AP Comp Gov 2020 Practice 3
AP Comp Gov 2020 Practice 3
AP Comp Gov 2020 Practice 3
Practice Exam #3
and Notes
For the
Spring 2020
Exam
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I. Practice Exam
Exam Content and Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Administering the Practice Exam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Answer Sheet for Multiple-Choice Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
AP® Comparative Government and Politics Practice Exam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Contact Us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
You have 1 hour for this part. Open your Section I booklet and begin.
Note Start Time ________. Note Stop Time ________. After 50 minutes, say:
You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete Section II. You may use
any blank space of the page the questions or documents are printed on
to organize your answers and for scratch work, but you must write your
answers on the lined pages provided for the free-response questions.
Note Start Time ________. Note Stop Time ________. After 10 minutes, say:
It is recommended that you now move on to the next question.
Note Start Time ________. Note Stop Time ________. After 20 minutes, say:
It is recommended that you now move on to the next question.
Note Start Time ________. Note Stop Time ________. After 20 minutes, say:
It is recommended that you now move on to the next question.
Collect a Section II booklet from each student and check that each student wrote
his or her answers on the lined pages corresponding to each question. Then say:
The exam is over. You are now dismissed.
Politics Exam
SECTION I: Multiple Choice
Instructions
At a Glance
Section I of this exam contains 55 multiple-choice questions.
Total Time
1 hour Indicate all of your answers to the multiple-choice questions on the answer sheet. No credit
Number of Questions will be given for anything written in this exam booklet, but you may use the booklet for
55 notes or scratch work.
Percent of Total Score
50% Use your time effectively, working as quickly as you can without losing accuracy. Do not
Writing Instrument spend too much time on any one question. Go on to other questions and come back to
Pencil required the ones you have not answered if you have time. It is not expected that everyone will
know the answers to all of the multiple-choice questions.
Your total score on the multiple-choice section is based only on the number of questions
answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers or unanswered
questions.
1. Which of the following best explains a 3. Which of the following best describes pluralist
consequence of the way power is distributed in a systems?
unitary system?
(A) They support economic policies that are
(A) Because power is diffused among several developed and run by the state.
levels of government, responses to the (B) They allow the state to maintain control
needs of citizens are slower and often over citizen input and participation.
contradictory.
(C) They promote competition among
(B) Because power is shared equally between a autonomous groups not linked to the
national government and subnational state.
governments, public policy is static and
(D) They use single peak associations to
cannot change over time.
represent the business sector.
(C) Because power is concentrated in the
national government with some
distribution to subnational levels, policy
making is often efficient.
(D) Because power is centralized in one place, 4. Which is the most common selection method for
the national government makes all members of the United Kingdom’s House of
decisions and there are no other levels of Lords?
governments.
(A) Being nominated and appointed through
political party lists
(B) Being elected by members of the House of
Commons
2. Which of the following data sources best (C) Winning a seat through a national election
measures economic inequality?
(D) Being nominated by the prime minister and
(A) Gini index approved by the monarch
(B) Human Development Index (HDI)
(C) Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita
(D) Freedom House civil liberties score
(A) Undervaluation of their currencies makes it (A) Both countries’ politics focus on economic
hard for them to import materials needed issues, which leads to one party
for investment. representing business interests while the
(B) Inequality between rich and poor makes other party represents labor interests.
them susceptible to social conflict. (B) Both countries’ electoral systems use
(C) Lack of economic diversification makes single-member districts with
them vulnerable to debt when oil prices first-past-the-post rules, which tend to
fall. favor catch-all parties.
(D) High taxation of their citizens makes them (C) Nigeria’s main cleavage is ethnic, while the
susceptible to budgetary shortfalls when United Kingdom’s main cleavage is
oil prices fall. regional, favoring two parties that
represent those ethnic and regional
cleavages.
(D) Nigeria’s corrupt electoral authority
suppresses small parties, while the United
6. Which of the following pairs of countries both Kingdom’s use of proportional
require that the chief executive receive an representation underrepresents small
absolute majority of the public’s votes to be parties.
elected?
(A) To expand infrastructure to rural areas in (A) There is no functioning Supreme Court in
the west Mexico.
(B) To facilitate migration from rural to urban (B) Mexico’s judiciary does not have the
areas power of judicial review.
(C) To increase global influence through (C) Supreme Court justices are appointed by
cross-border road projects the president and confirmed by the
(D) To limit political criticism on social media Senate.
(D) Supreme Court justices are appointed to a
life term.
LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH IN THE SOVIET UNION AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, 1985–2017
13. Which of the following accurately describes a 14. Which of the following describes the most likely
trend shown in the chart? political result of the change in life expectancy
represented in the chart from 2005 to 2017 ?
(A) Life expectancy steadily rose in the Soviet
Union under the leadership of Mikhail (A) An increase in international humanitarian
Gorbachev (1985–1991). aid if foreign donors perceive more
(B) Life expectancy was consistently lower assistance is needed
under the Soviet Union (1922–1991) than (B) An increase in legitimacy if citizens
it was under the Russian Federation from believe the change is a result of effective
1991 to 2017. government policies
(C) Life expectancy consistently rose once (C) A decrease in tax revenues if the average
Vladimir Putin became president of the age of retirement increases
Soviet Union in 2000. (D) A decrease in voter turnout as elderly
(D) When Vladimir Putin became president in citizens are not likely to vote
2000, life expectancy was declining.
(A) The data are based on normative (A) A head of government generally serves as
conclusions derived from census data, so the leader in charge of conducting foreign
they cannot be interpreted in a policy, while a head of state serves as the
meaningful way. leader with sole responsibility for
(B) Because the Soviet Union dissolved in executing domestic policy.
1991, the data are not useful in any (B) A head of state serves as the chief
analyses of the Soviet Union or Russia executive responsible for enforcing laws
over time. and treaties, while a head of government
(C) The data do not distinguish between male serves as the leader of the legislature with
and female life expectancy, which is an sole responsibility for creating policy.
important distinction in Russia. (C) A head of government generally serves as
(D) There are not enough data points to detect the symbolic political representative,
a clear trend regarding life expectancy at while a head of state is the official
birth in Russia after 1991. responsible for running the government.
(D) A head of state generally serves as the
symbolic political representative of the
nation, while a head of government is the
official responsible for running the
16. Which of the following institutions most limit government.
the exercise of independent legislative power?
The 2009 presidential election in the Islamic Republic of Iran was one of the most transformative events in Iran’s
modern history. It bared important schisms within the .·.·. political system and pitted two key camps against one
another, each with a very different vision of what Iran should be and what it should become. It appeared to solidify
. . . under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and continued an ongoing militarization of Iranian politics led by the
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. . . . The widespread fraud alleged by the leading opposition candidate, former
Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi, and the .·.·. (political system’s) repressive response irrevocably shattered an
unspoken contract between the government and the people—one in which the theocratic government had allowed
some popular political participation and limited personal space in return for the people’s acquiescence to the status
quo.
Even the highest authority in Iran, the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, did not escape censure by the
opposition—a traditional “red line” in Iranian politics that clerics, politicians, and voters alike crossed numerous
times after the polls closed. Previously, Khamenei had portrayed himself as above the often-brutal factional “fray” in
Iran. But now he came down decisively on the side of Ahmadinejad and his hard-line allies and used the
Revolutionary Guard to preserve the status quo. In so doing, he altered the role of the office he occupied.
Source: Alireza Nader, David E. Thaler, and S.R. Bohand. The Next Supreme Leader: Succession in the
Islamic Republic of Iran. Rand National Defense Research Institute, 2011
23. Which of the following best describes the 24. Which of the following is a role of the supreme
authors’ evidence that Supreme Leader leader and explains why Khamenei has the
Khamenei sided with President Ahmadinejad in authority to take the actions described by the
the aftermath of the 2009 presidential election in authors?
Iran?
(A) Chief legislator
(A) Khamenei changed the role of president to (B) Head of government
take a more active role in politics.
(C) Commander in chief
(B) Khamenei used the Revolutionary Guard to
(D) Chief justice of Iran
preserve the status quo by suppressing
protests.
(C) Khamenei altered the results of the election
to favor Ahmadinejad.
(D) Khamenei formed the Green Movement to
counter protests by opponents of the
regime.
(A) The regime’s legitimacy will weaken (A) The goal of import substitution policies is
because of the supreme leader’s change to protect domestic industries, whereas
from his traditionally neutral role in neoliberal policies seek to decrease
politics. reliance on foreign direct investment
(B) The regime’s legitimacy will weaken (FDI).
because of disapproval of the regime’s (B) Import substitution policies are usually
electoral practices by the global adopted by countries with developed
community. economies, whereas neoliberal policies
(C) The regime’s legitimacy will strengthen are adopted by countries with high levels
because of the regime’s repression of of inequality.
dissent against Ahmadinejad. (C) Import substitution policies support
(D) The regime’s legitimacy will strengthen reducing deficits, whereas neoliberal
because of Iranians’ fear that the policies support raising taxes.
Revolutionary Guards will harshly repress (D) Import substitution policies include
any protest. increasing tariffs, whereas neoliberal
policies encourage lower tariffs.
(A) Removing civil liberties from any group (A) Fascism is the belief in the interests and
that protests against the government helps rights of the common people over that of
to maintain order. the elites, and communism is the belief in
(B) Establishing rule by law means the nationalization of all industries.
government officials are treated like (B) Fascism is the belief in a nationalist
everyone else. ideology favoring authoritarian rule, and
(C) Reducing public access to government communism is the belief in the removal
documents allows for greater efficiency in of private property and government
decision making. control over the economy.
(D) Allowing for competitive and fair elections (C) Fascism is the belief in the reduction of
gives citizens the right to express their income disparities among all people, and
political opinions. communism is the belief in individual
civil liberties and freedoms over
government intrusion or restriction.
(D) Fascism is the belief in limited government
intervention in the economy and society,
and communism is the belief in the
deregulation of trade and the elimination
of subsidies.
35. Which of the following statements did most poll 36. Which of the following best explains why many
respondents say described the state of political respondents to the poll agreed that the statement
affairs in Nigeria? “The court system treats everyone fairly”
described Nigeria well?
(A) Elected officials care what ordinary people
think. (A) The Nigerian government has eliminated
(B) No matter who wins an election, things do the Shariah Courts in the north.
not change very much. (B) The Nigerian government has arrested and
(C) The court systems treat everyone fairly. issued lengthy sentences to political
protesters.
(D) Most politicians are corrupt.
(C) The president has been significantly
increasing the size of the Nigerian court
system and has appointed judges who
support the same political ideology.
(D) The Nigerian government has made an
effort to reduce corruption in the judicial
system by protecting the power of judicial
review and independence.
(A) A competitive authoritarian regime 41. Which of the following is true of the cabinet in
(B) A substantive democracy both Mexico and Nigeria?
(C) A corporatist democracy
(A) The courts must review all cabinet member
(D) A democratic socialist regime nominations by the executive.
(B) The legislature must approve cabinet
members nominated by the executive.
(C) Cabinet members must be members of the
39. In which two countries does the legislative legislature.
branch have the power of impeachment? (D) The cabinet is solely accountable to the
executive branch.
(A) The United Kingdom and Mexico
(B) China and Russia
(C) Russia and Nigeria
(D) Iran and the United Kingdom
China has taken a multi-pronged approach in its economic relations with Africa, according to Deborah Brautigam
[of] Johns Hopkins School of Advanced and International Studies. China is a significant source of foreign direct
investment in Africa; offers development loans to resource-rich nations . . . invests in agriculture; and develops
special trade and economic cooperation zones in several states . . . “Chinese banks and companies are offering
finance that allows them to secure a greater share of the business deals in Africa as part of their move to ‘go global.’
This brings with it risks for African borrowers—but also opportunities,” writes Brautigam.
Chinese financing comes often in the form of loans and credits provided by the People’s Bank of China, the China
Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China, and the China-Africa Development Fund. Between 2000 and
2014, Chinese banks, contractors, and the government loaned more than $86 billion to Africa . . . However, these
large loans are beginning to raise questions about debt loads in African countries, showing indications of a potential
debt crisis.
Council on Foreign Relations, 2019
42. Which of the following best describes the main 43. According to the passage, which of the
point of the passage? following is the most likely implication of
China’s current economic policies toward
(A) China has aggressively pursued a singular African nations?
economic approach in its relations with
Africa. (A) African nations may adopt Communist
(B) Economic relations with Africa have principles to continue to attract Chinese
involved the Chinese government, not aid.
Chinese private sector actors. (B) Indebted African nations may lose
(C) Development loans to African nations sovereignty to the Chinese government
represent a decreasing share of Chinese and large banks.
revenue sources. (C) China may become a member of regional
(D) The scale of borrowing by African African economic organizations such as
countries increases the likelihood of ECOWAS.
future debt problems. (D) China’s economic growth may become
overly dependent on resources from
Africa.
Politics Exam
SECTION II: Free Response
At a Glance Instructions
The questions for Section II are printed in this booklet. You may use the pages in this
Total Time
1 hour and 30 minutes
booklet to organize your answers and for scratch work, but you must write your answers
Number of Questions
on the lined pages provided for each question.
4 Write clearly and legibly. Do not skip lines. Begin your response to each question at the top
Percent of Total Score of a new page; completely fill in the circle at the top of each page that corresponds to the
50% question you are answering. Cross out any errors you make; crossed-out work will not be
Writing Instrument scored.
Pen with black or dark
blue ink Manage your time carefully. The proctor will announce the suggested time for each
Questions 1 3 question, but you may proceed freely from one question to the next. You may review your
responses if you finish before the end of the exam is announced.
Suggested Time
10 minutes for
question 1, and
20 minutes each for
questions 2 and 3.
Question 4
Suggested Time
40 minutes
Weight
Question 1: 22%
Question 2: 25%
Question 3: 25%
Question 4: 28%
Directions: You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer one conceptual analysis question, one quantitative analysis
question, one comparative analysis question, and one argument essay. Unless the directions indicate otherwise,
respond to all parts of all four questions. It is suggested that you take a few minutes to plan and outline each answer.
It is also suggested that you spend approximately 10 minutes total on question 1, 20 minutes each on questions 2 and
3, and 40 minutes total on question 4. These suggested times do not reflect the weight of the questions as part of
your AP exam score. In your responses, use substantive examples where appropriate. You may plan your answers in
this Questions booklet, but no credit will be given for anything written in this booklet. You will only earn credit for
what you write in the Free Response booklet.
1. a. Describe the Gini index.
b. Describe a difference between the Gini index and the Human Development Index (HDI).
c. Explain how a government policy could affect a state’s Gini index score.
d. Explain how changes in the Gini score reflecting state policies could enhance or diminish an
authoritarian regime’s stability.
__________________________________________________________
Begin your response to this question at the top of a new page in the Free Response booklet
and fill in the appropriate circle indicating the question number.
2. A. Using the data in the graph, identify the year with the lowest voter turnout.
B. Using the data in the graph, describe the relationship between total vote and voting-age
population in Mexico between 1993 and 2017.
C. Describe political participation.
D. Using the data in the graph, draw a conclusion about political participation in legislative
elections in Mexico.
E. Explain what the data imply about why democracies encourage political participation.
__________________________________________________________
Begin your response to this question at the top of a new page in the Free Response booklet
and fill in the appropriate circle indicating the question number.
• Accountability
• Legitimacy
• Stability
In your essay, you should do the following:
✓ Respond to the prompt with a defensible claim or thesis that establishes a line of reasoning using one or
more of the provided course concepts.
✓ Support your claim with at least TWO pieces of specific and relevant evidence from one or more course
countries. The evidence should be relevant to one or more of the provided course concepts.
✓ Use reasoning to explain why your evidence supports your claim or thesis, using one or more of the provided
course concepts.
✓ Respond to an opposing or alternate perspective using refutation, concession, or rebuttal.
__________________________________________________________
Begin your response to this question at the top of a new page in the Free Response booklet
and fill in the appropriate circle indicating the question number.
END OF EXAM
________________________________
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FILLED IN THE CIRCLE THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE QUESTION YOU
ANSWERED ON EACH PAGE IN THE FREE RESPONSE BOOKLET.
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS APPLY TO THE FRONT COVER OF THE SECTION II: FREE
RESPONSE BOOKLET. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING:
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 2
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 3
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 4
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 5
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 6
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 7
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 8
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 9
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 10
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 11
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Begin your response to each question at the top of a new page. Do not skip lines.
Page 12
Use a pen with black or dark blue ink only. Do NOT write your name. Do NOT write outside the box.
Question 1
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.B: Explain political systems, PAU-2.A: a. Describe Federal and
principles, institutions, processes, federal and unitary systems Unitary
policies, and behaviors. among course countries. Systems
b. Explain the purposes
of adopting a federal or
unitary system.
(A) Incorrect. Power can be diffused among different levels of government
in a unitary system, but this does not necessarily lead to slow or
contradictory responses to the needs of citizens. A unitary state is one
in which power is concentrated in the national government with some
distribution to subnational levels. This can lead to more uniform policies
and more efficient policy making because most decisions are coming
from one source.
(B) Incorrect. Power is not shared equally between a national government
and subnational governments in a unitary system. A unitary state
is one in which power is concentrated in the national government
with some distribution to subnational levels. Rather than static or
unchanging policies, policies in a unitary state can be more uniform
and more efficient making because most decisions are coming from
one source.
(C) Correct. A unitary state is one in which power is concentrated in the
national government with some distribution to subnational levels. This
can lead to more uniform policies and more efficient policy making
because most decisions are coming from one source.
(D) Incorrect. While the national government is more powerful than
subnational governments in a unitary state, there are still other levels
of government with some powers and responsibilities. A unitary state
is one in which power is concentrated in the national government with
some distribution to subnational levels. This can lead to more uniform
policies and more efficient policy making because most decisions are
coming from one source.
Question 3
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.C: Compare political systems, IEF-2.B: Describe pluralist Pluralist and
principles, institutions, processes, and corporatist interest Corporatist
policies, and behaviors. group systems. Interests
(A) Incorrect. Pluralist systems promote competition and not economic
policies that are developed and run by the state. Pluralism is a system
of interest group representation that promotes competition among
autonomous groups not linked to the state.
(B) Incorrect. Corporatist systems, not pluralist systems, allow the state to
maintain control over citizen input and participation. Pluralist systems,
on the other hand, promote competition among autonomous groups not
linked to the state.
(C) Correct. Pluralism is a system of interest group representation that
promotes competition among autonomous groups not linked to the
state.
(D) Incorrect. Pluralist systems do not use single peak associations to
represent the business sector. Pluralism is a system of interest group
representation that promotes competition among autonomous groups
not linked to the state.
Question 5
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.B: Explain political systems, LEG-5.A: Explain how Impact of
principles, institutions, processes, natural resources affect Natural
policies, and behaviors. political and economic Resources
development.
(A) Incorrect. Oil-rich countries typically have overvalued, not undervalued,
currencies. Lack of economic diversification makes them vulnerable to
debt when oil prices fall.
(B) Incorrect. Inequality that results from concentration of wealth in a
narrow part of the economy may make such states prone to social
conflict, but not necessarily economic crises. Lack of economic
diversification makes them vulnerable to debt when oil prices fall.
(C) Correct. Lack of economic diversification makes states prone to
economic crises. If oil prices fall globally, states can be left with too
much debt and not enough income.
(D) Incorrect. Oil-rich countries typically have low taxes, not high taxes,
since governments secure substantial revenue from oil. Lack of
economic diversification makes them vulnerable to debt when oil prices
fall.
Question 9
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.E: Explain how political DEM-1.C: Explain the Civil Rights and
systems, principles, institutions, extent to which civil rights Civil Liberties
processes, policies, and and civil liberties are
behaviors apply in a course protected or restricted in
country. different regimes.
(A) Incorrect. The Great Firewall refers to internet censorship, not
infrastructure. The Great Firewall refers to the policies and technology
used by the Chinese government to severely censor the internet and so
limit criticism on social media.
(B) Incorrect. The Great Firewall refers to policies about internet use,
not migration patterns. The Great Firewall refers to the policies and
technology used by the Chinese government to severely censor the
internet and so limit criticism on social media.
(C) Incorrect. The Great Firewall did not increase global influence through
cross-border road projects. The Great Firewall refers to the policies
and technology used by the Chinese government to severely censor the
internet and so limit criticism on social media.
(D) Correct. The Great Firewall refers to the policies and technology used
by the Chinese government to severely censor the internet and to limit
criticism on social media.
Question 11
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.D: Describe political systems, PAU-3.G: Describe the Judicial Systems
principles, institutions, structure and functions of
processes, policies, and judiciaries.
behaviors of a course country.
(A) Incorrect. Mexico has a functioning Supreme Court. Supreme Court
justices are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
They serve a term of 15 years.
(B) Incorrect. The Mexican judiciary has the power of judicial review.
Supreme Court justices in Mexico are appointed by the president and
confirmed by the Senate. They serve a term of 15 years.
(C) Correct. Supreme Court justices in Mexico are appointed by the
president and confirmed by the Senate. They serve a term of 15 years.
(D) Incorrect. In Mexico Supreme Court justices are appointed to a term
of 15 years, not a life term. Supreme Court justices in Mexico are
appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Question 14
Skill Learning Objective Topic
3.D: Explain what the data LEG-1.B: Explain how Sustaining
implies or illustrates about governments maintain Legitimacy
political systems, principles, legitimacy.
institutions, processes, policies,
and behaviors.
(A) Incorrect. From 2005 to 2015, life expectancy increased. It is unlikely
international aid groups would respond to an increase in life
expectancy with more aid. The most likely political result of increased
life expectancy, especially if it is believed to be a result of government
policies, is that the government’s legitimacy will increase.
(B) Correct. The most likely political result of increased life expectancy,
especially if it is believed to be a result of government policies, is that the
government’s legitimacy will increase.
(C) Incorrect. If the average age of retirement increases, the government is
more likely to receive increased revenues, as there are more workers to
pay taxes. The most likely political result of increased life expectancy,
especially if it is believed to be a result of government policies, is that the
government’s legitimacy will increase.
(D) Incorrect. Elderly people are more likely to vote than young people. The
most likely political result of increased life expectancy, especially if it is
believed to be a result of government policies, is that the government’s
legitimacy will increase.
Question 18
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.B: Explain political systems, PAU-3.C: Explain the Executive Term
principles, institutions, processes, structure, function, and Limits
policies, and behaviors. change of executive
leadership in course
countries.
(A) Incorrect. Limiting time in office does not allow legislators to develop
coherent policies over time. Limiting the time in office inhibits the
ability of executives to consolidate power.
(B) Incorrect. Limiting the time in office does not allow executive greater
control over the legislative process. Limiting the time in office inhibits
the ability of executives to consolidate power.
(C) Correct. By limiting the time in office, executive term limits can prevent
executives from consolidating power.
(D) Incorrect. Limiting the time in office is not likely to weaken
accountability and is not an advantage of executive term limits. Limiting
the time in office can inhibit the ability of executives to consolidate
power.
Question 21
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.E: Explain how political IEF-3.E: Explain Policies and
systems, principles, institutions, the adoption of and Economic
processes, policies, and behaviors consequences associated Liberalization
apply in a course country. with economic
liberalization policies.
(A) Correct. Economic liberalization in China created job growth on the
east coast, causing migration from the west to the east.
(B) Incorrect. Economic liberalization in China created job growth in urban
areas, primarily on the east coast. This drove migration from the west to
the east, not east to the west.
(C) Incorrect. Economic liberalization in China created job growth in urban
areas, driving migration from the countryside to the cities. Economic
liberalization in China created job growth on the east coast, causing
migration from the west to the east.
(D) Incorrect. Economic liberalization in China created job growth in the
east, not north. Economic liberalization in China created job growth on
the east coast, causing migration from the west to the east.
Question 23
Skill Learning Objective Topic
4.A: Describe the author’s IEF-2.A: Explain how Executive
claim(s), perspective, evidence, social movements and Systems
and reasoning. interest groups affect social
and political change.
(A) Incorrect. The authors do say that Khamenei changed the role of the
president, but this is not used as evidence that Khamenei sided with
Ahmadinejad. Khamenei did use the Revolutionary Guard to preserve
the status quo by suppressing protests.
(B) Correct. Khamenei did use the Revolutionary Guard to preserve the
status quo by suppressing protests.
(C) Incorrect. The authors do not assert that Khamenei personally altered
the results of the election. Khamenei did use the Revolutionary Guard to
preserve the status quo by suppressing protests.
(D) Incorrect. The authors do not mention the Green Movement by name.
The Green Movement was an opposition movement in response
to the elections and not part of the regime. Khamenei did use the
Revolutionary Guard to preserve the status quo by suppressing protests.
Question 34
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.B: Explain political systems, IEF-3.C: Explain how Challenges
principles, institutions, globalization creates from
processes, policies, and challenges to regime Globalization
behaviors. sovereignty.
(A) Incorrect. Multinational corporations often infringe on the sovereignty
of national governments by not obeying local laws and by challenging
power structures. A consequence of globalization is that it often leads
to increased social tensions, as it tends to challenge traditional power
structures and culture.
(B) Incorrect. Globalization may have an indirect impact on regimes, but
does not usually result in regime instability caused by international
pressures for democratization. A consequence of globalization is
that it often leads to increased social tensions, as it tends to challenge
traditional power structures and culture.
(C) Correct. Globalization includes the spread of ideas, technology,
information, and jobs across international borders. A consequence is
that globalization often leads to increased social tensions, as it tends to
challenge traditional power structures and culture.
(D) Incorrect. Importing cheaper goods from advanced industrial
economies does not always lead to a reduction in economic inequality.
A consequence of globalization is that it often leads to increased social
tensions, as it tends to challenge traditional power structures and
culture.
Question 45
Skill Learning Objective Topic
2.A: Compare two or more PAU-2.A: a. Describe Federal and
course countries based on their federal and unitary systems Unitary
political systems, principles, among course countries. Systems
institutions, processes, policies, b. Explain the purposes
and behaviors. of adopting a federal or
unitary system.
(A) Correct. Both China and Iran have unitary systems of government,
which concentrate power at the national level with more uniform
policies and potentially more efficient policy-making.
(B) Incorrect. Iran lacks formal political party structures, though China
is a one-party state. Both China and Iran have unitary systems of
government, which concentrate power at the national level with more
uniform policies and potentially more efficient policy-making.
(C) Incorrect. Both China and Iran have a unicameral, not bicameral,
legislature. Both China and Iran have unitary systems of government,
which concentrate power at the national level with more uniform
policies and potentially more efficient policy-making.
(D) Incorrect. Neither China nor Iran have semi-presidential systems. Both
China and Iran have unitary systems of government, which concentrate
power at the national level with more uniform policies and potentially
more efficient policy-making.
Question 48
Skill Learning Objective Topic
3.B: Describe patterns and MPA-1.A: Explain The Practice
trends in data. how political scientists of Political
construct knowledge and Scientists
communicate inferences
and explanations about
political systems,
institutional interactions,
and behavior.
(A) Incorrect. The percentage of females with primary school education in
China in 2016 ranged between 45 and 46.9 percent.
(B) Correct. In Russia, more than 49 percent of females had a primary
school education in 2016.
(C) Incorrect. The percentage of females with primary school education in
Nigeria in 1986 was less than 45 percent.
(D) Incorrect. The percentage of females with primary school education in
Iran in 1986 was less than 45 percent.
Question 55
Skill Learning Objective Topic
1.D: Describe political systems, LEG-2.A: Describe Political
principles, institutions, processes, politically relevant social and Social
policies, and behaviors of a cleavages. Cleavages
course country.
(A) Incorrect. The Shi’a population makes up most of the population in
both the North and South. Despite official recognition of Judaism,
Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, a religious division exists within the
Shi’a Muslim majority.
(B) Incorrect. The Azerbaijanis and Kurds are small, ethnic minority
populations in Iran and do not threaten the stability of the
regime. Despite official recognition of Judaism, Christianity, and
Zoroastrianism, a religious division exists within the Shi’a Muslim
majority.
(C) Correct. Despite official recognition of Judaism, Christianity, and
Zoroastrianism, a religious division exists within the Shi’a Muslim
majority.
(D) Incorrect. Most Iranians are Persian, which does not create a significant
cleavage with the smaller Arab population. Despite official recognition
of Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, a religious division exists
within the Shi’a Muslim majority.
(A) Using the data in the graph, identify the year with the lower turnout. 1 point
3.A
An identification includes:
• 1993
(B) Using the data in the graph, describe the relationship between total vote and 1 point
voting-age population in Mexico between 1993 and 2017. 3.B
Acceptable explanations include the following (max one point per country):
• State membership in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Iran/Mexico/
Nigeria/Russia/the United Kingdom has promoted economic liberalization
policies.
• State membership in the World Bank for Iran/Mexico/Nigeria/Russia/the
United Kingdom has promoted economic liberalization policies.
• State membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) for China/Mexico/
Nigeria/Russia/the United Kingdom has promoted economic liberalization
policies.
• China has changed economic policies to comply with the WTO in order to be
admitted to the organization.
• Nigeria has changed economic policies to comply with the WTO in order to
be admitted to the organization.
• Nigeria has changed economic policies to comply with the World Bank in
order to receive financial assistance.
• In order to accept emergency loans from the IMF, Russia’s government had
to adopt structural adjustment programs that reduced tariffs on imports and
reduced government subsidies to domestic businesses.
• In order to accept emergency loans from the IMF, Mexico’s government had
to adopt structural adjustment programs that reduced tariffs on imports and
reduced government subsidies to domestic businesses.
• The UK had to alter regulatory and economic policies to be in line with those
of the EU.
• The UK adopted more neoliberal economic policies as a member of the EU.
2.C
Acceptable explanations include the following (max one point per country):
• After joining the WTO, the size of China’s economy grew immensely.
• After joining the WTO, China’s per capita GDP grew substantially because of
its ability to export new products to global consumers.
• A condition for Mexico’s receiving IMF emergency loans was to reduce
government subsidies to domestic industries and to reduce tariffs on
imports. This led to the government’s support of the North American Free
Trade Agreement that caused Mexico’s government to further embrace
neoliberal economic reforms as its per capita GDP grew.
• The UK joined the EU in order to gain easier access to European markets. The
EU became the UK’s primary trading partner, and London established itself as
the financial hub of Europe.
• Russia joined the WTO to increase access to global trade and be accepted
into the international community.
Total for question 3 5 points
Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
Row A 0 points 1 point
Claim/Thesis Does not meet the criteria for one point. Responds to the prompt with a defensible claim or thesis that establishes a line
(0–1 points) of reasoning.
Decision Rules and Scoring Notes
5.A
Responses that do not earn this point: Responses that earn this point:
• Only restate the prompt. • Responds to the prompt rather than restating or rephrasing the prompt and
• Do not make a claim that responds to the prompt. establishes a line of reasoning.
• Provide a defensible claim or thesis that establishes a line of reasoning about
whether a country should or should not join a supranational organization,
using one or more of the provided course concepts: sovereignty;
globalization; or economic liberalization.
Examples that do not earn this point: Examples that earn this point:
Restate the prompt • “Two-party systems are better for the democratization process than
• “Multiparty systems are better for democracies than two-party systems.” multiparty systems because they provide much needed stability during a time
• “Two-party systems are helpful in the democratization process.” of transition.”
• “Two-party systems are better for the democratization process than
Do not respond to the prompt
multiparty systems because they provide clear alternatives to government.”
• “Two-party systems and multiparty systems are both found in democratic
regimes.” • “Multiparty systems are better for the democratization process because they
allow real electoral competition.”
• “Multiparty systems are better for the democratization process because they
allow for leaders to be held accountable through competitive elections.”
• “Multiparty systems enhance the democratic process because they provide
a range of options and allow many views to be represented strengthening
legitimacy.”
Additional Notes:
• The claim or thesis must consist of one or more sentences that can be located anywhere in the response.
• The claim or thesis that meets the criteria can be awarded the point whether or not the rest of the response successfully conveys that line of reasoning.
Additional Notes:
• A response does not need to earn the point in Row A to earn points in Row B.
• A response does not need to explain the relationship between the evidence and the claim or thesis to earn points in Row B. (That explanation is evaluated in Row C.)
Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
Row C 0 points 1 point
Reasoning Does not meet the criteria for one point. Explains how or why the evidence supports the claim or thesis.
(0–1 points)
Decision Rules and Scoring Notes
5.C
Responses that do not earn this point: Responses that earn this point:
• Include evidence but offer no reasoning to connect the evidence to the claim • Explain the relationship between the evidence provided and the claim or
or thesis. thesis.
• Restate the prompt without explaining how the evidence supports the claim
or thesis.
Examples of reasoning that explain how evidence supports the claim or
thesis:
• “As Mexico transitioned to democracy and a multiparty system developed,
citizens were finally able to hold leaders accountable.
• “As Mexico transitioned to democracy and a multiparty system developed, state
legitimacy was developed because election results were not predetermined.”
• “In Mexico under the PRI, the democratization process was able to develop
because the PRI allowed for a stable environment in which economic development
could happen.”
• “In Nigeria after the 1999 constitution, a multiparty system developed, and
citizens were able to elect leaders in competitive elections. This facilitated the
democratization process because it provided legitimacy to the government.”
• “The peaceful transfer of power in Nigeria after the 2015 presidential election
was a major development in the democratic transition because it was the first
peaceful transfer of power from one party to another.”
Additional Notes:
• To earn this point, the response must have a defensible claim or thesis (earned the point in Row A).
• The explanation of the relationship between one piece of evidence and the claim or thesis is sufficient to earn this point.
Additional Notes:
• To earn this point, the response must have a defensible claim or thesis (earned the point in Row A).
• Responses that demonstrate an incorrect understanding of the alternate perspective do not earn this point.
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