Part A
Visit this US history exam resources page and choose one of the sample responses from the free-response questions. Read one of the sample
essays and complete the following evaluation. Think about the scoring guidelines and Information about what makes a strong response. Then
select specific sections of the essay to rate and comment on Comment on at least four areas of strength and/or weakness.

Briefly explain how ONE specific historical event or development from the period 1754–1800 that is not explicitly mentioned in the excerpts could be used to support Nash’s argument.

Briefly explain how ONE specific historical event or development from the period 1754–1800 that is not explicitly mentioned in the excerpts could be used to support Maier’s argument.

3

2

1

The response to (a) did not earn a point because it is does not adequately describe the arguments of Nash and Maier. It merely lists the idea that Maier believed the Revolution emerged from old ideas, and Nash believed the Revolution was based on new ideas.

The response to (b) earned 1 point by providing evidence that the Boston Tea Party was a specific event that demonstrated the colonists’ rebellion against Great Britain’s taxation, which supports Nash’s argument. The response to

(c) did not earn a point because the Boston Massacre does not support Maier’s argument that the Revolution originated from earlier revolutionary thought.