Transcript Writing an AP Human Geography FRQ or Free Response Question

Writing an AP Human
Geography FRQ or Free
Response Question
Tips and Suggestions as you
embark on your first FRQs
The AP Human Geo test
has two sections:
50%
Multiple Choice - 75 questions in 60 min.
50% FRQ – 3 questions, must answer all 3 in
75 minutes
–48 seconds per multiple choice question
–25 minutes per FRQ (each FRQ is 1/6th of AP grade)
The FRQ is different than an essay!
Answer
the free response question that you know you
know for sure FIRST!
Underline all required parts of the prompt.
–If it says define, just define the term
–If is says define and explain – you need to do both to
receive points.
–There is no need for a thesis statement!
–Don’t overdo it by adding extraneous information or facts
that don’t directly apply to answering the questions.
Some
FRQs rely on knowledge of specific vocabulary
(Cornell notes can be very helpful for preparation)
–You need to know your vocabulary.
–Vocabulary is crucial for scoring highly on FRQs
AP Grading Rubrics
Identify and define points are usually worth 1
point. Clear cut.
 Discuss, explain, analyze elements of questions
sometimes have 2 points associated with these
words. This allows the scorer to differentiate a
more in depth (2 pts) versus limited discussion
(1 pt) of the topic.
 So, a question might have 4 or 5 points as the
high score

Outline Format for FRQs
1. The South region of the United States, it is argued,
persists as a region which is different from other U.S.
regions.
a. Identify some of the material and
nonmaterial cultural attributes
associated with this region.
b.Discuss possible boundaries of the
region and what you would use to
establish the boundaries.
c. In your opinion, is the South
becoming more or less like the rest of
the country? Give evidence for your
opinion.
Outline Format for FRQs
1. a. Examples of material culture in the South include BBQ, football
stadiums, line dancing, country music, deep fried pickles. Examples of
non-material culture in the South include Friday Night Lights football,
Baptists, Catholics, and a mild climate.
b. I believe that the boundaries of the South as a region should
include all states that fought for the South during the Civil War.
Therefore, all states that are South of the Mason-Dixon line should be
considered to be part of the South. Regions have things in common,
and the food, religion, history and physical climate of these southern
states all help to unite them as The South.
c. In my opinion, the South is becoming more like the rest of the
country due to internal migration of Americans from the colder
Northern states to the warmer Southern states in search of better
jobs. Also, globalization has eroded some of the traditional folk
culture of the South, like Appalachian music in the Smoky Mountains
and storytelling where elders pass along traditional stories from one
generation to the next. Now, popular music is diffused on the radio or
on MTV to young people and folk culture is dying out.
Free Response Questions

You must write in complete sentences, but
it does not need to be a formal essay.

If you are given three parts to a question
(A,B,C…) organize your answers in the
same way

You may NOT bullet your answers… even
if they ask to “list”.
Practice FRQ: 2010
The population pyramids above represent two countries at different stages of
the demographic transition
and economic development.
Part A (2 points)
Explain the demographic characteristics of each country above with respect to
the demographic
transition model.
• Must mention Stage 2 (second or early expanding stage) AND elaborate
briefly about its
characteristics, such as high birth rate, falling death rate, youthful population,
developing
country.
Country A
• It is not acceptable to suggest Stages 1 or 3 for Country A.
• Must mention Stage 4 (fourth, final, or low stationary stage) AND elaborate
briefly about its
characteristics, such as low birth rate, low death rate, aging population,
developed country.
Country B
• It is acceptable to mention a possible Stage 5 (fifth stage) for Country B.
Part B (2 points)
Discuss ONE positive impact of EACH country’s population structure on its
economic development.
Country A
• Expanding or large workforce
(1 point)
• Youthful population, which can spark creativity, receptivity to change, etc.
• Less need for immigrant labor
• Less need for elder social safety net (e.g., Social Security)
Country B
• Educated (skilled, experienced, etc.) workforce
(1 point)
• Low youth dependency ratio
• More women in the compensated workforce
• Tendency to spend discretionary income on needs other than education
• Might need immigrant labor, which would allow citizens to take higher-order
jobs
Part C (2 points)
Discuss ONE negative impact of EACH country’s population structure on its economic
development.
Country A
• High youth dependency ratio
(1 point)
• Strain on resources, the environment or society owing to rapid population growth
• Low literacy rate for women
• Fewer women in the compensated workforce
Country B
• High elder dependency ratio
(1 point)
• Possible future labor shortage
• Greater need to fund elder social safety net (e.g., Social Security)
Exam Scores
5
• Extremely Well Qualified
• = an A in college
4
• Well Qualified
• = a B in college
3
• Qualified
• = a C in college
2
• Possibly Qualified
•=aD
1
• No recommendation
How to score highly

Bulleted responses are discouraged - they
may get some credit but:
– A bulleted response has never received full
credit on the exam.
Put your answer in outline form which
follows the format of the question
 Answers should be in narrative format.

Think on your feet!
You
can still score points on the FRQs, even if
you don’t know a ton about the question
–Stay calm
–Think through it
–Read the entire question for clues
- You can only add to your score on an FRQ – no
points will be subtracted.