Long Responses in the AP
Euro Exam
Frye [with thanks to Swanny]
The Basics
• SHORT ANSWERS IN THE AP EURO EXAM
• 4 SAs; no choices; 45 minutes; 20% of exam
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1. Read the whole question.
2. Answer each piece with regard to other pieces.
3. Sentences in bullet points.
4. Each is 3 POINTS
Characteristics of SAQ’s
• Each question is worth 3
points (1 point per part)
• Sometimes there will be some
internal choices
• Each requires student to
include and analyze RELEVANT
FACTUAL info, but student can
choose what FACTUAL info to
use!
• A. Briefly explain ONE important
similarity between the wars of
religion in France and the English
Civil War.
• B. Briefly explain ONE important
difference between the wars of
religion in France and the English
Civil War.
• C. Briefly analyze ONE factor that
accounts for the difference you
identified in Part B.
Characteristics of SAQ’s
• You MUST put your entire response (Pts. A,B,C) in the One page
Answer space block provided
• Responses MUST be in complete sentences, but thesis statements are
not required.
• The parts of your response DON’T have to connect to each other. (they
can if it’s easy to do so)
• “Briefly explain” is the most common task language used in sample
short answer questions.
• This means you need to add the why or how, not just a name drop. Don’t just drop “horses”,
“disease”, “pigs”, etc… briefly explain.
• FACTUAL EVIDENCE IS A MUST for EACH part
• You DO Have to provide some analysis {“because, because, because”!
how to answer
• Each SAQ consists of 3 parts
• You should label each part
of your response by its
letter A. then B. then C.
• You’re often asked to
explain P.O.V. or Connect
two Eras
• You’re often asked to
connect cause and effect!
• A. In both the French Wars
of Religion and the English
Civil War, Calvinists (in
France the Huguenots and
in England the Puritans)
challenged the reigning
power.
how to answer
• Each SAQ consists of 3 parts
• You should label each part
of your response by its
letter A. then B. then C.
• You’re often asked to
explain P.O.V. or Connect
two Eras
• You’re often asked to
connect cause and effect!
• B. In France the structure of
government remain unchanged
and, in fact, Henry IV, though
once a Huguenot, became a
Catholic king. In England, on the
other hand, the king was killed
and Cromwell ruled, giving
Parliament the upper hand.
how to answer
• Each SAQ consists of 3 parts
• You should label each part
of your response by its
letter A. then B. then C.
• You’re often asked to
explain P.O.V. or Connect
two Eras
• You’re often asked to
connect cause and effect!
• C. The Puritans won in England because
they controlled Parliament; France had
no institution to oppose the king. Also,
the involvement of the Scots eventually
led to Charles downfall, while France’s
politics, though subject to some Spanish
meddling, were largely internal.
Don’t be wishy-washy saying “so-and-so
probably believed this” because it makes
the reader question whether you really
understand what they’re talking about
Non-textual source
Use the image and your knowledge of history to
answer parts A, B, and C. The figure on the throne is
the pope; the others are princes and other leaders.
This was printed in Germany in the decade following
Luther’s 95 Theses.
A. Explain the point of view reflected in the image
regarding the Reformation.
B. Explain how ONE element of the image expresses
the point of view you identified in Part A.
C. Explain how this image connects to politics in
Reformation Germany.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS ON SAQ’S
• Students are generally directed to choose one item or provide one piece of
evidence (ONE is generally in all caps). There is no benefit to choosing more
than one.
• Based on the samples released by College Board, you need to know
general details and major highlights of the topics presented as well as
basic cause and effect. You do NOT need to know obscure facts.
• A bulleted list of ideas will seem unstructured and immature.
DON’T DO THIS.