Two-stimulus question

Mapping a food desert

Units 1, 5 and 6
7 points
About 25 minutes

Seven short parts (A–G) built around two sources (data, images and/or maps), drawing on ideas from at least two units. You read each source, compare or connect them, and explain them with course ideas, often across different scales. On the exam: Question 3 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

City F is a mid-sized city in the United States. Use the two sources below to answer all seven parts, (a) through (g). Write in complete sentences.

Source 1: Food access in four neighborhoods of City F, 2024

Neighborhood	Median household income (US$)	Distance to nearest full-service supermarket (miles)	Households without a car (%)	Convenience stores and fast-food outlets
Eastside	28,000	2.4	41	23
Riverside	46,000	0.9	18	12
Northgate	71,000	0.6	6	7
Westlake	94,000	0.8	3	5

Source: Hypothetical data

Source 2: Map of City F (described in words)

The map shows the seven full-service supermarkets in City F. Five are in the western and northern suburbs, each next to an exit of the outer beltway highway and surrounded by a large parking lot. Two are in Northgate. None are in Eastside.

In Eastside, the map shows a former rail yard and factory site labeled 'Eastside Urban Farm and Farmers Market (opened 2022).'

One bus line connects Eastside to downtown. No bus line runs from Eastside to the beltway shopping centers.

Source: Hypothetical map, described in words

Suggested time: 25 minutes

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Part (a)

1 point

Using Source 1, identify the neighborhood that best fits the definition of a food desert, and support your answer with data.

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Part (b)

1 point

Using Source 1, explain why the share of households without a car matters for food access in City F.

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Part (c)

1 point

Using Source 2, describe the pattern of supermarket locations in City F.

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Part (d)

1 point

Explain why supermarket chains might choose the locations described in Source 2.

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Part (e)

1 point

Using Source 2, explain how the urban farm and farmers market could reduce food insecurity in Eastside.

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Part (f)

1 point

Explain ONE limitation of urban farming as a solution to food deserts.

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Part (g)

1 point

Using BOTH sources, explain how past discriminatory housing and lending practices could help account for the pattern of food access in City F.

Your answer to part (g)

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