AP Comparative Government and Politics: Sample FRQs

1. Question:

Political Systems Comparison:
Compare the political systems of the United Kingdom and China. In your response, be sure to:

Discuss the role of political parties in each system.
Analyze how political participation differs between the two countries.
Explain how political systems in each country are structured, focusing on the legislative and executive branches.

Response Guidelines:

Provide a clear comparison of the political systems in the United Kingdom and China.
Discuss political parties and their role in the political process.
Analyze political participation and how it is shaped by the respective political systems.
Explain how each country’s legislative and executive branches are structured and how they function.

2. Question:

Impact of Political Institutions:
In many political systems, the judiciary plays a critical role in balancing power and protecting individual rights. Select two of the following countries (Nigeria, Russia, or Mexico) and evaluate the role of the judiciary in each political system. In your response, be sure to:

Discuss the independence of the judiciary in each country.
Analyze the judicial system’s role in protecting the rule of law and individual rights.
Compare how judicial decisions impact the functioning of the political system.

Response Guidelines:

Select two countries from the given options and compare their judicial systems.
Evaluate the independence of the judiciary in each country and how that affects governance.
Analyze how the judiciary protects individual rights and enforces the rule of law.
Use examples to show how judicial decisions influence political outcomes in each country.

3. Question:

Political Economy and Development:
Evaluate the role of economic systems in shaping the political systems of two countries. Select two countries from the following list (India, Brazil, Iran, or South Africa) and:

Compare the role of the state in economic development in each country.
Discuss how economic policy has impacted political stability and governance.
Analyze the relationship between economic inequality and political participation in both countries.

Response Guidelines:

Provide a detailed comparison of the economic systems in the two selected countries.
Analyze the role of the state in driving economic development and the implications for political stability.
Discuss how economic policy has shaped political governance in each country.
Examine the impact of economic inequality on political participation and the functioning of democracy or authoritarianism.

Grading Rubric for AP Comparative Government and Politics FRQs

The AP Comparative Government and Politics FRQs are graded on a scale from 0-9, based on the clarity of the response, the depth of analysis, and the extent to which the student demonstrates an understanding of political concepts.

Political Systems Comparison (0-6 points)

0-1 points: The essay fails to provide a clear comparison or is inaccurate. The response may be overly vague, incorrect, or off-topic.
2 points: The essay provides a basic comparison with some relevant points but lacks depth or clarity. The comparison may be incomplete or superficial.
3 points: The essay provides a clear comparison with some relevant points, but the analysis lacks depth or fails to fully address key aspects of the systems.
4 points: The essay offers a well-organized comparison with clear and relevant points. The comparison of key elements (political participation, institutions, etc.) is adequate but may lack nuance.
5 points: The essay presents a strong comparison, supported by clear and relevant examples. The analysis is focused on key elements and provides a deeper understanding of both systems.
6 points: The essay offers an in-depth, sophisticated comparison with nuanced analysis. The response demonstrates a strong understanding of both political systems, supported by specific, well-explained examples.

Impact of Political Institutions (0-6 points)

0-1 points: The essay is poorly organized or lacks a clear comparison of political institutions. Key elements are missing or incorrect.
2 points: The essay identifies political institutions but provides limited analysis. The comparison lacks depth or is incomplete.
3 points: The essay compares political institutions and their roles, but the analysis is not fully developed or lacks detailed examples.
4 points: The essay offers a clear comparison with relevant examples, explaining the role of political institutions. The analysis is adequate but lacks some depth or complexity.
5 points: The essay presents a strong comparison of political institutions, analyzing their roles in detail. The examples provided are clear and relevant.
6 points: The essay offers a nuanced, well-supported analysis of the impact of political institutions. The comparison is in-depth, and the response provides insightful examples and explanations.

Political Economy and Development (0-6 points)

0-1 points: The essay lacks a clear comparison of economic systems or is overly vague. The response is off-topic or inaccurate.
2 points: The essay makes a basic comparison of economic systems but lacks depth. Some aspects of the economic systems may not be addressed thoroughly.
3 points: The essay compares economic systems with some depth, but the analysis of political stability or inequality may be underdeveloped.
4 points: The essay offers a clear comparison with relevant examples. The role of economic policy is analyzed, but some points may need further development or detail.
5 points: The essay presents a strong comparison with specific examples, analyzing economic systems, policies, and their impact on political stability.
6 points: The essay provides an in-depth, well-organized comparison, demonstrating a deep understanding of how economic systems influence political stability and inequality. The response is supported by detailed, relevant examples.

Sample Grading Breakdown (for one FRQ)

Political Systems Comparison: 5 points
Impact of Political Institutions: 4 points
Political Economy and Development: 6 points
Total: 15 points (for all three FRQs combined)

These sample FRQs reflect the types of questions that students will encounter on the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam. The questions assess students' abilities to compare political systems, analyze political institutions, and understand the role of economics in shaping political governance. The rubric ensures that responses are evaluated based on the clarity of the analysis, the use of relevant examples, and the depth of the argument. Let me know if you'd like additional examples or further clarification!