In this section, you are asked to write a description of each individual pictured and provide their ages. Since these answers will be subjective, here you’ll be given a few tips on how to answer this section correctly.

The two sentence construction you’ll need to answer this question have to do with age and description of appearance. You’ll recall from page 47 that the construction to state someones age is “*(subject) tiene # años*”. For example, you might say “*Leo tiene quince años*”.

Refer back to pages 44-45 if you need a refresher on how to describe people. Take into account hair color, stance, and any objects that are pictured with people. Then, you will use *es* to connect the noun (for example, Carlos) with the description (*Carlos es moreno*). Remember to make sure adjectives agree with nouns in gender.

In this section, you are asked to fill in the blanks in the conversation with adjectives, forms of *ser*, and question words. The first conversation reads:
A: ______ is your best friend?
B: ______ Paco.

There are a few context clues here that can help us fill in the blanks. First, the question being asked can really only be one thing: “Who is your best friend?”
The question word “who” is *quién* when you’re asking about one person.

The second blank is part of a short, two-word sentence. We can use process of elimination here, since our three options to fill the blank are *ser*, question words, or adjectives. We know this blank can’t be a question word (due to the lack of question marks) or an adjective (it wouldn’t form a grammatically correct sentence). We will therefore use a form of *ser*, the same one as in the question: *es*.

Quién, Es

In this section, you are asked to fill in the blanks in the conversation with adjectives, forms of *ser*, and question words. The second conversation reads:
A: ______ day is it today?
B: _______ Saturday.

Since there are question marks around the first sentence, we know that we will be using a question word to fill in the first blank. The only question word that makes any sense is “what”, which is *qué*.

The second blank is part of a short sentence that is in response to the question “what day is it today?”. Since we’re given the response “saturday”, the best option to fill in the blank is a form of *ser*. In this case, we’ll use the same form of ser as was used in the question: *es*.

Qué, Es

In this section, you are asked to fill in the blanks in the conversation with adjectives, forms of *ser*, and question words. The third conversation reads:
A: What ___ your best friend like?
B: He/she is _______. He/she is not ________.

Our first blank is NOT a question word, but does occur within a question. It can’t be an adjective, as this would not form a grammatically correct question. That means it has to be a form of *ser*. Since *tu mejor amigo(a)* is singular, we will use the singular form of ser, *es*.

This question and response are subjective, due to the gender of *amigo(a)*. If your best friend uses feminine pronouns, you will have to be sure to use adjectives in their feminine form, and vice versa for masculine pronouns. For example, if your best friend is uses feminine pronouns, you might say *Es romantica*, while a masculine best friend would be described as *romantico*.

In this section, you are asked to fill in the blanks in the conversation with adjectives, forms of *ser*, and question words. The fourth conversation reads:
A: ______ are you like?
B:_____ _______.

Our first blank will be a question word, since the sentence is enclosed in question marks. You’ll see that the sentence construction is:
Question word + form of *ser* + subject (*tú*). This construction is how you ask what someone is like, using the question word *como*.

To answer the question, “what are you like?”, we want to say “I am _______ (adjective)”. Since we’re using “I” in the response, we will use the *yo* form of *ser*, which is *soy*.
As for the second blank, you should choose an adjective that accurately represents you. Make sure that the gender of the adjective agrees with your gender. For example, if you’re a girl, you might say “*soy seria*”, but if you’re a boy you would say “*soy serio*”.

In this section, you are asked to fill in the blanks in the conversation with adjectives, forms of *ser*, and question words. The fifth and final conversation reads:
A:______ is your birthday?
B: _____ the ____________.

Our first blank will be filled with a question word, due to the inclusion of question marks. There are few question words that could feasibly work here, but lets think back on some questions we’ve already learned that have to do with birthdays. The one that should jump out at you is “when is your birthday?”, which is “*¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?”.

The answer to this question will be different for everyone, since it’s the date of your birthday. Just remember that since dates are singular, you will use *es* preceding *el*, and follow *el* with the date (for example, *es el quince de octubre*). Months are not capitalized in Spanish.

This section asks you to partner up and ask your partner if they like the things pictured, and which things they like more. Then switch conversational roles.
The first picture is of music cds.

Since you will be talking directly to another classmate, you will use the familiar *tú* form when asking them these questions. Back on page 57 you learned how to construct the questions “do you like ______?” and “do you like _____ or _____ more?”. Since *la música* (our noun) is singular, we will use *te gusta* to agree.

We can ask someone’s preference between two things with the inclusion of *más* after *te gusta(n)*. In this case, we will choose the two options can be compared logically. We won’t ask someone’s preference between ice cream (or pizza) and music because those things aren’t comparable at all. Music and books, however, can be compared. Don’t forget to include the article *la* with *musica* and *los* with *libros*.

To respond to the question “do you like music?”, you have to options: respond affirmatively or respond negatively. The big switch to make between the question and answer is the form of *gustar*: Since you’re responding using “I”, you will use the *yo* form, *me gusta*.

You learned three possible responses to “do you like _____ or _____ more?”. The first two are responding with a preference for either option. That is, “me gusta más la música* or *me gustan mas los libros*. Note that we use *gustan* with *los libros* to agree with the plurality.
The third option from page 57 is *me da igual*, “it’s all the same to me”.

This section asks you to partner up and ask your partner if they like the things pictured, and which things they like more. Then switch conversational roles.
The second picture is of books.

You learned on page 57 how to ask someone, using the familiar *tú* form, if they like something. *Te gusta(n)* is the correct form of *gustar*, and since our subject in this case is *los libros*, we will use the plural *te gustan* to agree.

To ask someone their preference between two things, you will add *más* to the initial question you asked. You will also use *o* to separate the two options. For example, “*¿Te gustan más ______ o _______?”*
In this case, we’ll once again choose to compare *la musica* and *los libros*, since those two options can be compared logically.

Answering the initial question of “do you like books?” is very simple. Replace the question marks with a period at the end, and convert *gustar* to the *yo* form, *me gustan*. Then, preface the statement with *sí…* or *no, no…*. Remember, we have to use *no* twice, once to mean “no” and once to act as the negating “not” in the statement “I do not like…”.

If you’re asked to choose a preference between two things, *más* is the word you will use to indicate your preference. You will use the *yo* form of *gustar* again, which is *me gusta(n)*. For example, *me gusta(n) más…*. If you choose *la musica*, you will use the singular *me gusta*. If you choose *los libros*, you will use the plural *me gustan*. If you have no preference, you may respond with “*me da igual”* (“it’s all the same to me”).

This section asks you to partner up and ask your partner if they like the things pictured, and which things they like more. Then switch conversational roles.
The third picture is of ice cream.

First, we learned in our vocabulary that *el helado* is Spanish for “ice cream”. Since *el helado* is singular, you will use the singular *te gusta* when asking your partner if they like it. Remember to raise the pitch of your voice at the end of asking a question to ensure it is being conveyed as a question.

The addition of *más* and *o* to the previous question will allow you to ask someones preference between two things. Following *te gusta*, you will say *más* and then provide the two options, separated by *o*. In this instance, we will compare the two options that make sense logically: pizza and ice cream. It wouldn’t make sense to ask for a preference between a food and a hobby (music or books). Since both *la pizza* and *el helado* are singular, we will continue using the singular *te gusta*.

To answer the initial question, simply restate it as a response. That is, remove the question marks and use the *yo* form of *gustar*, *me gusta*. Preface this with either *sí…* or *no, no…*. That is, “*sí, me gusta el helado*” or “*no, no me gusta el helado”*.

To choose your preference between two options, *más* will be the important word to add to your answer. You will continue using *me gusta* since you’re talking about yourself (“I”). Follow *me gusta* with *mas*, and then your preference including its article. Since both the options are singular (*la pizza* and *el helado*), you will use the singular *me gusta*.

This section asks you to partner up and ask your partner if they like the things pictured, and which things they like more. Then switch conversational roles.
The fourth and final picture is of pizza.

By now you know that when asking your classmate if they like something, you will use the familiar *te gusta(n)* and make sure *gustar* and the object (in this case, *la pizza*) agree in plurality. Since *la pizza* is singular, you will use the singular *te gusta*. Enclose *te gusta* and *la pizza* in question marks to form your question.

Using *más* and *o* in addition to *gustar* and your two objects will allow you to ask someone’s preference between two things. Here you will compare pizza and ice cream, since those make the most sense to compare.
You will continue using the *tú*, singular form of *gustar*, *te gusta*. Follow that with *más* and your two options, separated by *o*. Your options will have to include their articles.

To respond to the initial question of “do you like pizza?”, you will simply respond with the affirmative *sí…* or the negative *no, no…* followed by the yo form *me gusta* and then the noun with its article (*la pizza*).

To respond with your preference between ice cream and pizza, you have three options. The first two options are to use *más* following *me gusta* to indicate your preference. You would follow “*me gusta más*” with your selection and its article (for example, “*la pizza”*).
Your third option is *me da igual*, if you truly have no preference between pizza and ice cream.

In this exercise, you are asked to fill in each blank using the correct word of the two you are given to choose from. The first blank asks you choose the correct article for *cumpleaños*. Since *cumpleaños* ends in “-os” and not “-as”, we know it is masculine meaning it will take the article *el*.

The second blank asks you to choose between *de* and *del*. In this instance, we’re using *de* to indicate possession (Fernando and Maribel’s birthday). Because we’re using people’s names, we don’t need to worry about adding any articles, meaning we will use *de* and not *del*, which is a contraction between *de* and the article *el*.

The third blank asks you choose between *el* and *la*. If you recall from way back in Chapter one, the article *el* will be used before cardinal numbers (two, three, ten, fifteen, etc.). So when talking about a specific date you would say, for example, “*el quince de agosto*”.

The fourth blank asks you to choose between *les gusta* and *les gustan*. Remember that *gusta* is used when the object of ones liking is singular, and *gustan* is used when the object is plural. In this case, the object that the subjects like is *las fiestas*, which is plural. Ergo, you will use *les gustan* to form the grammatically correct phrase.

The fifth blank asks you to choose between *de* and *del*. Here, we are using *de* to indicate a specific type of noun. In this instance, it is indicating “parties” generally and “birthday parties” specifically. When we use *de* like this we do not need to worry about adding articles.

The sixth blank asks you to choose between *le gustan* and *les gustan*. Remember, we use *le* when the subject doing the liking is singular, and *les* when the subject is plural. As you can see, the subject of this sentence is only Maribel. Since Maribel is a singular person, we will choose *le gustan*.

The seventh blank asks you to choose between *de* and *de las*. In this instance, we are using *de* to indicate a specific type of a general noun. Our general noun is *los libros* and the specific type is *aventuras*. When using *de* in this capacity, we don’t need to follow it with an article.

The eighth blank asks you to choose between *los* and *las*. To figure this one out, you have to look at the following word to see its gender. Our word is *películas*, which we know is feminine and plural since it ends in “-as”. This means we will choose *las* to fill in the blank, since *los* is masculine and doesn’t agree with *peliculas*.

The ninth blank asks you to choose between *le gusta* and *le gustan*. Recall that *gusta* is used when the following noun is singular, and *gustan* is used when the following noun is plural. The noun in question is *los videojuegos*, which we know is plural due to the “-s” at the end. Ergo, we will choose *le gustan*.

The tenth and final blank asks you to choose between *el* and *la*. The gender of the following noun is what determines which article will be used. You can see that the following noun is *música* (the description following doesn’t change the gender of the noun). *Música* ends in “-a”, and is therefore feminine. *La* is the choice that will agree with the gender of *música*.

In this section, you are asked to answer two cultural questions about Latin Americans, based on “cultural notes” from the text.
The first question asks you how Latin Americans describe people with dark/light-brown skin and hair.

Back on page 46, there is a “cultural note” box explaining how Spanish speakers describe people with dark skin and hair, as well as how they describe those with light skin and hair.

We also know from our vocabulary that a common way to describe someone who is darker in complexion is *moreno(a)*. We are given another option, *trigueño(a)*, in the “cultural note” box.

Moreno(a), trigueño(a)

In this section you are asked to answer questions about Latin American culture based on “cultural notes” from the text.
The second question asks you why the ages 16 and 18 are important to Puerto Ricans.

Back on page 53, you will see a box labeled *”Nota cultura”*. The answer to this question can be found in this box. You’ll see that 18 is the age you are allowed to vote and get your drivers license in Puerto Rico, and at age 16 some people can obtain a permit.

In this section, you are asked to role-play the given conversation with a partner. This conversation will combine almost all of the grammar and vocabulary from the first two chapters of this book. Since this conversation will be made up by you and your partner, here you will receive some tips on how to formulate a cohesive, and grammatically correct, conversation.

You begin by asking who about the girl with dark hair. This will be a question using the word *quién* (who). You’ve learned that this sentence construction is:
“Quién + *ser* + noun”. In this case, our noun is *la muchacha morena*, which is singular. That means our form of *ser* will be *es*, which is also singular.

Your response to the previous question will be *Es _______(name)*. This is one of those instances where you can drop the pronoun *ella* before *es*, because our subject has already been established.
To describe her as “a friend” and “very nice”, you can simply use *es una amiga* (in the feminine form since the subject uses feminine pronouns) and *es muy simpática* (again, in the feminine form).

You are now going to ask her age and what she’s like. Asking someone’s age is a question that we learned way back on page 47. Make sure you use *tiene* and not *tienes*, as you’re asking about “her age” and not “your age”. *¿Cuantos años tiene?* will be your complete question.
Back on page 45, you learned how to ask what someone is like: “Cómo es ______(subject)”. You can use *ella*, or the girl’s name, in the blank.

To tell your partner her age, we use the construction “subject” + *tiene* + *#* + *años*, as you learned on page 47. Our subject, in this case, can be either *ella* or the girl’s name.
When describing her, I wouldn’t use *morena*, since that was already established at the beginning of the conversation. You don’t have to include *ella* before *es*, since we know who the subject is without that clarification. Whatever adjectives you use, make sure they’re in their feminine form to agree with the feminine subject.

Now you are to ask what she likes. You learned how to ask this question on page 62 when you learned about *gustar*. You must use the question word *qué* (what) and the correct conjugation of *gustar* (in this case, *le gusta*, the *él/ella/usted* form). Your final question will be *¿Qué le gusta?*.

To answer the previous question, you will use the pronoun *ella* and the matching form of *gustar*, *le gusta(n)*. If the thing she likes is singular (for example, *la pizza*) you will precede it with *gusta*. If it is plural (*los videojuegos*), you will precede it with *gustan* for agreement.
You’ll recall that to negate liking something, you simply add *no* before *le gusta(n)*.

In order to say that you like the same things as her, you will use the *yo* form of *gustar*, *me gusta(n)*. Make sure the form of *gustar* (*gusta* versus *gustan*) agrees with the plurality of the things you are talking about. Adding *también* to the end of your sentence conveys that you “also” like these things.
All the way back on page 19 we learned *¿Cuál es el teléfono de ____ (name)?* You could also replace the name with the pronoun *ella*.

Make up a number for your subject, and respond to the question. Use *es* and then give the digits. For example, “es uno-tres-cuatro-siete-uno-tres-uno”.

The final things you have to say in this conversation are that it’s 11:30, you have to go, and “bye”. Page 20 is where you learned how to talk about time. Recall that you say *…y media* to indicate 30 minutes past the hour.
Looking back at your vocabulary for Chapter 1 on page 35, you’ll see that “tengo que irme” is how to say “I have to go”. Then, of course, “Adios” as we all know, is “goodbye”.