Sample Questions

AP Human Geography Exam: Sample Questions

Here are two examples of real AP Human Geography questions. For each, go over how to find the correct answer and explain how points are awarded. Both questions below come from the 2020 AP Human Geography Course and Exam Description.

Multiple-Choice Question Example

To be able to answer this stand-alone AP Human Geography question, you'll need to know the definition of a "pull factor." In geography, a pull factor is any characteristic that attracts people to a particular place, organization, religion, etc. (Note that the opposite is a "push factor," which drives people away from something or somewhere.)

Therefore, just by reading this question, you should know right away that the answer you are looking for is a good thing—that is, something that might appeal to people migrating from a less developed country.

Choices A, B, C, and E are all negative characteristics that would likely drive people away from something. In other words, these are push factors, not pull factors.

The only clear pull factor is answer choice D, since universal health care would likely appeal to those coming from countries with less developed or less reliable health care systems.

Free-Response Question Example

This sample AP Human Geography free-response question takes the form of question 3, meaning it comes with two stimuli (two visuals or pieces of data). Like all free-response questions, this one is worth a total of 7 points, one for each part of the question (A-G).

To get full credit for this free-response question, you would need to give the following answers, per the official scoring guidelines. Every question part (A-G) has multiple possible answers of which you are required to give just one in your response.

(A) Answer Options

Delhi is classified as a megacity because it has a total population greater than 10 million.
From 1991 to 2011, Delhi's total population grew to over 10 million.

(B) Answer Options

Many people move to Delhi from rural areas and smaller cities ...

in search of employment opportunities.
in the hopes of improving their income or quality of life.
to join family members or friends already living in Delhi.
to have better access to services, health care, or education.

(C) Answer Options

The city's center increases in the size, height, and/or number of large apartment buildings and condominium that attract a growing population of middle-class workers in the country's capital.
Infilling occurs where open space presents an economic opportunity for landowners to build small multi-family housing units, placing more people into existing city blocks.
The government is increasing its provision of public housing in apartment blocks within the city, which provide larger buildings with multi-family housing units.

(D) Answer Options

A need for additional public transportation lines and/or added capacity on existing transit systems.
A need for improved sanitation, water supply, waste disposal, or wastewater treatment facilities.
A need for more housing, especially for lower-income residents.
A need for improved communication or electric utility infrastructure.
A need for additional public schools, colleges, universities, and/or libraries.

(E) Answer Options

Increased number of vehicles on the roadways results in visible air pollution, fog, smog, and/or airborne chemicals that lead to ...

health problems.
transportation accidents.
diverting potential economic investment in the city.

(F) Answer Options

India is a less developed country which has limited government funding to pay for pollution abatement programs (such as alternative fuels) or large investments in public transit.
India has a growing industrial sector which has limited environmental regulations such as controls on air pollution. Industrial air emissions contribute to the city's air pollution levels.
India has a large rural population and urban poor population who are dependent on burning wood for home heating and cooking. The smoke increases the city's air pollution levels.
During the dry season, farmers in northern India will burn the dead vegetation in their fields (following the harvest) to improve soil nutrients. The smoke can increase the city's air pollution levels.
As India's economy grows, more people can afford to own cars or buy trucks for their businesses. The additional vehicle increases the total amount of air pollution.

(G) Answer Options

Transportation-oriented development of new housing, industrial and retailing areas. Or, laws requiring new developments be constructed with bus lanes, train lines, and stations.
Vehicle restrictions, high-occupancy requirements, tolls, or congestion pricing to limit the number of vehicles on the roads.
Smart-growth policies, slow-growth, or zoning policies that restrict the amount of land that can be developed or create a development boundary or greenbelt around the city.
Alternative electrical energy and/or alternative fuel programs that are cleaner-burning or have zero emissions.
New Urbanism or mixed land-use developments where workers live, shop, and work within walkable distances.

Tips for the FRQ

1. FRQ stands for Free Response Question.

2. On the AP exam, there will be three FRQs you are required to answer

a. Writing something on the paper is better than writing nothing.

3. On the exam, you will have 75 minutes to answer the 3 questions.

4. Each FRQ is worth 7 points and the FRQs make up ½ of your AP exam grade.

5. FRQs will have a stimulus, chart, map or other information to help guide your answer (except for 1 question). Use that information to your benefit.

6. Avoid pronouns – it, they, them

a. This is not specific enough for the AP Reader.

7. Answer the question with a complete sentence. DO NOT USE BULLET POINTS.

8. Do not answer the question you wished they had asked you.

Answer the question given to you!

9. FRQs should always be labeled as following – use the exact same lettering they give you. Lettering your FRQ will make it easier for the AP reader to grade.

a. Answer for question a

b. Answer for question b

c. Answer for question c

d. Answer for question d

10. Answer all parts of the question.

11. Readers are looking to award you the points. If you have an example you are sure of, use the example – do not put an example of that you are not sure about.

12. Do not contradict yourself. The reader cannot award you a point if you contradict yourself.

13. Below are the meanings of the task verbs will be used to answer the free-response questions.

a. Compare – provide a description of similarities and/or differences

i. This should be a longer explanation. You should not be able to answer this question with only one sentence.

b. Define – provide a specific meaning for a word or concept.

i. This could be a sentence or two.

c. Describe – provide the relevant characteristics of a specific topic.

i. This should be a longer explanation. You should not be able to answer this question with only one sentence.

d. Explain

i. This should be a longer explanation. You should not be able to answer this question with only one sentence.

e. Identify – Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation

i. This could be a sentence or two.