AP Human Geography - Scoring Guidelines - Question 1: No stimulus

Sep 22, 2026

AP Human Geography scoring guidelines for Question 1, No stimulus, addressing tensions between centrifugal and centripetal forces in state structures. The guidelines specify how to define the multinational state, explain devolution driven by ethnicity, and evaluate the role and limits of communication technology in supporting devolutionary groups and democracy movements. They also require identifying one centripetal force used by governments and assessing how uneven development and governance choices affect creation of autonomous regions versus unitary states.

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Question 1: No stimulus

(A) Define the multinational state

(B) Ethnicity and devolution

(D) Limitations of communication technology

(E) One centripetal force promoting the state

(F) Uneven development as a centrifugal force

(G) Autonomous region vs unitary state

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY Scoring Guidelines Question 1: No stimulus In most countries, the concept of the state as a political unit is subject to the tensions between centrifugal and centripetal forces. Governments are often challenged by the devolutionary factors that challenge state sovereignty. (A) Define the concept of the multinational state. (B) Explain how ethnicity can be a factor that leads to the devolution of a state. (C) Explain how communication technology plays an important role in the goals of devolutionary groups and democracy movements. (D) Explain the limitations of communication technology in furthering the goals of devolutionary groups and democracy movements. (E) Describe ONE centripetal force that governments use to promote the state as a nation. (F) Explain how uneven development within a state can act as a centrifugal force. (G) For a multinational state facing the realities of devolution, explain why a government would choose to create an autonomous region or choose to maintain a unitary state. AP Human Geography Course and Exam Description | SG 1 |
Scoring Guidelines for Question 1: No stimulus 7 points
Learning Objectives: PSO-4.A SPS-4.A SPS-4.B SPS-4.C SPS-7.B | | | | --- | --- | --- | | (A) | Define the concept of the multinational state. | 1 point | | | • A country with multiple culture groups or multiple ethnic groups under a single government. | 1.A | | (B) | Explain how ethnicity can be a factor that leads to the devolution of a state.
Accept one of the following:
• Ethnic differences, ethnocentrism, or ethnic separatism can be the source of conflict between culture groups, or between one ethnic group and a government.
• One or more ethnic groups may control a government, while another ethnic group has limited political power.
• Ethnic nationalist political parties may compete for political power or attempt to gain control of territory.
• An ethnic group existing within a territory shared with other culture groups may attempt to gain control through armed conflict, ethnic cleansing, or terrorism
• Irredentism, as a country may attempt to annex or regain territory in a neighboring state inhabited by people who have ethnic ties back that country.
• An ethnic group may desire to establish its own nation-state or agree to establish an autonomous region within an existing country. | 1 point
1.B | | (C) | Explain how communication technology plays an important role in the goals of devolutionary groups and democracy movements.
Accept one of the following:
• Personal computers, personal communication devices, or cell phones can be used to connect people who support a common ethnic, religious, or political desire to devolve the state or reform the government.
• Software applications (apps) for social networking can be used to connect people who support a common ethnic, religious, or political desire to devolve the state or reform the government.
• Radio. television, news, or the internet can be used to broadcast ethnic, religious, or political groups intent to devolve the state or reform the government.
• Ethnic, religious, or political groups who intend to devolve the state or reform the government can develop their own apps, websites, channels or news. | 1 point
1.B | | (D) | Explain the limitations of communication technology in furthering the goals of devolutionary groups and democracy movements.
Accept one of the following:
• Governments can shut down cellular phone towers, data networks, or satellite uplinks to prevent social networking
• Governments can filter or block information entering their country via the Internet or on social network sites.
• Governments can ban media from broadcasting information, news, websites or other media regarding an ethnic, religious, or political groups who intend to devolve the state or reform the government.
• Governments can counter devolutionary groups and demo

FAQs

What must a student do in part (A) of Question 1?

Define the concept of the multinational state.

How can ethnicity lead to the devolution of a state in part (B)?

The guidelines accept explanations involving ethnic differences or ethnocentrism, unequal political power among ethnic groups, ethnic nationalist competition for power or territory, and outcomes such as armed conflict, ethnic cleansing, or terrorism, including irredentism or creating autonomous regions.

What does part (D) require about communication technology?

Explain limitations of communication technology in furthering the goals of devolutionary groups and democracy movements, including government shutdowns, information filtering or blocking, banning media, counters via pro-government content, and surveillance or cyber techniques.

Sep 22, 2026

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