IB+Exam+B+HL

IB B Themes
**IB SPANISH B HL EXAM **

The IB Spanish B exam is based on three core topics: Communication & Media, Global Issues and Social Relationships and five option topics: Health, Science & Technology, Leisure, Cultural Diversity and Customs & Traditions. HL students must also read two literary texts that can be 10 short stories, 15 poems and/or one novel. Students will take the criterion-referenced IB examinations in their second year which consist of three different assessments: an internal oral assessment of students’ aural/oral skills, a written assignment and an exam of students’ reading and writing abilities.

The **internal oral assessment**is 30% of the students’ final score and consists of two parts: an interactive oral activity students complete during their second year worth 10% and a formal interview administered in March worth 20%. The interactive oral activity can be any authentic activity that demonstrates students’ oral communication skills on the core topics of the IB program, including a debate, oral presentation, role-play, etc. The formal interview consists of two sections: a 3-4 minute student presentation that describes a photo related to an option topic and the target culture and a 5-6 discussion on the option topic and other relevant topics. The students will choose a photo from a variety of photos with a title related to one of the option topics taught in the course. Students will have 15 minutes to organize their presentation. Teachers must determine to what extent students speak fluently with varied and idiomatic language and actively participate in the conversation.

The **written assessment** is worth 20% and is a creative writing sample of 500-600 words with a 150-250 word rationale based on one of the literary texts analyzed in the course. The written assessment will be completed outside of class and will be assessed externally based on students’ ability to use a range of language appropriate to the text type and purpose, connect to the literary work and craft a coherent message.

The **external assessment** administered in May is 50% of the students’ final score and consists of two different parts: reading and writing, both an hour and a half in length. Part I is reading comprehension of five texts based on the core topics worth 25%. Part II is two writing tasks worth 25%. Section A is a 250-400 word writing sample on one of the topic options. Students will have five different options to choose from. Section B is a 150-250 word response to a text related to one of the core topics. Students must be able to write using varied and idiomatic language appropriate to the context, organize their content and fulfil the elements of the writing format required. Possible formats for Section A include an article, blog, diary entry, brochure, essay, interview, speech, news report, review, set of instructions, and formal and informal letters. Section B will be a response to a news report or speech and require students to engage with details of the text.