AP Test Answering difficult questions and FRQs

About the Questions The questions are about the same material the multiple choice questions cover, but they ask for quite a bit of specific information to be pulled together, organized, and presented coherently.   They are often long and detailed themselves, doing their best to spell out exactly what is expected from your answer.  

FRQ #1 Presidents are generally thought to have advantages over Congress in conducting foreign policy because of the formal and informal powers of the presidency. (a) Identify two formal constitutional powers of the President in making foreign policy. (b) Identify two formal constitutional powers of Congress in making foreign policy. (c) Identify two informal powers of the President that contribute to the President’s advantage over Congress in conducting foreign policy. (d) Explain how each of the informal powers identified in (c) contributes to the President’s advantage over Congress in conducting foreign policy.

How to answer this: Step 1: the question is asking to identify the formal and informal powers of the president and the congress, and give an explanation of how the president can take advantage of congress via informal powers. Step 2: Identify what the formal and informal powers of congress are acceptable answers include: Formal powers of the president: Commander-in-chief; power to commit   troops; Appointment of ambassadors and foreign policy official; Negotiate/make treaties; Recognition of nations; Receive ambassadors and other public ministers Formal powers of Congress: Confirm ambassadors; Power of purse in military/foreign policy matters; Declare war; Pass laws/resolutions re: foreign policy issues; Regulate foreign commerce (including trade agreements); Ratify treaties

FRQ #2 The concept of ‘divided government’ in the United States means that one political party can control the executive branch while another controls the legislative branch.  This poses problems for the President in making appointments to federal offices.   (a) Describe two problems that divided government poses for the President in making federal appointments.   (b) Identify and explain two ways Presidents try to overcome the problems described in (a).

How to Answer Part A: (problems posed for Presidents): Simple, declarative statements describing several of the following:greater policy conflict likely/ideological conflict narrows the field of potential candidates offices go unfilled harder to get congressional/Senate/legislature approval/confirmation/ratification of appointments (House not acceptable) more frequent character attacks on nominees Senatorial courtesy does not apply Part B: Explanation must answer how Presidents’ efforts work to overcome problems. Reference to approval/ratification/confirmation must include reference to Senate/Congress/legislature; House is NOT acceptable)generate public support (including use of media) compromise on choices (ideological compromise) building coalitions in Congress deal making (e.g. veto as threat) making interim recess appointments.

Answering difficult multiple choice questions

Key Tips to Answering Questions: Read the question thoroughly.  It’s very easy to answer part of the question but not the whole question, as it is easy to slightly misunderstand the question and answer in a way that misses the point. Outline your response thoroughly before you begin.  Check for completeness, logical order, and coherency.  Think hard about all the possible examples and reasons you can come up with.  Cross out what you choose not to include. As you begin writing, get right to the point.  Flowery, stylistic introductions don’t hold any sway here. Sentences should be clear, concise, and purposeful.  Try your best to say things in a powerful way, so that your statements drive home the answer you are giving. Double check that you have completely answered everything the question asks

Which of the following best describes the primary formal role of the attorney general? A. Providing legal advice for the president and cabinet secretaries B. Serving as a liaison between the president and the Supreme Court C. Serving as the chief executive officer of the Department of Justice D. Directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) E. Persuading the Senate to confirm the president's judicial nominees Correct answer: (C) Serving as chief executive officer of the Department of Justice

Which of the following is an example of presidential use of inherent powers? A. George H. W. Bush's appointment of Clarence Thomas B. Bill Clinton's line-item veto of some congressionally authorized funds to the  states C. Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase D. Woodrow Wilson's signing of the Treaty of Versailles E. Dwight Eisenhower's deployment of troops to Arkansas Correct Answer: (C) Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase

A fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy lies in its... A. role in moving legislation out of the sub-committees B. role in mediating interstate conflicts C. Ability to convince Congress to fund most projects it supports D. Ability to mobilize public opinion in support of legislative initiatives E. Ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress Correct Answer: (E) Ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress