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Tips for Writing AP Biology Free Response Questions (FRQ)
DO
1. The first
thing that you should do is carefully read the question. The second
thing you should do is read the question, and
the third thing you
should do is read the
question!
Be sure that you answer the question
asked, that you answer all parts of the
question, and that you follow
the directions within the question
prompt.
2. Take a
minute to outline/plan your answer to avoid confusion and
disorganization. Thinking ahead
helps to avoid scratch outs, astrices,
skipping around, and rambling.
3. Write
an
essay: use complete thoughts and sentences. Outlines and
diagrams, no matter how
elaborate and accurate, are not appropriate
free response answers and
will
not earn any points.
4. Define
your
terms. Say something about each of the terms that you use.
Assume
the
reader knows NOTHING! Demonstrate your knowledge of
biology!
5. Answer
the
question parts in the order asked for by the question.
6. AP
biology free response answers should be concise. They are NOT
like the essays you write in English class!
Free response
statement are
awarded points, so you start with
0 points and earn 1
point for each correct statement, definition,
explanation or example.
Every sentence should
earn one point and you
shouldn't have to write
more than a page to earn a
perfect score of 10 points.
7.
Write clearly and neatly. It would be foolhardy to antagonize the
reader with lousy penmanship. If
the reader cannot
comprehend your
handwriting,
you cannot earn points for it!
8. Go into detail about the subject if the question asks for
details, elaboration, or
discussion. Be sure to include what you would
consider obvious
answers.
Answer
the question thoroughly.
9. If you cannot remember a word exactly, take a shot at it, get
as close as you can. If you can't recall the
name of a concept, describe the concept.
10. Write using a black ball point pen with dark ink.
11. Remember that no detail is too small to
be included as long as it is to the
point.
12. Carefully label your diagrams (they get no points otherwise)
and place them in the text at the
appropriate place-not detached at the end. Be sure to
refer to
the
diagram in your essay.
13. Widen your margins a little. This will make reading the essay
neater.
14. Bring a watch to the exam so that you can pace yourself. You
have four free
response questions to answer in 90 minutes, so spend
about 22
minutes
for each answer.
15. Practice outlining your free response answers on your tests
during the year.
16. Understand that the exam is written to be hard. The average
will be about 50% correct, or 5
out
of a possible 10 on an essay. It is very likely
that you will not know
everything. It is expected, so
relax and write the
most thorough answer you are capable of.
17.
Underline key terms used in your response to draw attention to them!
Sometimes, emphasis helps the reader identify
information that will
earn you
points!
Here are some
direction-words used in free response questions. See if you can write a
definition for each word. Then compare your answers with the
definitions that follow.
a. Compare
b. Contrast
c. Define
d. Describe
e. Discuss
f. Enumerate
g. Evaluate
h. Explain
i. Interpret
j. Prove or show
Here are the definitions to
compare with yours:
a.
COMPARE: Show
the
similarities between two events, periods, ideas,
theories, or
the like.
(Some
people use the term
'compare' to describe
differences as well as
similarities, so
be careful!)
b.
CONTRAST: Show the
differences between two or more events, periods,
ideas, or theories.
c.
DEFINE:
State the meaning of a word or phrase. Example: Define science.
d.
DESCRIBE: Provide the
characteristics of something. Example:
Describe the functions of the
ATP/ADP
systems.
e.
DISCUSS: State the
pros and
cons on an issue, event, process, theory, or
technique. Example:
Discuss how DNA
f.
ENUMERATE: List a
number of
reasons or attributes of something.
Example:
Enumerate the stages
of mitosis.
g. EVALUATE: Make a judgment
or form an opinion, or supply reasons why something
is as it is.
Example:
Evaluate the effects of Jenner's
experiments with cowpox.
h.
EXPLAIN: Support or
qualify a given generalization with
specific facts and
ideas. Example: Explain
what is meant by the "scientific
method."
i. INTERPRET: Analyze
critically or explain something not clear.
j. PROVE or SHOW: Demonstrate
the truth or a statement. Explain
the
reasons for events turning out as
they did, or speculate on what might
be
the
effects of certain causes. Example:
Show with
diagrams how the eye is like a
camera.
DON'T
1.
Don't ramble--get to the point!
2.
Don't waste time on background information unless the question
calls
for historical development or historical
significance. Answer the
question.
3.
Don't shoot the bull--write what you know. You can always come back
to
a question when you remember something else.
4.
Don't use a pencil. Never use a felt-tip pen because the ink seeps
through the page and makes both sides of the paper
hard to read.
5. Don't panic or get angry because you are
unfamiliar
with the question.
You probably have read
or heard something about the subject--be
calm
and think.
6.
Don't scratch out excessively. One line through the unwanted word(s)
should be sufficient.
7.
Don't write in the margin.
8.
Don't worry about spelling every word perfectly or using exact
grammar.
These are not a part of the standards the readers use. It is
important
for you to know, however, that very poor spelling and
grammar will hurt
your chances of earning points.
9.
Don't write sloppy. It is easy for a grader to miss an important word
when he/she cannot read your
handwriting.
10.
Don't leave questions blank. Remember that one point on an essay
question is
the equivalent of about
three of the multiple choice
questions, and
there is no penalty for a
wrong
guess. Make an effort to write
something for every question!
11. RELAX AND
DON'T WORRY