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.