Free Response Questions (College Board AP® Human Geography): Exam Questions

28 mins4 questions
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Map of Africa showing colonial territories prior to World War I, colour-coded by colonial power: Portuguese, British, French, Belgian, German, Spanish, Italian.
African borders following the Berlin Conference

The map above displays the boundaries of the African states following the Berlin Conference of 1884. This was the result of European colonization of Africa, dividing the continent into sectors controlled by different European powers.

Describe the type of boundary seen in Africa as a result of the Berlin Conference

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Using the map, describe which countries were under French control following the Berlin Conference of 1884.

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Explain how an existing boundary becomes a relic boundary.

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Explain the process of decolonization.

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Explain ONE reason why the colonization by European powers in Africa caused African countries to lose their sovereignty.

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Explain ONE way that neocolonialism has affected countries in Africa

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 Explain ONE way that supranationalism can affect sovereignty.

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Short-term and long-term global risk rankings, including climate events, misinformation, armed conflict, and AI outcomes, by the World Economic Forum.
Table showing global risks

The concept of a nation state is at risk of many types of threats as illustrated in the graph above.

Define the concept of a nation state.

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Explain one reason why sovereignty is important to a nation state.

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Describe the role of technology in threatening sovereignty of a nation state.

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Using the graph, identify ONE short term risk to a nation state and explain its potential impact.

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Using the graph, identify ONE long term risk to a nation state and explain why it is a significant concern.

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Explain ONE way geopolitical risks can affect national security and economic stability.

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Explain the degree to which you agree with the long term global risks. (Response must indicate the degree [low, moderate, high] and provide an explanation.)

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3a1 mark


Political power is often expressed through territorial claims and resource ownership. Conflict can occur when there are boundary disputes or where political power is exerted.

Define the concept of territoriality

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Describe ONE way in which political power is exerted through the control of chokepoints.

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Describe the way shatterbelts are created.

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Explain how UNCLOS dictates the territory of states beyond land.

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Explain how China is exerting political power within the South China Sea.

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Explain ONE way in which irredentism is linked to territoriality.

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Compare ONE difference between a definitional dispute and an allocational dispute

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Sovereign states have control over their own nation. Any decisions or governing bodies occur within the nations’ borders and are not influenced by external organizations or other nations.

Define the concept of devolution.

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Describe why devolution exists when states have autonomous regions.

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Describe ONE force that can lead to devolution in a country.

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Explain how technology has made it easier for devolution to occur.

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Centrifugal forces can reduce sovereignty. Explain ONE result of centrifugal forces.

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Explain how Balkanization occurred in Yugoslavia during the 1990s.

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Explain the degree to which sovereignty is limited by supranationalism.

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