High School

AP Lang Ronald Reagan Speech MCQ:

The syntax of lines 56-61 can best be described as:

A) Parallel
B) Simple
C) Interrogative
D) Concise

Answer :

Final answer:

Without the exact text, an exact determination of the syntax for lines 56-61 of Ronald Reagan's speech cannot be made. However, using parallelism as a potential syntactic device from a similar context, A) Parallel would be an educated guess.

Explanation:

The question asks about the syntax of specific lines from a Ronald Reagan speech, in the context of an MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) for an AP Language or AP Lang course. The syntax of any passage of text pertains to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

In the world of rhetoric, and in particular in speech writing, certain syntactic devices are used to create emphasis, make ideas more memorable, or to help organize thoughts. Given the context provided, which mentions that Kennedy uses parallelism to organize his support for certain ideas, we can infer that the same rhetorical device could apply to Reagan's speech.

Parallel syntax involves using components in a sentence that are grammatically similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter. This similarity makes it easier for the audience to follow the speaker's points and provides a rhythm that can be quite compelling. In contrast, simple syntax would refer to basic sentence structures with a clear, singular main clause.

An interrogative syntax would be made up of questions, which Reagan's speech might use to engage the audience or make them think critically. A concise syntax would mean the language is brief and to the point, without extraneous words or phrases.

Bearing this in mind, without having the exact text of lines 56-61 of Reagan's speech, an accurate determination can't be made. However, based on the provided context of how parallelism is used similarly in Kennedy's speeches, one could make an educated guess that the syntax of lines 56-61 of Reagan's speech would also be A) Parallel. This is not the definitive answer but rather an inference based on the information given.