Vocabulary
The words and phrases for this theme, each with audio. Words marked H are for Higher.
Covers the AQA and Pearson word lists for this topic. The official lists: AQA vocabulary list (specification Appendix 2) and Pearson Edexcel vocabulary list (specification Appendix 1).
Key phrases
Phrases for speaking and writing on this theme. Words in [brackets] are the parts you personalise. Phrases marked H use Higher grammar.
- Mi modelo a seguir es... porque...My role model is... because...
- Admiro a [mi abuela] porque...I admire [my grandmother] because...
- Es un buen ejemplo para los jóvenesHe's / She's a good example for young people
- Ha conseguido mucho en su vidaHe's / She's achieved a lot in his / her life
- Los famosos tienen mucha influencia en...Celebrities have a lot of influence on...
- HLo bueno de ser famoso es que...The good thing about being famous is that...
- HLo malo de ser famoso es que...The bad thing about being famous is that...
- No me gustaría ser famoso porque...I wouldn't like to be famous because...
Key verbs
The verbs for this theme. Where the site has a verb page, the link opens its conjugation tables and practice.
- Conjugation and practice →admirarto admire
- Conjugation and practice →nacerto be born
- Conjugation and practice →morirto die
- Conjugation and practice →soñar (con)to dream (of)
- Conjugation and practice →luchar (por)to fight (for)
- Conjugation and practice →apoyarto support
- Conjugation and practice →ganarto win, to earn
- Conjugation and practice →votarto vote
- HConjugation and practice →lograrto achieve
- HConjugation and practice →conseguirto achieve, to get
- HConjugation and practice →alcanzarto reach
- HConjugation and practice →superarto overcome
- HConjugation and practice →crecerto grow up
- HConjugation and practice →influir (en)to influence
- HConjugation and practice →dedicarse ato work as, to devote yourself to
- Conjugation and practice →seguirto follow
- Conjugation and practice →serto be (what someone or something is)
- Conjugation and practice →tenerto have
Words by topic
The core words and expressions for this theme, in groups. Each noun shows its gender. Open a group to see its words.
Famous people
13 words
- los famosos (m)celebrities, famous people
- la personalidad (f)personality, celebrity
- la estrella (f)star
- el actor / la actrizactor / actress
- el/la cantantesinger
- el/la artistaartist, performer
- el/la jugador/aplayer
- el/la deportistasportsperson
- el/la modelomodel
- el/la escritor/awriter
- el/la pintor/apainter
- el/la científico/ascientist
- el presidente / la presidentapresident
Describing famous people
8 words
- famoso/afamous
- conocido/awell-known
- rico/arich
- pobrepoor
- trabajador(a)hardworking
- valientebrave
- Horgulloso/aproud
- Hambicioso/aambitious
Fame, money and the media
7 words
- el/la seguidor/afollower, fan
- la fama (f)fame
- la vida privada (f)private life
- el dinero (m)money
- la imagen (f)image
- Hel lujo (m)luxury
- Hla prensa (f)the press
Talent, effort and success
6 words
- el éxito (m)success
- el premio (m)prize, award
- el esfuerzo (m)effort
- el sueño (m)dream
- la carrera (f)career
- Hel talento (m)talent
Shows, performances and characters
4 words
- el personaje (m)character (in a film or book)
- el espectáculo (m)show
- Hel/la protagonistamain character, star
- Hla actuación (f)performance
Role models and causes
8 words
- el modelo a seguir (m)role model
- el modelo de conducta (m)role model
- el ejemplo (m)example
- la influencia (f)influence
- la organización benéfica (f)charity
- la igualdad (f)equality
- el derecho (m)right
- Hla lucha (f)fight, struggle
Life stories and history
4 words
- la historia (f)history, story
- histórico/ahistoric, historical
- Hel nacimiento (m)birth
- Hla muerte (f)death
Grammar
The grammar this theme uses most, with examples from the theme. Each guide explains it in full.
Preterite for life stories
To tell the events of someone's life: nació, luchó, trabajó.
A life story is a list of completed events, so it uses the preterite in the third person: nació, estudió, ganó, murió. Watch the accent on the last syllable: trabajó (he worked) is not trabajo (I work). Nacer and morir are almost always preterite when you give a date or place: nació en Málaga en 1881.
Nació en Málaga en 1881 – He was born in Málaga in 1881
Luchó por los derechos de las mujeres – She fought for women's rights
Trabajó mucho para conseguir su sueño – He worked hard to achieve his dream
Imperfect for what someone was like
To say what a person was like or used to do when they were young: era, entrenaba, tenía.
Use the imperfect for background and habits in someone's past: what they were like (era tímida), what they used to do (entrenaba todos los días) and what their situation was (no tenía mucho dinero). Then switch to the preterite for what happened: de niña era tímida, pero un día ganó un concurso. De niño / de niña is a fixed way to say "as a child".
De niña, era muy tímida – As a child, she was very shy
Entrenaba todos los días – He trained every day
Su familia no tenía mucho dinero – His family didn't have much money
Giving reasons
To explain why you admire someone: porque, ya que, por eso.
Porque and ya que give the reason (lo admiro porque es valiente); por eso gives the result ("that's why"). With a person after admirar you need the personal a: admiro a mi abuela. Don't write por qué with an accent and a space in a statement: that is the question "why?".
Admiro a mi abuela porque es muy valiente – I admire my grandmother because she is very brave
Es un buen modelo a seguir porque ayuda a los demás – He is a good role model because he helps others
La admiro ya que lucha por la igualdad – I admire her as she fights for equality
Comparing people
To compare role models and celebrities: más/menos ... que, tan ... como; at Higher, el/la mejor.
Más ... que and menos ... que compare two things; tan ... como says they are equal. The agrees with the person: ella es más trabajadora que él. Mejor and peor replace más bueno and más malo, and el/la mejor ... del mundo is the : use del, not en el, after it.
Es más importante ser buena persona que ser famoso – Being a good person is more important than being famous
Los científicos son tan importantes como los deportistas – Scientists are as important as sportspeople
Para mí, es la mejor cantante del mundo – For me, she's the best singer in the world
Cuando sea mayor and quiero que
HigherThe present subjunctive in its set uses: after cuando about the , after quiero que and after para que.
After cuando about the , Spanish uses the subjunctive: cuando sea mayor (when I'm older), never cuando seré. Quiero que and para que take it too when the second has a different : quiero que venga. Learn cuando sea mayor, quiero... as a fixed phrase: it is the most useful one in the exam.
Cuando sea mayor, quiero ser como ella – When I'm older, I want to be like her
Quiero que mi cantante favorito venga a mi ciudad – I want my favourite singer to come to my city
Trabaja para que su familia tenga una vida mejor – He works so that his family has a better life
Exam tip: Higher only needs the subjunctive of hacer, ser, ir, venir and tener (haga, sea, vaya, venga, tenga) in these uses.
Practice
Exercises on this theme's words and grammar, marked as you go. Higher tasks are labelled.
Vocabulary matching
Match the Spanish words with their English meanings:
Fill in the blanks: the preterite
Fill in the gaps with the preterite of the verb in brackets:
- Clara Campoamor por el voto de las mujeres. (luchar)
- Picasso en Málaga en 1881. (nacer)
- Mi cantante favorito un premio el año pasado. (ganar)
- Mis abuelos mucho para darnos una vida mejor. (trabajar)
- El verano pasado a mi grupo favorito en un concierto. (ver, yo)
Multiple choice: which translation?
Choose the correct translation:
1. My role model is my mum
2. She was born in Seville
3. Celebrities have a lot of money
4. He is more hardworking than me
Translate into Spanish: sentences
Translate into Spanish:
Hints:mi modelo a seguirtrabajadoracuando era jovenla admiro
Mi modelo a seguir es mi abuela. Es muy amable y trabajadora. Cuando era joven trabajaba en un hospital. La admiro porque siempre ayuda a otras personas.
Translate into Spanish: a paragraph
HigherTranslate into Spanish:
Hints:seguir ano todosmerecercuando sea mayor
Muchos jóvenes siguen a los famosos en las redes sociales, pero no todos son buenos modelos a seguir. En mi opinión, los científicos y los médicos merecen más atención que los futbolistas. Cuando sea mayor, quiero trabajar en un hospital para ayudar a la gente.
Listening
Mi modelo a seguir Higher
My role model
Tip: If you need help, read the questions first, use the slow speed and check the transcript.
Show transcript
- Marcos
Irene, para el proyecto del instituto tenemos que hablar de un modelo a seguir. ¿A quién vas a elegir?
Irene, for the school project we have to talk about a role model. Who are you going to choose?
- Irene
A Margarita Salas, una científica española. Nació en Asturias en 1938.
Margarita Salas, a Spanish scientist. She was born in Asturias in 1938.
- Marcos
No la conozco. ¿Qué hizo?
I don't know her. What did she do?
- Irene
Investigó durante muchos años y descubrió algo muy útil para la ciencia y la medicina. Además, en aquella época había muy pocas mujeres científicas.
She did research for many years and discovered something very useful for science and medicine. Also, at that time there were very few women scientists.
- Marcos
Yo pensaba hablar de un futbolista, pero creo que tu idea es mejor.
I was thinking of talking about a footballer, but I think your idea is better.
- Irene
Los deportistas también pueden ser buenos ejemplos, si trabajan mucho y respetan a los demás.
Sportspeople can be good examples too, if they work hard and respect others.
- Marcos
Es verdad. Lo malo es que muchos famosos solo enseñan su vida de lujo en las redes sociales.
That's true. The bad thing is that lots of celebrities only show their life of luxury on social media.
- Irene
Por eso prefiero a las personas que ayudan a la sociedad. Cuando sea mayor, quiero ser investigadora como ella.
That's why I prefer people who help society. When I'm older, I want to be a researcher like her.
- Marcos
¡Qué bien! Yo todavía no sé qué quiero hacer.
Great! I still don't know what I want to do.
Comprehension questions
Answer all 7 questions based on the conversation.
- Question 1
Who is Irene's role model?
- Question 2
Where was Margarita Salas born?
- Question 3
When Margarita Salas was working, there were lots of women scientists.
- Question 4
Who was Marcos going to talk about?
- Question 5
According to Irene, when can sportspeople be good role models?
- Question 6
What does Marcos criticise about many celebrities?
- Question 7
Marcos already knows what job he wants to do.
Speaking
Practise answering out loud. How each board runs the speaking exam: the GCSE speaking exam.
Practice questions
- ¿Quién es tu modelo a seguir? ¿Por qué?Mi modelo a seguir es mi madre porque es muy trabajadora y siempre me apoya.
- ¿Qué persona famosa admiras?Admiro mucho a Picasso porque cambió la historia del arte.
- ¿Qué hizo una persona que admiras?Clara Campoamor luchó por el voto de las mujeres en España y lo consiguió en 1931.
- ¿Crees que los famosos son buenos modelos para los jóvenes?Depende. Algunos dan un buen ejemplo, pero otros solo hablan de dinero y de lujo.
- ¿Qué cualidades tiene un buen modelo a seguir?Un buen modelo a seguir es honesto, trabajador y ayuda a los demás.
- ¿Sigues a algún famoso en las redes sociales?Sí, sigo a algunos cantantes y deportistas, pero no paso mucho tiempo mirando sus fotos.
- ¿Te gustaría ser famoso? ¿Por qué?No me gustaría ser famoso porque no tendría vida privada.
- ¿Qué te gustaría conseguir en el futuro?Me gustaría tener un trabajo interesante y ayudar a otras personas.
Role-play
A role-play card in the exam format. Prepare an answer for each task, with a verb in every answer. Full role-plays with the examiner's lines and model answers: GCSE speaking practice.
You are talking to your Spanish friend about famous people.
- Say who your role model is. (Give one detail.)
- Say why you admire this person. (Give one reason.)
- Say which famous person you follow online. (Give one detail.)
- Give your opinion of being famous. (Give one opinion.)
- ?Ask your friend a question about a famous person.
Your teacher plays your friend and speaks first; speak to your friend as tú. The task marked ? is where you ask a question. At Foundation, every task is in the present tense.
Photo card
There is no photo on this page: practise with exam-style photos on the GCSE speaking page. AQA's card has two photos (Háblame de las fotos): say something about each. On Pearson's card you describe one of two pictures: the people, the place and what they are doing, then answer two questions about yourself. Then comes a conversation, with questions like the practice questions above. For a photo on this theme, say:
- Who the people might be (a singer, an athlete, fans)
- Where they are
- What they are doing
Writing
Plan and write your answer, then check it covers every bullet point. The tasks and word counts on each board: the GCSE writing exam. Useful phrases: key phrases.
AQA: about 90 words
Foundation and Higher papers
You are writing to your Spanish friend about people you admire. Write approximately 90 words in Spanish. You must write something about each bullet point.
You must include:
- your role model
- what this person did in the past
- what you would like to achieve in the future
AQA: about 150 words
HigherHigher paper
You are writing an article about celebrities for a Spanish website. Write approximately 150 words in Spanish. You must write something about both bullet points.
You must include:
- the influence of celebrities on young people
- a person you admire and what they have achieved
Pearson Edexcel: 80-90 words
Foundation and Higher papers
Your Spanish friend Pablo has asked you about famous people. Write an email to Pablo. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 80 and 90 words.
You must include:
- a famous person you like
- your opinion of celebrities on social media
- a concert, match or show you went to
- your dreams for the future
Pearson Edexcel: 130-150 words
HigherHigher paper
You are writing an article for a Spanish youth magazine about role models. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 130 and 150 words.
You must include:
- the qualities of a good role model
- a role model from your family or community
- how a famous person changed things in the past
- whether you would like to be famous in the future
Key points
- Life stories use the preterite: nació, estudió, ganó, murió
- Use the imperfect for what someone was like or used to do: de niña era tímida, entrenaba todos los días
- Give reasons: lo/la admiro porque..., por eso..., ya que...
- Compare: es más importante ser buena persona que ser famoso
- Higher: cuando sea mayor..., quiero que + subjunctive (sea, tenga, venga, haga, vaya)
Homework
- Write about 90 words about your role model: who they are, what they did, and why you admire them
- Research a famous Spanish or Latin American person from history and write five sentences about their life in the preterite
- Write five sentences comparing two famous people with más... que, menos... que and tan... como
- Prepare an answer to: ¿Te gustaría ser famoso o famosa? Give two reasons for and two against
Next steps
More practice and revision for this theme. The listening and reading texts are general practice with comprehension questions, not in the exam format: for that, see the GCSE reading papers and GCSE listening papers.