AP Seminar 2025 Stimulus Packet Comprehension Check

According to the article "False Nostalgia," what was the primary purpose of building "ruin follies" in 18th century Europe?

• To preserve actual historical ruins

• To create tourist attractions

• To commemorate real or imagined past

• To demonstrate architectural skills

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According to the article "False Nostalgia," what psychological explanation does the text provide for why people often consider their youth as "the good old days"?

• People naturally forget negative memories over time

• Life was objectively better in the past

• Modern life is more challenging than the past

• More memories are encoded during adolescence and early adulthood

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Based on the article "False Nostalgia," which statement best explains why every generation experiences nostalgia?

• Past problems seem smaller because we know we survived them

• Life was genuinely better in previous generations

• Technology has made modern life more difficult

• People are naturally resistant to change

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What is the main argument of the article "False Nostalgia"?

• Nostalgia is a reliable way to understand history.

• The past was better than the present in many ways.

• Nostalgia can distort our perception of history and influence politics.

• People today are less nostalgic than in previous generations.

According to the article "False Nostalgia," which of the following best describes the relationship between nostalgia and nationalism?

• Nationalism reduces nostalgia by promoting progress.

• Nostalgia has historically been used to construct national identities.

• Nostalgia weakens nationalism by focusing on the past.

• Nationalism and nostalgia are unrelated concepts.

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What is the primary purpose of Colin Powell’s essay "Of Memory and Democracy"?

• To criticize modern attitudes toward war and sacrifice

• To encourage citizens to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day

• To argue that military service should be mandatory for all Americans

• To highlight the failures of past wars and military conflicts

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According to the essay "Of Memory and Democracy," why does Powell take Gen. Moiseyev to the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials before the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

• To emphasize the political and philosophical ideals that America was built upon

• To show the general the artistic and architectural beauty of Washington, D.C.

• To compare the leadership styles of Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington

• To avoid discussing the Vietnam War directly with a former Soviet leader

According to the essay "Of Memory and Democracy," what is the significance of Powell’s visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

• It highlights the mistakes of U.S. involvement in Vietnam

• It illustrates how war affects only those who serve in the military

• It reinforces the personal cost of war and sacrifice for those who serve

• It serves as a warning against future military conflicts

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According to the essay "Of Memory and Democracy," which of the following best represents Powell’s view on war memorials and monuments?

• They glorify war and encourage future conflicts

• They serve as reminders of both sacrifice and the values that define America

• They should focus only on military achievements and victories

• They are less important in today’s world than they were in the past

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What central idea does Powell reinforce in the final paragraphs of his essay "Of Memory and Democracy"?

• Americans should dedicate more time to studying military history

• The United States has always been free from threats to democracy

• Remembering and honoring those who sacrificed for freedom is a civic duty

• Future generations should not dwell on past conflicts and wars

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