Free Response Questions FRQs Free Response Questions

FRQ Hints 1, Max Number of Points = 10 2. If you only get to 8 or 9 points, chances are you forgot to respond to some part of some question. 3. I recommend answering the FRQ’s in this order… 4, 1, 3, 2. Question 1 = DBQ. Question 2 = math question Question 3 and 4 = “typical” FRQ’s (i.e. environmental issues)

FRQ Hints, Continued Show all your work on any math question. No work= no credit! Make sure all your answers are on the answer document and not the test booklet. - Use the test booklet to brainstorm only All answers must be in complete sentences! No credit for incomplete sentences!

When the Questions Asks… “identify” = 1 sentence, usually 2) “describe”, “discuss” or “explain” = 3 sentences for each answer. 3) “identify AND describe”, etc. = about 4 sentences!

When the Question Asks… 1. “Environmental” benefit or cost = talk about animals, plants, soil, air, etc. Do not talk about humans! 2. “societal” benefit or cost = talk about people, cities, crops, etc. 3. “what could the government do?” = answer about writing a law or educating the public 4. “economic” benefits or costs… you talk about money and jobs.

When the Question Asks… “human health” effects… you talk about asthma, emphysema, nervous systems issues like birth defects, brain damage, or cancer. These cover most environmental health hazards. If you don’t know the answer– guess!

Dos and Don’ts Do not skip any parts of the FRQ If the question says to give “TWO” reasons… only the first two things you right down are graded If the question says “Identify and describe TWO reasons…” that means that you need 4 sentences for the first reason and another 4 sentences for the second reason… 8 sentences all together!

Dos and Don’ts, cont. Do not restate the question or give an opening paragraph and conclusion. This is NOT an English essay… it is a “free response”… that means short answer, complete answer, complete sentence! Pace yourself… you have approximately 22 minutes for each FRQ.

Dos & Don’ts Do not answer a question with “it is bad for the environment” or it will “harm biodiversity”. These are too vague. You need to explain HOW it is bad for the environment or HOW it will harm biodiversity Be Specific!!

Dos & Donts, cont. Do not answer the FRQ’s with one giant “super paragraph”. Label your answers with 1a. 2c. Etc. That way the grader knows exactly what you are trying to say! Remember that there are environmentalists grading your response…always go with the answer that is best for the environment unless it asks you to do otherwise.

More Hints Go with the most obvious answer. The grader doesn’t give you “extra” points because you know some obscure fact or law that you learned about on Discovery Channel. Try to give the answer that MOST of the nation will give.

More Hints If you don’t know a law… always fall back on the Endangered Species Act, The Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act. These usually work if you can support you answer!