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NotesSpanish B HLTopic 5.2Short answer
Back to Spanish B HL Topics
5.2.44 min read

Short answer (Spanish B HL)

IB Spanish B · Unit 5

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Contents

  1. 1What a short answer is
  2. 2Short answers step by step
  3. 3In action
  4. 4Common errors
What it is: You hear a recording and answer questions in Spanish. One to three words is enough. 1 mark each, unless it says [2].
The instruction on the paper: Contesta a las siguientes preguntas. → Answer the following questions.

Example: Contesta a las siguientes preguntas.

Press play, answer in a few words, then show the answers.

Vas a escuchar a Clara, una periodista que habla de su primer reportaje.

  1. ¿Cuánto tiempo pasó Clara en Soria?
  2. ¿Qué le impresionó más?
  3. Menciona dos actividades de la gente del pueblo. [2]

Mi primer reportaje fue sobre los pueblos que se quedan sin habitantes en Soria. Pasé tres semanas allí, viviendo con una pareja de ancianos. Lo que más me impresionó no fue la soledad, sino la energía de la gente: organizaban fiestas, arreglaban la iglesia, cuidaban el huerto. El reportaje ganó un premio, aunque para mí lo importante fue que el ayuntamiento abrió una escuela al año siguiente.

My first report was about the villages in Soria that are losing their inhabitants. I spent three weeks there, living with an elderly couple. What impressed me most was not the loneliness, but the energy of the people: they organised festivals, repaired the church, looked after the vegetable garden. The report won a prize, although for me what mattered was that the town council opened a school the following year.

  1. Tres semanas.
  2. La energía de la gente.
  3. Dos de: organizar fiestas · arreglar la iglesia · cuidar el huerto.
Contesta a las siguientes preguntas.
Answer the following questions.
Según…, ¿…?
According to…, …?
¿Cómo describe… …?
How does… describe…?
¿Con qué palabra describe…?
Which word does… use? (one word)
Menciona dos… / Da dos ejemplos. [2]
Name two… / Give two examples: 2 marks.
Remember: Answer short. With [2], give two different details.

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Short answers

1

Question word

Circle it: ¿Cómo?, ¿Por qué?, ¿Cuántos?

2

Marks

[2] means two details: write (a) and (b).

3

Listen

1st listen: skip what is ruled out (no… sino…).

4

Check

2nd listen: one to three words that answer the question.

Question word → Marks → Listen → Check

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Contesta a las siguientes preguntas.

Vas a escuchar una entrevista con Marcos, que cruzó España en bicicleta.

  1. ¿Cuántos días duró el viaje?
  2. ¿Por qué eligió esa asociación?
  3. Menciona dos lugares donde dormía. [2]
  4. ¿Cuál fue el peor momento?

Salí de Cádiz en abril y llegué a Santiago cuarenta y dos días después. Lo hice para recaudar fondos para una asociación de niños con autismo, porque mi sobrino tiene autismo. Dormía en albergues o en casas de gente que me ofrecía una cama a través de las redes sociales. El peor momento no fue el cansancio, sino una tormenta en León que me obligó a parar dos días. Al final conseguimos quince mil euros, el triple de lo previsto.

I left Cádiz in April and reached Santiago forty-two days later. I did it to raise money for an association for children with autism, because my nephew has autism. I slept in hostels or in the homes of people who offered me a bed through social media. The worst moment was not the tiredness, but a storm in León that forced me to stop for two days. In the end we raised fifteen thousand euros, three times what we had planned.

  1. Cuarenta y dos (días).
  2. (Porque) su sobrino tiene autismo.
  3. (a) albergues · (b) casas de gente
  4. Una tormenta (en León).
Two marks, two lines: [2] means two separate details. Write one on (a) and one on (b).

Do

  • Give one to three words.
  • Give two details when it says [2].
  • Listen past no… sino…

Don't

  • Write a full sentence.
  • Add an extra detail that is wrong.
  • Answer with what the speaker rules out.

IB Exam Questions on Short answer

Practice with IB-style questions filtered to Topic 5.2.4. Get instant AI feedback on every answer.

Practice Topic 5.2.4 QuestionsBrowse All Spanish B HL Topics

How Short answer Appears in IB Exams

Examiners use specific command terms when asking about this topic. Here's what to expect:

  • Define

    Give the precise meaning of key terms related to Short answer.

    AO1
  • Describe

    Give a detailed account of processes or features in Short answer.

    AO2
  • Explain

    Give reasons WHY — cause and effect within Short answer.

    AO3
  • Evaluate

    Weigh strengths AND limitations of approaches in Short answer.

    AO3
  • Discuss

    Present arguments FOR and AGAINST with a balanced conclusion.

    AO3

See the full IB Command Terms guide

Related Spanish B HL Topics

Continue learning with these related topics from the same unit:

5.1.1Format & rubric5.2.1Multiple choice5.2.2Choose the true sentences5.2.3Gap-fill
View all Spanish B HL topics
Improve your exam techniqueCommand terms, paper structure, and mark-scheme tips for Spanish B HL
Previous5.2.3Gap-fillNextWho says what? (grid)5.2.5

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