Exploring AP Spanish Cultural Comparison: Unique Examples for a High Score
If you’re preparing for the AP Spanish exam, cultural comparison is a vital component of the test which impacts your overall score. To achieve a high score in this section, it’s crucial to delve into unique examples that can help you stand out. In this article, we’ll explore some examples that can be used in your cultural comparison essay and potentially help you achieve a higher score.
Introduction: Understanding AP Spanish Cultural Comparison
When taking the AP Spanish exam, cultural comparison is one of the two tasks that make up the Free-Response Question section. The task requires you to analyze a product of Hispanic culture, compare it to your own culture, and draw conclusions based on the comparison. The section is worth 25% of your total exam score, so it’s crucial to score well in this section for a good overall score.
Body: Unique Examples for Cultural Comparison
1. Artistic Expression: Salvador Dali and Diego Rivera
To showcase an artwork of Hispanic culture, Salvador Dali and Diego Rivera are two artists that can be compared with their unique styles. For example, Salvador Dali’s surrealist work, The Persistence of Memory, can be compared to the concept of time in your own culture. The melting watches can represent the fleeting nature of time and its impact on us. On the other hand, Diego Rivera’s mural, Detroit Industry Murals, can be compared to the idea of American industry and its impact on society.
2. Traditions: Day of the Dead and Halloween
When analyzing traditional celebrations, you can compare the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday, with Halloween in the United States. Although both celebrate the dead, they have different customs and beliefs. You can compare the use of altars and offerings in the Day of the Dead to the concept of trick-or-treating in Halloween. Another aspect to analyze is the different beliefs on the afterlife and how they influence the celebrations.
3. Social Issues: Immigration and Transgender Rights
Social issues are also relevant in cultural comparison. For example, you can analyze the topic of immigration in the United States and compare it to Hispanic culture’s perspective on the issue. Another issue to explore is transgender rights and how it’s viewed in Hispanic culture compared to your own culture.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways for a High Score
To achieve a high score in cultural comparison, it’s important to choose unique examples that are not commonly used. Ensure that you analyze the product of Hispanic culture thoroughly and make relevant comparisons to your own culture. Additionally, support your analysis with historical and cultural context. By doing so, you can demonstrate a deep understanding of both cultures and potentially achieve a higher score in this section.
