Write a response in the box, then click Show Answer to see the key points and scoring rubric so you can grade yourself. On the real AP exam, free-response questions are scored on 7-point rubrics — each part is worth 1 point, so always be specific and include a causal mechanism when asked to explain.
SAQ Practice · define
Define crude birth rate (CBR).
Key Points for Full Credit
CBR = number of live births per 1,000 people per year
Must include all three parts: live births, per 1,000 people, per year
'How many babies are born' without the per-1,000 standardization is incomplete
Rubric note: Award 1 point for a complete, accurate definition. CBR is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a population in a given year. Must include: (1) live births, (2) per 1,000 people, (3) per year. Saying 'how many babies are born' without the per-1,000 standardization is incomplete.
SAQ Practice · describe
Describe one push factor of migration.
Key Points for Full Credit
Names a specific push factor: war or conflict, political persecution, economic hardship, drought, famine, environmental disaster
Explains why it drives people to leave the place of origin
Must describe the mechanism — not just list a factor
Rubric note: Award 1 point for a specific push factor with an explanation of how it drives people to leave. Push factors are conditions at the origin that repel people. Accept: war or conflict, political persecution, economic hardship, environmental disasters, famine, disease, discrimination. Must identify a specific factor AND describe why it causes people to leave — not just list it.
SAQ Practice · explain
Explain how pull factors influence migration patterns.
Key Points for Full Credit
Pull factors = conditions at the destination that attract migrants (jobs, safety, political freedom, family networks)
Explains how they shape where migrants choose to go — migrants weigh destinations by their perceived advantages
Must include the causal link between the factor and the migration decision
Rubric note: Award 1 point for explaining the causal mechanism. A complete response identifies pull factors (conditions at the destination that attract migrants) and explains how they shape where people choose to move. Must explain HOW the factor influences the decision, not just define pull factors.
SAQ Practice · describe
Describe one stage of the Demographic Transition Model.
Key Points for Full Credit
DTM Stage 1: high birth rate, high death rate → slow natural increase
Stage 2: death rate falls (improved sanitation/medicine), birth rate stays high → rapid population growth
Stage 3: birth rate falls → growth slows; Stage 4: both low → stable or declining population
Must describe the specific pattern for the stage named, not just list stage numbers
Rubric note: Award 1 point for accurately describing a specific stage with BOTH its birth rate and death rate characteristics. Must name the stage AND describe what happens to birth and death rates. Stage 1: high birth, high death. Stage 2: high birth, falling death, rapid growth. Stage 3: falling birth, low death. Stage 4: low birth, low death, stable or declining population.
SAQ Practice · explain
Explain how population growth affects resource use.
Key Points for Full Credit
As population grows, demand for food, water, energy, and land increases
Explains a specific consequence: resource depletion, deforestation, water scarcity, or exceeding carrying capacity
Must include the causal chain — growth → rising demand → consequence
Rubric note: Award 1 point for explaining a causal relationship between population growth and resource use. Must explain that as population increases, demand for resources increases — and explain a specific consequence (resource depletion, environmental degradation, rising prices, conflict over scarce resources). Must go beyond 'more people use more resources.'
SAQ Practice · describe
Describe one type of forced migration.
Key Points for Full Credit
Names a specific type of forced migration: refugee migration, internally displaced persons, human trafficking, environmental displacement
Describes the conditions that make the movement forced rather than voluntary
Must describe the type — not just say 'people are forced to move'
Rubric note: Award 1 point for naming a specific type of forced migration AND describing the conditions that make it forced. Accept: refugee migration (fleeing war or persecution); internally displaced persons; slave trade; environmental displacement; ethnic cleansing. Must explain what makes it forced — lack of choice.
SAQ Practice · explain
Explain how migration affects the economy of receiving areas.
Key Points for Full Credit
Identifies a specific economic effect on the receiving area: filling labor shortages, immigrant entrepreneurship, wage competition, fiscal costs and contributions
Explains the causal mechanism behind the effect
Must go beyond 'migration helps or hurts the economy'
Rubric note: Award 1 point for explaining a specific economic effect with a causal mechanism — e.g., immigrants fill labor shortages; immigrant entrepreneurs create businesses; migrant workers may compete with native workers affecting wages. Must explain HOW migration produces the economic effect.
SAQ Practice · describe
Describe one effect of aging populations.
Key Points for Full Credit
Describes a specific effect: rising healthcare and pension costs, shrinking labor force, higher dependency ratio, pressure to increase immigration
Links the effect to the shift in age structure
Must be specific — not just 'the population gets older'
Rubric note: Award 1 point for a specific, accurate effect. Accept: increased healthcare and pension costs; labor force shrinkage slowing economic growth; higher dependency ratios; countries increasing immigration to maintain workforce levels. Must be specific — 'older populations need more care' is too vague.
SAQ Practice · explain
Explain how remittances impact origin countries.
Key Points for Full Credit
Remittances flow from immigrants back to origin countries, supporting families and local economies
Can represent a significant portion of GDP in some developing countries (e.g., Philippines, Mexico)
Must explain the directional flow and economic impact — not just define the word
Rubric note: Award 1 point for explaining a causal mechanism connecting remittances to conditions in the origin country. A complete response identifies remittances (money sent by migrants to family) and explains a specific impact — e.g., providing foreign currency supporting household consumption; funding education or small businesses; in some countries exceeding foreign aid. Must explain the mechanism.
SAQ Practice · describe
Describe one reason migration policies create political conflict.
Key Points for Full Credit
Identifies a specific reason: economic competition over jobs and wages, cultural backlash to rapid demographic change, security concerns, humanitarian obligations vs. sovereignty
Explains why that reason produces political conflict
Must be specific — not just 'people disagree about immigration'
Rubric note: Award 1 point for a specific reason. Accept: economic competition — native workers fear migrants taking jobs or lowering wages; cultural conflict — rapid demographic change produces nativist backlash; security concerns; humanitarian vs. sovereignty tension. Must be specific, not just 'people disagree about immigration.'