2.3 Reading Tarea 3: Matching Statements to Thematic Texts
Key Takeaways
Tarea 3 presents 3 thematic texts (A, B, C) of 100–120 words each and 6 descriptive statements that must each be matched to one text.
Texts share a single umbrella theme—such as three vacation packages, three rental properties, three language academies, or three cultural workshops.
Superficial keyword traps are prevalent: a statement sharing identical vocabulary with Text A often describes a requirement or feature found only in Text B or C.
A tabular matrix strategy—evaluating each statement against all three texts systematically—minimizes confusion and eliminates false matches.
Candidates should reserve approximately 13–15 minutes for Tarea 3, reading all three texts first to establish comparative thematic boundaries.
Quick Focus: In Tarea 3, you read 3 short, thematically linked texts (labeled A, B, and C; 100–120 words each) and match 6 statements (numbered 14 to 19) to the corresponding text. Budget approximately 13–15 minutes of your exam time for this task.
Structural Mechanics of Tarea 3
Tarea 3 evaluates your capacity to extract fine-grained, comparative factual information from multiple competing sources. Rather than answering isolated questions, you must perform relational reading across three parallel profiles sharing the same broad subject matter.
| Component | Specification | Operational Role |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulus Texts | 3 thematic texts: Text A, Text B, Text C | Descriptions of 3 people, accommodations, excursions, courses, or events |
| Text Length | 100–120 words per text (300–360 words total) | Short, dense descriptions packed with attributes, restrictions, and features |
| Number of Statements | 6 statements (items 14–19 in Prueba 1) | Each statement describes a person's need, a feature, or an activity |
| Matching Scheme | Each statement matches exactly one text (A, B, or C) | Letters can be used more than once (e.g., A=2, B=2, C=2 or A=3, B=2, C=1) |
| Allocated Time | ~13–15 minutes | ~3 minutes for text reconnaissance, ~2 minutes per statement evaluation |
| Score Value | 6 points (24% of Prueba 1 total) | Major contributor to passing the reading section |
Typical Thematic Frameworks and Scenarios
The three texts usually share one theme. In the official model, three Spanish women describe their experience of working outside Spain. The challenge lies in distinguishing subtle differences in services, locations, prices, rules, and intended audiences:
- Vacation Accommodations: Three hotels, rural houses (casas rurales), or campsites. Text A might be a luxury seaside resort with spa and high prices; Text B a rustic mountain hostel with shared dorms and hiking trails; Text C a downtown boutique hotel near museums with family rooms.
- Training Courses and Workshops: Three adult education classes (e.g., culinary arts, photography, digital marketing). One requires prior experience and expensive equipment; one is designed for absolute beginners with all materials included; one is an intensive weekend course taught online.
- Travel Excursions and City Tours: Three tourist packages. One focuses on historical architecture with private transport; one involves rigorous outdoor trekking with camping; one is a relaxed gastronomic tour tasting local wines and tapas.
- Housing Rentals for Students: Three shared flats or apartments. One is centrally located but noisy with high rent; one is quiet, spacious, and allows pets but sits far from the university; one is economical, includes utility bills, but restricts overnight visitors.
The Distractor Mechanism: Keyword Overlap Traps
The primary source of candidate error in Tarea 3 is falling for lexical cross-contamination. Test writers intentionally plant identical keywords across different texts while ensuring the functional meaning only satisfies the target text:
| Statement Requirement | Distractor in Text A (Keyword Match) | True Match in Text B (Conceptual Match) |
|---|---|---|
| Es ideal para personas que viajan con mascotas. | El hotel prohíbe la entrada de animales domésticos en todas las instalaciones. (Mentions animales, but prohibits them!) | Aceptamos perros y gatos de cualquier tamaño sin coste adicional. (Uses synonyms perros y gatos, perfectly fulfilling the condition). |
| Ofrece clases para personas sin conocimientos previos. | Es obligatorio haber completado el nivel intermedio de pintura al óleo. (Mentions painting, but demands intermediate skill). | Diseñado para quienes nunca han cogido un pincel y quieren empezar de cero. (Paraphrases sin conocimientos as empezar de cero). |
| Incluye todo el material necesario para la actividad. | Los alumnos deben comprar su propio material antes de la primera sesión. (Contains the word material, but shifts the obligation to students). | El centro proporciona todas las herramientas y recursos sin suplemento. (Synonymous phrasing: proporciona todas las herramientas). |
| Tiene un horario flexible para trabajadores. | Las clases son estrictas: lunes y miércoles a las 09:00 de la mañana. (Inflexible schedule during standard working hours). | Los estudiantes pueden elegir asistir en turno de tarde o ver las grabaciones. (Paraphrases flexibility: elegir asistir en turno de tarde). |
The Matrix Method: Systematic Comparative Elimination
To avoid confusion, adopt the Matrix Method rather than haphazardly guessing based on first impressions:
- Phase 1: Quick Text Profiling (3 minutes): Read Text A, Text B, and Text C once. Beside each text, write down 3 defining keywords capturing its unique personality:
- Text A: Modern / Central / Expensive / Adults only
- Text B: Rural / Nature / Family-friendly / Pets allowed
- Text C: Economical / Practical / Free breakfast / Near airport
- Phase 2: Statement Deconstruction (1 minute per statement): Read Statement 1. Underline the indispensable requirement (e.g., quiere llevar a su perro, no tiene mucho dinero, necesita transporte incluido).
- Phase 3: Relational Filtering: Evaluate Statement 1 against your profiles. Does Text A allow pets? No, forbidden. Does Text C mention pets? No mention at all. Does Text B mention pets? Yes, explicitly welcomes dogs. Mark B.
- Phase 4: Positive and Negative Verification: Never select an answer solely because the text contains a matching noun. Verify both that the selected text positively affirms the condition and that the other two texts fail to meet it or actively contradict it.
- Phase 5: Distribution Check: All three letters (A, B, C) are normally used; in the official model key each letter appears twice. If your final answers contain zero occurrences of Text C, re-examine your matches.
Annotated Authentic Case Study
Examine this sample scenario with three language study options:
-
Text A (Academia Cervantes): Cursos intensivos de español orientados a profesionales del sector sanitario y de los negocios. Grupos reducidos de máximo 6 estudiantes. Exigimos nivel B1 acreditado. Las clases son presenciales de 18:00 a 21:00.
-
Text B (Escuela Sol y Mar): Ubicada en primera línea de playa, ofrecemos cursos de español combinados con clases de surf y actividades acuáticas por las tardes. Abierto a todos los niveles, desde principiantes absolutos. Alojamiento disponible en familias locales.
-
Text C (Instituto Virtual): Aprende español a tu propio ritmo desde casa con nuestra plataforma interactiva abierta las 24 horas. Tutorías individuales semanales de 30 minutos con profesores nativos. Precios muy económicos para estudiantes universitarios.
-
Item 1: Esta opción es perfecta para alguien que no ha estudiado nunca español y le gusta el deporte.
- Evaluation: Text A requires B1 level (nivel B1 acreditado); Text C offers individual academic tutoring online. Text B explicitly welcomes beginners (desde principiantes absolutos) and incorporates water sports (clases de surf y actividades acuáticas). Match: Text B.
-
Item 2: Permite organizar el tiempo de estudio con total libertad sin tener que asistir a un aula física.
- Evaluation: Texts A and B require physical attendance (presenciales, primera línea de playa). Text C is 100% digital with 24/7 access (desde casa, abierta las 24 horas). Match: Text C.
Why do test-takers frequently choose the incorrect text when matching statements in Tarea 3?
Because DELE A2 texts are written in Latin rather than modern European Spanish.
Because each text can only be selected exactly once across the whole exam.
Because they rely on matching identical words between statement and text without checking whether the meaning is affirmed or prohibited.
Because the statements are presented in random chronological order without numbers.
When matching six statements across three short thematic texts, which distribution pattern is common and valid?
All six statements must always match the first passage exclusively.
The third passage is never used under any circumstances on official DELE exams.
Each statement must correspond to at least two passages simultaneously.
Statements are distributed across all three passages (such as two per text, or three, two, and one), with each statement matching exactly one text.
What is the most effective initial step when executing the Matrix Method for Tarea 3?
Conduct a rapid profiling read of all three passages to identify the defining characteristics and limitations of each option.
Immediately select the first passage for all six statements without reading them to finish early.
Translate all three texts word for word into English on the margin of the paper.
Skip Tarea 3 entirely and guess during the final thirty seconds of the test.
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.