Understanding Task Verbs on AP Human Geography FRQs

Flashcards covering key task verbs for AP Human Geography FRQs, including identify, define, describe, compare, and explain.

What does the task verb 'identify' require you to do?

To indicate a country on a map or an aspect of a cultural landscape in a photo; requires a short, direct answer, often just a sentence.

What does the task verb 'define' require you to do?

To provide the specific meaning of a word or concept; answers should be concise, possibly with an example if time allows.

What does the task verb 'compare' require you to do?

To discuss the relationship between two items or situations, highlighting both similarities and differences and how they interconnect; avoid discussing them separately.

What does the task verb 'describe' require you to do?

To explain the characteristics of a concept and how they work, providing real-world examples to illustrate understanding; requires more than just a definition.

What does the task verb 'explain' require you to do?

To provide information on why a process, pattern, relationship, or outcome occurred, using evidence, reasoning, and logic; connect to real-world events to demonstrate understanding. These questions require the most detail.

What does the phrase 'explain the degree' require you to do?

To discuss how something works and how it does not work; requires a discussion of when something applies and when it doesn't, often using a 'because' to explain reasoning.