AP Government - Concept Application Question

Concept Application Question

Overview

  • The concept application question requires applying course concepts to an unfamiliar scenario.
  • The format is similar to SAQs in AP history courses.
  • The stimulus describes a real event that the student is unlikely to know beforehand.
  • The goal is to apply existing knowledge to an unfamiliar situation.

Structure of the Question

  • The question includes a stimulus followed by three parts (A, B, and C).
  • Answers should be written in complete sentences with a subject, verb, and object.
  • If the prompt begins with "identify," a single sentence is sufficient.
  • For prompts beginning with other words (e.g., "explain"), provide two to three content-rich sentences.

Key Strategies for Answering

  • Be specific with evidence.
  • Relate the answer back to the prompt.

Example Question (2019 AP Government Exam)

Stimulus

  • The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian interest group, promotes Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
  • Pastors preach openly about the moral qualifications of candidates as an act of civil disobedience.
  • The scenario relates to religious freedom/freedom of speech and the potential restriction by the Johnson Amendment.

Part A: Describe an action Congress could take to address the concerns of the interest group in the scenario.

  • Correct Answer: Congress can pass a provision of the Johnson Amendment allowing religious leaders to speak for or against certain candidates, restricting only monetary contributions.
  • Explanation: The answer acknowledges Congress's power to make laws and relates the action back to the Johnson Amendment.

Part B: In the context of the scenario, explain how partisan divisions could prevent the action described in part A.

  • Correct Answer: Partisan divisions could prevent the provision of the Johnson Amendment if the government is divided, such as a Republican-majority Congress and a Democratic President who could veto the law.
  • Explanation: The answer addresses partisan divisions and their potential impact on the passage of the law.

Part C: Explain why the Alliance Defending Freedom might argue that their constitutional rights are threatened by the Johnson Amendment.

  • Correct Answer: The Alliance Defending Freedom can argue that the Johnson Amendment threatens their First Amendment rights because it limits religious leaders' free speech by preventing them from publicly supporting candidates.
  • Explanation: The answer references constitutional rights and explains how the Johnson Amendment could be interpreted as violating freedom of speech.