AP Spanish Language and Culture Unit 5: Contemporary Life Practice Exam

1. [Skill: 2.A.3 | Topic: 5.1] Read the excerpt from a Spanish-language blog about work and daily routines: "Desde que mi empresa permite el teletrabajo tres días a la semana, ahorro casi dos horas diarias de transporte. Con ese tiempo preparo comida en casa, hago ejercicio y puedo recoger a mi hija del colegio. Lo más difícil ha sido poner límites: a veces respondo correos tarde porque 'siempre estoy en casa'." Which contemporary-life cultural phenomenon is BEST illustrated by the excerpt?

2. [Skill: 3.A.2 | Topic: 5.1] Read the following message posted by a city government on social media: "¿Pasas más de 4 horas al día frente a una pantalla? Esta semana ofrecemos talleres gratuitos para aprender a organizar tu tiempo digital, descansar la vista y desconectarte antes de dormir. Inscríbete hoy y mejora tu bienestar." What is the primary purpose of the message?

3. [Skill: 2.A.3 | Topic: 5.1] A student is analyzing an infographic about transportation choices in a major Spanish-speaking city. [Image Cue]: Bar graph, "Cómo van al trabajo (personas de 18–35)", X-axis categories (Transporte público, Coche, Bicicleta/Patinete, A pie, Teletrabajo), Y-axis (% de encuestados). Data: Transporte público 42%, Coche 24%, Bicicleta/Patinete 14%, A pie 10%, Teletrabajo 10%. Key trend: Public transport is highest; car use is second; micromobility (bike/scooter) is notable. Which conclusion BEST connects the infographic data to a contemporary-life cultural topic?

4. [Skill: 1B | Topic: 5.2] [Image Cue]: Table/infographic, "Uso de cursos en línea para mejorar habilidades profesionales (porcentaje de estudiantes)", Rows: 2019 and 2024; Columns: España, México, Argentina. Data points: 2019—España 18%, México 12%, Argentina 15%. 2024—España 42%, México 35%, Argentina 33%. Key trend: all countries increase; España highest in 2024. Which of the following best describes the data shown in the table?

5. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 5.2] [Image Cue]: Dual-axis line graph, "España: Formación Profesional Dual y desempleo juvenil (2020–2024)". X-axis: years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. Left Y-axis: "Participantes en FP Dual (miles)" with points 25, 30, 40, 52, 60. Right Y-axis: "Desempleo juvenil (%)" with points 38, 36, 33, 30, 28. Key trend: FP Dual participation rises while youth unemployment declines. Which of the following best explains how the data illustrate a cultural phenomenon related to education and professional life?

6. [Skill: 3B | Topic: 5.2] Read the excerpt below from a personal blog post about education and professional life. “—¿Vas a hacer otro máster? —me preguntó mi madre, preocupada. —No es por acumular diplomas —le dije—. En mi empresa cambiaron el software y, si no aprendo, me quedo atrás. Al final del día, después de ocho horas frente a la pantalla, me conecto a un curso en línea. Cansa, pero también me da tranquilidad: siento que mi futuro no depende solo de un título colgado en la pared.” Based on the context, what is implied about the narrator’s view of professional success?

7. **1. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 5.3]** Read the email excerpt below. **Correo recibido** > Estimada Sofía: > > Le escribo para confirmar que hemos recibido su solicitud para el puesto de asistente administrativa. Para continuar con el proceso, ¿podría enviarnos su currículum actualizado y confirmarnos si está disponible para una entrevista virtual el jueves a las 10:00? > > Quedo atenta a su respuesta. > > Atentamente, > Laura Méndez > Departamento de Recursos Humanos Which of the following opening lines would be most appropriate to begin your professional reply, matching the sender’s tone and register and acknowledging the purpose of the message?

8. **2. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 5.3]** Read the two email closings below. **Cierre 1** > Agradezco de antemano su atención. > > Saludos cordiales, > Martín **Cierre 2** > Gracias por todo. > > Un abrazo, > Martín Which of the following best describes the difference in register and appropriateness for a professional email exchange?

9. **3. [Skill: 1A | Topic: 5.3]** You are drafting a professional email reply to an internship coordinator. You want to include an appropriate follow-up question that (1) is formal, (2) is concise, and (3) shows awareness of quality-of-life concerns (e.g., work-life balance). [Image Cue]: Bar graph, "Work-Life Balance Indicators (OECD-style summary)", x-axis: Countries (País A, País B, País C), y-axis: "Average weekly work hours" and a second bar for "% reporting satisfaction with free time" for each country. Key trend: País B has the highest work hours and the lowest satisfaction; País C has the lowest work hours and the highest satisfaction. Which follow-up question best fits professional email etiquette in Spanish and connects appropriately to the data trend?

10. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 5.4] You are participating in a written exchange with a community volunteer coordinator in Madrid. Read the coordinator’s message. Coordinator: "Hola, Lucía. Estamos organizando una reunión vecinal sobre cómo mejorar la calidad de vida en el barrio. Algunos residentes quieren reducir el tráfico de coches, pero otros piensan que eso afectaría negativamente a quienes trabajan lejos. ¿Qué opinas?" Which of the following is the best response from Lucía that provides relevant information, uses an appropriate register, and shows perspective and empathy?

11. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 5.4] You and a classmate are comparing your brainstormed list of what is necessary for a good quality of life with information from a community survey. [Image Cue]: Bar chart, "Factores más importantes para una buena calidad de vida (Encuesta comunitaria)", x-axis: "Porcentaje de personas que lo eligieron", y-axis categories with data points: "Acceso a atención médica" 72%, "Transporte público" 65%, "Seguridad" 62%, "Vivienda asequible" 58%, "Espacios verdes" 40%. Your classmate writes: "En mi lista puse espacios verdes y vivienda asequible. Según la encuesta, la atención médica y el transporte público parecen ser prioritarios." Which of the following replies best adds a cohesive, well-structured comparison using an appropriate transitional expression and a complex sentence?

12. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 5.4] After watching a video about a youth program that helps newcomers adapt to life in a city, you took notes but missed one key detail. You are writing a message to the program director in Mexico City to clarify. Choose the option that best demonstrates effective communication strategies, correct written conventions, and appropriate register. Which message is best?

13. **1. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 5.5]** You are participating in a study-abroad summer program in Spain. You receive this email: **Correo del programa** > Estimado/a estudiante: > > Gracias por su interés en nuestro programa de verano. Para completar su inscripción, por favor responda a estas preguntas: > 1) ¿En qué fecha llegará a la ciudad? > 2) ¿Prefiere vivir con una familia anfitriona o en una residencia estudiantil? Explique brevemente. > 3) ¿Tiene alguna alergia o restricción alimenticia? > > Quedamos atentos a su respuesta antes del viernes. > > Atentamente, > Laura Gómez > Coordinadora del programa Which of the following responses is most appropriate **because it uses a formal register with an appropriate greeting and closing, answers all questions, and asks one relevant follow-up question**? (A) "Hola Laura, Llego el 8 de julio. Quiero la residencia porque es más divertida. No tengo alergias. ¿Me puedes mandar fotos? Chao" (B) "Estimada Sra. Gómez: Muchas gracias por su mensaje. Llegaré a la ciudad el 8 de julio. Prefiero vivir con una familia anfitriona porque me gustaría practicar el español y conocer mejor las costumbres locales. No tengo alergias ni restricciones alimenticias. ¿Podría indicarme si la familia anfitriona vive cerca del transporte público? Atentamente, [Nombre]" (C) "Señora Gómez: Llegaré el 8 de julio y prefiero la residencia. No tengo alergias. Espero su respuesta. Saludos" (D) "Buenos días, Usted llega el 8 de julio. Prefieres una familia anfitriona porque quieres aprender. No tengo alergias. ¿Cuánto cuesta? Gracias"

14. **2. [Skill: 3B | Topic: 5.5]** You are drafting a formal email to the same study-abroad program to explain which community volunteer option you prefer. You want to **integrate data from the program’s infographic** and attribute it appropriately. Which sentence best integrates the data **accurately**, uses an appropriate connector, and attributes the information to the infographic? (A) "Según la infografía, solo el 15% de los participantes trabaja con niños; por eso, quiero inscribirme en el programa infantil, que es el más popular." (B) "El 60% trabaja con niños y es obvio que es lo mejor, así que me apunto ahí." (C) "Según la infografía del programa, el 60% de los participantes colabora con proyectos para niños; por lo tanto, me interesa esa opción porque me gustaría apoyar la educación comunitaria." (D) "La infografía dice que la mayoría prefiere el medio ambiente (60%), entonces yo también, aunque no me gusta mucho."

15. [Skill: 1A | Topic: 5.6] Read the excerpt from a Spanish-language travel blog about quality of life during vacations. "Si lo que buscas es mejorar tu calidad de vida aunque sea por unos días, una escapada rural te ayuda a *desconectar* del ruido, respirar aire puro y llevar un ritmo más lento. En cambio, en una ciudad grande siempre hay planes, pero a veces terminas más cansado de lo que empezaste." In this context, what does *desconectar* most nearly mean?

16. [Skill: 1A | Topic: 5.6] [Image Cue]: Bar graph, "Encuesta: ¿Qué tipo de vacaciones mejora más tu calidad de vida?"; x-axis: Tipo de vacaciones (Urbanas, Rurales); y-axis: Porcentaje de encuestados; data: Urbanas—Estrés baja (30%), Sueño mejora (25%), Actividad social sube (70%); Rurales—Estrés baja (65%), Sueño mejora (60%), Actividad social sube (35%). A student is preparing a short spoken cultural comparison about vacations and quality of life. Based on the survey results above, which Spanish sentence would BEST support a balanced comparison using an effective cohesive device?

17. [Skill: 6B | Topic: 5.7] A student is giving a spoken presentation comparing education and career opportunities (quality of life) in their community and in Bogotá, Colombia. Read the excerpt from the draft transcript below. **Transcript excerpt (Spanish):** > "En mi comunidad, muchos estudiantes trabajan después de la escuela. En Bogotá, también trabajan. Pero la diferencia es que allá el transporte público es más caro, entonces los jóvenes no pueden ir a la universidad. Además, hay programas de becas; por eso, la calidad de vida mejora." Which of the following revisions best replaces the underlined sentence **"En Bogotá, también trabajan."** to strengthen the comparison and add a more effective complex sentence suitable for a spoken presentation?

18. [Skill: 6A | Topic: 5.7] A student is preparing to present research on quality of life related to education and careers in two Spanish-speaking communities. Use the infographic to choose the most accurate statement the student could say in a formal spoken presentation. [Image Cue]: Bar graph, "Jóvenes de 18 a 24 años: estudio y empleo (2025)", x-axis: City (Valencia, España; Guadalajara, México), y-axis: Percent of youth (0–50). Four bars per city with legend: "Solo estudia", "Solo trabaja", "Estudia y trabaja", "Ni estudia ni trabaja". Data: Valencia—Solo estudia 35, Solo trabaja 25, Estudia y trabaja 20, Ni estudia ni trabaja 20. Guadalajara—Solo estudia 20, Solo trabaja 40, Estudia y trabaja 15, Ni estudia ni trabaja 25. Which statement best summarizes the data and supports a comparison relevant to quality of life?

19. 1. [Skill: 1A | Topic: 5.8] [Image Cue]: Bar chart, "Quality-of-Life Satisfaction: Valencia (Spain) vs. My City (U.S.)"; X-axis categories: Commute time, Public transportation, Housing affordability, Access to green spaces, Work-life balance; Y-axis: % of residents satisfied (0–100). Data points: Valencia—Commute 72, Public transport 80, Housing affordability 38, Green spaces 68, Work-life balance 74; My City—Commute 45, Public transport 52, Housing affordability 44, Green spaces 55, Work-life balance 58. Based on the chart, which comparison most accurately highlights both a positive and a negative aspect of quality of life in Valencia compared with the student’s community? (A) Valencia residents are more satisfied with public transportation and commute time, but less satisfied with housing affordability. (B) Valencia residents are more satisfied with housing affordability and green spaces, but less satisfied with work-life balance. (C) Valencia residents are less satisfied with public transportation and green spaces, but more satisfied with housing affordability. (D) Valencia residents are less satisfied with commute time and work-life balance, but more satisfied with housing affordability.

20. 2. [Skill: 1A | Topic: 5.8] A student is preparing a short research presentation about quality of life in Montevideo, Uruguay. Read the excerpt from the student’s research notes. Excerpt (research notes): "A municipal report (2024) indicates that 62% of Montevideo residents commute by bus, and the city has expanded dedicated bus lanes to reduce delays during peak hours. A public university study found that residents report high satisfaction with access to cultural activities (theater, music, neighborhood festivals) and public waterfront spaces. However, the same sources note that rising rental prices have pushed some young adults to live farther from the city center, increasing commute times for that group. Finally, a health survey highlights strong primary care coverage but points to longer wait times for some specialized services." Which of the following is the best thesis for the student’s presentation, accurately synthesizing the research and acknowledging both benefits and challenges? (A) Montevideo offers an excellent quality of life because housing is affordable and specialized medical care is fast. (B) Montevideo’s quality of life is shaped by strong public spaces and cultural access, though rising rents and some healthcare delays create challenges for certain residents. (C) Montevideo has a low quality of life mainly because most people are forced to commute by bus and there are few cultural opportunities. (D) Montevideo’s quality of life depends almost entirely on its bus system, since cultural activities and healthcare access are not significant factors.