Name & Period #______________________
AP Human Geography Free Response Introduction
You need to READ all of the instructions. There should be no need for questions, when in doubt, use your
judgment and double check the instructions.
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The AP Human Geography Test (given in May) will have 3 Free Response Questions (FRQ’s).
In class, you will be given 2 FRQ’s to answer within a 45 minute period as one of the tests that cover the
unit. The second test is the following day and multiple choice questions.
FRQ’s are a special type of essay, not really following the essay format.
BE CONCISE when responding to the FRQ, no need for restating question, but rather sentence
responses that are to the point.
An example of an FRQ is below:
1) The notion of time-space convergence has had dramatic impacts on how geographers think of distance.
A) Define time-space convergence and give an example of this process at work in the world today.
B) Describe the effects of this convergence on the level of connectivity between places. Does the
process connect all areas of the globe?
C) Discuss Tobler’s first law of geography as it relates to the notion of time-space convergence.
Does this law still apply and/or will it apply in the future?
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It is not uncommon for at least one FRQ to have at least a map, table, model, or graphic.
It is not uncommon for FRQ to discuss a theories or ask you to compare and contrast things.
You must closely pay attention to the ACTION verbs, or what the prompt is ASKING you to do.
A) Underline key words: Time-Space Convergence, Connectivity, and Tobler’s 1st Law.
B) Figure out what the prompt is asking: Define, describe, and discuss.
 Define – give a definition with an example
 Discuss – define, explain and give examples –
tell me what you know about the topic.
Discussions often expect two sides of an
argument- try to state both sides.
 Identify - List in a sentence
 Explain / Describe – see discuss
 Detailed – see discuss – be specific
 Assumptions – related to models – what are the
rules of the model – accepted as true usually flat
plain and _______.
 Analyze-means to break into parts and discuss
each part. Usually associated with models and
theories.
 Apply – use the model or concept to explain an
event or situation. Should include a description
of principle with examples and details and how
the model works.
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 Process – How and why something exists –
usually has multiple steps. Often leads to a why
there?
 Distribution – where things are located
 Demographic – Population
 Social – Descriptions of society – culture,
people, education, ethnicity, values, medical
conditions
 Economic – relates to how the scarce resources
(money, goods, services, products, jobs) are
used in societies. Usually relates to businesses,
jobs, trade, income and production of goods.
 Political – usually relates to government and
how these governments make decisions and who
makes decisions.
 Correlation (positive or negative) - look for a
relationship (connection) with the data and the
concept / term.
Spend at least FIVE minutes outlining your response. Respond on portion of test with the question,
anything in the lines we have to read and use in grading.
When responding, you MUST outline your response.
A) Example: 1a, 1b, or 1c
Example Response:
1a) Time-space convergence is the idea that distance between places is shrinking due to certain
improvements in transportation and communication technologies. (I just DEFINED the term). An
example of this process is that in today’s world where people travel a lot more international than in
the past. Flights are more inexpensive and can get almost anywhere in the world in a short period of
time (I just provided an example). Another example includes the use of computers to commute from
home for work or work with international offices. (I just gave a second example, which is what you
should always do).
1b) Connectivity between places increases as a result of development of better technologies that allow
for establishing connections (I described WHY as part of my discussion). Communication technologies
such as the telephone, internet, and fax machines allow almost instantaneous connection between
cities and persons throughout the globe (I provided SPECIFIC examples, even though it did not ask for
them). In countries that do not have easy access to the internet and telephones, such as Chad,
connectivity is not as strong as it is in some places (I made sure to answer the specific question and also
provide an example of why connectivity has not reached all places).
1c) Tobler’s first law states that everything is related but near things are more closely related (I
defined the term). Increasing connectivity between places, using time-reducing technologies, certain
places that are far apart are becoming more related. As the world become increasingly
interconnected, this law will lose potency as distance does not impede global interactions.
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In-class; we will ALWAYS give you a FRQ that some-how pertains to the reading. Terms maybe
different, but you have to connect the concepts. The question above applies directly to our course work
so far.
On the AP test, the FRQ will ALWAYS come from one of the seven units that we did.
When in doubt: Claim (answer the question), Explain/Define key terms, and give GEOGRAPHIC
examples.
A quick note about Multiple Choice Questions:
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There will be 58 questions in a 45 minute period for your in class Multiple Choice Test (MCT).
The actual AP test will have 75 questions in a 1 hour period.
The questions have five possible answers.
Examples (I’ve bolded and underlined the answers, that won’t be on the test)
1) Lines of longitude
A) Never meet
B) Begin at the Equator
C) Are referred to as parallels
D) Intersect at the poles
E) Contain two tropics
2) Which of the following is NOT a measure of
relative distance?
A) 2,339 centimeters
B) 35 seconds
C) Two dollars and fifty cents
D) 216 footsteps
E) 15 minutes
3) Which of the following is NOT a good example
of a barrier to spatial diffusion?
A) A mountain range
B) A different language
C) A different dietary preference
D) A highway system
E) A strict religious system
Name & Period #: ____________________________
Answer the following question and turn in JUST THIS SHEET at the end of the class period. You MAY
use your textbook and notes to answer this question. Write your answer on the LINED portion and make
sure you LABEL the question correctly.
1) One way that geographers analyze spatial patterns is to divide the earth into regions.
A) Define formal regions, functional regions, and perceptual regions.
B) Give a specific example of a formal region and explain how its formal characteristics
distinguish it from other formal regions.
C) Compare and contrast functional regions and perceptual region.
(Normally this lined portion will be on a different sheet of paper)
Reviewed by_____________________________________________________________________