structure - each FRQ type tests specific skills that are taught in particular units.

Practice FRQ 1 of 491/49

1. In Fenton Johnson's poem "The Marathon Runner," published in 1927, the speaker contemplates the relationship between public achievement and personal fulfillment. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Johnson uses literary elements and techniques to convey the speaker's complex perspective on the tension between earthly fame and spiritual transcendence.

In your response you should do the following:

  • Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation.

  • Select and use evidence to support your line of reasoning.

  • Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.

  • Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

The Marathon Runner

If I have run my course and seek the pearls

My Psyche fain would drink at Mermelon1

And rest content in wine and nectar cup

Who knows but that the gods have found me whole

5

And in their stewardship of man would bless

The sweating lover fickle man once knew?

I know that I might pull the tendon bands

That hold my soul together--ay, might bend

Each nerve and muscle spirit fain would keep--

10

That I might hear the maddening cheers of men

Who when the morrow dawns forget the games

And cast instead the dice in market place.

But I have found sweeter peace than fame;

And in the evening dwell on heights divine,

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Betwixt my lips a rose from Cupid’s hands,

Upon my brow the laurel Belvidere2

Entwines from tree beside the throne of Zeus

And flowing from my speech Athene’s words

Dipped long in wisdom’s fount to heal the soul.

Source: Fenton Johnson, Caroling Dusk, 1927

1 Mermelon: A reference to a mythological or divine location.
2 Belvidere: A title associated with Apollo, the classical god of poetry, music, and prophecy.

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FRQ Directions
Free Response Question Practice

This practice environment simulates the AP AP English Literature Free Response Questions section. Here are some guidelines:

  • Read each question carefullybefore responding. Pay attention to command verbs like "identify," "explain," "analyze," or "evaluate."
  • Use the timer to practice time management. You can pause, restart, or hide the timer as needed.
  • Mark for Review if you want to come back to a question later.
  • Your responses are saved automatically as you type. You can also use the drawing tool for questions that require diagrams or graphs.
  • Use the toolbar for formatting options like bold, italic, subscript, and superscript.
  • Navigate between questions using the Previous and Next buttons at the bottom of the screen.

Tip: Answer all parts of each question. Partial credit is often available, so even if you are unsure, provide what you know.