Study Guide

World Languages: Spanish
Sample Writing and Speaking Assignments

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Directions for the Presentational Writing Assignment

This section of the test consists of one constructed-response assignment to which you must respond in the target language. For the assignment in this section, you are to prepare a written response on the assigned topic. You should use your time to plan, write, review, and edit your response for the assignment.

Read the assignment carefully and think about how you will organize your response before you begin to type.

Please note that special characters (such as letters with accents or other diacritical marks) cannot be entered using the keyboard but are available for insertion in the on-screen response box. To access these characters, click on the button that appears in the upper left corner of the screen. Using the mouse, click on the character you wish to include in your response and then select "Insert." The character will be inserted where the cursor is positioned in the response box.

Your score will depend on the extent to which you effectively communicate a whole message, in the target language, to the specified audience for the stated purpose. You will be assessed on your ability to express, organize, and support opinions and ideas, not on the position you take. Your response to the assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Purpose: The extent to which the response fulfills the assignment and is appropriate for the intended audience
  • Organization and Coherence: The extent to which ideas are effectively sequenced and logically connected
  • Development: The extent to which ideas are developed with relevant supporting details
  • Syntax and Grammar: The extent to which the response exhibits a command of syntax and grammar
  • Vocabulary: The extent to which the response demonstrates a command and range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
  • Mechanics: The extent to which the response demonstrates accuracy of spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation

You are to prepare a written response of approximately 300–400 words, for the assignment. Be sure to write about the assigned topic. You may not use any reference materials. Your response must be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work. Remember to review what you have written to ensure that you address all aspects of each assignment and make any changes you think will improve your response.

Sample Presentational Writing Assignment

Competency 0009
In response to a prompt, demonstrate the ability to construct a coherent, well-developed passage in the target language that effectively communicates a message.

Complete the exercise that follows.

For an audience of educators, write an essay of 300–400 words in Spanish in which you provide your opinion on whether secondary-level students should attend school year-round. In your response, you must include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • your opinion on the topic; and
  • an explanation of reasons, evidence, or experience that supports your opinion.

Sample Strong Response to the Writing Assignment

Extender el año escolar tiene sus ventajas y desventajas. Yo particularmente, creo que es una buena idea que los estudiantes a nivel secundario asistan al colegio durante los doce meses del año. Extendiendo el año escolar brinda innumerables beneficios.

En primer lugar, necesitamos preparar a los estudiantes para el mundo laboral, y para lograrlo es necesario que adquieran la disciplina de tener solamente una o dos semanas de vacaciones un par de veces al año. La mayor parte de los empleos sólo permiten dos semanas de vacaciones inicialmente. Si los estudiantes ya están acostumbrados a ese tipo de horario, es más fácil la transición de los estudios al trabajo.

Otra ventaja de extender el año escolar es que los estudiantes retienen mejor lo que han aprendido y no pierden ni la disciplina de ir a clases todos los días ni el ritmo del horario. Muchos maestros se quejan porque al principio del año escolar pasan demasiado tiempo repasando el material que los estudiantes ya deberían saber, pero que han olvidado durante el largo período de vacaciones.

También algunos de los padres se quejan porque muchos de ellos están ocupados trabajando, y además no tienen los suficientes recursos económicos para mandar a sus hijos a campamentos de verano o tomar vacaciones con ellos. Por consiguiente estos jóvenes generalmente están aburridos en sus casas, sin supervisión alguna. Muchos de ellos no aprovechan el tiempo para trabajar o para hacer algo constructivo.

Finalmente, quisiera aclarar que yo fui educada en un país donde el horario escolar consistía en seis días por semana desde las 8:00 de la mañana hasta 5:00 de la tarde. Igualmente deseo dejar claro que sólo teníamos un mes de vacaciones al final del año escolar. Yo opino que en gran parte mi éxito académico en estudios superiores ha sido debido a la experiencia que obtuve en la escuela secundaria. También atribuyo mi éxito profesional a la disciplina que adquirí durante todos esos años.

Rationale for the Sample Strong Response to the Writing Assignment

Purpose: The purpose of the assignment is fully achieved. The writer gives an opinion on the topic, along with reasons and experience (...creo que es una buena idea que los estudiantes... asistan al colegio durante los doce meses del año).

Organization and Coherence: There is an introduction, main body, and conclusion. Ideas are effectively sequenced and connected.

Development: The writer's ideas are well-developed, and the response includes details in support of those ideas (...para lograrlo es necesario que adquieran la disciplina de tener solamente una o dos semanas de vacaciones; ...los estudiantes retienen mejor lo que han aprendido...).

Syntax and Grammar: The response demonstrates strong syntax and grammar. There is excellent use of the subjunctive and conditional (...adquieran la disciplina; ...los estudiantes ya deberían saber).

Vocabulary: The writer demonstrates a strong command of vocabulary (...el año escolar brinda innumerables beneficios) and use of idiomatic expression (por consiguiente).

Mechanics: No errors were found in spelling, diacritical marks, or punctuation.

Performance Characteristics for the Presentational Writing Assignment

Responses are scored holistically according to the following performance characteristics:

Purpose The extent to which the response fulfills the assignment and is appropriate for the intended audience
Organization and Coherence The extent to which ideas are effectively sequenced and logically connected
Development The extent to which ideas are developed with relevant supporting details
Syntax and Grammar The extent to which the response exhibits a command of syntax and grammar
Vocabulary The extent to which the response demonstrates a command and range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
Mechanics The extent to which the response demonstrates accuracy of spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation

Scoring Scale for the Presentational Writing Assignment

The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance.

Score Point Score Point Description
4 The "4" response reflects a thorough understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response thoroughly fulfills the assignment and is completely appropriate for the intended audience.
  • The ideas are effectively organized and logically connected.
  • The ideas are well developed with specific, relevant details.
  • The response exhibits a comprehensive command of syntax and grammar, containing only minor errors that do not interrupt communication.
  • The response demonstrates a strong command and broad range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions.
  • There are few, if any, errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation.
3 The "3" response reflects a general understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response generally fulfills the assignment and is appropriate for the intended audience.
  • The ideas are generally organized and connected.
  • The ideas are generally developed with some specific details.
  • The response exhibits an adequate command of syntax and grammar, although some errors may cause minor interruptions in communication.
  • The response demonstrates a general command and adequate range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions.
  • There are minor errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation, but these do not interfere with communication.
2 The "2" response reflects a limited understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response partially fulfills the assignment and may not be appropriate for the intended audience.
  • The ideas are partially organized; connections between ideas may be lacking.
  • The ideas are partially developed: details may be limited, repetitive, and/or partially irrelevant.
  • The response exhibits limited command of syntax and grammar; errors sometimes interfere with communication.
  • The response demonstrates a limited command and narrow range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions.
  • There are errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation that partially interfere with communication.
1 The "1" response reflects little understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response fulfills little of the assignment and is inappropriate for the intended audience.
  • The ideas are unorganized and disjointed.
  • The ideas are not developed: there are few, if any, relevant supporting details.
  • The response exhibits little or no command of syntax and grammar; significant and frequent errors impede communication.
  • The response demonstrates a weak command of vocabulary, with little to no range. Idiomatic expressions, if used, may be inappropriate.
  • Errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation are so numerous that they impede communication.
U The response is unrelated to the assignment, is unreadable, is not written in the target language, or does not contain a sufficient amount of original work to score.
B There is no response to the assignment.

Directions for the Presentational Speaking Assignment

For this section of the test you will record a spoken response to the assignment that will be presented on the screen. You will have two minutes to read the assignment presented on the screen and consider your response. You will then have two minutes to record your response by speaking into a microphone. Your response must be in the target language. Once recording has begun, it cannot be stopped, nor can you re-record your response.

What you say must be relevant to the situation presented in the assignment. Your response will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Purpose: The extent to which the response is appropriate and fulfills the assignment through the use of well-developed ideas
  • Organization and Coherence: The extent to which ideas are effectively sequenced and logically connected
  • Syntax and Grammar: The extent to which the response exhibits a command of syntax and grammar
  • Vocabulary: The extent to which the response demonstrates a command and range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
  • Fluency: The extent to which the response demonstrates the ability to maintain a steady rate and appropriate pace of speech without unnecessary hesitations or pauses
  • Pronunciation: The extent to which the response demonstrates intelligibility and accuracy of pronunciation

The speaking assignment and a Recorded Answer box will appear on the next screen. A sample of the Recorded Answer box appears below.

When you are ready, click Next and begin reading the assignment. The Recorded Answer box will count down the time until recording begins. You will have 2 minutes to review the assignment and prepare your response. Be sure not to begin speaking until the status on the Recorded Answer box changes to read the number of seconds remaining.

You will then have 2 minutes to complete your response in the target language. You can monitor your time remaining by referring to the Recorded Answer box. The time will count down from 120 seconds (2 minutes) and the status bar will fill as time progresses.

When your time is up, the current status on the Recorded Answer box will change to "completed" indicating the conclusion of the speaking section of the test. Once the status in the Recorded Answer box changes to "completed," select the Next button to continue with the remainder of the test. Do not click Next until you have finished recording your response.

You will have only ONE opportunity to record your response. Select the Next button when you have finished reading these directions and are ready to begin the presentational speaking section of the test. Be sure you have your headset on and that the microphone is in a downward position near your mouth before proceeding. Once you select the Next button, the timed speaking assignment will begin and you WILL NOT be able to return to these directions.

Sample Presentational Speaking Assignment

Competency 0010
In response to a prompt, demonstrate the ability to deliver coherent, well-developed discourse in the target language that effectively communicates a message.

Read the assignment below. You will have 2 minutes to review the assignment and prepare your response and then up to 2 minutes to respond to the assignment. Begin speaking in Spanish when the current status on the Recorded Answer box automatically changes to "time remaining." Monitor your preparation and recording time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. Begin reviewing the assignment now.

Imagine that you have been asked to give a presentation in Spanish to a group of educators about a past experience you have had in which you attended a cultural event such as a concert or art exhibit. Speaking in Spanish, discuss your experience. In your presentation, you must include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • a narrative of an experience in which you attended a cultural event; and
  • an explanation of how this experience affected you.

Characteristics of a Strong Response to the Speaking Assignment

A strong response to the presentational speaking assignment would develop the topic by elaboration of specific points. The response would be delivered in a consistently clear manner. The speaker would speak fluently, demonstrating control of syntax and grammar. The speaker's vocabulary would show mastery of a broad vocabulary including appropriate idiomatic expressions. The speaker would handle simple and complex linguistic constructions, avoiding errors that interfere with communication. The speaker would exhibit good to excellent pronunciation and intonation.

Performance Characteristics for the Presentational Speaking Assignment

Responses are scored holistically according to the following performance characteristics:

Purpose The extent to which the response is appropriate and fulfills the assignment through the use of well-developed ideas
Organization and Coherence The extent to which ideas are effectively sequenced and logically connected
Syntax and Grammar The extent to which the response exhibits a command of syntax and grammar
Vocabulary The extent to which the response demonstrates a command and range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
Fluency The extent to which the response demonstrates the ability to maintain a steady rate and appropriate pace of speech without unnecessary hesitations or pauses
Pronunciation The extent to which the response demonstrates intelligibility and accuracy of pronunciation

Scoring Scale for the Presentational Speaking Assignment

The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance.

Score Point Score Point Description
4 The "4" response reflects a thorough understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response is completely appropriate and thoroughly fulfills the assignment by providing well-developed ideas and supporting details.
  • The ideas are effectively organized and logically connected.
  • The response exhibits comprehensive command of syntax and grammar, containing only minor errors that do not interrupt communication.
  • The response demonstrates a strong command and broad range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions.
  • A steady rate and appropriate pace of speech is consistently maintained, with few unnecessary hesitations or pauses.
  • Pronunciation is easily intelligible and accurate, with few, if any, errors.
3 The "3" response reflects a general understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response is appropriate and generally fulfills the assignment by providing adequately developed ideas with some supporting details.
  • The ideas are generally organized and connected.
  • The response exhibits an adequate command of syntax and grammar, although some errors may cause minor interruptions in communication.
  • The response demonstrates a general command and adequate range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions.
  • A steady rate and appropriate pace of speech is generally maintained, although some unnecessary hesitations or pauses occur.
  • Pronunciation is generally intelligible; minor errors occur but do not interfere with communication.
2 The "2" response reflects a limited understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response may not be appropriate; it fulfills the assignment in a limited way by providing ideas that are partially developed, repetitive, and/or partially irrelevant.
  • The ideas are partially organized; connections among ideas may be lacking.
  • The response exhibits a limited command of syntax and grammar; errors sometimes interfere with communication.
  • The response demonstrates a limited command and narrow range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions.
  • The uneven rate and/or slow pace of speech may be distracting; there are frequent unnecessary hesitations or pauses.
  • Pronunciation contains several errors and is sometimes difficult to understand.
1 The "1" response reflects little understanding of relevant knowledge and skills.
  • The response is inappropriate and fulfills little of the assignment; ideas are not developed, and there are few, if any, relevant supporting details.
  • The ideas presented are unorganized and disjointed.
  • The response exhibits little or no command of syntax and grammar; significant and frequent errors impede communication.
  • The response demonstrates a weak command of vocabulary with little to no range. Idiomatic expressions, if used, may be inappropriate.
  • A rate of speech is not maintained; frequent hesitations and pauses impede communication.
  • Pronunciation is poor: the response includes numerous and conspicuous errors that impede communication.
U The response is unrelated to the assignment, is inaudible/incomprehensible, is not spoken in the target language, or does not contain a sufficient amount of original work to score.
B There is no response to the assignment.