AP Spanish El Ensayo Argumentativo 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which transitional phrase best introduces a counterargument in a Spanish argumentative essay?
- Por lo tanto
- Sin embargo, algunos argumentan que (Correct answer)
- En conclusión
- Además de esto
Correct answer: Sin embargo, algunos argumentan que
'Sin embargo, algunos argumentan que' signals a counterargument while 'Por lo tanto' shows consequence and 'En conclusión' closes the essay.
Question 2: In the AP Spanish argumentative essay, what is the primary purpose of citing the provided sources?
- To fill the required word count
- To support and strengthen your thesis with evidence (Correct answer)
- To summarize what each source says
- To show you read all the materials
Correct answer: To support and strengthen your thesis with evidence
Sources must be integrated to bolster your argument, not merely summarized or cited for length.
Question 3: A student writes: 'La tecnología es mala para los jóvenes.' Why is this thesis weak for an AP argumentative essay?
- It is too long and complex
- It lacks specificity and a defensible, nuanced claim (Correct answer)
- It does not mention any sources
- It uses informal vocabulary
Correct answer: It lacks specificity and a defensible, nuanced claim
A strong AP thesis makes a specific, arguable claim with a clear line of reasoning, not a vague moral judgment.
Question 4: Which organizational structure is most effective for a refutation paragraph in an argumentative essay?
- Present only the counterargument, then end the paragraph
- State the counterargument, then refute it with evidence (Correct answer)
- Agree with the counterargument and revise your thesis
- List all counterarguments without addressing them
Correct answer: State the counterargument, then refute it with evidence
Effective refutation acknowledges the opposing view and then uses evidence to undermine or complicate it.
Question 5: In formal Spanish academic writing, which register should be used throughout the argumentative essay?
- Informal, to connect with readers
- Colloquial, to sound natural
- Formal, using third person and impersonal constructions (Correct answer)
- A mix of formal and informal depending on the paragraph
Correct answer: Formal, using third person and impersonal constructions
AP Spanish essays require a consistently formal register with impersonal constructions and avoidance of colloquialisms.
Question 6: Which sentence best demonstrates the use of the subjunctive mood to express doubt in an argumentative essay?
- Es verdad que la tecnología mejora la educación.
- Dudo que la tecnología resuelva todos los problemas. (Correct answer)
- La tecnología es un recurso importante.
- Los estudiantes usan la tecnología todos los días.
Correct answer: Dudo que la tecnología resuelva todos los problemas.
'Dudo que' triggers the subjunctive ('resuelva') to express doubt, a key grammatical structure in formal argumentation.
Question 7: How should a student handle a source that partially contradicts their thesis in an AP argumentative essay?
- Ignore the source and only use supportive ones
- Acknowledge its point and explain why your argument still holds (Correct answer)
- Change the thesis to match the source
- Quote the source without comment
Correct answer: Acknowledge its point and explain why your argument still holds
Sophisticated essays engage with contradictory evidence by acknowledging it and then demonstrating why the thesis remains valid.
AP Spanish El Ensayo Argumentativo 2
Which transitional phrase best introduces a counterargument in a Spanish argumentative essay?