1. Writing an AP Human Geography FRQ or Free Response Question
Tips and Suggestions as you embark on your first FRQs

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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”.

8. Practice FRQ: 2010

9. 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.

10. 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 • 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

11. 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 • Possible future labor shortage • Greater need to fund elder social safety net (e.g., Social Security)

12. Exam Scores 5 4 3 2 1 Extremely Well Qualified = an A in college
= a B in college 4
Qualified
= a C in college 3
Possibly Qualified
= a D 2
No recommendation 1

13. 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.

14. 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.