What a short-answer question is: A short-answer question (respuesta corta) asks you to answer a question about the text in a few words or a short phrase — not a full essay. What's marked is whether your answer is correct and supported by the text, NOT your writing style. Sometimes the question tells you to use your own words («con tus propias palabras»); other times you may lift the words straight from the text.
- la respuesta corta
- short answer (a few words or a short phrase)
- con tus propias palabras
- in your own words (paraphrase — don't copy)
- según el texto
- according to the text (the answer is in the passage)
- contestar / responder
- to answer / to respond
- parafrasear
- to paraphrase (say the same idea in different words)
- copiar literalmente
- to copy word-for-word (avoid when told to use own words)
Content over style: In a short-answer reading question, content correctness is what earns the mark — not long sentences or perfect grammar. Give the right information, briefly, and you score. A minor language slip in a reading answer is usually not penalised.
The rules of a short answer: Keep it short — a few words or a phrase. Answer the question that was actually asked. Use your own words when the question says «con tus propias palabras»; otherwise you may lift the words from the text. And don't over-write — extra padding doesn't earn extra marks and risks contradicting yourself.
| Regla | Qué significa |
|---|---|
| Sé breve | unas pocas palabras o una frase, no un párrafo |
| Contesta la pregunta exacta | responde lo que se pregunta, no otra cosa |
| Propias palabras si lo piden | parafrasea cuando dice «con tus propias palabras» |
| Puedes copiar si no lo piden | si no piden propias palabras, puedes tomar las palabras del texto |
| No escribas de más | evita el relleno; no añade marcas y puede contradecirte |
Read the instruction: The little instruction matters: «con tus propias palabras» means you must paraphrase — copying the line word-for-word can lose the mark. If it doesn't say that, you're free to take the words straight from the text.
Practice with real exam questions
Answer exam-style questions and get AI feedback that shows you exactly what examiners want to see in a full-marks response.
Try Practice Free7-day free trial • No card required
A reliable routine: Read the question first so you know exactly what's asked, locate the part of the text that answers it, note the key information, then write a short, precise answer (own words if asked) and check it actually answers the question. Because you can re-read, this is quick and reliable.
Nail the short answer — 5 steps
1
Read the question
What is it actually asking? Underline the key word (who? what? why? how much?).
2
Locate the relevant part of the text
Scan for the line that answers it — the text stays in front of you, so re-read it.
3
Note the key information
Pick out only the words that answer the question — ignore the rest.
4
Write a short, precise answer
A few words or a phrase. Use your own words if the question says «con tus propias palabras».
5
Check it answers the question
Re-read the question and your answer — does it respond to exactly what was asked?
Read Q → Locate → Note → Write short → Check
Answer the question asked: Before you move on, re-read the question and your answer side by side. A common slip is answering a slightly different question — make sure your few words respond to exactly what was asked.
Answering short questions on a real text: Here is a short text — the kind Paper 2 (Reading) gives you. The text stays in front of you, so you locate each answer. Read it once (tap Ver traducción if you get stuck), then we'll take a two-part short-answer question through the routine.
La fiesta del barrio: El sábado pasado, el barrio de San Roque celebró su fiesta anual en la plaza mayor. Por la mañana hubo juegos para los niños y un taller de cocina donde los vecinos aprendieron a preparar dulces tradicionales. Por la tarde, un grupo de música tocó canciones de la región.
La fiesta terminó con una cena al aire libre. Cada familia llevó un plato para compartir con los demás. Marta, una de las organizadoras, dijo que lo mejor de la fiesta no era la comida, sino ver a todos los vecinos juntos, charlando y riendo después de un año tan ocupado.
- la fiesta anual
- the yearly / annual festival
- el taller de cocina
- the cookery workshop
- los dulces tradicionales
- traditional sweets
- la cena al aire libre
- the open-air dinner
- compartir
- to share
Answering a short question
Dos preguntas cortas, paso a paso
- (a) Read the question — «¿Qué aprendieron a hacer los vecinos en el taller de cocina?» Locate the line: «un taller de cocina donde los vecinos aprendieron a preparar dulces tradicionales.»
- (a) Write a short answer — «Aprendieron a preparar dulces tradicionales.» A few words, straight from the text — that's enough.
- (b) Read the question — «Según Marta, ¿qué fue lo mejor de la fiesta? Contesta con tus propias palabras.» Locate: «lo mejor… no era la comida, sino ver a todos los vecinos juntos». Now paraphrase.
- (b) Write in your own words — «Para Marta, lo mejor fue estar todos los vecinos reunidos, no la comida.»
Own words means reword: Part (b) said «con tus propias palabras», so we reworded «ver a todos los vecinos juntos» as «estar todos los vecinos reunidos». Same idea, different words — copying the line whole could lose the mark.
Feeling unprepared for exams?
Get a clear study plan, practice with real questions, and know exactly where you stand before exam day. No more guessing.
Get Exam Ready Free7-day free trial • No card required
Where marks are lost: Most short-answer marks are lost not to hard Spanish but to careless habits: copying word-for-word when own words are required, answering a different question, writing far too much, or leaving it blank out of caution. Compare the two columns.
Buenas prácticas
- Answer the exact question that was asked.
- Paraphrase in your own words when «con tus propias palabras» is stated.
- Keep it short — a few words or a phrase.
- Always write something supported by the text; never leave it blank.
Errores típicos
- Copy the line word-for-word when own words are required.
- Answer a slightly different question from the one asked.
- Write a long paragraph full of padding.
- Leave the answer blank because you weren't certain.
Never leave it blank: If the answer is in the text, a blank scores zero but a brief, text-supported attempt can score. Locate the line, write a few words — even an imperfect answer beats no answer at all.