AP Human Geography Exam Free Response Expectations Free Response Suggestions

How to answer a Free Response Question??? (or FRQs as they are commonly known)

Free Response Questions (FRQs) Free Response section of exam- 3 questions in 75 minutes (25 min each) Questions will require students to interrelate different topical areas of study Students will be required to analyze and evaluate geographical concepts Questions will be based on various stimuli: Verbal descriptions Maps Charts Diagrams photos

Tips before-hand An AP Human Geography FRQ is NOT an essay. There is no need to provide introductions, a Thesis, or conclusions. *(restate the question to start???) *(A strong final paragraph can certainly add to the essay's overall effect and, in some cases, add points.) You could provide them if it seems useful, but no points are awarded for them. Though difficult in practice, it’s time to learn that you use different writing for It is also NOT a bulleted list of facts. You need to provide a narrative, coherent series of paragraphs, that is convincing. No points are given for bulleted outlines.

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

Student Suggestions Students expected to use analysis and organization to answer FRQs Listing facts is not enough! Draw upon a wealth of knowledge- from readings, discussions, or videos (Keep opinions OUT) Be accurate and concise in your answer- but- be explanative. Use sure fire examples (don’t get too cute!) (Remember: S.P.E.E.R.M.) Although facts are important, you must apply those facts to a variety of topical areas It is also important to understand what the question wants you to do… (next slide)

Question Types Analyze: determine component parts; examine the nature and relationship Assess/Evaluate: judge the value or character of something; evaluate the positive and negative points; give an educated opinion regarding something Compare: examine for the purpose of noting similarities and differences Contrast: examine to show dissimilarities or points of difference Describe: give an account of; provide a word picture Discuss: talk over; write about; consider from various points of view; debate Explain: make clear; provide causes or reasoning; make know in detail

"Most students who do poorly on AP level tests do know much of the information, but are not answering the question correctly.“ --Barbara Ramsey, AP Reader and AP approved trainer

Reading the Question Subject – Find the specifics about the main subject. One part might be regurgitating knowledge, but it’s not going to be a simple spit out information. Number of Parts – How many sections and answers are necessary within the section? +1 Action Words – What are you being asked to do with the subject? Period and Location – Find the exact period and the locations that are requested. Make sure that your answer is within those bounds! ! – Vocabulary words – Look for vocabulary words! Start out that section’s answer by defining them! WHAT UNIT IS THIS FROM???

The big NINE ideas in Geography are: • Location - Where is it? • Distribution - How is it arranged? • Spatial association - This goes with that. • Distance - How far is it? • Region - Common ground • Spatial interaction - How strongly related? • Scale - How big is it? • Movement - Where to next? • Spatial change over time - Before and after

Go Beyond the Basic A question asks you to explain the Dem Trans Model It’s not enough to answer: There are four stages It provides a model for population shifts in a country The four stages are low growth, high growth, etc… Instead you must: Analyze Its relation to economic, social and political factors Explain its irrelevance to the developing world Explain why its more a model for the developed world Explain each stage’s characteristics and the connections to history and/or social movements

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 (try to predict how many!!!!)

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE #1   Don't Panic--when the student sees the question their first response will probably be “OMG I don’t know this!!!” Okay you have one minute to think this and get over it.  Now, take a big breath.  This may be true but somewhere you probably were exposed to some of the elements... Read the question....Underline Parts… break it down... Think of relationships.....

The big NINE ideas in Geography are: • Location - Where is it? • Distribution - How is it arranged? • Spatial association - This goes with that. • Distance - How far is it? • Region - Common ground • Spatial interaction - How strongly related? • Scale - How big is it? • Movement - Where to next? • Spatial change over time - Before and after

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE #2  Always remember to "THINK GEOGRAPHICALLY".   This is a geography test not a history test.   Location, Scale, Place, and Time are important.  

Planning #3 Pre-Plan I don’t care how smart you are (or how smart you think you are.) ALWAYS PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!! In class, do it right on the paper. On the test, do it right in your book. If a point is not clear in your FRQ answer, a reader can refer to your plans to clarify it if you haven’t crossed it out. They don’t grade your plan, but they can use it to clarify something in your FRQ. So NEVER cross anything out, simply check it off!

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE #4  Assume the reader is tired....it is the end of the day...they have been grading since 8:00....Help the reader find the answer.  Label the different sections / parts - start a new paragraph for each part of the question.  Answer ALL Parts! Underline appropriate terms.  For example if the question asks for the definition of a nation......then underline the word nation so the reader can see..."Oh yes here is the definition."   WRITE NEATLY AND CLEARLY!!!!

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ADVICE #5  One last hint---and this comes up at every reading---ANSWER THE QUESTION—(ALL PARTS) don't ramble....yes it is better to try to answer the question instead of leaving it blank....but don't show off....if you have answered the question, don't keep writing in order to tell the reader everything you have learned in AP HGeo this year.