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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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