Vocabulary
The words and phrases for this theme, each with audio. Words marked H are for Higher.
Every word is checked against both boards' lists: H marks a Higher word, a note says when the boards differ, and words on neither list are marked "Not on the exam lists". 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. Phrases marked H use Higher grammar.
- El mayor problema es...The biggest problem is...
- Para proteger el medio ambiente...To protect the environment...
- En mi opinión, se debería...In my opinion, people should... (one should)
- Me preocupa mucho...I'm very worried about...
- Es urgente actuar yaWe need to act now (it's urgent to act now)
- HCada uno puede contribuir...Everyone can contribute...
Key verbs
The verbs for this theme. Where the site has a verb page, the link opens its conjugation tables and practice.
- HConjugation and practice →reciclarto recycle
- HConjugation and practice →ahorrarto save (water, energy, money)Higher on Pearson
- HConjugation and practice →protegerto protect
- HConjugation and practice →reducirto reduce
- HConjugation and practice →reutilizarto reuseNot on the exam lists
- HConjugation and practice →contaminarto polluteAQA list only
- HConjugation and practice →malgastarto wasteNot on the exam lists
- HConjugation and practice →afectarto affect
- HConjugation and practice →causarto cause
- HConjugation and practice →cuidarto look afterHigher on Pearson
- HConjugation and practice →salvarto save, to rescue (the planet, a life)
- HConjugation and practice →mejorarto improve
- HConjugation and practice →evitarto avoidHigher on Pearson
- HConjugation and practice →apagarto switch off
- HConjugation and practice →tirarto throw (away)
- HConjugation and practice →limpiarto clean
- HConjugation and practice →ayudarto help
- HConjugation and practice →prohibirto ban, to forbid
- HConjugation and practice →separarto separate, to sort (rubbish)Higher on Pearson
- HConjugation and practice →concienciarto raise awarenessNot on the exam lists
- HConjugation and practice →conservarto conserve
- HConjugation and practice →amenazarto threaten
- HConjugation and practice →contribuirto contributeAQA Higher list only
- HConjugation and practice →destruirto destroyHigher on Pearson
- HConjugation and practice →debermust/should
- HConjugation and practice →poderto be able to
- HConjugation and practice →necesitarto need
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.
The natural world
15 words
- Hel medio ambiente (m)environment; AQA spelling = el medioambiente
- Hel bosque (m)forest
- Hla selva (f)jungle/rainforestNot on the exam lists
- Hel río (m)riverHigher on Pearson
- Hel océano (m)oceanNot on the exam lists
- Hel agua (f)water; feminine = el agua fría
- Hla naturaleza (f)nature
- Hel planeta (m)planetHigher on AQA
- Hla Tierra (f)the Earth
- Hel aire (m)air
- Hel mundo (m)world
- Hel mar (m)sea
- Hla montaña (f)mountain
- Hel cielo (m)sky
- Hel campo (m)countryside, field
Wildlife and plants
7 words
- Hla especie (f)speciesHigher on Pearson
- Hel animal (m)animal
- Hel árbol (m)tree
- Hla flor (f)flower
- Hla planta (f)plantHigher on Pearson
- Hel pájaro (m)birdHigher on Pearson
- Hen peligro de extinciónendangeredNot on the exam lists
Pollution and climate change
12 words
- Hla contaminación (f)pollutionAQA list only
- Hel cambio climático (m)climate changeHigher on Pearson
- Hel calentamiento global (m)global warmingNot on the exam lists
- Hla basura (f)rubbishHigher on Pearson
- Hlos residuos (m)wasteNot on the exam lists
- Hel tráfico (m)trafficHigher on Pearson
- Hel ruido (m)noise
- Hla polución (f)pollutionPearson list only
- Hla huella de carbono (f)carbon footprintNot on the exam lists
- Hel efecto invernadero (m)greenhouse effectNot on the exam lists
- Hel humo (m)smoke
- Hel gas (m)gasAQA Higher list only
Weather, fires and floods
8 words
- Hel fuego (m)fire
- Hel clima (m)climate
- Hel calor (m)heat
- Hla temperatura (f)temperature
- Hla sequía (f)droughtNot on the exam lists
- Hla inundación (f)floodPearson Higher list only
- Hel incendio (m)fire (forest or building)
- Hel desastre (m)disasterAQA Higher list only
Energy, transport and recycling
15 words
- Hla energía (f)energy
- Hla luz (f)light/electricityHigher on Pearson
- Hel plástico (m)plastic
- Hel papel (m)paper
- Hel vidrio (m)glass (the material)
- Hel reciclaje (m)recyclingPearson list only
- Hla bolsa (f)bag
- Hla botella (f)bottle
- Hel transporte público (m)public transport
- Hla bicicleta / la bici (f)bicycle, bike
- a pieon foot
- Hel coche (m)car
- Hla fábrica (f)factoryAQA list only
- Hla industria (f)industryHigher on Pearson
- Hel consumo (m)consumption (of energy, water)AQA Higher list only
Causes, risks and solutions
14 words
- Hel problema (m)problem
- Hla solución (f)solutionHigher on AQA
- Hla causa (f)cause
- Hel peligro (m)danger
- Hel riesgo (m)risk
- Hla protección (f)protectionHigher on AQA
- Hla crisis (f)crisisPearson list only
- Hel proyecto (m)project
- Hel daño (m)harm, damageHigher on Pearson
- Hlos recursos (m)resourcesHigher on AQA
- Hla responsabilidad (f)responsibilityHigher on AQA
- Hla consecuencia (f)consequencePearson Higher list only
- Hla campaña (f)campaign
- Hla amenaza (f)threatPearson Higher list only
Describing environmental issues
11 words
- Hecológico/aecological/eco-friendlyNot on the exam lists
- HrenovablerenewablePearson Higher list only
- Hpeligroso/adangerous
- Hgraveserious (problem, illness)Higher on Pearson
- Heléctrico/aelectric
- HnaturalnaturalHigher on AQA
- Hlimpio/aclean
- Hsucio/adirty
- Hverdegreen (the colour; also eco-friendly)
- HsosteniblesustainablePearson Higher list only
- HdesechabledisposableNot on the exam lists
Society and social issues
15 words
- Hla sociedad (f)society
- Hla comunidad (f)community
- Hel hambre (f)hunger; feminine = tengo mucha hambre
- Hla violencia (f)violence
- Hel racismo (m)racismPearson list only
- Hel sexismo (m)sexismPearson list only
- Hla igualdad (f)equalityHigher on AQA
- Hel derecho (m)a right (e.g. human rights)
- Hpobrepoor
- Hla pobreza (f)povertyAQA Higher list only
- Hla discriminación (f)discrimination
- Hla paz (f)peace
- Hel gobierno (m)government
- Hla ley (f)law
- Hel desarrollo (m)development
Grammar
The grammar this theme uses most, with examples from the theme. Each guide explains it in full.
Past, present and future
To say what you do for the environment in three timeframes: what you did, what you do and what you're going to do.
The time words decide the : la semana pasada and ayer take the preterite, normalmente and todos los días the present, and la semana que viene and mañana take ir a + . For reciclar: reciclé (I recycled), reciclo (I recycle), voy a reciclar (I'm going to recycle). The usual mistake is the present after a past time word: la semana pasada reciclé, not reciclo.
La semana pasada reciclé muchas botellas – Last week I recycled lots of bottles
Normalmente reciclo el plástico y el papel – I normally recycle plastic and paper
La semana que viene voy a reciclar más – Next week I'm going to recycle more
Exam tip: The top language marks in AQA's 90-word task, Pearson's 80-90 and 130-150 word tasks and Pearson's conversation need all three timeframes.
Hay que and se debe for what needs doing
To say what everyone has to do: hay que, se debe, es importante + .
All three talk about everyone rather than one person, and are followed by an : hay que reciclar, se debe ahorrar agua, es importante usar menos plástico. Hay que and se debe both mean "you have to" or "one must"; for the softer "should", use se debería. After es importante the follows directly (es importante reciclar): es importante que would need the subjunctive (es importante que reciclemos), which isn't required at either tier.
Hay que reciclar más – We have to recycle more
Se debe ahorrar agua – You must save water
Es importante reducir el plástico – It's important to reduce plastic
Present continuous for problems now
To describe problems that are happening now: estar + gerund.
Use the present of estar + a gerund (-ando for -ar verbs, -iendo for -er and -ir verbs, -yendo after a vowel: destruyendo) for what is happening right now: estamos destruyendo los bosques. With a reflexive , the goes before estar or on the end of the gerund, with an accent: se están derritiendo or están derritiéndose. For general facts and habits, use the simple present: reciclo todos los días.
El planeta se está calentando – The planet is warming up
Los glaciares están derritiéndose – Glaciers are melting
Estamos destruyendo los bosques – We are destroying forests
Conditional for solutions
To suggest solutions: se debería, sería mejor, deberíamos.
Se debería (people should), deberíamos (we should) and deberían (they should) are the of deber, followed by an : se debería usar menos el coche. Sería mejor + means "it would be better to". The sounds softer than debemos, which suits suggestions; for another idea, add podríamos (we could): podríamos ir en bici. Foundation needs only the forms (debería, se debería, sería); the forms (deberíamos, deberían) are Higher.
Se debería usar menos el coche – People should use the car less
Deberíamos usar menos plástico – We should use less plastic
Sería mejor usar el transporte público – It would be better to use public transport
Por and para for cause and purpose
Por for the cause of a problem; para for the purpose of a solution.
Por gives the cause: hay contaminación por el tráfico (because of the traffic). Para + gives the purpose, "(in order) to": reciclo para proteger el medio ambiente. A quick test: if "because of" fits, use por; if "in order to" fits, use para.
Hay contaminación por el tráfico – There is pollution because of traffic
Reciclo para proteger el medio ambiente – I recycle (in order) to protect the environment
Ahorramos energía para reducir emisiones – We save energy (in order) to reduce emissions
Si + present, then the future
To say what will happen if something is (or isn't) done: si + present, then the .
Put the present straight after si (if) and the in the result: si no actuamos, será demasiado tarde. The never goes straight after si: say si reciclamos más, not si reciclaremos más. Habrá (there will be) is the of hay: habrá menos basura.
Si no actuamos, será demasiado tarde – If we don't act, it will be too late
Si reciclamos más, habrá menos basura – If we recycle more, there will be less rubbish
Going furtherBeyond the GCSE specification: not required on either tier, credited as complex language
Si clauses for imagined situations
Beyond GCSETo say what would happen if things were different.
Si + imperfect subjunctive, then the , is for imagined situations: si todos recicláramos, habría menos basura. As with si + present, the goes in the result, never straight after si (if).
Si todos recicláramos, habría menos basura – If everyone recycled, there would be less rubbish
Si usáramos menos el coche, habría menos contaminación – If we used the car less, there would be less pollution
Exam tip: Not required at either tier: the imperfect subjunctive is beyond the GCSE lists. For real possibilities, use si + present, then the .
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: environment words
Fill in the blanks with the correct Spanish environment vocabulary:
- Debemos el plástico para proteger el planeta. (recycle)
- El climático es un problema muy grave. (change)
- Hay mucha del aire en las ciudades. (pollution)
- Usamos limpias, como la energía solar. (energies)
- Es importante agua y electricidad. (save)
- Hay que reciclar las de plástico. (bottles)
- Siempre llevo una cuando voy de compras. (bag)
- En el parque hay muchos y flores. (trees)
Fill in the blanks: por or para
Fill in the blanks with por or para:
- Reciclo proteger el medio ambiente. (in order to)
- Hay contaminación los coches. (because of)
- Tenemos que reducir la contaminación 2030. (deadline)
- El planeta sufre nuestras acciones. (because of)
- Uso bolsas reutilizables reducir el plástico. (in order to)
- mí, el cambio climático es muy grave. (in my opinion)
- Caminamos el parque todos los días. (through)
- Ahorramos agua ayudar al planeta. (in order to)
Fill in the blanks: past, present or future
Past, present or future? Write the verb in brackets in the right form: the time words tell you which. For the future, use ir a + infinitive.
- Ayer las luces de mi habitación. (apagar, yo)
- Normalmente el plástico y el papel. (reciclar, yo)
- El año que viene menos agua. (usar, yo)
- La semana pasada mi clase la playa. (limpiar)
- Todos los días mi madre al trabajo en bicicleta. (ir)
Multiple choice: environment words
Choose the correct answer for each environment-related question:
1. ¿Qué significa "el medio ambiente"?
2. ¿Qué debemos hacer con el plástico?
3. ¿Cuál es una energía renovable?
4. ¿Qué causa el cambio climático principalmente?
5. ¿Qué significa "la basura"?
Translate into Spanish: sentences
Translate into Spanish:
Hints:debemosapagarayer fuivamos a
Debemos reciclar más y usar menos plástico. Es importante proteger el medio ambiente. En mi casa apagamos las luces para ahorrar energía. Ayer fui al instituto en bici. El año que viene vamos a limpiar la playa.
Translate into Spanish: a paragraph
HigherTranslate into Spanish:
Hints:el problema más gravesi... usanpodremossin embargo
El cambio climático es el problema más grave para nuestro planeta. Si los gobiernos usan más energías limpias, podremos reducir la contaminación. Sin embargo, los ciudadanos también tienen que cambiar su forma de vivir.
Listening
Proteger nuestro planeta
Protecting our planet
Tip: If you need help, read the questions first, use the slow speed and check the transcript.
Show transcript
- Lucía
Hola, me llamo Lucía y voy a hablar del medio ambiente.
Hello, my name is Lucía and I'm going to talk about the environment.
- Lucía
Me preocupan mucho los problemas medioambientales, especialmente el cambio climático.
I'm very worried about environmental problems, especially climate change.
- Lucía
El planeta se está calentando y cada año hace más calor.
The planet is warming up and every year it gets hotter.
- Lucía
En mi ciudad hay mucha contaminación del aire porque hay mucho tráfico.
In my city there is a lot of air pollution because there is a lot of traffic.
- Lucía
Los coches y las fábricas producen gases que son muy peligrosos.
Cars and factories produce gases that are very dangerous.
- Lucía
En mi casa intentamos hacer muchas cosas para proteger el medio ambiente.
In my house we try to do many things to protect the environment.
- Lucía
Reciclamos el papel, el plástico y el vidrio cada semana.
We recycle paper, plastic and glass every week.
- Lucía
También ahorramos agua y apagamos las luces cuando no las necesitamos.
We also save water and turn off the lights when we don't need them.
- Lucía
Voy al instituto en bicicleta en vez de ir en coche.
I go to school by bike instead of going by car.
- Lucía
Creo que todos debemos hacer más para salvar el planeta.
I think we all need to do more to save the planet.
Comprehension questions
Answer all 5 questions based on the recording.
- Question 1
Which problem worries Lucía most?
- Question 2
Why is there pollution in Lucía's city?
- Question 3
What does Lucía's family recycle?
- Question 4
Lucía's family saves water.
- Question 5
Lucía goes to school by car.
Speaking
Practise answering out loud. How each board runs the speaking exam: the GCSE speaking exam.
Practice questions
- ¿Qué problemas medioambientales te preocupan?Me preocupan mucho el cambio climático y la contaminación del aire en las ciudades.
- ¿Reciclas en casa?Sí, en mi casa separamos el papel, el plástico y el vidrio para reciclar.
- ¿Qué haces para proteger el medio ambiente?Uso el transporte público, ahorro agua y energía, y siempre llevo bolsas reutilizables.
- ¿Qué hiciste la semana pasada para ayudar al medio ambiente?La semana pasada fui al instituto a pie y reciclé todas las botellas de plástico.
- ¿Cómo es la contaminación en tu zona?Hay bastante contaminación del aire porque hay mucho tráfico, especialmente por la mañana.
- ¿Qué deberían hacer los gobiernos?Los gobiernos deberían invertir más en energías renovables y prohibir los plásticos de un solo uso.
- ¿Eres optimista o pesimista sobre el futuro del planeta?Soy optimista porque los jóvenes están muy concienciados y quieren cambiar las cosas.
- ¿Qué más podrías hacer para ayudar?Podría comer menos carne, usar menos el coche y comprar productos locales.
- ¿Qué vas a hacer en el futuro para proteger el planeta?En el futuro voy a usar más el transporte público y no voy a comprar botellas de plástico.
Role-play
A role-play card in the exam format. Prepare an answer for each task, with a verb in every answer. The boards set different role-plays: AQA's is a chat with a friend on the theme; Pearson's is in a public place such as a café, shop, hotel or station. Full role-plays with the examiner's lines and model answers: GCSE speaking practice.
No Pearson-format role-play on this theme: practise one on the GCSE speaking page.
You are talking to your Spanish friend about the environment.
- Say what environmental problem worries you and why. (Give one detail and one reason.)
- Say what you do at home to help the environment. (Give two details.)
- ?Ask your friend a question about recycling.
- Give your opinion of public transport. (Give one opinion.)
- Say what you did last week to help the environment. (Give one detail.)
Your teacher plays your friend and speaks first; speak to your friend as tú. The task marked ? is where you ask a question. At Higher, one task is about the past or the future.
Full exam cards on this topic
With the teacher's lines, timings and model answers, on the speaking page:
Photo card (AQA) and picture task (Pearson)
There is no photo on this page: practise with exam-style photos on the GCSE speaking page.
AQA photo card: two photos (Háblame de las fotos). Say something about each, then have a conversation on the card's theme, with questions like the practice questions above.
Pearson picture task: describe one of two pictures (the people, the place and what they are doing), answer two questions about yourself, then have a conversation, with questions like the practice questions above.
For a photo on this theme, say:
- What the place is like
- What environmental problem, or what solution, it shows
- What the people 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 the environment. Write approximately 90 words in Spanish. You must write something about each bullet point.
You must include:
- the environmental problems in your area
- what you did recently to help the environment
- what you will do in the future
AQA: about 150 words
HigherHigher paper
You are writing an article about the planet for a Spanish website. Write approximately 150 words in Spanish. You must write something about both bullet points.
You must include:
- the biggest environmental problem in the world today
- an environmental project you took part in or would like to start
Pearson Edexcel: 80-90 words
Foundation and Higher papers
Your Spanish friend Elena has asked you about what you do for the environment. Write an email to Elena. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 80 and 90 words.
You must include:
- what you recycle at home
- your opinion of public transport
- something you did to save energy
- what you will do to help in the future
Pearson Edexcel: 130-150 words
HigherHigher paper
You are writing an article for a Spanish website about protecting the planet. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 130 and 150 words.
You must include:
- the causes of climate change
- what governments should do
- how your area has changed in recent years
- how you will live more sustainably in the future
Key points
- Key problems: la contaminación / la polución, el cambio climático, la basura
- Solutions with hay que + infinitive (one must...) and se debería (one should...)
- Recycling: reciclar, reutilizar, reducir (the three Rs)
- Beyond GCSE: es importante que + subjunctive (not required on either tier; credited as complex language)
- Connect to daily actions: uso el transporte público, ahorro agua
Homework
- Write 5 environmental problems and 5 solutions using hay que and se debería
- Describe what you personally do to help the environment (reciclo, uso, ahorro...)
- Write a paragraph arguing for or against renewable energy in Spanish
- Learn 10 environment vocabulary words and use each in a sentence
More for this theme
- Listening
The listening and reading texts are general practice, not in the exam format: for that, see the GCSE reading papers and GCSE listening papers.