2015 AP World History Free-Response Questions - Part A

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

2015 AP World History Free-Response Questions (Section II) includes Part A, which requires an essay analyzing how influenza spread in the early twentieth century using Documents 1–9. The prompt specifies writing a relevant thesis supported by document evidence, using all documents, grouping them in meaningful ways rather than summarizing individually, and analyzing authors’ perspectives. It also requires identifying and explaining the need for at least one additional document type and allows referencing outside historical information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Part A

Core essay requirements

Document-based analysis focus

AP® World History 2015 Free-Response Questions © 2015 The College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement Program, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks ofthe College Board. Visit [the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org](the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org). AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program: [apcentral.collegeboard.org](apcentral.collegeboard.org). 2015 AP® WORLD HISTORY FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS WORLD HISTORY SECTION II Note: This exam uses the chronological designations B.C.E. (before the common era) and C.E. (common era) . These labels correspond to B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (anno Domini), which are used in some world history textbooks. Part A (Suggested writing time—40 minutes) Percent of Section II score—33 1/3 Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying Documents 1-9. (The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise.) Write your answer on the lined pages of the Section II free-response booklet. This question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. Write an essay that: x Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents. x Uses all of the documents. x Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many appropriate ways as possible. Does not simply summarize the documents individually. x Takes into account the sources of the documents and analyzes the authors’ points of view. x Identifies and explains the need for at least one additional type of document. You may refer to relevant historical information not mentioned in the documents. © 2015 The College Board. Visit [the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org](the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org). GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE. 2015 AP® WORLD HISTORY FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS 1. Using the following documents, analyze responses to the spread of influenza in the early twentieth century. Historical Background: The influenza pandemic of 1918–1919 killed an estimated 50 million people, many more than the total fatalities of the First World War. Approximately 20%–40% of the global population became ill. 1918–1919 Sites of Influenza Outbreaks Mentioned in the Documents Document 1 Source: Medical doctor, letter to a friend, Camp Devens, United States Army base near Boston, Massachusetts, 1918. Camp Devens has about 50,000 men, or it did before the epidemic broke loose. The epidemic started about four weeks ago, and has developed so rapidly that the camp is demoralized and all ordinary work is held up till it has passed. All assemblages of soldiers are taboo. We have been averaging about 100 deaths a day, and still keeping it up. The normal number of doctors here is about 25 and that has been increased to over 250, all of whom have temporary orders. The little town nearby is quite a sight. It takes special trains to carry away the dead. For several days there were no coffins and the bodies piled up something fierce. We used to go down to the morgue and look at the boys laid out in rows. It beats any sight they ever had in France after a battle. And you can imagine what the paper work alone is—fierce—and the Government demands all paper work be kept up in good shape. So you can see that we are busy. © 2015 The College Board. Visit [the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org](the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org). GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE. 2015 AP® WORLD HISTORY FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS Document 2 Source: Lutiant van Wert, Native American female volunteer office worker, letter to a friend at an Indian school in Kansas, Washington, D.C., 1918. Katherine and I just returned last Sunday evening from Camp Humphreys “Somewhere in Virginia” where we helped nurse soldiers sick with the Influenza. We were there atthe camp for ten days among some of the very worst cases and yet we did not contract i

FAQs

What must the essay include for Part A?

It must present a relevant thesis supported by evidence from the documents, use all documents, analyze them by grouping them appropriately, and consider the sources and authors’ viewpoints.

How should students handle the documents in the essay?

Students must not simply summarize documents one by one; they must analyze them by grouping in as many appropriate ways as possible.

Is it allowed to use information beyond the provided documents?

Yes. Students may refer to relevant historical information not mentioned in the documents.

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

2015 AP World History Free-Response Questions - Part A_Page 1

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