Theme 1.3: Post-16 Education Choices and Pathways - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

10 original exam-style questions - 7 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

Download PDF Jump to mark scheme (page 8)Theme 1.3: Post-16 Education Choices and Pathways revision guide

This topic is chapter 11 of GCSE Spanish: Writing Practice Book.

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Theme 1.3: Jobs, Career Choices and Ambitions

6.11 Theme 1.3: Post-16 Education Choices and Pathways

AQA 8692 · about 65 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answers to translation and writing tasks must be written in full sentences. Accents, the enye and inverted punctuation are used correctly in the printed Spanish; write them correctly in your own answers too. Spend about 60 minutes on the whole pack.

Match the study pathway to its correct short description. Context: prospectus quick-check.

(a)1. Sixth form (bachillerato) - C. Academic preparation for university degrees.(1)

(b)2. Apprenticeship - A. Work and study with an employer, earning a wage.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 3 marks)

Single-word preposition test. Fill the gap with the correct preposition in Spanish for each short sentence about post-16 choices. Context: career interview form.

(a)Voy a estudiar informática ____ un college local. (en, a, con)(1)

(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)

Tense gap: Choose the correct past tense form to complete each sentence about past work experience. Context: recalling summer placements.

(a)El año pasado yo (hacer) ____ prácticas en una empresa y (aprender) ____ muchas cosas. Options: hice/aprendí, hacía/aprendía, he hecho/he aprendido(2)

(Total for Question 3 is 2 marks)

Multiple choice: Choose the best English translation for each Spanish phrase about post-16 choices. Context: guidance leaflet for students deciding after GCSE.

(a)un curso de formación profesional(1)

A a-level course
B a vocational training course
C a university degree
D a gap-year programme

(b)hacer un aprendizaje(1)

A to do an apprenticeship
B to study at sixth form
C to apply for university
D to enter the workforce permanently

(c)matricularse en la universidad(1)

A to choose your A-levels
B to join a college course
C to enrol at university
D to finish school early

(d)prácticas en una empresa(1)

A internships in a company
B a study exchange
C a GCSE exam
D an online course

(e)una opción práctica(1)

A a theoretical option
B a practical option
C a traditional choice
D a challenging subject

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

Odd one out. In each group of four words about post-16 choices, identify the odd one out and give a brief reason in English. Context: student discussion board.

(a)bachillerato, formación profesional, universidad, grado(1)

(b)aprendizaje, módulo, examen, trabajo(1)

(c)prácticas, lecciones, tutor, patron(1)

(d)curso técnico, a-levels, grado, módulo(1)

(Total for Question 5 is 4 marks)

Grammar selection: choose the correct near-future or present-tense verb to complete each sentence about planned post-16 study. Context: a student writing plans for next year.

(a)El próximo año yo (1) ______ estudiar medicina si saco buenas notas. Options: voy a, fui a, iba a(1)

(b)Mis padres creen que yo (2) ______ elegir un aprendizaje porque es práctico. Options: voy a, debo, podré(1)

(c)Si quiero estudiar en la universidad, tengo que (3) ______ las pruebas de acceso. Options: pasar, pasaré, pasaba(1)

(d)El curso técnico (4) ______ cuatro módulos este semestre. Options: incluye, incluiría, incluyo(1)

(e)Después del apprenticeship, yo (5) ______ empleo seguro si aprendo bien. Options: tendré, tengo, tenía(1)

(Total for Question 6 is 5 marks)

Translate into Spanish five short English sentences about post-16 choices. Context: a careers advisor asks the student to write these sentences.

(a)1. Next year I am going to study A-levels at sixth form.(2)

(b)2. I would like to do an apprenticeship in engineering.(2)

(d)4. Vocational courses are more practical than many A-levels.(2)

(e)5. I have already done two weeks of work experience.(2)

(Total for Question 7 is 10 marks)

Photo description. You see a photo of a college workshop where students are doing practical training with tools. Write four short bullet points in Spanish (20-30 words total) describing the photo and what the students are doing. Each bullet is worth 2 marks for communication (2 marks per bullet). Context: a speaking card photo task turned into writing.

(a)Bullet 1(2)

(b)Bullet 2(2)

(c)Bullet 3(2)

(d)Bullet 4(2)

(Total for Question 8 is 8 marks)

Structured writing: Menciona y describe tus planes post-16 usando el presente y el futuro cercano. 40-50 words in Spanish. You must include: (i) que vas a estudiar, (ii) donde, (iii) por que, (iv) al menos una frase con 'voy a'. Context: short school careers form.

(Total for Question 9 is 16 marks)

Extended writing: Compara el bachillerato y un aprendizaje y da tu opinión y justifícala. Escribe 90-150 words en Spanish. Usa presente, futuro o condicional y conectores (por ejemplo porque, sin embargo, además). Context: an essay for a school magazine about post-16 routes.

(Total for Question 10 is 16 marks)

Mark scheme · 6.11 Theme 1.3: Post-16 Education Choices and Pathways

Question 1

(a) B1 Correct match: Sixth form = academic preparation for university degrees
(a) Answer: Sixth form = academic preparation for university degrees
(b) B1 Correct match: Apprenticeship = work and study with an employer, earning a wage
(b) Answer: Apprenticeship = work and study with an employer, earning a wage
(c) B1 Correct match: Vocational college = technical college courses with practical skills and modules
(c) Answer: Vocational college = technical college courses with practical skills and modules

Question 2

(a) B1 en
(a) Answer: en

Question 3

(a) M1 Select and write 'hice/aprendí' for simple completed past actions
(a) A1 Both verbs correctly conjugated in the preterite
(a) Answer: hice/aprendí

Question 4

(a) B1 B - a vocational training course
(a) Answer: B - a vocational training course
(b) B1 A - to do an apprenticeship
(b) Answer: A - to do an apprenticeship
(c) B1 C - to enrol at university
(c) Answer: C - to enrol at university
(d) B1 A - internships in a company
(d) Answer: A - internships in a company
(e) B1 B - a practical option
(e) Answer: B - a practical option

Question 5

(a) B1 universidad - the others are qualifications or courses, universidad is an institution
(a) Answer: universidad
(b) B1 trabajo - the others relate to study structure or assessment; trabajo is paid employment
(b) Answer: trabajo
(c) B1 patron - the others are roles or activities in education; patron (employer) is linked to apprenticeships specifically
(c) Answer: patron
(d) B1 grado - the others are single courses or components at post-16 level, grado is a university degree
(d) Answer: grado

Question 6

(a) B1 voy a
(a) Answer: voy a
(b) B1 debo
(b) Answer: debo
(c) B1 pasar
(c) Answer: pasar
(d) B1 incluye
(d) Answer: incluye
(e) B1 tendré
(e) Answer: tendré

Question 7

(a) B1 Voy a estudiar a-levels en el bachillerato or Voy a estudiar a-levels en el sixth form
(a) B1 correct near-future verb and location
(a) Answer: Voy a estudiar a-levels en el bachillerato.
(b) B1 Me gustaría hacer un aprendizaje en ingeniería
(b) B1 conditional 'me gustaría' and correct preposition
(b) Answer: Me gustaría hacer un aprendizaje en ingeniería.
(c) B1 Necesito buenas notas para solicitar plaza en la universidad or para entrar en la universidad
(c) B1 correct infinitive purpose clause 'para...'
(c) Answer: Necesito buenas notas para solicitar plaza en la universidad.
(d) B1 Los cursos vocacionales son más prácticos que muchos a-levels
(d) B1 correct comparative structure 'más...que'
(d) Answer: Los cursos vocacionales son más prácticos que muchos a-levels.
(e) B1 Ya he hecho dos semanas de prácticas
(e) B1 use of present perfect 'he hecho' for past experience
(e) Answer: Ya he hecho dos semanas de prácticas.

Question 8

(a) B1 Content: a relevant detail about the setting or activity in the photo
(a) B1 Communication: Spanish phrase is understandable and matches the photo
(a) Answer: En el taller hay estudiantes trabajando con herramientas.
(b) B1 Content: another relevant detail such as clothes, equipment or interaction
(b) B1 Communication: clear Spanish phrasing
(b) Answer: Llevan gafas de seguridad y parecen concentrados en su proyecto.
(c) B1 Content: link to post-16 training or skills
(c) B1 Communication: Spanish understandable
(c) Answer: Aprenden habilidades prácticas útiles para un trabajo técnico.
(d) B1 Content: a final relevant observation or inference from the image
(d) B1 Communication: Spanish clear and appropriate
(d) Answer: El ambiente es profesional y colaborativo, como en una empresa.

Question 9

Content and communication (AO3, 10 marks)
- Level 3 (8-10): All four required points are covered clearly and relevantly; the response communicates well and develops reasons for the choice.
- Level 2 (4-7): Most required points are present but development may be limited; meaning is generally clear though some details may be missing.
- Level 1 (1-3): Only one or two bullet points are addressed in a basic way; communication is limited and may be partially unclear.
Range and accuracy of language (AO3, 6 marks)
- Level 3 (5-6): Good range of vocabulary and grammar for the task including present and near future; few errors that do not impede communication.
- Level 2 (3-4): Some variety of vocabulary and tentatively accurate grammar; errors sometimes affect precision but not overall message.
- Level 1 (1-2): Limited vocabulary and frequent grammatical errors that restrict communication.
Indicative content:
- Clear statement of what you are going to study, for example 'Voy a estudiar formación profesional en informática'.
- Place where you will study, for example 'en un college local' or 'en el sixth form del instituto'.
- Reason for choice using porque, for example 'porque me interesa la tecnología y es práctico'.
- Use of present and near future, for example 'Ahora estudio tecnologías y voy a continuar con un curso técnico'.
- Brief mention of career aim or practical outcome, for example 'así puedo encontrar trabajo rápido'.

Question 10

Content and communication (AO3, 10 marks)
- Level 4 (8-10): A well-developed comparison showing clear understanding of both options; the candidate gives a justified personal opinion and links ideas coherently.
- Level 3 (5-7): A clear comparison that covers both options with some development; an opinion is given but justification may be limited.
- Level 2 (2-4): A basic comparison with limited coverage of one or both options; opinion may be weak or only stated.
- Level 1 (1): Minimal relevant content, little or no comparison, opinion absent or unclear.
Range and accuracy of language (AO3, 6 marks)
- Level 4 (5-6): Wide range of vocabulary and structures, including present, future and conditional; accurate grammar and varied connectives; errors are minor.
- Level 3 (3-4): Good range with some attempts at different tenses and connectives; some errors, but meaning is clear.
- Level 2 (2): Limited range, mostly simple sentences and tenses; errors sometimes obscure meaning.
- Level 1 (1): Very limited language and frequent errors prevent effective communication.
Indicative content:
- Comparison of structure: bachillerato is more academic, apprenticeship is work-based and practical.
- Discussion of assessment and outcomes: academic exams and university route versus workplace assessment and immediate job prospects.
- Consideration of personal suitability: preference for study, need for income, desire for hands-on experience.
- Use of future or conditional to explain possible outcomes, e.g. 'Si hago un aprendizaje, tendré experiencia laboral; si estudio bachillerato, posiblemente iré a la universidad'.
- Connectives to contrast and justify, e.g. 'sin embargo', 'ademas', 'porque', and a clear concluding judgement with justification.

Theme 1.3: Post-16 Education Choices and Pathways - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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