Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the AP English Literature Exam with challenging questions, detailed explanations, and strategic learning resources. Enhance your literary analysis and critical thinking skills to excel on test day!

Practice this question and more.


What distinguishes an extended metaphor from a regular metaphor?

  1. Its brevity

  2. Its length and frequent occurrence throughout a work

  3. Its reliance on similes

  4. Its specificity to one line of poetry

The correct answer is: Its length and frequent occurrence throughout a work

An extended metaphor is characterized by its length and the way it frequently appears throughout a work, creating a sustained comparison between two unlike things over multiple lines, paragraphs, or even the entire text. This form of metaphor goes beyond a single instance to deepen the reader's understanding and enhance the thematic elements of a literary piece. It builds on the initial metaphorical connection by exploring various aspects and implications of the comparison, making it richer and more complex than a regular metaphor, which typically presents a brief, isolated image or connection. This extended use allows for a more nuanced exploration of the concepts involved, often leaving a lasting impact on the reader.