AP® Human Geography Free Response Questions (FRQs)

AP Human Geography FRQ Example

Women’s working conditions in formal and informal economies vary throughout the world.

1. Define the concept of the informal economy.
2. Describe ONE way that cultural attitudes or social norms may act as a barrier to women obtaining employment in the formal economy.
3. Describe ONE limitation of using the gross national income (GNI) per capita to analyze women’s contributions to economic productivity in less developed countries.
4. Explain ONE relationship between women’s economic empowerment and a decrease in the rate of natural increase in a more developed country.
5. Explain the likely outcome on rural to urban migration as women gain greater access to education.
6. Explain ONE likely obstacle for highly educated women who are employed in the formal economy.
7. Explain the degree to which granting microloans to individual women in less developed countries may be an effective strategy for economic development.

Let’s look at these sample questions to see how you should approach them.

Part A is a straightforward definition. You should give the definition of “informal economy” in your own words. You might write that an informal economy exists alongside the typical productive sector of a country but it is not regulated by the government and is therefore difficult to measure, and is also not included in official measurements of economic activity, such as GNI per capita.

Note that there is no need to provide any examples, although you may include them if you are struggling to make your thoughts clear.

Part G requires you to argue for or against a certain position. You need to state whether microloans to women are a useful way to create economic development or not. To justify your position, you need to explain what makes the statement valid by providing evidence for (or against) the use of microloans to promote economic development.

Note that you shouldn’t argue both sides of the issue.

Source: College Board