Do I really need to "confine" to the specified time period on the AP USH FRQ?

Hi, everyone.
I am having trouble understanding the question of AP USH FRQ. In some questions, there is a sentence that asks me to confine my answer to a certain time period. For example,
"
In what ways did African Americans shape the course and consequences of the
Civil War?
Confine your answer to the years from 1861 to 1870.
"
In this question, do the test readers subtract points (one or two out of nine) if I mention something happening in 1850 or 1875? Or will they simply ignore my writing on things happening out of the period?
If I know an event that is certainly related to the question but I am not sure about the time, should I risk writing that event on my essay?
Thanks in advance.</p>

Hi, </p>

I have trouble with this too. My best advice is that you PACK your essay with as much info as possible, first starting with the stuff you absolutely know falls within the time period. Then, add the stuff with the dates of which you are unsure. That way your essay is very informative, but still manages to stay within the guidelines.</p>

Structure-wise, put the 1850s stuff in the intro and the post 1870s stuff in the conclusion. Even if you’re unsure of the dates, just try to create some sort of chronology in your head. </p>

Hope this helped!</p>

Also, speaking of chronology, do you know the order in which railroads, steamboats, turnpikes, canals, and clipper ships emerged during the 18/1900s? I never get this right on multiple choice tests. :(</p>

B & O railroad was like one of the earliest. Eerie Canal was the first. The Cumberland road was an early road.</p>

Thanks, thelastyogurt</p>