AP Spanish El Ensayo Argumentativo 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which example best shows a student moving from evidence to analysis in a body paragraph?
- La fuente dice que el 70% usa redes sociales.
- La fuente indica que el 70% usa redes sociales, lo cual demuestra que la dependencia digital ya es una norma social. (Correct answer)
- El 70% es un número grande.
- La fuente habla de redes sociales y tecnología.
Correct answer: La fuente indica que el 70% usa redes sociales, lo cual demuestra que la dependencia digital ya es una norma social.
Effective analysis explains why the evidence matters and links it back to the thesis, not just restating the statistic.
Question 2: Which of the following thesis statements is best suited for an AP Spanish argumentative essay?
- Hay muchos problemas en el mundo hoy.
- El uso excesivo de las redes sociales deteriora la salud mental de los adolescentes porque fomenta comparaciones poco realistas y el aislamiento social. (Correct answer)
- Me gusta hablar de las redes sociales.
- Las redes sociales tienen ventajas y desventajas.
Correct answer: El uso excesivo de las redes sociales deteriora la salud mental de los adolescentes porque fomenta comparaciones poco realistas y el aislamiento social.
The best thesis makes a specific, arguable claim and previews the reasons, giving the essay a clear direction.
Question 3: Why is avoiding 'yo creo' or 'en mi opinión' recommended in formal AP Spanish essays?
- Because opinions are not allowed in argumentative essays
- Because these phrases weaken the argument's authority in formal academic register (Correct answer)
- Because they are grammatically incorrect in Spanish
- Because they make the essay too long
Correct answer: Because these phrases weaken the argument's authority in formal academic register
First-person hedges like 'yo creo' undermine assertiveness; formal essays use impersonal constructions to project authority.
Question 4: A student uses the phrase 'no obstante' in their essay. What function does this serve?
- It introduces an example
- It signals a contrast or concession to the previous idea (Correct answer)
- It concludes the essay
- It introduces a cause-effect relationship
Correct answer: It signals a contrast or concession to the previous idea
'No obstante' is a formal adversative connector meaning 'nevertheless,' used to signal contrast or concession.
Question 5: How many sources must a student incorporate in the AP Spanish argumentative essay task?
- At least one
- All three provided sources (Correct answer)
- Exactly two
- Any number the student chooses
Correct answer: All three provided sources
The AP Spanish Language and Culture exam requires students to incorporate all three sources provided in the argumentative essay.
Question 6: Which sentence uses a formal causal connector correctly?
- El problema es grande y por eso malo.
- Dado que el acceso a internet es desigual, las oportunidades educativas también lo son. (Correct answer)
- Porque la tecnología existe, todos la usan.
- La tecnología es la razón que todo cambia.
Correct answer: Dado que el acceso a internet es desigual, las oportunidades educativas también lo son.
'Dado que' is a formal causal conjunction that elegantly links cause ('acceso desigual') and effect ('oportunidades desiguales').
Question 7: What is the recommended approach when two sources contradict each other on the same topic?
- Only cite the source that agrees with your thesis
- Acknowledge both perspectives and use the tension to deepen your argument (Correct answer)
- Cite neither source to avoid confusion
- Summarize both sources and let readers decide
Correct answer: Acknowledge both perspectives and use the tension to deepen your argument
Sophisticated essays use source contradictions as an opportunity to demonstrate nuance and strengthen the overall argument.
AP Spanish El Ensayo Argumentativo 4
Which example best shows a student moving from evidence to analysis in a body paragraph?