Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

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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!

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What is the primary function of a dirge?

To celebrate a joyous occasion
To express grievance or mourning
To provide a historical account
To inform about societal issues

The correct answer is: To express grievance or mourning

The primary function of a dirge is to express grievance or mourning. A dirge is a mournful song or poem specifically composed to lament the death of an individual. It often captures profound sorrow and reflects on the nature of loss, serving as a way for the bereaved to articulate their grief. This genre is characterized by its somber tone and serious subject matter, aligning closely with themes of death and remembrance. Dirges can play an important role in the rituals surrounding death, helping individuals and communities to process their feelings of loss. The other choices focus on functions that do not align with the essence of a dirge; a celebration of a joyous occasion is contrary to the nature of mourning, while providing historical accounts or informing about societal issues does not relate to the emotional and personal expression of grief that defines dirges.