Mi instituto
GCSE Spanish model answers: my school
Foundation, about 90 words
- tu instituto
- tu asignatura favorita
- un día reciente en el instituto
- lo que te gustaría hacer después
Mi instituto es bastante grande y moderno. Hay una biblioteca, un gimnasio y un comedor grande. Mi asignatura favorita es la historia porque es interesante y el profesor es simpático. En cambio, no me gustan las matemáticas porque son difíciles. Ayer tuve un examen de español y jugué al fútbol en el recreo. ¡Fue un buen día! El año que viene voy a estudiar el bachillerato y más tarde me gustaría ser profesor de historia porque me gusta ayudar a los demás.
My school is quite big and modern. There is a library, a gym and a big canteen. My favourite subject is history because it's interesting and the teacher is nice. On the other hand, I don't like maths because it's difficult. Yesterday I had a Spanish exam and I played football at break. It was a good day! Next year I am going to study for my A levels and later I would like to be a history teacher because I like helping others.
- About 82 words, close to the 90 the task asks for, with every bullet point covered.
- Three time frames: 1 past-tense reference and 2 future or conditional.
- 4 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 2 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Higher, about 150 words
- las ventajas y desventajas de tu instituto
- un evento reciente en el instituto
- las normas del instituto
- tus planes para el futuro
Mi instituto tiene muchas ventajas: los profesores están muy motivados y se puede elegir entre muchos clubes. Sin embargo, lo que no me gusta es que los días son demasiado largos, lo cual nos deja poco tiempo para descansar. El mes pasado el instituto organizó una semana de idiomas. Preparamos platos de otros países y ¡incluso canté una canción en francés delante de todos! Estaba nervioso, pero fue una experiencia inolvidable. En cuanto a las normas, la mayoría me parecen razonables, salvo la prohibición de los móviles, que me parece un poco exagerada. Después de los exámenes haré el bachillerato de idiomas y biología. Aunque todavía no sepa qué trabajo haré, me encantaría trabajar en un país hispanohablante. Si tuviera la oportunidad, sería intérprete. Me parece un trabajo fascinante porque ayuda a las personas a entenderse.
My school has lots of advantages: the teachers are very motivated and you can choose between lots of clubs. However, what I don't like is that the days are too long, which leaves us little time to rest. Last month the school organised a languages week. We prepared dishes from other countries and I even sang a song in French in front of everyone! I was nervous, but it was an unforgettable experience. As for the rules, most of them seem reasonable to me, except the ban on mobile phones, which seems a bit over the top. After my exams I will do A levels in languages and biology. Although I don't know yet what job I will do, I would love to work in a Spanish-speaking country. If I had the chance, I would be an interpreter. It seems a fascinating job to me because it helps people understand each other.
- About 136 words, close to the 150 the task asks for, with every bullet point covered.
- Three time frames: 3 past-tense references and 2 future or conditional.
- 4 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 4 complex structures, such as si clauses, the subjunctive, the pluperfect and relative pronouns, which show a wide range of language.
- 2 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Phrases to steal
| Lo que no me gusta es que... | What I don't like is that... |
| ...lo cual nos deja poco tiempo | ...which leaves us little time |
| Aunque todavía no sepa... | Although I don't know yet... |
| Si tuviera la oportunidad, sería... | If I had the chance, I would be... |
Try it yourself
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Quick questions
How do I get a grade 9 in GCSE Spanish writing?
Answer every bullet point, write accurately, and show a wide range of language: past, present and future or conditional, opinions with reasons, and complex structures such as si clauses, the subjunctive and relative pronouns such as lo que.
Can I learn these answers by heart?
Use them as a model, not a script. Learn the phrases to steal and the structures, then write your own answer about your own life. Examiners reward language that fits the task.
More Spanish model answers
- My family and friends Mi familia y mis amigos
- Healthy living La salud
- Free time El tiempo libre
- Festivals and celebrations Las fiestas
- Celebrities and role models Los famosos
- Holidays Las vacaciones
- Technology and social media La tecnología
- My town and the environment Mi ciudad y el medio ambiente
Keep going
Learn the words for this topic in Spanish vocabulary: Education and work, drill the Spanish verbs, or practise speaking on the same topic in Spanish speaking.