Study guide
13.2 Tarea 4: Spontaneous Everyday Role-Play Simulation
DELE B1 — Spanish Language Diploma Intermediate
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1 Chapter 1: Exam Structure, Logistics, & Scoring System
1.1 DELE B1 Qualification & CEFR Standards 1.2 Four Pruebas Format, Timing, & Administration 1.3 Scoring System: Two Groups & the 30/50 Threshold Rule
2 Chapter 2: Essential B1 Grammar — Past Tenses & Narrative Control
2.1 Pretérito Indefinido vs. Pretérito Imperfecto 2.2 Pretérito Perfecto & Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto 2.3 Habitual Actions, Time Markers, & Duration Structures
3 Chapter 3: Essential B1 Grammar — The Subjunctive Mood
3.1 Present Subjunctive Formation & Irregular Stems 3.2 Subjunctive with Wishes, Influence, & Emotions 3.3 Impersonal Expressions & Future Temporal Clauses
4 Chapter 4: B1 Sentence Structure, Connectors, & Syntax
4.1 Discourse Connectors & Textual Cohesion 4.2 Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns & Combination 4.3 Ser vs. Estar, Por vs. Para, & Verbal Periphrases
5 Chapter 5: B1 Thematic Lexicon & Sociolinguistic Domains
5.1 Daily Life, Housing, & Neighborhood Services 5.2 Work, Education, & Professional Communication 5.3 Travel, Leisure, Health, & Environmental Awareness
6 Chapter 6: Prueba 1 — Reading Comprehension: Matching & Text Analysis
6.1 Tarea 1: Matching Candidate Profiles to Short Notices 6.2 Tarea 2: Extended Informative Text Multiple-Choice 6.3 Tarea 3: Locating Specific Information Across Three Texts
7 Chapter 7: Prueba 1 — Reading Comprehension: Cloze & Linguistic Precision
7.1 Tarea 4: Gapped Text Fragment Insertion 7.2 Tarea 5: Grammar & Vocabulary Cloze 7.3 Reading Time Management & Distractor Traps
8 Chapter 8: Prueba 2 — Listening Comprehension: Announcements & Monologues
8.1 Tarea 1: Short Announcements & Advertisements 8.2 Tarea 2: Extended Personal Monologue 8.3 Tarea 3: Radio News Bulletins & Specific Facts
9 Chapter 9: Prueba 2 — Listening Comprehension: Conversations & Multiple Speakers
9.1 Tarea 4: Multiple Speaker Matching on a Common Theme 9.2 Tarea 5: Informal Everyday Dialogue 9.3 Active Listening Techniques & Double-Listen Protocol
10 Chapter 10: Prueba 3 — Written Expression: Interaction & Correspondence
10.1 Tarea 1: Letters, Emails, & Forum Responses 10.2 Register, Salutations, & Sign-Off Formulas 10.3 Word Count Management (100–120 Words) & Error Prevention
11 Chapter 11: Prueba 3 — Written Expression: Narrative & Opinion Composition
11.1 Tarea 2: Choosing a Prompt and Following Its Genre 11.2 Structuring a 130–150 Word Narrative or Opinion Essay 11.3 Analytic Scoring Rubric for Written Expression
12 Chapter 12: Prueba 4 — Oral Expression: Monologue & Follow-Up Discussion
12.1 The 15-Minute Preparation Period & Note-Taking Strategy 12.2 Tarea 1: 2–3 Minute Prepared Monologue 12.3 Tarea 2: Interactive Discussion with the Examiner
13 Chapter 13: Prueba 4 — Oral Expression: Photo Description & Role-Play
13.1 Tarea 3: Photograph Description & Guided Follow-Up 13.2 Tarea 4: Spontaneous Everyday Role-Play Simulation 13.3 Oral Evaluation Rubric (Holistic vs. Analytic) & Fluency
13.2 Tarea 4: Spontaneous Everyday Role-Play Simulation
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Tarea 4 is a completely spontaneous 2-to-3 minute role-play simulation with zero advance preparation time in the preparation room.
Candidates receive a prompt card detailing the real-life communicative dilemma, their transactional objective, and the required register (formal usted vs. informal tú).
Common transactional scenarios include resolving retail complaints, hotel or service breakdowns, roommate disagreements, and administrative enrollment disputes.
A request can move from explanation to response, alternative if needed and agreement; follow the actual role objective.
Respond to the actual offer: accept a suitable solution or politely negotiate an alternative; the examiner is not required to refuse every first request.
Last updated: October 2026
Tarea 4: Spontaneous Everyday Role-Play Simulation
Tarea 4 marks the final component of the DELE B1 oral examination. Lasting 2 to 3 minutes , this task is an authentic, spontaneous role-play simulation ( situación simulada de la vida cotidiana ) conducted entirely in dialogue with the interviewer ( el entrevistador ). Like Task 3, and unlike advance-prepared Tasks 1 and 2, Tarea 4 features zero preparation time in the preparation room. The role instructions are provided during the examination, challenging your capacity to mobilize pragmatic language, adapt to an interlocutor's unexpected counter-arguments, and resolve everyday dilemmas in real time.
Task Mechanics & The "Zero Preparation" Reality
Immediately upon concluding the follow-up discussion in Tarea 3, the interviewer will say: «Muy bien, ahora vamos a realizar la última tarea. Le voy a entregar una tarjeta con una situación cotidiana...» .
Read the Role Instructions
The role instructions establish a situation connected to the photograph in Task 3. Read and listen as the interviewer directs; do not assume a universal card material or a fixed 20–30-second allowance. You must rapidly scan for three vital parameters:
The Communicative Scenario ( La situación ) : Where are you, what happened, and what problem needs resolving? (e.g., You purchased an expensive appliance that does not function properly).
Your Pragmatic Objective ( Su objetivo ) : What specific outcome must you achieve? (e.g., Secure a full refund or an immediate replacement, rather than a mere store credit voucher).
The Relationship & Register ( El interlocutor y el registro ) : Who is the examiner playing?
Formal Register ( Usted ) : A store manager, hotel receptionist, landlord, bank clerk, or course director.
Informal Register ( Tú ) : A roommate, close friend, neighbor, or classmate.
Warning
Register inconsistency ( mezclar el tú y el usted ) is one of the most frequent analytical deductions in Tarea 4. If the prompt specifies a shop manager ( «Usted habla con el encargado» ), address them consistently with formal verb forms ( ¿Podría usted...?, mire, disculpe ) and object pronouns ( le, su ).
Typical Transactional & Interpersonal Scenarios
Instituto Cervantes draws Tarea 4 prompts from everyday transactional and interpersonal contexts across four primary archetypes: [ Commercial Transactions & Retail Complaints ]
↳ Defective electronics, ripped garments, incorrect billing, returning items without a paper receipt.
[ Hospitality, Travel, & Service Failures ]
↳ Hotel air conditioning broken, rental car class downgrade, flight delay compensation, restaurant billing errors.
[ Domestic & Interpersonal Negotiations ]
↳ Roommate chore distribution, noise complaints, hosting unexpected guests, shared utility cost disputes.
[ Administrative & Educational Enrollment ]
↳ Language academy timetable clashes, gym membership cancellation fees, examination rescheduling requests.
Scenario Archetype Interlocutor Role Primary Conflict / Obstacle Required Candidate Stance
Retail Return Store Manager ( Usted ) A fictional shop response creates a difficulty; it is not a statement of consumer law. Explain the problem and request an appropriate practical solution.
Hotel Complaint Receptionist ( Usted ) The hotel is fully booked; no alternative quiet room is immediately available. Reject sleeping in an intolerable room, negotiate room upgrade or fee discount.
Roommate Chore Dispute Flatmate ( Tú ) Flatmate claims to have no time for cleaning due to intensive university exams. Acknowledge their stress, propose a balanced schedule or weekend swap.
Course Enrollment Academy Secretary ( Usted ) The desired evening class is full; candidate is offered an inconvenient morning slot. Explain job constraints, request waitlist priority or alternative group access.
The Four-Phase Tactical Negotiation Model
To prevent the role-play from degenerating into disjointed fragments, execute the Four-Phase Negotiation Architecture : Phase 1: Salutation & Framing the Dilemma
- ↳ Formal greeting + Contextual explanation using softening "es que"
- ↓
- Phase 2: Tactful Rejection of Unsatisfactory Offers
- ↳ Polite acknowledgement of examiner's counter-proposal + Justified refusal
- ↓
- Phase 3: Creative Counter-Proposals & Compromise
- ↳ Proposing realistic alternative solutions using conditional polite formulas
- ↓
- Phase 4: Consensus & Courteous Resolution
- ↳ Finalizing agreed terms + Cordial expression of gratitude
- Phase 1: Salutation & Framing ( Planteamiento del problema )
Begin with an appropriate greeting and use the discourse marker «es que» to introduce the justification smoothly without sounding aggressive:
Formal ( Usted ) : «Buenos días, mire, disculpe que le moleste, pero es que quería hacer una reclamación sobre este electrodoméstico que compré ayer...»
Informal ( Tú ) : «Hola, Juan, ¿tienes un momento? Mira, es que quería hablar contigo sobre el turno de limpieza de la cocina...»
Phase 2: Tactful Rejection ( Rechazo educado )
An interlocutor may offer an inconvenient alternative, but there is no universal rule requiring refusal of your first request. Respond to the actual situation. If the proposed solution meets your objective, you may accept it; if it does not, explain the difficulty courteously:
Formal ( Usted ) : «Comprendo perfectamente su política interna; sin embargo, esa solución no me viene bien porque necesito el aparato hoy mismo para mi trabajo...»
Informal ( Tú ) : «Ya sé que estás muy liado con los exámenes, pero es que la casa no puede quedarse así todo el fin de semana...»
Phase 3: Counter-Proposing ( Contrapropuesta y negociación )
Offer an alternative compromise that demonstrates problem-solving capability:
Formal ( Usted ) : «¿Sería posible que me entregaran un modelo de sustitución temporal mientras reparan el mío?» / «¿Qué le parece si me abona la diferencia y elijo otro producto disponible en la tienda?»
Informal ( Tú ) : «¿Qué te parece si yo me encargo de fregar los platos hoy y tú limpias el baño el sábado por la mañana?»
Phase 4: Consensus & Closure ( Acuerdo y despedida )
Once an acceptable middle ground is established, close the dialogue gracefully:
Formal ( Usted ) : «De acuerdo, me parece una alternativa muy razonable. Le agradezco enormemente su ayuda y profesionalidad. Que tenga un buen día».
Informal ( Tú ) : «Perfecto, quedamos en eso entonces. Muchas gracias por entenderlo, ¡te dejo seguir estudiando!»
Register Calibration: Formal vs. Informal Exponents
The following reference guide highlights the sharp morphological contrasts required when switching between transactional registers:
Communicative Function Formal Register ( Usted / Relación profesional) Informal Register ( Tú / Amigos y compañeros)
Gaining Attention Mire, disculpe / Perdone que le interrumpa... Oye, mira / Perdona un segundo...
Explaining the Problem Es que tengo un inconveniente con su servicio... Es que tengo un problema con lo que acordamos...
Expressing Dissatisfaction Comprenderá que esta situación me perjudica... Entenderás que esto no me parece justo...
Requesting Action ¿Podría usted comprobarlo en el sistema, por favor? ¿Podrías echarle un vistazo a esto, porfa?
Proposing Compromise ¿Habría posibilidad de encontrar otra alternativa? ¿Por qué no lo hacemos de otra manera?
Final Agreement Muchísimas gracias por su comprensión y amabilidad. Genial, me alegro de que nos hayamos puesto de acuerdo.
Important
Keep your emotional tone balanced throughout. In formal complaints, avoid aggressive outbursts ( «¡Esto es una vergüenza!» ), which sound uncooperative. Instead, project firm, polite assertiveness ( «Entiendo que no es culpa suya directa, pero confío en que podamos hallar una solución justa» ).
Annotated Full Role-Play Script: Defective Laptop Exchange
Original fictional scenario, illustrating language rather than consumer law : You bought a laptop yesterday for university studies. The screen flickers constantly. The store clerk ( el dependiente , played by the interviewer) argues that opened electronics cannot be refunded, only sent away for a four-week technical repair.
Candidato (Mateo): [FASE 1: SALUDO Y PLANTEAMIENTO FORMAL]
«Buenos días. Mire, disculpe que le moleste, pero es que ayer por la tarde compré este ordenador portátil aquí en su tienda y al encenderlo en casa he comprobado que la pantalla parpadea continuamente y se apaga sola».
Entrevistador (Dependiente):
«Buenos días. A ver, permítame ver el ticket... Efectivamente, la compra fue ayer. Pero como la caja ya está abierta, nuestra política de tienda no permite devoluciones en metálico. Lo único que puedo hacer es enviar el equipo al servicio técnico central, lo que suele tardar unas tres o cuatro semanas».
Candidato (Mateo): [FASE 2: RECHAZO ARGUMENTADO Y RESPETUOSO]
«Comprendo perfectamente que tengan un protocolo de devoluciones, pero es que esa opción no me sirve de ninguna manera. El lunes comienzo mis exámenes finales en la universidad y necesito el ordenador con urgencia para entregar mis proyectos. No puedo quedarme un mes sin equipo habiéndolo comprado hace menos de veinticuatro horas».
Entrevistador (Dependiente):
«Ya le entiendo, caballero, pero es que yo soy un simple dependiente y las normas de la empresa son muy estrictas en este sentido. No puedo entregarle el dinero».
Candidato (Mateo): [FASE 3: CONTRAPROPUESTA CONSTRUCTIVA]
«No se preocupe, no le estoy pidiendo que me devuelva el dinero en efectivo. ¿Sería posible que me cambiara este equipo defectuoso por otra unidad nueva del mismo modelo que tengan en el almacén? O, si no les queda stock, ¿qué le parecería si elijo otro portátil de precio similar y yo abono la diferencia si fuera necesario?»
Entrevistador (Dependiente):
«Bueno, si se trata de un cambio directo por otro producto disponible en tienda con la factura original, sí que podría autorizarlo con el visto bueno del encargado. Déjeme revisar el almacén... Sí, nos queda una unidad idéntica en color plata».
Candidato (Mateo): [FASE 4: CONSENSO Y CIERRE CORDIAL]
«¡Perfecto! El color plata me viene estupendamente. Le agradezco muchísimo su comprensión, su gestión y su gran amabilidad para resolver el problema tan rápido. Muchas gracias y que tenga un buen día».
Notice how the candidate never panicked, rejected the unviable four-week wait, offered a practical alternative (exchange for another unit or paying the difference), and concluded the transaction on a warm, professional note.