AP HuG Practice FRQ Practice Prompt Answers & Feedback

5 min read•december 31, 2020

Harrison Burnside

AP Human Geography 🚜

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The FRQ is one of the most important ways to practice for the AP exam! Review AP HuG FRQ student writing practice samples and corresponding feedback from Fiveable intern Harrison Burnside.

The Unit 3 FRQ Practice Prompt

This FRQ question is from the 2018 AP Human Geography Exam. Use exam-like conditions. Time yourself at 15 minutes for this prompt since there is one stimulus.

FAQ Writing Samples & Feedback

Free Response Practice Submission 1

A. One mean is social media since this spreads information all around the world in a fast manner and the other mean is through a chain of people who constantly say it and the other person gets it attached on so this is how the word spreads around.

These terms spread by relocation diffusion since in the 1940s the colonialism period was happening so people from Europe through voyages spread the word in the same continent to others and in other continents such in America and overall due to transportation these popular culture words are spread in a relocation manner.
These terms diffused in a contagious way since people say it around their circle a lot and the term can be easily caught and used by another person from that same group on another social group.
These terms diffused in a hierarchical way since if a worldwide known person uses it today in his/her social media, his/her fans will most likely use it and spread it to other people.

C. One barrier may be the age group using the popular word since if this word is used by a young generation, the older generations will not understand it and will not use it and the other barrier is a religious barrier since this term might be offensive towards the religion and this wouldn’t be used in one of the adherents vocabulary.

FRQ Feedback:

A) Identified One Correct Means Only, but the second one is NOT a SPECIFIC mean for GLOBAL diffusion (it’s too general for the ap rubric page 6) 0/1 pts; this was an all or nothing question B) 1st: The idea is fine but the explanation and reasoning does not make sense. America was colonized by Europe up until 1700s so not good reasoning for the exam 2nd: Reason and Explanation are good. 3rd: Good reason and explanation. 3/3 pts but I would have liked to see another sentence attached to each reason. Also, I like historically correct facts and data. C) Good First and Second Reasons 2/2 pts but I would have again like to see more sentences.

TOTAL) 5/6 pts

Free Response Practice Submission 2

A. One way in which expressions such as these diffuse is through movies and television. The use of these terms in movies and TV shows influences many people to use them and share them with friends and family. Another way that terms like these diffuse around the world is through social media platforms. In this day and age, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can spread an expression or trend with unbelievable speed. In fact, the primary reason the term “selfie” diffused was because of people posting “selfies” on their social media.

B. Relocation diffusion is when one migrates and takes an expression, idea, or piece of their culture from their place of origin to their new destination. This can result in the spread of popular culture. For example, if an important or famous person were to visit a new place and use a term like “groovy”, it is highly likely that the people there who idolize or are influenced by that person will use that term. Contagious diffusion can result in the diffusion of popular terms as well. Contagious diffusion is the form of diffusion when something diffuses from one person to the next much like a contagious disease. This is especially prevalent in social media and the Internet. When a trend “goes viral” and is shared across the world, it is shared from one person to the next. Hierarchical diffusion can play a large role in the diffusion of popular culture when a person of high importance or influence uses an expression or creates a trend and his/her “followers” start using that expression or following that trend.

C. In some cases, countries may prevent certain expressions or forms of popular culture from diffusing. For example, in China, the government censors certain parts of the internet. This could create barrier in the diffusion a expression. Another barrier that could prevent the diffusion of certain terms is age. Many times, elderly people are less accepting of new trends or phrase, and they prefer to stick to their own ways of speaking and carrying out their life. When a trend forms amongst a younger generation, older people may not want to accept it, and this age gap could be a barrier to diffusion.

FRQ feedback:

A) Identified Two Correct Means! 1/1 pts ; this was an all or nothing question B) 1st : Good Reason and good explanation 2nd : Reason and Explanation are good. 3rd : Good reason and explanation. 3/3 pts C) Good First and Second Reasons 2/2 pts and again I loved the length of your responses!!

TOTAL) 6/6 pts

Free Response Practice Submission 3

A. Two specific means by which new expressions in popular culture are diffused globally is through social media and through person-to-person interaction as people travel. B.

Terms diffuse spatially through relocation diffusion as people migrate and take their phrases and culture with them. A phrase popular in one area is spread when someone from that area moves to another area. They introduce their phrase, and the people around them start using it too.
Terms diffuse spatially through contagious diffusion through social media and the internet. Hashtags with new terms become popular and become used by people globally.
Terms diffuse spatially through hierarchical diffusion when countries with cultural influence, such as the U.S, use new terms. As culture becomes more westernized through globalization, other countries pick up the new terms. Terms can also diffuse by hierarchical diffusion when celebrities that are known globally start using a new term. Celebrities may have followers from many different places around the world, and therefore influence people around the globe.

C. One barrier to diffusion even as new terms become popular often encountered is government control. Some governments limit western shows and media on TV channels to block their citizens from being influenced by western culture. Another barrier to diffusion is lack of access to technology. Distribution and access to technology is not equal everywhere, and since this is a primary way of diffusing new words, this is a major barrier to diffusion.

FRQ feedback:

A) Identified Two Correct Means! 1/1 pts ; this was an all or nothing question B) 1st : Good Reason and good explanation 2nd : Reason and Explanation are good. 3rd : Good reason and explanation. 3/3 pts C) Good First and Second Reasons 2/2 pts Liked the lack of technology example since it is very relevant in the society of the 21st century but it’s also very relevant during the COVID pandemic!!