Successful FRQs

One more bit of old advice from a 2006 blog entry:

AP Comparative Gov and Politics FRQs

While I'm on the subject of AP exams, let me add one more thing.

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...

See the rest of the entry for more advice and encouragement.

And good luck tomorrow afternoon.

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Advanced Placement exams

Here's some of what I wrote for the Teaching Comparative blog back at the end of 2006. It's still good advice.

Since the early '90s, the written part of the AP exam has been called the "Free Response" (or FRQ, for Free Response Questions) section, not the essay section. Nonetheless, many teachers and students have continued to use "essay" when discussing the written half of the exam...

My advice to students in the face of changes remains the same. "Do what you're asked to do in the question." And "Answer the question that's asked."

Former chief reader for AP Government, Dr. Joe Stewart of Clemson University (quoted on p. 23 of my book) and Alberta provincial standardized test assessors both note that students often try to answer questions they expect rather than the questions they confront. That's never a good idea.

Students can do more than they're asked to do -- like write formal essays -- but they will only be graded on the specifics to which they are asked to respond.

Readers (those wonderful people who devote an eight-day week each June to grading the FRQs) are looking for relevant and accurate responses.

Students do not earn points for anything else.

Tips for FRQs

While you're waiting for exam day to roll around, here are some FRQ writing hints. They come from Mr. Frank Franz, who teaches at Madison HIgh School in Vienna, Virginia. He sent them to the teachers Electronic Discussion Group (EDG) for AP teachers.

I think these ideas are excellent. The only thing I’d add to the list would be to paraphrase the question as an introduction. In the last couple years some rubrics have insisted that responses have introductions that label what is being discussed.

Here's what Mr. Franz wrote,

Here's the strategy I place on every FRQ I give my students. I believe it helps them focus on the questions and will help them earn as high of a score as possible. Some of these ideas are my own and some are from colleagues who have served as readers and table leaders.

Free Response Strategy

• Mark-up the question.
• Count up how many points you are trying to earn. (Look for number references, count the verbs)
• Write as many sentences as there are points.
• Write simple, declarative sentences.
• Answer the question asked. Nothing else.
• Answer every part of the question.
• Look for time references, patterns, and passage of time.
• Do not argue with the premise of the prompt.
• Add an extra response just in case.
• Answer the question in the order asked.
• Skip a line between parts, but do not label.

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(See pp. 15-23 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 24

Here's Question No. 24 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

The study of comparative government and politics relies on case studies.

Define case study.

Identify a hypothetical case study that could be used to compare two political systems.

What is a factor that would most likely make it difficult to reach meaningful generalizations from the use of that case study.

Why would that factor create difficulties in making meaningful generalizations? (4 point question)

(See pp. 27-31 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 23

Here's Question No. 23 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is a characteristic of a nation-state in which a regime with separation of powers would be successful?

Why would that characteristic facilitate a regime with separation of powers?

What is a characteristic of a nation-state in which a regime with a fusion of powers would be successful?

Why would that characteristic facilitate a regime with a fusion of powers? (4 point question)


(See pp. 38, 41, 53-58, 70-72, 128-131, and 144-147 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 22

Here's Question No. 22 (It's a Country Context question.):

Pragmatism is often used to describe the common approach to politics in the United Kingdom.

What is pragmatism?

Describe one way in which the National Health Service in the UK was a result of pragmatic politics?

Describe one way in which Tony Blair's "Third Way" or "New Labour" was a result of pragmatic politics? (5 point question)


(See pp. 51-53, 57-58, and 60-62 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 21

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 21 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Peoples Republic of China have all used import substitution to one degree or another.

Using ONE of those four countries as an example
• describe a specific goal the country had for import substitution
• evaluate the success that country had in reaching that goal
and
• describe a factor that is discouraging the use of import substitution now.


(See pp. 38, 97-98, 111, 121-123, 127-128, 136-137, 142, and 149-151 in What You Need to Know. This is a 4-point question)

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Question No. 20

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 20 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

What are two forces impinging on the sovereignty of nation-states in the 21st century?

Briefly describe how each of those forces limits nation-states' sovereignty?

What is one way in Russia has resisted a force limiting its exercise of sovereign power?

What is one way in Iran has resisted a force limiting its exercise of sovereign power? (6 point question)


(See pp. 42, 65-69, 78-79, 14-=144, 149-151, and 154 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 19

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 19 (It's a Country Context question.):

What is an example of transparent public policy-making in the Iranian regime?

What is an example of public policy-making in Iran that is done outside of public purview?

Describe two pieces of evidence or lines of reasoning that support the idea that most policy-making in Iran is NOT done in transparent ways. (4 point question)


(See parts 3 and 6 of chapter 11 on Iran in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 18

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for the question.

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Here's Question No. 18 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is a primary vehicle for political recruitment in the Peoples Republic of China?

What is a primary vehicle for political recruitment in Nigeria?

What is a reason that the method for recruiting political leadership in one of these countries is more democratic than the method you identified in the other country? (4 point question)


(See pp. 41, 92-96, and 113-119 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 17

You can submit a response 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. It will be in the "Comments" section for this question.

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Here's Question No. 17 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What are two primary distinctions between a federal state and a unitary state?

What is the primary difference between federalism and devolution in a unitary state? (3 point question)


(See pp. 37, 45, 62, 107-110, and 121 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 16

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 16 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

Political scientists endeavor to maintain an empirical point of view when comparing political systems.

What are two reasons that is an important endeavor for political scientists?

If political scientists used normative analyses when comparing political systems, what is one way you would expect the results of their comparisons to be different from when they used empirical analyses? (4 point question)


(See pp. 25-27, 37, and 39 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 15

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 15 (It's a Country Concept question.):

In Iran, velayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) was intended to keep religious leaders in charge while representing the will of the people.

Identify two ways that the revolutionary regime created under velayat-e faqih was intended to represent the will of the people.

Explain one way in which that regime was designed to prevent populism from overwhelming the "guardianship" of the religious leader. (4 point question)


(See pp. 140-147 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 14

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 14 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is a material manifestation of political culture in the UK?

What effect does it have on the political culture?

What is an immaterial manifestation of political culture in the UK?

What effect does it have on the political culture? (4 point question)


(See pp. 51-58 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 13

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 13 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

Urbanization can be a powerful political force. It's a notable process in Mexico, China, and Nigeria.

What are two political changes related to urbanization in one of those countries?

How is urbanization related to those changes in that country?

What is one action government in that country has taken to encourage or discourage urbanization?

How is that action intended to promote or inhibit urbanization? (6 point question)


(See pp. 126-127, 131-132, and 135-137 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 12

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 12 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Would you expect to find more catch-all parties or more ideological parties in a regime that had an electoral system in which pluralities were all that was necessary for victory?

What about a plurality system would encourage the kind of party you expect to find?

What is a real-world example of a party of the type you'd expect to find? Does the regime in that country have a plurality electoral system? (4 point question)


(See pp. 40 and 47-48 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 11 (for Monday 12 April)

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 11 (It's a Country Context question.):

When cleavages coincide with one another, theory asserts, they reinforce one another.

Identify two coinciding demographic cleavages in Nigeria.

Do those cleavages reinforce one another? Why or why not? (4 point question)


(See pp. 115-119 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 10

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 10 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Political legitimacy is of great benefit to regimes and governments.

What is political legitimacy?

What is an economic policy of most Mexian governments that promotes political legitimacy? Why does that policy promote political legitimacy? (3 point question)

(See pp. 39 and 136-137 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 9

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. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 9 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

A bureaucracy is necessary in any regime to implement policy, but bureaucrats are not expected to make policy. Why are they not expected to make policy?

What is a primary way the regime in the Peoples Republic of China separates implementing policy from making policy?

What is a primary way the regime in Iran separates implementing policy from making policy? (4 point question)


(See part 3 in chapters 8 and 11 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 8 (for Wednesday, 7 April)

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 in the "Comments" section for that question.

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Here's Question No. 8 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Which of the six countries you studied in this course has a regime that most closely matches the model of a parliamentary system? Why?

Which of the six countries' regime is most unlike the model of a parliamentary system? Why? (4 point question)


(See pp. 36, 39, 53-58, and part 3 of chapters 7 - 11 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 7

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.)

I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here in the "Comments" section for the question.

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Here's Question No. 7 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Define "patron-client relationship" in a political context.

Explain how an effective patron-client network can promote stability in a political system. (3 point question)


(See pp. 33, 39, 126-134, 111-117, and 85-93 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 6

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. 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.

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Here's Question No. 6 (It's a Country Concept question.):

The Prime Minister in the UK and the Premier in the Peoples Republic of China are heads of governments in their respective countries.

What is the most significant similarity between the roles of the two officials? Why is it the most significant similarity?

What is the most significant difference between the two positions? Why is it the most significant difference? (4-point question)


(See part 3 of chapter 6, pp. 53-58 and part 3 of chapter 7, pp. 69-75 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 5

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. 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.

Here's Question No. 5 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

Until the recent economic recession, global forces have pressured countries to carry out programs of structural adjustment.

What is structural adjustment? What are two pressures accompanying the recession that have encouraged governments to make policy decisions that would be antithetical to structural adjustment? (3 point question)

(See pp. 33-34, 42, 117, and 159-161 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 4

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. 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.

Here's Question No. 4 (It's a Country Context question.):

The most recent meeting of the Peoples National Congress in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) focused on economic policies.

Describe how much power the NPC has to make and implement economic policy in the PRC. Identify two pieces of evidence that support your answer and explain how that evidence supports your answer. (5 point question)


(See parts 3 and 6 of chapter 8 "The Peoples Republic of China" in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 3

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. 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.

Here's Question No. 3 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is the distinction between power and authority?
What is one reason you know that the Iranian president has more power than the Iranian Supreme Leader or that the Supreme Leader has more power than the president?
What is an illustration of the difference between the authority each of them has? (3 points)

(See pp. 35, 40 and 144-147 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 2

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. 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.

Here's Question No. 2 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

a. Define state capacity.
b. Compare the limitations on the state capacity of Russia with the limitations of the state capacity of Nigeria. Which state has more capacity?
c. Describe two of the primary reasons why the state you identified with greater capacity has greater capacity. (5 point question)


(See pp. 36, 65-68, and 104-109 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 1

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. 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.

Here's Question No. 1 (It's a Short Answer Concept question):

Define political accountability. Describe a primary way the regime in the UK ensures accountability. Describe a primary way the regime in Mexico ensures accountability. (3 points)

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(See pp. 35 and 54-58 in What You Need to Know.)

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Coming Attractions 2010

Beginning March 29, I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics each weekday until May 1.

Realistically responding to examples is one of the best ways to prepare for the FRQs on the exam.

There are three kinds of FRQs on the AP exam:

1. Short Answer Concept questions (#1-5)
2. Concept Analysis questions (#6)
3. Country Concept questions (#7-8)

In the five weeks before the exam, I'll offer 15 Short Answer Concept questions, five Concept Analysis questions, and 10 Country Concept questions for practice.

When you look at the blog archive, you'll find 45 FRQs from 2008 and 27 from 2009 that you can also use for practice. Some of them are out of date, but you should recognize that and avoid them or update them so they are appropriate for 2010. You can also find FRQs from past AP exams at the College Board site (see "Worthwhile Links" at left)

You can submit an answer for any of the FRQs 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, 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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