Test taking advice

Back in December 2006 I offered this observation,

"The key to 'doing what you're asked to do' in the AP FRQs is to pay attention to the verbs. I think it's the natural tendency when we're confronted with exam questions to focus on the nouns, i.e. what the question is about. But doing what you're asked to do with those topics is vital for success."

I guess I've offered that advice again.

Good luck on Monday. Relax and sleep well this weekend.

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Question No. 27 (30 April 2009)

Here's Question No. 27:

a. What are two widely-held political values in the United Kingdom? (2 points)

b. How do those values contribute to the stability of a regime without a constitution? (2 points)

(See pp. 60-61 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 26 (29 April 2009)

Here's Question No. 26:

In Russia, voter turnout has declined with each successive presidential election.

a. What are two reasons for the decline in the percentage of citizens voting in the last two presidential elections? (2 points)

b. Explain why falling oil prices would encourage or discourage voting in the next presidential election. (2 points)

(See pp. 75-78 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 25 (28 April 2009)

Here's Question No. 25:


“Establish a peaceful Tianjin, construct a harmonious society.”
创建平安天津，构建和谐社会

In imperial China, collective responsibility was a major political value.
a. What is one way the government or politics of the PRC reinforced that value? (1 point)
b. What is one way the government or politics of the PRC contradicted that value? (1 point)
c. Explain how the current mass line of "creating a harmonious society" reinforces or contradicts collective responsibility. (2 points)

(See pp. 95-97 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 24 (27 April 2009)

Here's Question No. 24:

a. What is an example of how identity politics are reflected in the government or politics of Nigeria? (1 point)
b. What is a factor in Nigerian government or politics that counteracts identity politics? (1 point)
c. Explain why the factor you identified above (in part b), has not overcome the power of identity politics? (2 points)

(See pp. 115-120 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 23 (22 April 2009)

Here's Question No. 23:

a. What are two symbols of Mexican nationalism or national pride? (2 points)
b. Explain why, in 21st century Mexico, the symbolism you identified above is less powerful than it once was. (2 points)

(See pp. 131-133 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 22 (20 April 2009)

(Two weeks until the exam)

Here's Question No. 22:

a. What are two reasons the educated middle class of Iran has so little political power? (2 points)

b. What is an often-cited reason for the decline of political activity among the educated middle class in 2005? (1 point)

c. What is one factor that could offer greater political influence to the middle class in 2009 than they had in 2005 and why would that be so? (2 points)

(See pp. 147-149 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 21 (16 April 2009)

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 21:

a. What is a reason the Iranian Majlis is a representative body? (1 point)

b. What is a reason the Iranian Majlis is not representative? (1 point)

c. What is a major difference between statute law passed by the Majlis and Islamic sharia? (1 point)

(See pp. 139, 143, and 145 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 20 (15 April 2009)

You can submit an answer to this practice question using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 20:

The judicial system in Mexico is slowly undergoing a radical change.

a. What are two characteristics of the traditional inquisitorial legal system? (2 points)

b. What are two advantages often cited for the adversarial system to which Mexico is changing? (2 points)

(See p. 130 in What You Need to Know and Mexico adopts U.S.-style trials in the update section of the book's web site.)

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Question No. 19 (13 April 2009)

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 19:

a. What are two major explanations for the fact that half of the non-agricultural jobs in Nigeria are government jobs? (2 points)

b. Explain one reason why that situation is detrimental to representative democracy in Nigeria? (2 points)

c. Explain one reason why that situation is supportive of representative democracy in Nigeria? (2 points)

(See pp. 109-111 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 18 (10 April 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 18:

a. What are two examples of the parallel structure of government and politics in Chinese government and politics? (2 points)

b. How do the examples you cited help explain the authoritarian dominance of the Communist Party in China? (2 points)

(See pp. 84-86 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 17 (8 April 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 17:

When Putin's presidential terms were over and he became prime minister, he was in a less powerful position than he had been in.

a. What are two formal authorities the president of Russia has that enhance the power of that office? (2 points)

b. What is an informal aspect of Russian politics that enhances the authority Prime Minister Putin has in practice and how does that aspect enlarge the power of Putin? (2 points)

(See p. 70 in What You Need to Know and Russian Election in the Updates section of the book's web site.)

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Question No. 16 (7 April 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 16:

The bureaucracies headquartered along Whitehall Street in London are distinguished by the civil servants who work in them.

a. What is one characteristic of those civil servants that distinguishes them from the politicians in nearby Westminster, the meeting place of the House of Commons? (1 point)

b. Why is that characteristic so desirable of civil servants in a representative democracy? (2 points)

(See pp. 10, 35, and 54 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 15 (6 April 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 15:



A. Describe the logical fallacy discussed in the first (left hand) frame of the cartoon above. (1 point)
B. What is the independent variable mentioned in the third (right hand) frame of the cartoon? (1 point)
C. What is the dependent variable mentioned in the third (right hand) frame of the cartoon? (1 point)
D. What kind of variable would cause the character on the right in the third frame to doubt the efficacy of the statistics class in changing his or her idea expressed in the first frame? (1 point)

(See pages 29-30 and 37-39 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 14 (3 April 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 14:

In the West European tradition, John Locke argued that government should be divided into legislative, executive, and judicial "branches." The Iranian constitution creates some institutions that don't neatly fit into Locke's three branches.

A. Identify two (2) institutions of national government that do NOT clearly belong in a legislative, executive, or judicial branch of Iranian government. (2 points)
B. Explain why each of those institutions do not coincide with Locke's categories. (4 points)

(See pages 144-146 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 13 (2 April 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No.: 13

In 2005, constitutional changes in Russia eliminated single-member districts in elections for the State Duma.
A. What was one of Putin's arguments that this change would strengthen political parties in Russia? (1 point)
B. What was an argument put forward by Putin's critics and opponents that a proportionally-elected legislature would only solidify Putin's hold on political power? (1 point)
C. What was another constitutional change in 2005 that supported Putin's state goal of strengthening parties? (1 point)
D. What was a constitutional change in 2005 that supported the arguments of Putin's opponents about solidifying Putin's power? (1 point)

(See pages 69-70 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 12 (1 April 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 12:

What is one (1) way in which the Basij in Iran are similar to Nashi in Russia? (1 point)

What is one (1) way in which the Basij are different from Nashi? (1 point)

What are two reasons political movements find such quasi-official organizations as the Basij and Nashi politically useful? (2 points)

(See pages 73-74 and 145 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 11 (31 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 11:

What is a major reason the legislature in the Mexican regime holds little political power? (1 point)

What is a major reason the legislature in the Chinese regime holds little political power? (1 point)

In which regime are the limitations on legislative power more effective? Why? (2 points)

(See pages 87 and 129 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 10 (30 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 10:

What position does the head of government hold in the United Kingdom? (1 point)

What position does the head of government hold in Nigeria? (1 point)

Describe one difference and one similarity between the heads of governments' relationship with his respective legislatures? (2 points)

(See pages 54 and 110-11 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 9 (27 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 9:

A. Is the role of ideology more important in the Chinese or Iranian political system? (1 point)
B. What are two reasons for the greater importance of ideology in the country you indicated? (2 points)

This question is not asking for illustrations of the power of ideology. It is asking why ideology is more powerful in one of the political systems.

(See pages 93-97 and 143-145 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 8 (26 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 8:

A. What is an advantage the long history of the British regime gives to elected leaders in the government of the UK? (1 point)
B. What is an advantage the short history of the Nigerian regime gives to the elected leaders in the government of Nigeria? (1 point)
C. Which of the advantages you identified offers more political power to the elected leaders? Why? (2 points)

(See pages 51-53 and 107-109 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 7 (26 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 7:

Revolutions are important in the Mexican and Iranian political cultures.
A. What is a similarity in how the idea of revolution is important in Mexican and Iranian political cultures? (2 points)
B. What is a difference in how the idea of revolution is important in Mexican and Iranian political cultures? (2 points)
C. In which political culture (Mexican or Iranian) is the importance of the idea of revolution most like the importance of the idea in Chinese political culture? Why? (3 points)

(See pages 96-97, 125-127, and 149-150 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 6 (20 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 6:

A. What is meant by "soft power?" (2 points)
B. What is an example of the use of soft power by China? (1 point)
C. What is an example of the use of soft power by Russia? (1 point)

(See pages 41-42, 79, and 98-99 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 5 (19 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 5:

Political scientists distinguish between power and authority.
A. What is the distinction they make? (2 points)
B. Describe an example of that distinction from the politics or government in the United Kingdom. (2 points)
C. Describe an example of that distinction from the politics or government in Iran. (2 points)

(See pages 35 and 40 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 4 (18 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 4:

A. Political scientists want to compare rule of law in Iran with rule of law in China. What are two (2) Iranian political institutions and two (2) Chinese political institutions that would be appropriate for the comparison? (4 points)

B. Why would each of the four institutions you identified be appropriate for such a comparison? (4 points)

(See pages 145-147 and 84-92 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 3 (17 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 3:



Russia and Nigeria are major oil producers. What are two (2) reasons the Russian government is more capable than the Nigerian government of expressing its sovereignty through policies and actions based on energy production? (2 points)

Is the Mexican government more like the Russian or Nigerian government in this regard? Why? (2 points)

(See pages 79 and 122-123 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 2 (16 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 2:

A. Describe two (2) ways that treaties like the EU agreements or NAFTA affect the capacity of states that sign the treaties. (2 points)

B. How do those effects relate to calls for rejection of the EU's Lisbon Treaty or for revisions to NAFTA? (2 points)

(See pages 46, 136, and 154-156 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 1 (13 March 2009)

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

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Here's Question No. 1:

Is the Chinese state more powerful or weaker than the Nigerian state? Explain two (2) reasons for the differences in power between the two states. (3 points)

(See pages 83-84 and 107-109 in What You Need to Know.)

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Coming Attractions 2009

Beginning March 13, I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics each week day until May 1.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) here a week after the question was posted.

No prizes this year (I gave away so few last year). But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.