AP English Language and Composition - Section II - Free-Response Questions 2 Hours 15 Minutes

Sep 20, 2026

AP English Language and Composition Section II provides three free-response questions to be answered in essay form over 2 hours and 15 minutes. The section assesses clarity and effectiveness in addressing assigned prompts, as well as writing quality. Timing guidance is given for synthesis, rhetorical analysis, and argument tasks. Question 1 requires synthesis across six sources, with evidence integrated through quotation, paraphrase, or summary, and sources clearly identified by label or description.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Section II: Time and Directions

Question 1 (Synthesis)

Sources A–F

2026 AP® English Language and Composition Free-Response Questions © 2026 College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered [trademarks of College Board. Visit College Board on the web: collegeboard.org](trademarks of College Board. Visit College Board on the web: collegeboard.org). AP Central is the official online home for [the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org](the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org). ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION SECTION II TIME – 2 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES Directions: Section II has 3 free-response questions and lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes. This section of the exam requires answers in essay form. Each essay will be judged on its clarity and effectiveness in dealing with the assigned topic and on the quality of the writing. You may pace yourself as you answer the questions in this section, or you may use these optional timing recommendations: • Question 1 (Synthesis): approximately 15 minutes reading the question, analyzing and evaluating the sources, and planning your answer, and 40 minutes writing your answer • Question 2 (Rhetorical Analysis): approximately 40 minutes writing your answer • Question 3 (Argument): approximately 40 minutes writing your answer You may use scratch paper for notes and planning, but credit will only be given for responses entered in this application. Text you enter as an annotation will not be included as part of your answer. You can go back and forth between questions in this section until time expires. The clock will turn red when 5 minutes remain—the proctor will not give you any time updates or warnings. Note: This exam was originally administered digitally. It is presented here in a format optimized for teacher and student use in the classroom. 1. Napping, or getting brief intervals of sleep during the day, is practiced by many people who are unable to get the recommended number of hours of sleep per night. In some countries, stores and restaurants customarily close during midday hours to allow citizens to take a nap. Some argue that napping encourages productivity and provides health benefits. However, others argue that naps might actually limit productivity or leave individuals still feeling sleepdeprived. Carefully read the following six sources, including the introductory information for each source. Write an essay that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources and develops your position on the value, if any, of napping. Source A (Guy article) Source B (graph from Sommer) Source C (Basu article) Source D (Michigan State University article) Source E (Cassidy article) Source F (Tullo photo) In your response you should do the following: • Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position. • Select and use evidence from at least three of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sources may be cited as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the description in parentheses. • Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning. • Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument. Source A Guy, Jack.“Daytime Naps May Be Good for Our Brains, Study Says.” CNN Health, 20 June 2023, [www.cnn.com/2023/06/20/health/daytime-naps-brain-health-scli-intl-wellness](www.cnn.com/2023/06/20/health/daytime-naps-brain-health-scli-intl-wellness). The following is excerptedfrom an online article published by an American national media outlet. Taking daytime naps may help maintain brain health as we age, according to a new study. However, prior research has shown that excess napping can also be harmful. Habitual napping was linked with larger total brain volume, which is associated with a lower risk of dementia and other diseases, according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of the

FAQs

What is the required format and grading focus for Section II responses?

Responses must be written as essays. Grading emphasizes clarity and effectiveness in addressing the assigned topic, along with the quality of writing.

How many questions are in Section II, and what is the total time?

Section II contains 3 free-response questions and lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes.

What does Question 1 require regarding sources and evidence?

Question 1 requires synthesizing material from at least three of six provided sources and developing a position on the value, if any, of napping, using evidence with clear source identification.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Berry Peter