EXPRESE — Examen de Expresión Escrita en Español (Ceneval)

A student must write an argumentative essay about Mexico's energy transition for an academic committee. Which Spanish sentence maintains an appropriate formal register and communicative purpose?

• ALa energía solar está bien padre porque nos va a salvar de quedarnos sin luz cuando se ac…
• BLa adopción gradual de fuentes renovables constituye un imperativo estratégico para reduc…
• COigan, todos sabemos que el petróleo ya dio lo que tenía que dar y quien no lo vea vive e…
• DA mí me parece súper mal que sigan gastando una millonada en refinerías cuando hay tanto…

For EXPRESE's adecuación criterion, which option identifies a linguistic feature that should be avoided in a formal argumentative text?

• APrecise, specialized vocabulary suited to the topic
• BRepeated colloquial idioms, filler words (muletillas) and affectionate diminutives
• CClaims backed by data or by quotations from recognized authorities
• DAn impersonal stance built with impersonal or pasiva refleja constructions ('se observa q…

Read this sentence from a candidate's draft: 'La neta es que las redes sociales nomás atontan a la juventud y nadie hace nada al respecto'. Which reformulation meets the formal register required by the EXPRESE rubric?

• ALa verdad de las cosas es que los chavos se la pasan pegados a la pantalla sin que nadie…
• BDiversas investigaciones señalan que el uso desmedido de redes digitales incide desfavora…
• CEs una lástima total que nuestros jóvenes se vuelvan adictos a sus celulares sin el menor…
• DYo creo firmemente que las redes sociales no sirven para nada bueno y provocan pura pérdi…

An EXPRESE task asks for an argumentative text on whether universities should make community service compulsory. Which excerpt performs the communicative function of argumentation?

• AEl servicio social comunitario se instituyó formalmente en México en la primera mitad del…
• BEl servicio social obligatorio fortalece la responsabilidad cívica y retribuye la inversi…
• CAyer por la tarde llegué a la oficina de servicio social y la encargada me entregó una ca…
• DLas oficinas de servicio social constan de tres escritorios metálicos, dos archiveros gri…

In a formal argumentative essay, why is it inappropriate to address the evaluator directly with Spanish second-person singular forms ('tú' or 'te'), as in 'Si tú piensas que esto es fácil, te equivocas'?

• AIt breaks the distance expected in academic writing by addressing the reader colloquially…
• BThe RAE prohibits the pronoun 'tú' in every kind of written prose
• CSecond-person forms are a spelling and grammar error that falls under convenciones de la…
• DEXPRESE requires every sentence of the essay to be written in the first-person plural

Which Spanish sentence uses an appropriate degree of epistemic hedging (modalización) for an academic claim in EXPRESE?

• AEs absolutamente indiscutible y nadie en su sano juicio podría negar que la educación vir…
• BLos resultados preliminares sugieren que la modalidad híbrida puede favorecer la autonomí…
• CA fuerza de ser sinceros, a todos nos choca tomar clases frente a una computadora porque…
• DCien por ciento de los alumnos reprueban en línea; por tanto, las plataformas digitales d…

In an essay on public-health policy, a candidate writes: 'El gobierno tiene que hacer cosas buenas para mejorar la cosa de los hospitales'. What lexical-appropriateness problem does this sentence contain?

• AArchaic learned words (cultismos) that hinder fluency
• BLexical poverty: overuse of catch-all words (palabras comodín) such as 'cosa' and 'hacer'
• CMedical jargon that is too complex for a general audience
• DSpelling errors in verb and noun inflection

Consider this EXPRESE task: critically discuss the impact of remote work on labor productivity. Which introduction best fits the intended audience and genre?

• A¡Hola a todos! Hoy les voy a platicar sobre por qué hacer home office es lo mejor que me…
• BEl trabajo a distancia ha transformado la dinámica laboral contemporánea, suscitando deba…
• CEl trabajo es una actividad que los seres humanos realizan desde la prehistoria, cuando l…
• D¿Te imaginas trabajar en pijama todo el día? Pues yo sí, y en este texto te voy a convenc…

EXPRESE reports each criterion as Notable, Bueno, Suficiente or Insuficiente. Which description best fits the lowest level (Insuficiente) for the Adecuación criterion?

• AVaried, formal vocabulary with occasional imprecisions that do not hinder comprehension
• BThe text does not answer the task, uses a mainly colloquial or vulgar register, and ignor…
• CThe text keeps to the main topic but includes a minor digression near the end of the body
• DA basic introduction, body and conclusion linked by enough logical connectors

Read the excerpt: 'Es inadmisible que las autoridades sigan tolerando la proliferación de comida chatarra en las escuelas primarias'. Which modal feature characterizes its authorial voice?

• AEvaluative (axiological) modalization with a negative judgment ('inadmisible'), signaling…
• BDescriptive neutrality with no evaluative commitment from the author
• CEpistemic uncertainty expressed through verbs of doubt or possibility
• DAn imperative construction that gives the reader a direct order

Which option is an adecuación error because it departs from the assigned communicative purpose?

• ADefending a thesis contrary to the majority view with evidence and counterarguments
• BWriting step-by-step instructions for recycling at home when the task asked for an argume…
• CUsing contrast connectors such as 'sin embargo' or 'por el contrario' to rebut an objecti…
• DCiting statistics from a recognized international organization to support a premise

In a text about artificial intelligence, which Spanish sentence maintains a balanced critical stance without resorting to catastrophizing or naive enthusiasm?

• ALa inteligencia artificial provocará el exterminio inminente de la civilización humana an…
• BLa inteligencia artificial es una maravilla perfecta que resolverá mágicamente la totalid…
• CSi bien los modelos generativos optimizan tareas analíticas complejas, plantean desafíos…
• DNo vale la pena discutir sobre tecnología porque al final los robots harán lo que quieran…

Select the Spanish expression that best replaces the informal phrase 'como quien dice' in an academic text:

• Ao sea que
• Bpor así decirlo
• Cdicho en otros términos
• Dháganme el favor

Analyze this passage: 'El suscrito emisor se encuentra en plena disposición de aperturar el correspondiente expediente a efecto de que se proceda a la debida complementación de la probanza'. Why is its style inappropriate for an argumentative essay?

• AIt uses stilted bureaucratic formulas and false formality that obscure the ideas instead…
• B'Aperturar' is not a Spanish word, so the defect is a spelling error under convenciones d…
• CIt breaks basic grammar rules by using coordinated compound sentences
• DIt relies on popular Mexican colloquialisms that lower the formal register

Which rhetorical device is counterproductive to adecuación in a 400-word EXPRESE argumentative essay?

• AExplicitly rebutting a common counterargument
• BChaining dramatic rhetorical questions and exclamation marks to appeal to the reader's pi…
• COperationally defining key concepts in the first body paragraph
• DSubordinating specific examples to broader principles

In an EXPRESE essay on water privatization, a candidate writes: 'Los empresarios se llenan los bolsillos a costa de la sed del pueblo trabajador'. How should this adecuación problem be classified and corrected?

• AA cohesion failure between sentences; fix it by adding a copulative conjunction at the st…
• BAn adecuación failure caused by pamphleteering, emotive language; reformulate it in terms…
• CA punctuation failure; add a comma between 'empresarios' and 'se llenan'
• DAn organization failure; the sentence must be moved to the conclusion

What canonical structure should an argumentative text use to perform well on EXPRESE's Organización criterion?

• AAn introduction with context and thesis; body paragraphs that develop the arguments; a co…
• BA chronological series of personal anecdotes followed by free reflection, with no thesis
• CAn expository summary of three authors with no personal position and no evaluative close
• DA numbered list of pros and cons with no links between the points

What is the primary function of the introductory paragraph in an EXPRESE essay?

• APresent all available statistics so that the body needs no further argument
• BPresent the topic, frame the controversy and state clearly the thesis to be defended
• CSummarize the arguments already developed and restate the position
• DDevelop the strongest supporting argument in full, with all its evidence

Within a body paragraph, what role does the topic sentence (oración temática) play?

• AIt introduces the paragraph's main idea or premise, which the following sentences support…
• BIt repeats the thesis from the introduction word for word
• CIt closes the paragraph by summarizing the evidence already presented
• DIt states the objection that the paragraph will go on to refute

Which action in a concluding paragraph is a common organizational defect?

• ASynthesizing the main points developed in the body
• BRestating the main thesis in light of the arguments examined
• CIntroducing an entirely new argument and new data never discussed in the body
• DOffering a brief forward-looking reflection derived from what was argued

For a 400–420-word EXPRESE essay, which paragraph distribution is the most balanced?

• AA single 420-word paragraph to show fluency and avoid pauses
• BFour or five paragraphs: one introduction, two or three body paragraphs and one conclusion
• CTen paragraphs of two sentences each to speed up the evaluator's reading
• DTwo long paragraphs: a 300-word introduction and a 120-word ending

Which sequence gives an argumentative body the strongest and most coherent logical order?

• APresent the main argument with its evidence, then raise and refute a likely objection, an…
• BStart with the final conclusion, continue with scattered anecdotes and end by stating the…
• CPresent only counterarguments without refuting them and let the reader guess the author's…
• DPresent the arguments in the order in which they occurred to the writer while drafting

Consider this outline for an essay on free public transportation: Párrafo 1: Contexto y tesis a favor de la gratuidad. Párrafo 2: 'En conclusión, como hemos demostrado a lo largo de este texto, el transporte libre es la única salida'. Párrafo 3: Análisis de los costos fiscales y fuentes de financiamiento. Párrafo 4: Comparación con ciudades que han implementado la medida. What organizational error does the outline contain?

• AMissing causal connectors in paragraph 3
• BStructural inversion: the concluding formula appears in paragraph 2, before the arguments…
• CNo stated position in paragraph 1
• DA topic that is unsuitable for a writing exam

What is the function of a transition sentence placed at the end of a body paragraph?

• ARepeat the introduction word for word to reach the required length
• BClose the idea just analyzed and build a bridge to the subtopic of the next paragraph
• CState the essay's thesis for the first time
• DProvide the main evidence for the paragraph's topic sentence

How should a counterargument paragraph be structured to preserve coherence and the strength of the author's position?

• AConcede that the opponent is completely right and abandon the original thesis
• BState the opposing position or objection fairly and clearly, then refute it with counter-…
• CMention the objection briefly in the conclusion without answering it
• DCopy a whole paragraph of the prompt verbatim without adding analysis

When a candidate writes 400 words as one block without paragraph breaks, what negative effect does this have on the Organización criterion?

• ANone, because paragraph breaks are a punctuation matter assessed under convenciones de la…
• BIt lowers the result because it hides the hierarchy of main and secondary ideas and the t…
• CNone, because EXPRESE scores only spelling and punctuation
• DThe exam is cancelled, just as it would be for a blank or off-topic response

Analyze this distribution in a 410-word draft: introduction, 260 words; first body paragraph, 60; second body paragraph, 50; conclusion, 40. How should its organization be evaluated?

• AExcellent, because a thorough introduction is what defines an essay's quality
• BUnbalanced: the oversized introduction takes more than half the text and leaves the argum…
• CIdeal, because a short conclusion saves review time
• DAcceptable, because only the total length of 400-420 words matters for Organización

In an argumentative essay comparing two public-health systems, what does block organization (organización por bloques) entail?

• ADevoting one paragraph or section to all aspects of the first system, and the next paragr…
• BAlternating point by point, comparing both systems on each criterion within the same para…
• CPresenting all the similarities between the systems first and all the differences afterwa…
• DDescribing the systems in the chronological order in which they were created

Where should a concrete empirical example be placed within a body paragraph?

• AAs the paragraph's opening sentence, before the reader knows which idea it illustrates
• BRight after the main idea or premise is stated, as supporting evidence that illustrates t…
• CAs a substitute for the essay's conclusion
• DOnly in the introduction, before the thesis is stated

A student's introduction claims that 'la educación dual es la mejor alternativa para reducir el desempleo juvenil'. The body analyzes supporting data, but the conclusion states: 'Por lo tanto, la educación tradicional en aulas es insuperable y la educación dual debe prohibirse'. What macrostructural flaw is present?

• AA breakdown of global coherence caused by a flat contradiction between the introductory t…
• BA capitalization error
• CMisuse of noun subordinate clauses
• DA register slip caused by poetic vocabulary

For the Organización criterion (a logical, complete structure with a clear relationship between main and secondary ideas), which description best fits the highest level, Notable?

• AThe text has an introduction and a conclusion, but the body mixes arguments with no appar…
• BThe text has no defined paragraphs and presents a disjointed brainstorm with no thematic…
• CA solid, balanced structure: an introduction with an explicit thesis, body paragraphs wit…
• DThe text has only two paragraphs that list statistics with no discursive links

Order these Spanish sentences to reconstruct a coherent argumentative paragraph about digital reading: I. Por ende, la comprensión profunda exige intercalar la inmediatez digital con la lectura sostenida en papel. II. No obstante, diversos neurólogos advierten que la sobreestimulación de hipervínculos fragmenta la atención. III. Las plataformas electrónicas facilitan el acceso ubicuo e instantáneo a miles de acervos bibliográficos. IV. Esta democratización del conocimiento potencia la autonomía del estudiante universitario. Which sequence produces the strongest discourse organization?

• AIII - IV - II - I
• BI - III - II - IV
• CII - I - IV - III
• DIV - II - I - III

Which Spanish sentence is a defensible argumentative thesis for an EXPRESE essay?

• A¿Cuáles son los principales retos de la inteligencia artificial en la educación contempor…
• BLa inteligencia artificial es una rama de las ciencias computacionales nacida a mediados…
• CLa integración curricular obligatoria de herramientas de inteligencia artificial en el ba…
• DAyer leí en el periódico que las empresas de tecnología obtuvieron ganancias históricas e…

In argumentation theory, what is the fundamental difference between a fact (hecho) and an arguable opinion (opinión argumentable)?

• AA fact is any statement made by a recognized authority, while an opinion is a statement t…
• BA fact is an empirically verifiable statement about reality, while an arguable opinion is…
• CA fact always contains numbers, while an opinion never includes data
• DThere is no difference; in an essay every assertion counts as an established fact

Identify the structure of this classic deductive argument: Premisa mayor: Todos los modelos de transporte público masivo eficientes reducen las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. Premisa menor: El tren eléctrico metropolitano es un modelo de transporte público masivo eficiente. Conclusión: Por lo tanto, el tren eléctrico metropolitano reduce las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero.

• AA valid deductive syllogism
• BHasty generalization
• CArgument from analogy
• DCircular reasoning (begging the question)

Which excerpt uses a legitimate appeal to authority in an essay on school nutrition?

• AMi primo me contó que comer golosinas no hace daño si uno toma suficiente agua después.
• BUn famoso actor de telenovelas declaró en un comercial de televisión que el azúcar revita…
• CLa Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) advierte en sus directrices globales que la ing…
• DToda la gente sensata del barrio sabe perfectamente qué alimentos son nutritivos sin nece…

What type of argument is used in this sentence: 'De acuerdo con el Censo de Población del INEGI, en las zonas donde la cobertura de agua potable supera el 95%, la incidencia de enfermedades gastrointestinales infantiles disminuye un 40%'? Treat the figures as part of the exercise rather than as a current factual claim.

• AAn argument based on empirical and statistical data
• BAn argument from tradition
• CAn argument by analogy
• DA false-cause argument based on popular belief

Analyze this reasoning: 'Desde que el nuevo director asumió el cargo en enero, comenzaron las lluvias torrenciales en la ciudad; por lo tanto, su nombramiento es el causante del mal clima'. Which logical fallacy does it commit?

• AFalse cause (post hoc ergo propter hoc)
• BStraw man
• CAppeal to pity (ad misericordiam)
• DAppeal to novelty

Which excerpt presents a rigorously formulated analogical argument?

• AAsí como un organismo biológico requiere de una circulación sanguínea fluida para oxigena…
• BUna escuela es como una empresa porque ambas tienen un edificio y un horario; por lo tant…
• CLa economía es como un río: a veces crece y a veces baja.
• DEl sol brilla en el cielo igual que brilla una moneda de cobre recién pulida en mi bolsil…

In a debate on clean energy, an author writes: 'Las propuestas del ingeniero Gómez en favor de los paneles solares carecen de todo valor porque todo el mundo sabe que Gómez se divorció dos veces y tiene mal carácter'. Which fallacy invalidates this argument?

• AAppeal to ignorance (ad ignorantiam)
• BPersonal attack (ad hominem)
• CFalse dilemma
• DBegging the question (petición de principio)

Read this exchange: Postura A: 'Debemos regular el uso de plásticos de un solo uso en establecimientos comerciales para reducir los desechos marinos'. Postura B: 'Mi oponente quiere que regresemos a la Edad de Piedra, que cerremos todas las tiendas del país y que la gente coma con las manos'. Which argumentative error does Position B commit?

• AAppeal to tradition
• BStraw man (hombre de paja)
• CInductive statistical argument
• DHasty generalization

In an essay on public budgets, an author states: 'O aumentamos el gasto militar de inmediato, o seremos invadidos y aniquilados por potencias extranjeras el próximo mes'. Which logical fallacy structures this reasoning?

• AFalse dilemma (falsa dicotomía)
• BAppeal to authority (ad verecundiam)
• CEquivocation (ambigüedad léxica)
• DA justified pragmatic argument

Identify the Spanish sentence that commits begging the question (circular reasoning):

• AEl candidato ganó las elecciones porque obtuvo el 52% de los sufragios computados legalme…
• BLa lectura de novelas clásicas es sumamente entretenida porque proporciona un gran deleit…
• CEl desempleo aumentó debido al cierre de tres plantas automotrices en la región fronteriz…
• DLas vacunas reducen la hospitalización según los ensayos clínicos aleatorizados.

A candidate argues: 'Ayer hablé con dos médicos en mi clínica local y ambos desconfían de los fármacos genéricos; en consecuencia, la totalidad de la comunidad médica mexicana rechaza los medicamentos genéricos'. What logical flaw does this inference contain?

• AHasty generalization from a tiny, unrepresentative sample
• BA formally valid disjunctive syllogism
• CAppeal to force (ad baculum)
• DFalse analogy

Which formulation is a valid, rigorous rebuttal of the thesis that 'la automatización industrial genera desempleo estructural permanente'?

• AQuienes afirman eso son personas pesimistas que odian el progreso y no entienden nada de…
• BSi bien la automatización extingue empleos rutinarios en el corto plazo, los registros hi…
• CLa automatización siempre ha existido, así que no hay nada nuevo que discutir.
• DLa automatización no puede generar desempleo, porque las máquinas siempre necesitan a alg…

What does the reductio ad absurdum technique entail?

• AExaggerating the opponent's position so that it becomes easier to attack
• BProvisionally assuming the opposing premise is true to show that it leads necessarily to…
• CShowing that a premise is false by citing an expert who rejects it
• DTreating the conclusion as if it were already one of the premises

What is the principal epistemological difference between inductive and deductive arguments in essay writing?

• AA valid deductive argument guarantees its conclusion if its premises are true, whereas an…
• BAn inductive argument moves from general principles to particular cases, while a deductiv…
• CDeduction can be used only in mathematics, so essays must rely on induction
• DAn inductive conclusion becomes certain once the sample includes more than ten cases

A study observes that cities with more public libraries also have higher rates of street robbery. A candidate concludes: 'Para reducir los robos, el gobierno debe clausurar las bibliotecas'. Which methodological error invalidates the conclusion?

• AConfusing correlation with causation and ignoring a confounding variable (the population…
• BHasty generalization from a single observed city
• CAppeal to authority, because the argument relies on a study
• DCircular reasoning, because the conclusion restates the premise