2020 Human Geography AP Test FRQs

Question 1

1. Cities in the United States and Canada experience many forces that change the form and character of metropolitan areas. Sometimes the changes are viewed as positive and sometimes the changes may be seen as negative.

A. Describe an economic force that encourages people to move into metropolitan areas.

*possible points: employment/wage/business/housing/services/communication

Metropolitan areas are often characterized by opportunities, jobs, and connection to the global economy, which all serve to appeal to potential immigrants as an economic pull factor.

B. Explain ONE reason why suburbanization occurs in the United States and Canada.

*transportation improvements, decline of center - Suburbanization occurs as transportation infrastructure develops further, allowing residents to enjoy a quieter lifestyle in the suburbs outside the city, but still commute to jobs or work within the city.

C. Explain ONE reason why gentrification occurs in the United States and Canada.

*return in investment, growth pole, cultural center - Gentrification-the revival or redevelopment of old or dilapidated neighborhoods-occurs to promote revitalization of the inner city, as well as to appeal to the higher-income prospective residents, which both serve to bring high return on investment.

D. Compare gentrification and suburbanization in terms of the socioeconomic impacts on an area's original residents.

*increase in property taxes-lower-income residents cannot afford - Both processes may put lower-income original residents of an area at a disadvantage, as it increases prices and may even push those original residents out.

E. Explain how gentrified neighborhoods or areas of New Urbanism redevelopment can affect the larger metropolitan area's housing economy.

*increase housing economy investment - Gentrification and New Urbanism raise the value of an area's housing economy, facilitating investment from higher-income resident, but also greatly decreases housing affordability for the average citizen.

F. Describe a way redevelopment using New Urbanism changes the population density of a city.

The New Urbanism movement likely leads to a decrease in an area's population density, as it works to create healthily spaced, sustainable, and widely-serviced neighborhoods-a process that may also serve to push out lower classes that can't afford it.

G. Explain ONE reason that people may desire to migrate away from metropolitan areas.

*lifestyle + improved transportation - A main push factor from metropolitan areas is the higher land/rent prices and cost of living, which can be attributed to the area's high population density.

Question 2

2. Despite a long period of economic and social integration following reunification, significant social differences still exist across Germany's Lander. Lander are the individual states within the German federal republic. Three lander are large cities: Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen.

A. Identify the type of boundary that delineates the former East Germany and West Germany.

The boundary between East and West Germany is a relict boundary, as it no longer exists.

B. Describe the pattern of unemployment across Germany.

Unemployment is concentrated in northern parts of Germany, with increased severity and clustering in the regions that belong to the former East Germany.

C. Explain how economic restructuring following the end of communism has resulted in higher unemployment in some lander.

Economic restructuring in Germany led to the more developed West German economy to become even more advanced. Unable to compete, East Germany's less-developed economy was put at more of a disadvantage, leading to less opportunity, and thus less employment.

D. Explain the degree to which the legacy of communism and unemployment has affected the pattern of internal migration within Germany.

The legacy of communism and unemployment has caused many from East Germany to migrate to regions in West Germany, where economic opportunities are more favorable and widely available.

E. Describe ONE demographic factor regarding education attainment in Germany that affects international migration into the country.

Since Germans are more likely to achieve a higher education, this leaves many more low-skill (and low-wage) jobs open, which migrants from other countries are willing to fill in.

F. Describe ONE demographic factor regarding population age in Germany that affects international migration into the country.

As Germany has an aging population, it has a lack of younger, working age individuals able to support the country. This gives international migrants the opportunity for employment.

G. Describe ONE reason for the occurrence of negative attitudes toward foreign workers in Germany.

Negative attitudes toward foreign workers in Germany may stem from the belief that they are taking opportunities from German citizens, especially since employment is already limited in certain areas.

Question 3

3. The graphs show the current status of indigenous languages in the Americas and Africa as tracked since 1970. Vulnerable languages have a decreasing population that speaks the language. Endangered languages have a small number of speakers who are limited to small communities. Critically endangered languages have only a small community of speakers who remain.

A. Define the term "indigenous language."

An indigenous language is spoken by the native peoples of an area.

B. Describe the types of physical regions where indigenous languages are most likely to survive.

Indigenous languages are more likely to survive in physically isolated areas with little interaction with the outside world, such as places surrounded by mountain or forest.

C. Describe how historically the political geography of colonialism affected indigenous languages.

As colonizers took control of land, they also exerted unfair control over the native peoples there, and, in some cases, forced assimilation onto them, forcing them to adapt the colonizer's language.

D. Explain how indigenous languages have been under threat from primary economic activities in the Americas since the 1970s.

In America, primary sector activities such as agriculture took large amounts of land, often pushing indigenous peoples off of their territory, further endangering their culture and languages.

E. Explain the degree to which globalization can explain the loss of indigenous languages in Africa since the 1970s.

Globalization encourages the global 'standardized' use of more widespread languages, such as English, which are non-native to Africa but still adopted for ease of communication.

F. Compare the data in the two graphs and explain why indigenous languages are less threatened in Africa than in the Americas.

In Africa, ethnic and indigenous groups have largely remained in the same locations, and cultures were more likely to stay intact, while American colonization led to the forced relocation and assimilation of natives, which led to the fragmentation and severe endangerment of native culture.

G. Citing data in the graphs, explain how media and communications technology can be used to preserve indigenous languages in the Americas.

For the 42% of languages with limited populations, communication technologies can be used to provide an environment for these languages to thrive, such as through the publishing of media or encouragement of communication in native languages.