Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

What defines a palindrome?

1. A word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward

2. A poem with irregular meter

3. A story that teaches a moral

4. A literary device comparing two unlike things

The correct answer is: A word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward

A palindrome is defined as a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of characters that reads the same forward and backward. This definition emphasizes the symmetry and structure inherent in palindromic forms, such that regardless of the direction from which they are read, they maintain the same sequence. Examples include single words like "racecar" or phrases like "A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!" In contrast, the other options represent different literary or poetic forms. The second option refers to a form of poetry characterized by a lack of a consistent metrical structure, while the third option describes a fable or parable with a didactic purpose. The fourth option deals with similes or metaphors that draw comparisons between unrelated elements. Each of these definitions diverges fundamentally from that of a palindrome, which is specifically about congruence in the reading of sequences.