Question 1

A government maintains order by detaining critics and using police power, but many citizens privately reject its right to rule. Which conclusion best distinguishes authority, legitimacy, and stability?

Accepted Answer

The government may have control and temporary stability without broad political legitimacy. — B is correct because obedience produced through coercion can coexist with weak acceptance of the government's right to rule, and a system can remain stable temporarily through coercion. A and D incorrectly equate obedience or silence with legitimacy. C is wrong because legitimacy does not require unanimous approval.

Question 2

Which sequence best represents the article's reinforcing relationship between political legitimacy and political stability?

Accepted Answer

Accepted right to rule → voluntary compliance → lower reliance on coercion → greater stability — A is correct because it follows the article's causal chain. B describes elements of the reverse pattern but incorrectly begins with an accepted right to rule. C reverses the relationships. D is wrong because control does not guarantee legitimacy or stability.

Question 3

A graph reports that Country X has a higher percentage of citizens who trust the national government than Country Y. Which statement is an appropriate description rather than an unsupported explanation?

Accepted Answer

Country X has a higher reported level of trust than Country Y. — A is correct because it accurately describes the visible comparison in the graph. B, C, and D offer explanations or causal claims that require additional evidence beyond the reported percentages.

Question 4

When analyzing a quantitative table comparing six countries, which procedure follows the recommended method?

Accepted Answer

Identify the countries, categories, time period, units, and visible patterns before explaining their political meaning. — B is correct because quantitative analysis begins with accurate description of the source and only then moves to interpretation. A introduces bias, C treats numerical differences as automatic proof of legitimacy differences, and D skips the required descriptive step and makes unsupported causal claims.

Question 5

An official government statement says that restrictions on opposition groups are necessary to preserve stability. What should a comparative political scientist do first when analyzing this qualitative source?

Accepted Answer

Identify the statement's claim and examine the government's institutional perspective and supporting evidence. — B is correct because qualitative analysis requires identifying the author's claim and perspective and evaluating whether the evidence supports the claim. A accepts the source uncritically, C rejects it without analysis, and D makes a causal and legitimacy claim not established by the statement alone.

Question 6

After disputed elections, Country A has independent courts, organized opposition parties, and a governing party that accepts an unfavorable ruling. Country B has executive-controlled courts, detained opposition leaders, and official media that label criticism disloyal. Which comparison is best supported?

Accepted Answer

Country A's procedures may strengthen legitimacy by making decisions appear lawful and contestable. — A is correct because independent review, opposition organization, and acceptance of rulings may strengthen citizens' belief that authority is lawful and contestable. B and D incorrectly treat the absence of visible protest or short-term order as proof of legitimacy. C uses broad labels instead of analyzing the specific evidence and institutional effects.

Country	2015	2023
United Kingdom	$42%$	$48%$
Mexico	$36%$	$29%$
Nigeria	$31%$	$37%$
Iran	$54%$	$46%$

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AP Practice 5

AP Practice 5

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Timing strategy

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