Sample AP Test Questions Political

1. 
A. Define the following concepts as they are used in political geography.
         1. Nation--
         2. State--
         3. Nation-state--
 
B. For each of these concepts, name a specific example for each. (List of example could include your hearth, Mexico, Canada, Syria, Israel, Egypt, China, Greece, Germany, or Spain, etc.)
 
C. Explain how the pursuit of the nation-state ideal during recent decades or current times has led to conflict in each.


2. The visibility of any state depends on a balance between centripetal and centrifugal forces.
A. Define the concepts “centripetal force” and “centrifugal force.”
B.  Give a specific example of and explain a centripetal force that affects its viability.  (Here you can use your hearth or another state.)
C. With reference to a different specific example, explain a centrifugal force that affects the visibility of any of the major states. 

 

3.  The modern state system is engaged in a struggle between the forces of supranationalism and devolution.
A. Define both terms and give a geographic example for each.
B. With reference to the political and economical geography of Europe, briefly discuss three changes resulting from supranationalism.
C. With reference to the political and economical geography of Europe, briefly discuss three changes resulting from devolution.

4.  The population pyramids above represent two countries at different stages of the demographic transition and economic development.
A. Explain the demographic characteristics of each country above with respect to the demographic transition model.
B. Discuss ONE positive impact of EACH country’s population structure on its economic development.
C. Discuss ONE negative impact of EACH country’s population structure on its economic development.

5.  Find a map that shows the distribution of three religious groups on the contiguous United States,
A. Using the letters in the legend, name the three religious groups shown on the map.
B. For one of the three religious groups, first identity and then explain TWO factors that have influenced the distribution shown on the map.
C. Explain how the map as presented at this scale is an incomplete representation of the geography of religion in the United States,