Aim for FiveHuman Geography

One-stimulus question

Fewer, bigger farms

  • Units 1, 5 and 6
  • 7 points
  • About 25 minutes

Seven short parts (A–G) built around one source, such as a data table, graph, map or image, drawing on ideas from at least two units. Some parts ask you to read the source, others to connect it to course ideas. On the exam: Question 2 of 3 in the 1-hour-15-minute free-response section (Section II). The three questions together are 50% of your exam score, so each is worth about 16.7%; 7 points, one for each part A–G. College Board suggests about 25 minutes per question, including up to 5 minutes to plan. No calculator.

The question and its sources

State R is a mostly rural state in the United States. Its largest metropolitan area has grown quickly since 1980. Use the source below to answer all seven parts, (a) through (g). Write in complete sentences.

Farms in State R, 1980–2020

YearNumber of farmsAverage farm size (acres)Total land in farms (million acres)Share of farm sales from the largest 5% of farms (%)
198062,00033020.538
200048,00041019.751
202035,00054018.966

Source: Hypothetical data

Suggested time: 25 minutes

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Part (a)

1 point

Using the data in the table, describe the change in the number of farms and the average farm size in State R from 1980 to 2020.

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Part (b)

1 point

Explain how economies of scale help account for the changes described in part (a).

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Part (c)

1 point

Using the data in the table, explain how agribusiness could contribute to the change in the share of farm sales from the largest farms.

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Part (d)

1 point

Using the data in the table, explain ONE reason total land in farms in State R decreased.

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Part (e)

1 point

Explain how the changes in farm numbers could affect small towns in rural State R.

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Part (f)

1 point

Explain ONE environmental consequence of large-scale commercial monoculture.

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Part (g)

1 point

Explain ONE limitation of using state-scale data to understand agricultural change in State R.

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