Document is from the College Board's AP Seminar Free-Response Questions for 2023, Set 1.
Related to AP Capstone.
Consists of Parts A and B, each with specific tasks and expectations.
Part A
Suggested Time: 30 minutes
Tasks:
A1: Identify the author's argument, main idea, or thesis (3 points).
A2: Explain the author's line of reasoning by identifying claims and their connections (6 points).
A3: Evaluate the effectiveness of the evidence used by the author (6 points).
Passage Analysis
Title: "Why full-day kindergarten is failing our children" by Charlie Gillis, Macleans, October 31, 2013.
Historical Context:
Friedrich Fröbel, the founder of kindergarten, faced opposition from authorities like Prussia in the 1800s.
Current Context:
Full-day kindergarten is increasingly common across Canadian provinces.
Popular among working parents and teachers' unions.
Debate exists on its actual benefits for children.
Ontario Case Study:
Government cited studies suggesting full-day kindergarten benefits.
Results were hyped, but full reports showed mixed to negative outcomes for most children.
Critics highlight negative impacts on emotional maturity and communication skills.
Special-needs children fared worse in full-day programs.
Benefits for disadvantaged children might be short-term.
Suggested more targeted approaches for at-risk children.
Part B
Suggested Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Task: Write an argument on a theme or issue connecting four sources.
Must include at least two sources and provide supporting evidence.
Source Analysis
Source A:
Title: "Can Simulated Nature Support Mental Health?"
Discusses using VR to provide nature experiences for urban residents.
VR can offer therapeutic benefits similar to real nature.
Immersion in VR provides mental health benefits.
Source B:
Poem: "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by William Butler Yeats
Describes a longing for peace and escape to nature.
Highlights personal connection and yearning for natural tranquility.
Source C:
Title: "Transport-related CO2 Emissions of the Tourism Sector"
Discusses the environmental impact of tourism, particularly CO2 emissions from transport.
Tourism is a major economic sector but also a significant contributor to climate change.
Source D:
Title: "If You Travel to Escape Your Problems, What Happens When You’re Trapped in Place?"
Examines the psychology of travel as escapism.
Travel can offer a break from routine and help in self-discovery.
Raises concerns about using travel to avoid addressing underlying personal issues.
Conclusion
The AP Seminar free-response questions require identifying arguments, analyzing reasoning, evaluating evidence, and constructing arguments based on provided sources.
The examination reflects on educational practices, simulated experiences, environmental challenges, and psychological aspects of escapism.