AP Spanish Spanish: Listening Comprehension & Analysis 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an AP Spanish listening passage, a teacher is speaking to students. She says: 'Quiero que estudien más para el examen.' What grammatical mood is used after 'quiero que'?
- Indicative mood
- Subjunctive mood (Correct answer)
- Conditional mood
- Imperative mood
Correct answer: Subjunctive mood
After expressions of wanting or wishing ('quiero que'), Spanish requires the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause ('estudien' is subjunctive).
Question 2: A cultural listening passage describes how in many Latin American countries, 'el abrazo y el beso son formas comunes de saludo.' What cultural norm is being described?
- Hugging and kissing are considered rude in Latin America.
- Physical greetings such as hugs and kisses are common forms of greeting. (Correct answer)
- Formal handshakes are the standard greeting in all Latin American countries.
- Eye contact is avoided during greetings out of respect.
Correct answer: Physical greetings such as hugs and kisses are common forms of greeting.
The passage describes hugs (abrazos) and kisses (besos) as common greeting customs across many Latin American cultures.
Question 3: A listening passage includes the phrase: 'Aunque llovía a cántaros, decidieron seguir con la excursión.' What does 'llover a cántaros' mean?
- It was barely drizzling outside.
- It was raining cats and dogs (very heavily). (Correct answer)
- The rain stopped suddenly.
- The weather forecast predicted rain.
Correct answer: It was raining cats and dogs (very heavily).
'Llover a cántaros' is a Spanish idiom equivalent to 'raining cats and dogs,' meaning it was raining very heavily.
Question 4: An AP Spanish listening exercise features a debate. Speaker A says 'estoy de acuerdo en parte, pero...' before offering a rebuttal. What is Speaker A doing?
- Completely agreeing with the previous argument.
- Partially agreeing before introducing a counterargument. (Correct answer)
- Changing the subject of the debate.
- Asking for clarification on the previous point.
Correct answer: Partially agreeing before introducing a counterargument.
'Estoy de acuerdo en parte' means 'I partially agree,' and 'pero' signals an upcoming contrast or rebuttal.
Question 5: A news report describes a protest where 'los manifestantes exigieron cambios inmediatos en la política medioambiental.' What were the protesters demanding?
- Slower implementation of environmental reforms.
- Immediate changes in environmental policy. (Correct answer)
- The resignation of the environmental minister.
- More funding for scientific research on climate.
Correct answer: Immediate changes in environmental policy.
'Exigieron cambios inmediatos en la política medioambiental' directly translates to 'demanded immediate changes in environmental policy.'
Question 6: In a listening passage, a character says: 'Si hubiera sabido la verdad, no habría tomado esa decisión.' What does this sentence express?
- A real condition that may still happen in the future.
- A present hypothetical that is currently possible.
- A past hypothetical that did not actually happen. (Correct answer)
- A general truth or habitual action.
Correct answer: A past hypothetical that did not actually happen.
The past perfect subjunctive + conditional perfect ('hubiera sabido... habría tomado') forms the third conditional in Spanish, expressing a hypothetical contrary to past reality.
Question 7: During a recorded conversation, two friends discuss a film. One says: 'La película me dejó pensando durante días.' What effect did the film have on this person?
- The film was forgettable and unmemorable.
- The film made her think deeply for days afterward. (Correct answer)
- She fell asleep while watching the film.
- She disliked the film's ending entirely.
Correct answer: The film made her think deeply for days afterward.
'Dejar pensando' means to leave someone thinking or reflecting; the film provoked deep thought that lasted for days.
AP Spanish Spanish: Listening Comprehension & Analysis 4
In an AP Spanish listening passage, a teacher is speaking to students.
She says: 'Quiero que estudien más para el examen.' What grammatical mood is used after 'quiero que'?