Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Which option best defines a "double entendre"?

1. A phrase with a hidden meaning

2. A word with two interpretations

3. A rhetorical question

4. A line of poetry with multiple themes

The correct answer is: A word with two interpretations

The definition of a "double entendre" is best captured by the notion of a word or phrase that has two interpretations, typically where one interpretation is more straightforward and the other is often more suggestive or risqué. This linguistic device plays on the dual meanings and can create humor, irony, or suggestiveness in literature and conversation. The nuance lies in how the dual interpretations interact, with one often being more innocuous while the other may imply something deeper or salacious. In contrast, while a phrase with a hidden meaning may sound similar to the correct answer, it does not specifically highlight the aspect of having two distinct interpretations that coexist. A rhetorical question does not fit within the parameters of a double entendre, as it is intended to provoke thought rather than convey layered meanings. Similarly, a line of poetry with multiple themes describes a broader concept of thematic complexity without emphasizing the two-fold interpretation characteristic of double entendres. Thus, recognizing a double entendre as a word or phrase with two interpretations captures its essence effectively.