AP® Spanish Language and Culture - Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary - Task 1 Email Reply

Sep 15, 2026

This document provides a structured scoring guide and exemplars for AP® Spanish Language and Culture, focusing on Task 1: an email reply. It explains how to evaluate responses using a single holistic score based on maintaining the interpersonal exchange, fulfilling the prompt requirements, and demonstrating clarity and comprehensibility. The guide covers vocabulary range, control of grammar and syntax, and appropriate formal-register conventions for greetings and closings. A task overview details the specific thematic focus on Beauty and Aesthetics and the recipient context.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Task 1—Email Reply

Scoring Guidelines

Student Samples

Scoring Commentary

Overview

Question 1

2023 AP® Spanish Language and Culture Sample Student Responsesand Scoring Commentary Inside: Task 1—Email Reply 5 Scoring Guidelines 5 Student Samples 5 Scoring Commentary © 2023 College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of College Board. Visit College Board on the web: [collegeboard.org](collegeboard.org). [AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org](AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program: apcentral.collegeboard.org). Question 1: Email Reply 5 points General Scoring Note When applying the scoring guidelines, the response does not need to meet every single criterion in a column. You should award the score according to the preponderance of evidence. | 1 Poor |
2 Weak |
3 Fair |
4 Good |
5 Strong | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | • Unsuccessfully attempts to maintain the exchange by providing a response that is inappropriate within the context of the task
• Provides little required information (responses to questions, request for details)
• Barely understandable, with frequent or significant errors that impede comprehensibility
• Very few vocabulary resources
• Little or no control of grammar, syntax, and usage
• Minimal or no attention to register; includes significantly inaccurate or no conventions for formal correspondence (e.g., greeting, closing)
• Very simple sentences or fragments | • Partially maintains the exchange with a response that is minimally appropriate within the context of the task
• Provides some required information (responses to questions, request for details)
• Partially understandable with errors that force interpretation and cause confusion for the reader
• Limited vocabulary and idiomatic language
• Limited control of grammar, syntax, and usage
• Use of register is generally inappropriate for the situation; includes some conventions for formal correspondence (e.g., greeting, closing) with inaccuracies
• Simple sentences and phrases | • Maintains the exchange with a response that is somewhat appropriate but basic within the context of the task
• Provides most required information (responses to questions, request for details)
• Generally understandable, with errors that may impede comprehensibility
• Appropriate but basic vocabulary and idiomatic language
• Some control of grammar, syntax, and usage
• Use of register may be inappropriate for the situation with several shifts; partial control of conventions for formal correspondence (e.g., greeting, closing), although these may lack cultural appropriateness
• Simple and a few compound sentences | • Maintains the exchange with a response that is generally appropriate within the context of the task
• Provides most required information (responses to questions, request for details) with some elaboration
• Fully understandable, with some errors that do not impede comprehensibility
• Varied and generally appropriate vocabulary and idiomatic language
• General control of grammar, syntax, and usage
• Generally consistent use of register appropriate for the situation, except for occasional shifts; basic control of cultural conventions appropriate for formal correspondence (e.g., greeting, closing)
• Simple, compound, and a few complex sentences | • Maintains the exchange with a response that is clearly appropriate within the context of the task
• Provides required information (responses to questions, request for details) with frequent elaboration
• Fully understandable, with ease and clarity of expression; occasional errors do not impede comprehensibility
• Varied and appropriate vocabulary and idiomatic language
• Accuracy and variety in grammar, syntax, and usage, with few errors
• Mostly consistent use of register appropriate for the situation; control of cultural conventions appropriate for formal corres

FAQs

How is the holistic score for Task 1: Email Reply determined?

The score is awarded based on the preponderance of evidence for how well the response accomplishes the assigned task, including maintaining the interpersonal exchange and meeting prompt requirements.

What must the student include in the email reply?

The response must address the questions in the message, elicit additional information by asking a question, and include an appropriate greeting and closing in a formal register.

What is the theme and recipient context for the task?

The email reply is framed around the curricular theme “Beauty and Aesthetics,” with the student replying to Clara Martínez, director of Fundación Artey Vida, regarding selecting a research discipline and study location.

Sep 15, 2026

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