Mi ciudad y el medio ambiente
GCSE Spanish model answers: my town and the environment
Foundation, about 90 words
- tu ciudad o pueblo
- las ventajas y desventajas
- lo que hiciste recientemente por el medio ambiente
- tu ciudad ideal
Vivo en un pueblo pequeño en el norte de Inglaterra. Hay un parque, una piscina y muchas tiendas. Además, hay un centro comercial nuevo. Me gusta mi pueblo porque es tranquilo, pero no hay bastantes cosas para los jóvenes. La semana pasada reciclé botellas y fui al instituto en bici. Creo que es importante proteger el planeta. Mi ciudad ideal estaría al lado del mar y habría un cine grande y muchas zonas verdes. También iría al trabajo en bici porque es más sano.
I live in a small town in the north of England. There is a park, a swimming pool and lots of shops. What's more, there's a new shopping centre. I like my town because it's quiet, but there aren't enough things for young people. Last week I recycled bottles and went to school by bike. I think it's important to protect the planet. My ideal city would be by the sea and there would be a big cinema and lots of green spaces. I would also go to work by bike because it's healthier.
- About 84 words, close to the 90 the task asks for, with every bullet point covered.
- Three time frames: 1 past-tense reference and 3 future or conditional.
- 3 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 3 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Higher, about 150 words
- tu región antes y ahora
- el mayor problema para el medio ambiente
- lo que ya has hecho
- lo que se debería hacer en el futuro
Hace treinta años mi ciudad era un centro industrial donde la mayoría de la gente trabajaba en la fábrica. Hoy en día las fábricas han cerrado y la ciudad se ha vuelto mucho más verde. En mi opinión, el mayor problema para el medio ambiente es el cambio climático, que está provocando inundaciones cada vez más frecuentes. El año pasado organicé una limpieza de la playa con mi club y recogimos más de cincuenta bolsas en una sola mañana. ¡Fue impactante ver tanto plástico! Creo que todos debemos hacer un esfuerzo, pero los gobiernos tienen la mayor responsabilidad. Habría que prohibir los coches en el centro de las ciudades e invertir más en el transporte público. Si no actuamos ahora, será demasiado tarde para las generaciones futuras. Por mi parte, seguiré haciendo todo lo posible para ayudar.
Thirty years ago my city was an industrial centre where most people worked in the factory. Nowadays the factories have closed and the city has become much greener. In my opinion, the biggest problem for the environment is climate change, which is causing more and more frequent floods. Last year I organised a beach clean with my club and we collected more than fifty bags in a single morning. It was shocking to see so much plastic! I think we must all make an effort, but governments have the greatest responsibility. We should ban cars in city centres and invest more in public transport. If we don't act now, it will be too late for future generations. For my part, I will keep doing everything I can to help.
- About 137 words, close to the 150 the task asks for, with every bullet point covered.
- Three time frames: 2 past-tense references and 3 future or conditional.
- 4 opinions, most of them backed up with a reason.
- 3 complex structures, such as si clauses, the subjunctive, the pluperfect and relative pronouns, which show a wide range of language.
- 3 connectives to link ideas and make the writing flow.
Phrases to steal
| Hace treinta años mi ciudad era... | Thirty years ago my city was... |
| ...que está provocando inundaciones | ...which is causing floods |
| Habría que + infinitivo | We should... |
| Si no actuamos ahora, será demasiado tarde | If we don't act now, it will be too late |
Try it yourself
Write your own answer to one of the tasks above, then see what the checker spots. Tip: press Hide the answer first so you're not tempted to copy.
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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
- My school Mi instituto
- 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
Keep going
Learn the words for this topic in Spanish vocabulary: Environment and where people live, drill the Spanish verbs, or practise speaking on the same topic in Spanish speaking.