The IB Spanish B and Ab Initio syllabuses are organised around five prescribed themes: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation, and Sharing the Planet. Your exam texts, writing tasks, and oral discussion will all revolve around these themes — and every examiner who marks your work is trained to notice whether your vocabulary is thematically rich and precise.
Generic vocabulary — bueno, malo, interesante, importante — scores in the lower bands. Thematic, precise, contextually appropriate vocabulary is what separates a 5 from a 7.
Theme 1 — Identities
Identities covers personal values, relationships, language and identity, physical and psychological wellbeing, and cultural identity. It appears in virtually every oral exam and is a common written task anchor.
Identities
Prescribed Theme 1Key words to master: la autoestima, los valores, la identidad cultural, pertenecer, el bienestar, el prejuicio, la diversidad, la inclusión, la pertenencia, la autoimagen
Theme 2 — Experiences
Experiences covers leisure, holidays, daily routines, rites of passage, and migration. It's the most accessible theme for lower levels — but examiners will still probe for nuance: not just "fui de vacaciones" but what you observed, how it changed you, what you would do differently.
Experiences
Prescribed Theme 2Key words to master: la rutina diaria, el tiempo libre, las aficiones, el voluntariado, emigrar, el rito de paso, la nostalgia, el intercambio cultural, las vivencias, conmemorar
Theme 3 — Human Ingenuity
Human Ingenuity covers art, architecture, entertainment, scientific innovation, language itself, and the impact of technology. HL candidates are expected to engage critically — not just describe what exists, but argue about its cultural and ethical implications.
Human Ingenuity
Prescribed Theme 3Key words to master: la innovación, el avance tecnológico, la inteligencia artificial, la creatividad, el patrimonio cultural, la propiedad intelectual, las redes sociales, el impacto, desarrollar, transformar
Theme 4 — Social Organisation
Social Organisation covers education, employment, health, law and order, family structures, and political systems. This theme rewards learners who can move beyond personal anecdote and engage with systems — how things work, why they're organised that way, and who benefits or suffers.
Social Organisation
Prescribed Theme 4Key words to master: el sistema educativo, el desempleo, la desigualdad, la sanidad pública, la legislación, los derechos humanos, la corrupción, la brecha generacional, el estado de bienestar, la movilidad social
Theme 5 — Sharing the Planet
Sharing the Planet covers the environment, climate, globalisation, ethical consumerism, food security, and peace. This is one of the highest-frequency themes in IB Spanish exams — especially for written tasks — and it demands a very specific register: formal, analytical, and solutions-focused.
Sharing the Planet
Prescribed Theme 5Key words to master: el cambio climático, la huella de carbono, el desarrollo sostenible, la biodiversidad, las energías renovables, la contaminación, el consumo responsable, la globalización, los recursos naturales, la escasez
"In IB Spanish, the examiner isn't testing whether you have something to say. They're testing whether you have the words to say it precisely."
How to study thematic vocabulary effectively
Knowing that you need to learn these words is different from actually learning them. Here's a method that works consistently for IB students:
For the full IB Spanish B exam breakdown — assessment criteria, HL vs SL differences, and oral tactics — see our comprehensive guide: IB Spanish B: Complete Guide to Scoring a 7 →
And if you're relying on flashcard apps to build this vocabulary, read The problem with spaced repetition apps → first — thematic structure matters more than review frequency.