1. I’m von Thünen, the Geography Donut!
HOW TO FRQ
AP Human Geography
I’m von Thünen, the Geography Donut!

2. What does the AP Exam look like?
Multiple Choice
75 questions
60 minutes
Free Response ?s
3 FRQs
75 minutes
Don’t stress!
What does the AP Exam look like?

3. FRQ stands for Free Response Question
FRQ stands for Free Response Question. It’s a question you respond to freely using your knowledge of geographic info.
They aren’t essays -- you don’t need a thesis, intro, body, or any of that.
Just answer the question.
FRQ Rules

4. Actively read the question
Actively read the question. Don’t speed-read through it - - you might miss a detail or answer something totally different (a tragedy!)
FRQs usually begin with an opening statement that gives you some background info & a framework.
Then they have parts (usually 3): A, B, and C.
STEP 1:
SLOW DOWN

5. Underline the key verbs in your question
Underline the key verbs in your question. This is the most important thing.
The verbs are your road map for answering the ?.
When you find them, put a box around them.
STEP 2:
FIND THE VERBS

6. Key Words
Explain - make (an idea, situation, or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas.
Identify - establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is.
Discuss - talk or write about (a topic) in detail, taking into account different ideas and opinions.
Define - state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of
Describe - give an account in words of (someone or something), including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or events.

7. DISCUSS – PREDICT ANALYZE# EXPLAIN – COMPARE – APPLY
Verb/Action/What to do
How Much to Write?
IDENTIFY – NAME – DEFINE – LIST – SUPPORT WITH
DESCRIBE – APPLY – GIVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT
EXPLAIN – COMPARE – APPLY
ANALYZE#
DISCUSS – PREDICT
A sentence, two, or three
String some sentences together
Write a paragraph
String paragraphs together
Write a page or two
Underlined and italic are the 3 most common.

8. Look for conjunctions or numbers -- they’ll tell you how many answers the AP exam wants you to give. Circle them.
Underline key words. If you recognize vocabulary or terminology you’ll need to use, this will help you not miss them!
STEP 3:
FIND KEY WORDS

9. STEP 4: WRITE IT! And don’t write an essay. Get to the point.
And be the fantabulous geographers I know you are. :D