Spanish K–12

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Writing Section

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Spanish K to 12 subject area test consists of sections that test your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills; your knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures; of Spanish language structure and vocabulary; and of effective teaching and learning strategies based on second language acquisition principles. The test includes approximately 81 questions, and you will have two-and-one-half hours to complete the entire test.

Table of Question Formats

Table of Question Formats
Question Format
Writing Sample 
Write a 150-word letter or passage in Spanish presenting cultural information, concepts, or ideas on familiar topics. Cues for the writing task will be given in English.

Scoring Criteria: Writing

The essay will be scored by two raters. The raters will use the criteria listed below when evaluating your essay. The score you receive for your essay is the combined total of the two raters' scores. The personal views you express will not be an issue; however, your use of vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and idiomatic expressions will be very important to the scoring. Scoring criteria will include, but are not limited to, demonstration of mastery of several verb tenses, subject-verb and noun-adjective agreement, word order, and spelling.

Scoring criteria
Score Point Score Point Description
SCORE of 5 Superior control of the language: Excellent proficiency and variety in vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, and general grammatical structure, with very few errors. The writer presents material in an organized and logical manner using details and examples to support ideas. Overall presentation is fluid and coherent, with a native-like style appropriate to the topic.
SCORE of 4 Competent control of the language: Good proficiency and variety in vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, and general grammatical structure, with occasional errors that do not weaken the effectiveness of communication. The writer presents material in an organized and logical manner. Although the style is not always smooth or native-like, the overall presentation is generally coherent.
SCORE of 3 Adequate control of the language: Moderate proficiency and variety in vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, and general grammatical structure, with few major errors, but numerous minor ones. The writer presents materials in an organized and logical manner but incorporates a number of false cognates and calques (literal translation of idioms) to present ideas. Overall presentation may be stilted and highly marked by regional or nonstandard forms and expressions.
SCORE of 2 Limited control of the language: Very little proficiency and variety in vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, and general grammatical structure, with many errors. The writer lacks ability to communicate ideas effectively. Although the writer's ideas may address the topic and are presented in an organized manner, numerous mechanical errors and heavy use of anglicisms force the reader to work at interpretation.
SCORE of 1 Inadequate control of the language: Completely lacking proficiency and variety in vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, and grammatical structure. Significant mechanical errors and lack of vocabulary resources interfere with the writer's presentation. The writer lacks ability to communicate ideas or does not address the topic. Overall presentation is incoherent.

An essay of clearly insufficient length (less than half the suggested length) or with excessive repetitions will be rated a 3 or lower. An essay that fails to treat the topic will automatically be rated a 1. The coherence or organization of the essay may be the deciding factor in the case of a borderline rating.

Directions: Writing

Write an essay in Spanish of approximately 150 words on each topic presented.

You must write an original essay that specifically and directly responds to the topic. Pre-prepared essays or essays that are discovered to contain memorized sentences or pre-prepared passages will be invalidated. For example, if the essay raters discover passages that appear in two or more essays, the essays and the violation will be brought to the attention of the Florida Department of Education and may result in the invalidation of your scores.

The essay will be scored by two raters. Your essay will not be scored on the position you take or the opinions you express; however, your use of vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and idiomatic expressions will be very important to the scoring. Scoring criteria will include, but are not limited to, demonstration of mastery of several verb tenses, subject-verb and noun-adjective agreement, word order, and spelling.

Take a few minutes to organize your thoughts and plan your essay. Leave time for editing and revising after you have completed your essay. You may outline or plan your essay on the erasable noteboard provided. Your informal outline or plan will not be scored.

Twenty minutes is the recommended time to complete your essay.

To access special characters as you type your essay, use the on-screen Symbol palette or refer to the on-screen reference sheet PDF to use ALT key codes. A paper-based reference sheet may be available upon request.

Sample Essay Topic 1

 start bold State and support your opinion about the role of the arts in contemporary society.

In the box provided below, please write your  start uppercase ORIGINAL end uppercase  essay based on the topic presented. Note that you are limited to 500 words. As you type your response, a word count will appear at the bottom of the response box. end bold 


Word Count: 0

Sample Essay Topic 2

 start bold Describe how one particular experience changed your perspective or attitude.

In the box provided below, please write your  start uppercase ORIGINAL end uppercase  essay based on the topic presented. Note that you are limited to 500 words. As you type your response, a word count will appear at the bottom of the response box. end bold 


Word Count: 0
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