AP® Human Geography · Free response

A land-use map and a distance table: how well von Thünen fits a real region

write it first, then score yourself point by point

Q3: Two stimuli · no calculator · 7 points · about 25 minutes

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The question

Name: ______________________   Date: ____________   A land-use map and a distance table: how well von Thünen fits a real region (7 points)

Map

Source 1: Main farm land use by province, Country A

Choropleth of Country A by province showing the main farm land use: market gardening and dairy in the Capital Region and on the South Coast, grain in the Central Valley, Eastern Plains and Lake District, and ranching in the Northern Hills, Western Uplands and Southern Forest

Main farm land use (invented)

  • Livestock ranching
  • Grain and field crops
  • Market gardening and dairy
Invented data for practice. An invented country for practice. Open the map full size

Data

Source 2: Distance and land value by province, Country A

Distance from the capital city and farmland value by province, Country A (invented data for practice)
ProvinceDistance from the capital city (km)Average farmland value (US dollars per hectare)Notes
Capital Region0 to 3012,000The country's largest market
Central Valley406,000Flat, good soil
Eastern Plains604,500Flat, good soil
Lake District704,000Rail line to the capital
Western Uplands1201,200Hilly
Southern Forest1301,000Hilly, wooded
South Coast1409,000Mild winters; port with refrigerated shipping to export markets
Northern Hills150800Hilly, dry

Invented data for practice.

  1. (A) Identify Identify the scale of analysis of the data shown in Source 1. [1 point]

    Identify means: Give the information asked for: a word or short phrase can earn the point, with no reasons needed.

  2. (B) Describe Using both sources, describe how the main farm land use changes with distance from the capital city. [1 point]

    Describe means: Give the relevant characteristics: what it is like, where and how much. A name alone earns nothing.

  3. (C) Explain Explain why the von Thünen model predicts market gardening and dairy in the Capital Region. [1 point]

    Explain means: Say how or why, with every link of the chain: a cause, then because or so, then its effect, tied to the place or data asked about.

  4. (D) Explain Using Source 2, explain how farmland value changes with distance from the capital city. [1 point]

    Explain means: Say how or why, with every link of the chain: a cause, then because or so, then its effect, tied to the place or data asked about.

  5. (E) Compare Compare the South Coast with the Northern Hills, using both sources. [1 point]

    Compare means: Give a similarity or a difference and say it about both things, not one.

  6. (F) Explain Explain one reason the South Coast does not fit the von Thünen model. [1 point]

    Explain means: Say how or why, with every link of the chain: a cause, then because or so, then its effect, tied to the place or data asked about.

  7. (G) Explain the degree Explain the degree to which the von Thünen model fits land use in Country A. [1 point]

    Explain the degree means: State the degree first (to a high, moderate or low degree), then explain why with evidence.