Practice the Argumentative Essay (Question 3) themed to Families and Communities. Read the three sources, plan your essay in the parts below, then reveal the model answers to see exactly what earns each point.
Tema del ensayo: ¿Deben las familias jóvenes vivir cerca de sus parientes mayores? En tu ensayo, defiende tu posición e integra las tres fuentes. (On the real exam you would have three sources — print, a data visualization, and audio. You get 6 minutes to read the essay topic and printed sources, hear the audio twice, and then write your essay.)
Fuente 1 (artículo): A newspaper column argues that when young families live near grandparents, they gain built-in childcare, share the care of elders, and pass on traditions. The author calls la familia extensa “una red de apoyo” (a support network) that eases the cost and stress of modern life.
Fuente 2 (tabla): Percentage of households that are multigenerational (three or more generations under one roof), selected countries.
| País | 2005 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| México | 28% | 21% |
| España | 12% | 7% |
| Colombia | 25% | 19% |
The share of multigenerational households has declined in all three countries over the period shown.
Fuente 3 (audio): In a recorded interview, a young engineer explains that she moved from her village to the capital for work. She misses her family but says the city offered opportunities that staying near her parents could not, and that video calls help her stay close “aunque estemos lejos” (even though we're far apart).
“En mi opinión, las familias jóvenes deben vivir cerca de sus parientes mayores siempre que sea posible, porque la cercanía fortalece la red de apoyo familiar sin impedir el progreso personal.” (In my opinion, young families should live near their older relatives whenever possible, because closeness strengthens the family support network without blocking personal progress.)
“Según la fuente 1, vivir cerca de los abuelos crea ‘una red de apoyo’ que ayuda con el cuidado de los niños y de los mayores. Sin embargo, la fuente 2 muestra que los hogares multigeneracionales han disminuido —en México, del 28% en 2005 al 21% en 2023—, lo que sugiere que muchas familias ya viven separadas. La fuente 3 lo explica: la ingeniera entrevistada se mudó a la capital por trabajo y mantiene el vínculo familiar por videollamada. Por eso defiendo la cercanía cuando es posible, pero reconozco que la tecnología permite conservar los lazos ‘aunque estemos lejos’.”
Conclusión: “En conclusión, aunque la vida moderna a veces separa a las familias, vivir cerca de los mayores ofrece un apoyo que vale la pena proteger.” (In conclusion, although modern life sometimes separates families, living near elders offers support worth protecting.)
Cohesive devices (conectores): por un lado / por otro lado (on one hand / on the other), sin embargo (however), además (moreover), por lo tanto (therefore), según la fuente… (according to source…).