AP Spanish El Ensayo Argumentativo 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which phrase correctly introduces evidence from a source in formal Spanish?
- El texto dice...
- Según la fuente número dos, se puede afirmar que... (Correct answer)
- El autor habla de...
- La cosa que dice la fuente es...
Correct answer: Según la fuente número dos, se puede afirmar que...
'Según la fuente número dos, se puede afirmar que' is formal, properly attributed, and uses an impersonal construction.
Question 2: In AP Spanish scoring, what does 'cohesión del discurso' primarily refer to?
- Having a long essay
- The logical flow and connection of ideas throughout the essay (Correct answer)
- Using many vocabulary words
- Citing all three sources
Correct answer: The logical flow and connection of ideas throughout the essay
Discourse cohesion refers to how well ideas are linked and how logically the argument progresses from introduction to conclusion.
Question 3: A student wants to express concession before making a stronger point. Which phrase is most appropriate?
- Por ejemplo, es cierto que...
- Aunque es cierto que X, también es importante destacar que Y... (Correct answer)
- Finalmente, todos saben que...
- En mi opinión personal, creo que...
Correct answer: Aunque es cierto que X, también es importante destacar que Y...
'Aunque es cierto que X, también es importante destacar que Y' gracefully concedes a point before pivoting to the main argument.
Question 4: What does it mean to 'synthesize' sources in an AP argumentative essay?
- To copy sentences from each source
- To summarize each source in a separate paragraph
- To weave evidence from multiple sources to support a unified argument (Correct answer)
- To compare two sources and declare one better
Correct answer: To weave evidence from multiple sources to support a unified argument
Synthesis means integrating multiple sources into a coherent argument rather than treating each source in isolation.
Question 5: Which AP Spanish essay conclusion strategy is most effective?
- Introduce a completely new argument
- Restate the thesis word-for-word and list sources used
- Reaffirm the thesis in new words and gesture toward broader implications (Correct answer)
- Simply write 'En conclusión' and stop
Correct answer: Reaffirm the thesis in new words and gesture toward broader implications
A strong conclusion revisits the thesis with fresh language and extends the argument's significance beyond the essay's immediate scope.
Question 6: Which verb form correctly completes this sentence? 'Es fundamental que los ciudadanos ______ informados.'
- están
- estar
- estén (Correct answer)
- estarán
Correct answer: estén
'Es fundamental que' requires the present subjunctive, so 'estén' is correct, not the indicative 'están' or future 'estarán'.
Question 7: When the AP Spanish prompt includes a graph or table, how should it be incorporated into the essay?
- Describe every data point in the graph
- Reference specific data from it as evidence to support your argument (Correct answer)
- Place it in the introduction as decoration
- Use it only in the conclusion
Correct answer: Reference specific data from it as evidence to support your argument
Graphs should be cited selectively — pull specific statistics or trends that directly support your argumentative claim.
AP Spanish El Ensayo Argumentativo 3
Which phrase correctly introduces evidence from a source in formal Spanish?