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📚AP English Literature
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📚AP English Literature

FRQ 1 – Poetry Analysis
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Guided Practice

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.

Why are some FRQs missing?

For this first release, we focused on FRQs that:

  • We already have stimulus materials for (i.e. history/English)
  • Don't require stimulus materials at all
  • Use stimulus that can be generated with AI (like science data sets)

We also skipped FRQs that require audio playback or speaking responses for now.

Our goal is to eventually have practice available for every FRQ type across all AP subjects. We're actively working to add more!

Practice FRQ 1 of 491/49
1. In Waring Cuney's poem "Dust," published in 1927, the speaker addresses contemporary society while reflecting on the history of ancient empires. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Cuney uses literary elements and techniques to convey the speaker's complex perspective on the transience of human civilization.
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.
Dust
DUST
Dust,
Through which
Proud blood
5
Once flowed.
Dust,
Where a civilization
Flourished.
Dust,
10
The Valley of the Nile,
Dust,
You proud ones, proud of the skill
With which you play this game--Civilization;
Do not forget that it is a very old game.
15
Men used to play it on the banks
Of the Tigris and the Euphrates
When the world was a wilderness.
There is a circle around China
Where once a wall stood.
20
Carthage is a heap of ashes.
And Rome knew the pomp and glory
You know now.
The Coliseum tells a story
The Woolworth Building1 may repeat.
25
Dust,
Pharaohs and their armies sleep there.
Dust,
Shall it stir again?
Will Pharaohs rise and rule
30
And their armies march once more?
_Civilization continually shifts
Upon the places of the earth._
Source: Waring Cuney, Caroling Dusk, 1927
1 Woolworth Building: A skyscraper in New York City that was the tallest building in the world at the time the poem was written.
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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 carefully before 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.