Humanities CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a sonnet?

1. To express powerful emotion

2. To tell a story

3. To memorialize a deceased person

4. To make a political statement

The correct answer is: To express powerful emotion

A sonnet is a form of poetry that originated in Italy and is typically composed of 14 lines. Its main purpose is to express powerful emotions, such as love or grief. While it may also contain elements of storytelling, its main focus is on conveying the speaker's intense feelings or thoughts. It is not typically used to tell a story or memorialize a deceased person, as such purposes would be better served by other forms of literature. Though a sonnet can certainly have a political undertone, its main purpose is to express personal emotions rather than making a political statement. Therefore, the best answer for the purpose of a sonnet is A To express powerful emotion.