Eight of the fourteen readings are new (Chapters 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, and 14). Since many instructors have requested samples of journalistic style and more contemporary topics, four of the new readings come from magazines and newspapers. Each new reading has required a new set of appropriate exercises: Vocabulario, Comprensión, Interpretación, etc.

Numerous grammatical examples and exercises have been updated in their references to persons and things.

Several of the grammar explanations and directions for doing the exercises have been revised.

In response to requests from instructors, the presentation of preterite vs. imperfect now precedes that of ser vs. estar, as was the case in the first three editions.

Six of the Ampliaciones (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 12) and one of the Distinciones
(Chapter 3) in the Sección léxica are new to this edition. The Distinciones in Chapters 9 and 10 have been switched for greater appropriateness.