THE

WONDERFUL
WORLD OF
FREE
RESPONSE
QUESTIONS!

Your keys to success.

TEST BASICS:
60

multiple choice questions 45

minutes
4 FRQs in 100 minutes 25
minutes per question
Many FRQs are geared towards
bringing two unrelated topics
together, they will try to get
you!

FRQS

FRQs

are NOT DBQs!

FRQs are content driven, not writing driven
No need for elaborate 5 paragraph structure.
Organize your work into segments
NO LETTERS! See next slide
Say what you mean and mean what you
say no fluffy stuff!
FRQs are scored
You can only earn points.
No losing points for wrong information.

SAMPLE

1. The United States Constitutions ratification resulted from a

political process that required compromise between the
Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Many of the debates in
government today continue to reflect the concerns of each
perspective.
(a) Compare the positions of Federalists and Anti-Federalists
regarding the power of the national government.
(b) Describe two features of the original Constitution that
have led to a growth in the power of the national government.
(c) Explain how each of the following additions to the
Constitution addressed Anti-Federalist concerns.
First Amendment
Tenth Amendment
(d) Explain how one of the following clauses of the Fourteenth
Amendment has altered the balance of power
between the state and national governments.
Due process clause
Equal protection clause

CHILD
Pretend

your audience has NO

government knowledge.
There are no points awarded for implicit
information, only EXPLICIT statements.
Dont complicate things with bubbly
language, just state the facts (in
complete sentences, of course).
Define all buzz words in order to
demonstrate understanding.

DO NOT USE INVERSE REASONING

Do not stray from the question, do not
present counterpoints.
Answer the question directly.
You

cannot earn points for things that

are crossed off.

If

the prompt states, in recent years,

this generally refers to the post 1950s
era.

QUESTION
Identify

Name

Answer

and define

why
Discuss who, and how.
Dont

forget to justify your response with

relevant examples and explanation.
Explicit examples best, but hypothetical
situations are ok too.

More

If

examples = better scores.

question asks for 2 examples, give 3, if it asks

for 3, give four, etc.
**ALWAYS HAVE A SPARE TIRE!!!!

IF SOMETHING IS MISSING
If

you make mistakes, you will rewrite.

Do not fear the FRQ, once you get the
hang of it, you will be FRQ masters!
No pronouns.
Write legibly!
Dont

be overwhelmed, we are starting

this now so that by the time the AP
exam is here, you will be able to write
FRQs in your sleep! Yay!

AND NOW FOR

YOUR FIRST
PROMPT!

 Lakes

Community High School has many

extra-curricular activities for students to
participate in.
A.

Identify three extracurricular clubs at

LCHS

B.

For two of the clubs you have chosen to

identify, explain the main function of the
club.

C.

Explain how these two clubs contribute

to the goals and vision of the school to
ensure success for all students both
inside and outside of the classroom.

IDEA
I:

Identify
D: Define
E: Explain
A: Analyze

STEPS TO SOLVE THE PUZZLE

Break

down the prompt; what is it

asking?
Define any terms
Outlining your ideas is O.K.
Rewrite the prompt to introduce your
FRQ and then begin your answer!
Split each letter into a new segment or
paragraph.
Now

luck!

it is your turn to give it a try, good