AP US Government Free Response: Quantitative Analysis Example

Free AP US Government Tests

AP US Government Free Response: Quantitative Analysis Example 2

After answering the AP Government Quantitative Analysis FRQ, you can evaluate this sample response, which would receive a perfect score:

Sample Student Response

(A) The age group that most favors same-sex marriages is the 18–29-year-olds.

(B) Older generations are more likely to oppose same-sex marriages than younger generations.

(C) Due to different life experiences, younger generations experienced society changing its views on gay marriage and the Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage during their impressionable years. Therefore, they are more likely to support gay marriage. 

(D) Future political candidates would be more likely to adopt positions favorable to gay marriage, as the generation that most favors gay marriage is going to emerge as the dominant voting group in the future. 

You can use the detailed scoring guidelines below to review your answer to this free response question:

Question 2: Quantitative Analysis 4 points

(A) Identify the age group that most favors same-sex marriages.

Acceptable identifications include:

  • 18–29
 1 point

(B) Describe a trend among the different age groups who oppose gay marriage.

Acceptable descriptions include:

  • The data from the graph shows that, as people get older, they are more likely to oppose gay marriage. 
 1 point

(C) Draw a conclusion as to why different age groups hold different opinions on same-sex marriage.

Acceptable conclusions include:

  • Younger people have different life experiences than older people. Younger people grew up as society changed its view on gay marriage and as the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage, which influenced their views on this topic. 
  • Older generations tend to be more religious than younger generations, which would result more opposition to gay marriage among older age groups.
 1 point

(D) Explain how the information in the graph could influence future political campaigns.

Acceptable explanations include:

  • As the younger group of voters become more involved in future political campaigns, it is more likely that candidates will adopt campaign positions that mirrors their views on gay marriage. 
  • As the younger voters become more engaged in the political campaigns, it is more likely for political campaigns to use social media outlets to cater to positions that they favor such as legalization of gay marriage.
 1 point

Next: FRQ Example 3

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