If you're preparing for IB Spanish ab initio Paper 1 and need some guidance regarding the format of the exam, this post is for you! Here, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the paper’s structure, what to expect in terms of content, and how best to prepare so you can write clearly and effectively in Spanish.
IB Spanish Ab Initio Paper 1
Paper 1 is a productive skills assessment that tests the ability to write in Spanish.
Students have to produce a written text in response to a given prompt, demonstrating their knowledge of Spanish vocabulary and grammar.
Students will choose two written tasks from three options, each based on a different text type and theme from the syllabus.
Students must write between 70–150 words in Spanish for each writing task.
The time allocated for this paper is 1 hour, with no additional reading time given. Students must make sure they have enough time to read all the prompts, plan their thoughts and write their responses within 1 hour.
Paper 1 counts for 25% of the final grade in Spanish ab initio.
Paper 1 is worth 30 marks in total.
The use of a dictionary during the exam is not allowed.
Types of Tasks in Spanish Ab Initio Paper 1
Tasks are based on personal, social, and everyday situations, covering the five prescribed themes including:
identities
experiences
human ingenuity
social organization
sharing the planet
Each task includes a prompt in Spanish, and the format could include:
blog posts
emails/letters
journal entries
messages/social media posts
short article
flyer/brochure
The prompt will clearly state the context, audience, purpose, and text type. Students must choose their tone, structure, and vocabulary according to the text type. For example, an email might require a more formal tone than a social media message.
Example Writing Prompt
Escribe un correo electrónico a tu amigo español contándole sobre tu nueva escuela. Menciona tus clases, profesores y lo que haces durante el recreo.
Translation - Write an email to your Spanish friend telling them about your new school. Mention your classes, teachers, and what you do during recess.
How to Succeed in Spanish Ab Initio Paper 1
Understand the requirements – Learn what is required for different text types (e.g., greeting and sign-off for emails, title for blog posts). Adjust the tone depending on the audience (formal email vs. informal letter).
Create a plan – Spend 5–10 minutes planning all your responses. Underline key details in the prompt to help you identify what you need to write about, who you need to address it to, etc. Write down some words and phrases that could be useful when writing your responses. For example, if the prompt asks you to describe your holiday, you would need words such as aeropuerto, playa, hotel, vacaciones, maleta, etc.
Use a range of grammar techniques – Try to incorporate present, past, and future tenses of verbs in your essay. Use connectors to structure your ideas (e.g. por eso, además, sin embargo). Include opinions (e.g. me gusta, prefiero, creo que) and justifications (e.g. porque, ya que).
Proofread thoroughly – Reserve time at the end to proofread and correct your spelling, accents, and verb endings. Ensure that subject-verb agreement is accurate. Check that your ideas are organized logically and that all verbs are in the correct person and tense.
Practice writing – Practice writing responses to past paper prompts. Keep a vocabulary bank or flashcards for common words and revise them regularly to improve your command of the language.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify.
