Question 1 is the Foundation tier task: write approximately 90 words in Spanish. Question 2 is the Higher tier task: write approximately 150 words in Spanish. Answer the question that matches your tier, or attempt both for practice. Question 3 is a short structured writing task: answer each bullet point with a short response in Spanish. Question 4 asks you to translate five sentences into Spanish.
1
Foundation tier. You are writing a post for a Spanish-language forum for teenagers, introducing yourself and talking about friendship. Write approximately 90 words in Spanish. You must include the following points:
- cómo eres (personalidad y aspecto físico) - cómo es tu mejor amigo o amiga - una opinión sobre la importancia de la amistad - un aspecto de tu personalidad que te gustaría cambiar
(Total for Question 1 is 20 marks)
2
Higher tier. You are writing an article for your school website about your identity and your friendships. Write approximately 150 words in Spanish. You must include the following points:
- cómo describirías tu identidad (tus valores y tu personalidad) - cómo ha cambiado tu relación con tus amigos con el paso del tiempo - qué planes tienes para mantener el contacto con tus amigos en el futuro - tu opinión sobre la influencia de las redes sociales en las amistades, con razones
(Total for Question 2 is 28 marks)
3
You have just started messaging a new Spanish pen pal for the first time. Answer each question below with a short response in Spanish (one or two sentences).
(a)¿Cómo te llamas y cuántos años tienes?(2)
(b)¿Cómo eres físicamente?(2)
(c)¿Qué tipo de persona eres?(2)
(d)¿Con quién vives?(2)
(Total for Question 3 is 8 marks)
Mark scheme · 6.2 Theme 1.1: Identity and relationships with others - Writing
Question 1
Content and communication (AO4, 10 marks)
Level 3 (8-10): All four bullet points covered with relevant detail; the post communicates clearly throughout; the opinion on friendship is clearly expressed and justified.
Level 2 (4-7): Most bullet points covered, though development may be thin on one or two; the post is mostly clear; an opinion is given but the justification may be brief or missing.
Level 1 (1-3): One or two bullet points covered in a basic way; the post has some clarity but gaps in meaning may occur; little or no opinion is offered.
Level 0 (0): No creditable content, or the response is entirely irrelevant to the task.
Range and accuracy of language (AO4, 10 marks)
Level 3 (8-10): A good range of vocabulary and structures, including at least one opinion phrase and one connective beyond 'y'/'pero'; verbs are mostly correctly formed and agree with their subject; errors do not hinder understanding.
Level 2 (4-7): Some variety of vocabulary and structures; verbs are mostly recognisable though with some agreement or spelling errors; meaning is usually clear despite errors.
Level 1 (1-3): Limited, repetitive vocabulary and structures; frequent verb errors; meaning is sometimes unclear.
Level 0 (0): Language too limited or inaccurate to communicate meaning.
Indicative content:
Self-description using ser and tener, e.g. 'Soy bastante extrovertido y muy trabajador' / 'Tengo el pelo rizado y los ojos marrones'.
Description of the best friend using ser, e.g. 'Mi mejor amiga se llama Elena y es muy simpática y generosa'.
An activity done together with friends in the present tense, e.g. 'Salimos juntos los fines de semana' or 'Nos mandamos mensajes todos los días'.
An opinion on friendship using an opinion phrase, e.g. 'Para mí, la amistad es muy importante' / 'Pienso que la amistad es esencial'.
A justifying clause introduced by 'porque', e.g. 'porque siempre puedo contar con mis amigos'.
An aspect of personality they would like to change, using the conditional or 'me gustaría', e.g. 'Me gustaría ser menos tímido cuando conozco a gente nueva'.
A connective beyond 'y'/'pero', e.g. 'aunque', 'sin embargo', 'además', to link ideas within or across sentences.
Question 2
Content and communication (AO4, 16 marks)
Level 4 (13-16): All four bullet points covered with well-developed detail and a clear personal voice; ideas are linked coherently; the article is fully relevant and communicates with precision.
Level 3 (9-12): All four bullet points covered, though development may be uneven; communication is clear with only occasional loss of precision.
Level 2 (5-8): Most bullet points covered but with limited development; communication is generally clear though some ideas may be underdeveloped or list-like.
Level 1 (1-4): One or two bullet points covered in a basic way; communication is patchy, with noticeable gaps in meaning.
Range and accuracy of language (AO4, 12 marks)
Level 4 (10-12): A wide range of vocabulary and complex structures; a genuine spread of tenses (past, present and future/conditional) used accurately; minor errors only, never obscuring meaning.
Level 3 (7-9): A good range of vocabulary and some complex structures; at least two different time frames attempted with general accuracy; errors occasionally affect precision but not overall understanding.
Level 2 (4-6): Some variety of vocabulary; mostly simple structures with limited attempts at other time frames; verb errors are frequent but meaning is usually recoverable.
Level 1 (1-3): Narrow, repetitive vocabulary confined mostly to the present tense; frequent errors that sometimes prevent understanding.
Indicative content:
Present-tense description of identity and values, e.g. 'Me considero una persona bastante abierta y curiosa, y creo que mis valores reflejan cómo me educaron mis padres'.
Past-tense account of how friendships have changed, e.g. 'Cuando era más joven, tenía pocos amigos íntimos, pero desde que empecé el instituto he hecho muchas amistades nuevas'.
Future or conditional plans for keeping in touch, e.g. 'El año que viene, seguiré en contacto con mis amigos por videollamada, y me encantaría reunirme con todos otra vez algún día'.
An opinion on social media's influence on friendship with a developed reason, e.g. 'En mi opinión, las redes sociales tienen un impacto positivo y negativo en la amistad, porque nos permiten mantener el contacto, pero a veces sustituyen las conversaciones cara a cara'.
Use of a subordinate clause with 'porque', 'ya que' or 'aunque' to justify an opinion in depth.
A concluding sentence that draws the points together, e.g. 'En resumen, aunque las amistades cambian con el tiempo, siguen siendo una parte esencial de quién soy'.
Accurate use of at least one comparative or superlative, e.g. 'Ahora valoro la calidad de mis amistades más que la cantidad'.
Question 3
(a) B1 Content: gives a plausible name and age
(a) B1 Accuracy: llamarse and tener correctly conjugated in the first person
(a) Answer: Me llamo Daniel y tengo dieciséis años.
(b) B1 Content: gives at least one plausible physical detail
(b) B1 Accuracy: ser and/or tener correctly conjugated and any adjective agreeing with the speaker
(b) Answer: Soy bastante alto y tengo el pelo corto y castaño.
(c) B1 Content: gives at least one plausible personality trait
(c) B1 Accuracy: ser correctly conjugated and adjective agreement, or gustar construction correctly formed
(c) Answer: Soy muy hablador y me gusta ayudar a los demás.
(d) B1 Content: names at least one plausible family member or household member
(d) B1 Accuracy: vivir correctly conjugated in the first person with con + person(s)
(d) Answer: Vivo con mis padres y mi hermana pequeña.