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NotesSpanish BTopic 5.2Short answer
Back to Spanish B Topics
5.2.43 min read

Short answer

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 Javier, que habla de su trabajo de verano.

  1. ¿Dónde trabajó Javier este verano?
  2. ¿Por qué trabajó?
  3. ¿Qué fue lo más difícil?

Este verano trabajé en una heladería de la playa. Empezaba a las cuatro de la tarde y terminaba a medianoche. Lo hice para ahorrar dinero, porque en septiembre me voy a estudiar a Madrid. Lo más difícil fue el calor: ¡hacía cuarenta grados!

This summer I worked in an ice-cream shop on the beach. I started at four in the afternoon and finished at midnight. I did it to save money, because in September I'm going to study in Madrid. The hardest thing was the heat: it was forty degrees!

  1. En una heladería (de la playa).
  2. Para ahorrar dinero.
  3. El calor.
Contesta a las siguientes preguntas.
Answer the following questions.
¿Dónde…?
Where…?
¿Cuándo…?
When…?
¿Qué…?
What…?
¿Por qué…?
Why…? (answer: porque… / para…)
¿Cuánto tiempo…?
How long…?
¿Cuántos…?
How many…?
Da dos ejemplos. [2]
Give two examples: 2 marks.
Remember: Answer only what is asked. Extra wrong details can cost the mark.

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Short answers

1

Question word

Circle it: ¿Dónde? = a place, ¿Cuándo? = a time.

2

Listen

1st listen: catch that one detail.

3

Write short

One to three words, in Spanish.

4

Check

2nd listen: does it answer the question?

Question word → Listen → Write short → Check

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Contesta a las siguientes preguntas.

Vas a escuchar a Elena, que habla de un concurso de cocina.

  1. ¿Dónde fue el concurso?
  2. ¿Cuánto tiempo tenían?
  3. ¿En qué lugar quedaron?
  4. ¿Qué recibieron como premio?

El mes pasado participé en un concurso de cocina para jóvenes en Valencia. Fui con mi amiga Laura. Teníamos una hora para preparar un plato con arroz, y decidimos hacer una paella de verduras. No ganamos, quedamos en tercer lugar, pero el premio fue un curso con un cocinero famoso. ¡Fue increíble!

Last month I took part in a cooking contest for young people in Valencia. I went with my friend Laura. We had an hour to prepare a rice dish, and we decided to make a vegetable paella. We didn't win, we came third, but the prize was a course with a famous chef. It was amazing!

  1. En Valencia.
  2. Una hora.
  3. (En) tercer lugar.
  4. Un curso (con un cocinero famoso).
Time or length?: ¿Cuánto tiempo? wants a length of time (una hora), not a clock time.

Do

  • Answer in one to three words.
  • Match the question word.
  • Answer in Spanish.

Don't

  • Copy a whole sentence from the audio.
  • Add extra details that may be wrong.
  • Answer ¿Cuándo? with a place.

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 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 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 topics
Improve your exam techniqueCommand terms, paper structure, and mark-scheme tips for Spanish B
Previous5.2.3Gap-fillNextWho says what? (grid)5.2.5

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