AP US History (APUSH) Multiple Choice Practice Guide

Introduction

• Practice session for APUSH multiple choice questions.
• Based on an official practice exam by the College Board.
• Emphasis on self-practice for improvement.

Strategy for Stimulus-Based Questions

Step 1: Attribution

• Immediately check the attribution of the stimulus.
• Example: Seneca Falls Convention, Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, 1848.
  • Knowing the context helps answer questions without reading the full stimulus.

Step 2: Read and Mark Important Parts

• Quickly read through the stimulus.
• Highlight key themes, such as "elective franchise" indicating voting rights for women.

Example Question Analysis

Question 1: Challenge to Prevailing Ideals

• Focus on key terms like "directly challenge."
• Correct Answer: B - "Women should focus on the home and domestic sphere."
  • The document challenges traditional domestic roles for women.

Question 2: Continuation of Ideas

• Focus on historical continuity in the late 19th century.
• Correct Answer: A - "The formation of voluntary organizations and reform efforts."
  • Women were involved in reform due to voting restrictions.

Visual Stimulus: Graph Analysis

Step 1: Title and Initial Observations

• Title provides context: Immigration to the U.S. (1820-1860).
• Observe trends such as increases in immigration between 1843 and 1854.

Example Question Analysis

Question 3: Cause of Immigration Trend

• Identify significant causes between 1843 and 1854.
• Correct Answer: B - "Economic and political difficulties in Germany and Ireland."
  • Context: German revolutions and Irish Potato Famine.

Question 4: Direct Effect of Immigration Trend

• Focus on direct effects post-1845.
• Correct Answer: C - "An upsurge in nativist sentiment."
  • Reaction against immigrants led to increased nativism.

Question 5: Association with U.S. Processes

• Evaluate processes most directly related to immigration.
• Correct Answer: B - "The emergence of an industrialized economy."
  • Industrial jobs attracted immigrants.

Key Takeaways

1. Time Period Context: Always focus on the specified time period to filter relevant information.
2. Attribution First: Initial context can often provide immediate insight into questions.
3. Markup Questions: Highlight key parts to better focus under exam pressure.
4. Scoring Reminder: Aim for 55% correct in multiple choice for a passing score.

Additional Resources

• Videos for writing section preparation.

Use these strategies to optimize your approach to APUSH multiple choice questions and improve your exam performance.