AP Spanish Spanish: Writing Skills & Composition 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which word or phrase would MOST effectively replace 'bueno' in a formal argumentative essay?
- Muy bueno
- Beneficioso (Correct answer)
- Buenísimo
- Bonito
Correct answer: Beneficioso
'Beneficioso' (beneficial) is more precise and formal than the vague adjective 'bueno' in academic writing.
Question 2: A student writes: 'Hay muchos problemas en la sociedad que necesitan ser resueltos.' What is the function of 'ser resueltos' here?
- Present progressive
- Passive infinitive construction (Correct answer)
- Reflexive verb phrase
- Future perfect
Correct answer: Passive infinitive construction
'Ser resueltos' is a passive infinitive construction indicating that the problems need to be resolved (by someone).
Question 3: Which sentence best demonstrates the use of a gerund (gerundio) to show simultaneous action?
- Al llegar, saludó a todos.
- Llegando, saludó a todos. (Correct answer)
- Cuando llegó, saludó a todos.
- Después de llegar, saludó a todos.
Correct answer: Llegando, saludó a todos.
The gerund 'llegando' expresses an action happening simultaneously with another action in the same clause.
Question 4: In formal written Spanish, which is the preferred way to express 'in order to'?
- Para que + subjunctive
- Para + infinitive (Correct answer)
- Por + infinitive
- Aunque + subjunctive
Correct answer: Para + infinitive
'Para + infinitive' expresses purpose ('in order to') when the subject of both clauses is the same.
Question 5: What is the grammatical term for words like 'aunque', 'a pesar de que', and 'si bien' when used in essays?
- Conjunciones causales
- Conjunciones concesivas (Correct answer)
- Conjunciones consecutivas
- Conjunciones copulativas
Correct answer: Conjunciones concesivas
These are concessive conjunctions ('conjunciones concesivas') that introduce a concession or an idea that contrasts with the main clause.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses an indirect object pronoun in a formal essay context?
- Le di el informe a la directora. (Correct answer)
- Di el informe a le la directora.
- La di el informe a la directora.
- Di le el informe a la directora.
Correct answer: Le di el informe a la directora.
'Le' is the correct indirect object pronoun for 'a la directora', and it is placed before the conjugated verb.
Question 7: When writing a formal letter in Spanish, which closing salutation is most appropriate?
- Besos y abrazos
- Atentamente (Correct answer)
- Hasta luego
- Con cariño
Correct answer: Atentamente
'Atentamente' (Sincerely/Respectfully) is the standard formal closing for professional or academic correspondence in Spanish.
AP Spanish Spanish: Writing Skills & Composition 4
Which word or phrase would MOST effectively replace 'bueno' in a formal argumentative essay?