How the writing paper works
Writing is Paper 4 on both boards, worth a quarter of the GCSE. All the instructions are in English and you write in Spanish, without a dictionary. Foundation and Higher share one task (the "overlap" question), so the same practice helps on both tiers.
AQA (8692)
Paper 4 (Writing), 25% of the GCSE. 50 marks on each tier.
Foundation 1 hour 10 minutes
| Q | Task | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Five sentences about a photoFive short sentences | 102 marks per sentence |
| 2 | About 50 words, five bullet pointsApproximately 50 words | 10Communication 5, language 5 |
| 3 | Five grammar gap-fillsFive sentences, each with three words to choose from | 51 mark per sentence |
| 4 | Translation into SpanishSentences, at least 35 words | 10Meaning 5, vocabulary and grammar 5 |
| 5 | About 90 words, three bullet pointsApproximately 90 words (choice of two questions) | 15Communication 10, language 5 |
Higher 1 hour 15 minutes
| Q | Task | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Translation into SpanishSentences, at least 50 words | 10Meaning 5, vocabulary and grammar 5 |
| 2 | About 90 words, three bullet pointsApproximately 90 words (choice of two questions) | 15Communication 10, language 5 |
| 3 | About 150 words, two bullet pointsApproximately 150 words (choice of two questions) | 25Communication 15, range of language 5, accuracy 5 |
Word counts are approximate and everything you write is marked, but a piece well short of the length is unlikely to convey enough.
Pearson Edexcel (1SP1)
Paper 4 (Writing in Spanish), 25% of the GCSE. 50 marks on each tier.
Foundation 1 hour 15 minutes
| Q | Task | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Four sentences about a photoFour short sentences | 82 marks per sentence (communication only) |
| 2 | A formal task of 40-50 words40-50 words (choice of two questions), three bullet points | 14Communication 9, language 5 |
| 3 | An informal task of 80-90 words80-90 words (choice of two questions), four bullet points | 18Communication 13, language 5 |
| 4 | Translation into SpanishFive sentences | 10Meaning 6, accuracy 4 |
Higher 1 hour 20 minutes
| Q | Task | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | An informal task of 80-90 words80-90 words (choice of two questions), four bullet points | 18Communication 13, language 5 |
| 2 | A formal task of 130-150 words130-150 words (choice of two questions), four bullet points | 22Communication 17, language 5 |
| 3 | Translation into SpanishA short paragraph | 10Meaning 6, accuracy 4 |
You aren't penalised for writing more or fewer words than recommended, and everything you write is marked.
What earns the marks
Both boards mark the longer tasks twice: once for what you communicate (covering every bullet point and developing your ideas) and once for your language (variety, complexity, accuracy and timeframes).
Past, present and future
- AQA, the 90-word task: Language 5 marks needs references to all three timeframes (past, present and future); 4 marks needs at least two. One example can show a timeframe, and the verb need not be totally correct if the message is clear.
- AQA, the 150-word task: Two bullet points elicit two timeframes; a third is welcome as development but not required, unlike the 90-word task. Secure verbs and tense formations matter for accuracy.
- Pearson Edexcel, the 40-50-word task: Assesses giving an opinion, presenting facts and using present and future timeframes.
- Pearson Edexcel, the 80-90-word task: Language 5 marks needs generally successful use of three timeframes; 3-4 marks needs some successful use of at least two.
- Pearson Edexcel, the 130-150-word task: Language 4-5 marks needs consistently successful use of three timeframes; 2-3 marks needs generally successful use of at least two.
AQA: References are to timeframes, not tenses: a present tense can refer to the future ("I'm going to the concert next week"). Pearson Edexcel: Timeframes are expressions of past, present and future, and various tenses can express one: the present in "I'm seeing my friends next week" is a future timeframe. Timeframes are one strand among several: they never earn a mark on their own.
AQA: complex language
Examples from the mark scheme (not a tick list):
- infinitive constructions (para + infinitive, es difícil + infinitive, prefiero ir, hay que, tener que, poder, deber)
- object pronouns (lo, la, le, les) and, at Higher, emphatic pronouns (para mí, conmigo)
- connectives (aunque, además, debido a) and adverbs (sin embargo, después, finalmente)
- negatives (no ... nada, nadie, nunca, ninguno)
- comparatives (más ... que, tan ... como, mejor, peor) and, at Higher, superlatives
- a range of tenses (preterite, imperfect, ir a + infinitive; at Higher also the future and conditional)
- subordinate clauses (porque, por eso, si) and relative clauses (que; at Higher also cuando, donde)
- at Higher: acabar de, desde hace, lo + adjective (lo bueno), possessive pronouns (el mío)
Errors
- Spellings close to correct, wrong gender or agreement, and missing or wrong accents (unless they change the meaning) don't affect communication.
- Wrong verb forms and wrong pronouns affect communication: "Ayer como un bocadillo", "Te gusta el deporte" for "Me gusta el deporte".
Pearson Edexcel: complex language
Examples from the mark scheme (not a tick list):
- longer sentences with conjunctions (y, o, porque, cuando)
- relative and infinitive clauses
- varied pronouns
- more than one conjugated verb in a sentence
- structures and word order very different from English
Errors
- Minor errors make the message slower to understand but don't stop it: slight spelling slips, gender, missing accents, contractions (de el), word order, adjective agreement, prepositions.
- Major errors stop the message: wrong verb formation (podo, sabo), the wrong tense ("El sábado pasado iré"), an infinitive instead of a conjugated verb, misleading spellings.
Writing practice
Choose your board and tier to see the tasks on your paper, in order. Write your answer in the box (it's saved in this browser as you type), tick off the bullet points, then check it. The checker looks for a few specific things: the past, present and future verbs it recognises, a short list of common slips and, for the photos, facts about the picture. Each result says what it checked. It can't tell whether your Spanish makes sense, so open the model answer and compare, or ask your teacher.
Five sentences about a photo
10 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- 2 marks: a relevant sentence with a suitable conjugated verb that communicates clearly (small errors are fine)
- 1 mark: an infinitive instead of a conjugated verb, or an error that makes the meaning unclear
- 0 marks: a single word without a conjugated verb, an unsuitable verb, or something clearly not in the photo
- You can use the same structure (such as hay + a noun) in more than one sentence
The task aims at the present tense, but other tenses are accepted.
You send this photo to your Spanish friend. What is in the photo? Write five sentences in Spanish.
See the model answer
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- (present) Hay cuatro personas y un perro en el parque.
- (present) Hace sol y (present) hace calor.
- Los padres (present) comen bocadillos en la hierba.
- El chico (present) juega al fútbol con el perro.
- La chica (present) lee un libro debajo de un árbol.
Why it works
- Every sentence has a conjugated verb (hay, hace, comen, juega, lee), which the 2 marks need.
- Hay works for anything you can see, and you can use it in more than one sentence.
- Each sentence is about something in the picture: nothing is invented that clearly isn't there.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
You send this photo to a friend in Spain. What is in the photo? Write five sentences in Spanish.
See the model answer
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- (present) Es un mercado en una ciudad española.
- Una mujer (present) compra naranjas.
- (present) Hay mucha fruta en el puesto.
- Un hombre (present) va en bicicleta.
- Detrás (present) hay una iglesia antigua.
Why it works
- Short, complete sentences, each with a verb: that is all the 2 marks ask for.
- Adjectives agree: una ciudad española, mucha fruta, una iglesia antigua (a slip here would be a minor error).
- A word on its own (naranjas) would score 0: it needs a verb, such as hay naranjas.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
About 50 words, five bullet points
10 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- Write something about every bullet point: the top communication mark needs all five
- Variety of language (different opinions, intensifiers, different persons of the verb), not complexity
- Errors that don't affect communication are minor
No need to refer to the past or future: the present tense alone can cover the bullet points.
Write an email to your Spanish friend about your school. Write approximately 50 words in Spanish. You must write something about each bullet point.
0 words
See the model answer (49 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- (opinion and reason) Me encanta el inglés (connective) porque es interesante.
- Los profesores son simpáticos, (connective) pero el profesor de matemáticas es muy estricto.
- (present) Llevo un uniforme negro y (opinion and reason) no me gusta nada.
- En el comedor (present) como pasta o un bocadillo.
- Los martes (present) juego al baloncesto con mis amigos en el club de deportes.
Why it works
- One sentence or more on each of the five bullet points, in order.
- Variety, which is what this task rewards: two ways of giving an opinion (me encanta, no me gusta nada), different adjectives, and a time phrase (los martes).
- All in the present tense, which is enough for this question.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Write a post for a Spanish website about your town. Write approximately 50 words in Spanish. You must write something about each bullet point.
0 words
See the model answer (51 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- (present) Vivo en un pueblo pequeño cerca de Leeds, en el norte de Inglaterra.
- (present) Hay un supermercado y unas tiendas de ropa, (connective) pero no (present) hay cine.
- El autobús es barato y (present) voy al instituto en bici.
- (opinion and reason) Me encanta el parque (connective) porque es grande y tranquilo.
- En invierno (present) llueve mucho y (present) hace frío.
Why it works
- Each bullet point is covered: where (cerca de Leeds), shops, transport, the park and the weather.
- A negative (no hay cine) and a reason (porque es grande y tranquilo) add variety without being complicated.
- Weather phrases with hacer and llover are worth learning by heart.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Five grammar gap-fills
5 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- The word you write must be totally correct, including any accents
Not assessed.
Using your knowledge of grammar, complete each sentence with the correct word from the three options. In the exam you write the word: it must be totally correct, including any accents.
Mis hermanos al fútbol los sábados.
Mis hermanos juegan al fútbol los sábados.
Mis hermanos is "they", so the verb ends in -n. Jugar on its own is the infinitive. Stem-changing verbs
Tengo una gata muy .
Tengo una gata muy bonita.
Gata is feminine and singular, so the adjective is too. Adjective agreement
Mi madre médica en un hospital.
Mi madre es médica en un hospital.
Jobs take ser: es médica. Ser vs estar
Ayer al cine con mi primo.
Ayer fui al cine con mi primo.
Ayer (yesterday) needs the past: fui is the preterite of ir. The preterite
A mi padre le las películas de acción.
A mi padre le gustan las películas de acción.
With gustar, the verb agrees with what is liked: las películas is plural, so gustan. Gustar and similar verbs
Nosotros en un piso grande.
Nosotros vivimos en un piso grande.
Nosotros (we) takes the -imos ending of an -ir verb. Present tense endings
Las playas de Málaga son .
Las playas de Málaga son preciosas.
Las playas is feminine plural, so the adjective ends in -as. Adjective agreement
Mi pueblo cerca de la costa.
Mi pueblo está cerca de la costa.
Where something is takes estar: está cerca de la costa. Ser vs estar
El año que viene voy a en Francia.
El año que viene voy a trabajar en Francia.
Ir a is followed by an infinitive: voy a trabajar. Ir a + infinitive
Hay tiendas en el centro.
Hay muchas tiendas en el centro.
Mucho agrees with its noun like an adjective: tiendas is feminine plural. Adjective agreement
Translation into Spanish
10 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- See the translation practice page
Verbs in the wrong tense or person are not credited.
This task is a translation into Spanish. Practise it with marking on the GCSE translation page.
About 90 words, three bullet points
15 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- All three bullet points covered (coverage can be uneven) and ideas developed with extra detail
- A lot of clear, relevant information: well short of 90 words is unlikely to convey "a lot"
- Good variety of vocabulary and regular attempts at complex language
- References to past, present and future
Language 5 marks needs references to all three timeframes (past, present and future); 4 marks needs at least two. One example can show a timeframe, and the verb need not be totally correct if the message is clear.
You are writing an article about your free time. Write approximately 90 words in Spanish. You must write something about each bullet point.
0 words
See the model answer (88 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- Normalmente, en mi tiempo libre (present) juego al tenis con mis amigos (connective) porque (opinion and reason) me encanta hacer deporte.
- También (present) toco la guitarra, (connective) aunque no lo (present) hago muy bien.
- El mes pasado (past) fui a un concierto de mi grupo favorito en Manchester.
- (opinion and reason) (past) Fue increíble: (past) cantamos y (past) bailamos toda la noche.
- (complex structure) Lo mejor (past) fue conocer al cantante después del concierto.
- El fin de semana que viene (future) voy a ir al cine con mi hermana (complex structure) para ver una película de acción.
- (connective) Después, (future) vamos a cenar en un restaurante italiano.
- ¡(opinion and reason) (future) Va a ser genial!
Why it works
- All three timeframes, which the top language mark needs: present (juego, toco), past (fui, cantamos, bailamos) and future (voy a ir, vamos a cenar).
- Each bullet point is developed with extra detail: who with, where, what it was like.
- Complex language the mark scheme lists: para + infinitive, aunque, lo mejor, time phrases (el mes pasado, el fin de semana que viene).
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
You are writing an article about healthy living. Write approximately 90 words in Spanish. You must write something about each bullet point.
0 words
See the model answer (86 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- (complex structure) Para estar en forma, (present) corro tres veces a la semana y (present) como mucha fruta y verdura.
- (opinion and reason) Creo que es importante dormir bien, (connective) así que (present) me acuesto temprano.
- (connective) Sin embargo, el sábado pasado (past) comí una hamburguesa enorme con patatas fritas y (past) bebí dos refrescos.
- (connective) Después me (past) dolía el estómago y (opinion and reason) me (past) sentí fatal.
- En el futuro (future) me gustaría beber más agua y (future) voy a hacer yoga con mi madre (connective) porque es muy relajante.
- (complex structure) Si tengo tiempo, también (future) quiero aprender a nadar mejor.
- ¡(future) Será un cambio muy positivo!
Why it works
- Past (comí, bebí, me dolía, me sentí), present (corro, como) and future references (me gustaría, voy a hacer, quiero aprender, será): all three timeframes.
- The future bullet asks what you would like to do, so me gustaría + infinitive answers it directly.
- Connectives link the ideas (así que, sin embargo, después, porque) and a si clause adds complexity.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
About 150 words, two bullet points
25 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- Both bullet points covered (only one: communication capped at 12 of 15)
- Regular, successful development of ideas, accounts and descriptions
- Very good variety of vocabulary and structures, with complex language regularly attempted
- Accuracy: occasional errors in complex structures still allow the top mark
Two bullet points elicit two timeframes; a third is welcome as development but not required, unlike the 90-word task. Secure verbs and tense formations matter for accuracy.
You are writing an article for a Spanish website about the environment. Write approximately 150 words in Spanish. You must write something about both bullet points.
0 words
See the model answer (156 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- En mi barrio, mucha gente (present) se preocupa por el medio ambiente.
- Casi todas las familias (present) reciclan el papel y el vidrio, y (complex structure) hay que separar la basura (connective) porque el ayuntamiento lo (present) exige.
- (connective) Además, muchos vecinos (present) van al trabajo en bici o en autobús (complex structure) para reducir la contaminación.
- Mi familia también (present) ahorra energía: siempre (present) apagamos las luces y nos (present) duchamos en cinco minutos.
- (opinion and reason) (complex structure) Lo que más me gusta es el huerto comunitario que (past) abrieron el año pasado.
- Antes (past) era un aparcamiento feo, (connective) pero ahora (present) cultivamos tomates y lechugas.
- (opinion and reason) Me parece una idea estupenda (connective) porque une a los vecinos.
- La semana pasada (past) limpiamos la playa con mi clase y (past) recogimos más de cien botellas.
- (connective) Sin embargo, todavía (complex structure) hay mucho que hacer.
- En el futuro (future) voy a usar menos plástico e (future) intentaré comprar ropa de segunda mano.
- (complex structure) Cuando sea mayor, (future) me gustaría trabajar para una organización ecologista.
- (opinion and reason) Creo que, (complex structure) si todos hacemos un pequeño esfuerzo, (future) podremos proteger el planeta.
Why it works
- Both bullet points are covered and developed: what people do now (present), then plans (future). The past examples (abrieron, era, limpiamos) add a third timeframe as development.
- A wide range of complex language: hay que + infinitive, para + infinitive, lo que más me gusta, antes ... ahora, a si clause and cuando + the subjunctive (sea).
- Opinions are justified (me parece una idea estupenda porque...).
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
You are writing a blog about celebrations. Write approximately 150 words in Spanish. You must write something about both bullet points.
0 words
See the model answer (149 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- (opinion and reason) Para mí, las fiestas son muy importantes (connective) porque reúnen a toda la familia.
- Normalmente (present) estamos muy ocupados con el trabajo y el instituto, (connective) así que (complex structure) es difícil pasar tiempo juntos.
- En las celebraciones (present) charlamos, (present) comemos platos típicos y nos (present) reímos mucho.
- (complex structure) Lo bueno es que también (present) veo a mis primos, que (present) viven lejos.
- Nunca (future) olvidaré la boda de mi tía, que (past) fue en Sevilla el verano pasado.
- (past) Hacía un calor horrible, (connective) pero el ambiente (past) era increíble.
- (complex structure) Después de la ceremonia, (past) cenamos en un patio precioso y (past) bailamos sevillanas hasta las tres de la mañana.
- Mi abuelo, que (past) tenía ochenta años, (past) bailó más que nadie.
- (opinion and reason) (past) Fue el mejor día de mi vida (connective) porque toda la familia (past) estaba contenta.
- El año que viene mi hermano (future) va a cumplir dieciocho años y (future) vamos a organizar una fiesta sorpresa.
- (future) Será difícil guardar el secreto, (connective) pero estoy seguro de que le (future) va a encantar.
Why it works
- Bullet one is answered in the present with reasons; bullet two in the past, with the imperfect for the scene (hacía, era, tenía) and the preterite for the events (cenamos, bailamos, bailó).
- Development everywhere: where, when, who, and what made it special.
- Complex language: relative clauses with que, es difícil + infinitive, lo bueno es que, después de, a superlative (el mejor día de mi vida), a negative (nunca olvidaré) and a comparative with nadie (bailó más que nadie).
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Four sentences about a photo
8 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- 2 marks: relevant information clearly communicated in a complete sentence or clause with a verb (missing accents and small spelling slips are fine)
- 1 mark: no verb, or an incorrect verb form that makes it ambiguous
- 0 marks: a single word, or nothing relevant
Describe what you see; no timeframe requirement.
Describe the photo. Write four short sentences in Spanish.
See the model answer
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- (present) Hay tres jóvenes en la playa.
- Dos chicas (present) juegan al voleibol.
- Un chico (present) nada en el mar.
- (present) Hace buen tiempo y (present) hay sombrillas en la arena.
Why it works
- Four complete sentences, each with a verb: the mark scheme gives 2 marks for relevant information clearly communicated in a sentence with a verb.
- Hace buen tiempo, hay ... and the present tense of a few action verbs cover most photos.
- "Buen tiempo" on its own, without hace, would score only 1 mark.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Describe the photo. Write four short sentences in Spanish.
See the model answer
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- Los alumnos (present) están en clase.
- La profesora (present) escribe en la pizarra.
- Una chica (present) usa un ordenador portátil.
- Los alumnos (present) llevan uniforme.
Why it works
- Estar for where people are (están en clase), and a different verb in each sentence.
- Simple and accurate is the aim: there are no marks for complexity in this question.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
A formal task of 40-50 words
14 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- All three bullet points addressed, with some development
- Some variety of vocabulary, sentences linked with conjunctions
- Mostly minor errors
Assesses giving an opinion, presenting facts and using present and future timeframes.
Write an article about a film you like. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 40 and 50 words.
0 words
See the model answer (47 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- Mi película favorita es Coco.
- (present) Es una película de animación sobre un chico mexicano que (present) quiere ser músico.
- (opinion and reason) Creo que los actores son fantásticos (connective) porque sus voces son muy expresivas.
- El sábado que viene (future) voy a ir al cine con mi primo (complex structure) para ver una comedia nueva.
Why it works
- This question assesses an opinion, facts and the present and future: all three are here.
- The opinion has a reason (porque sus voces son muy expresivas), which counts as development.
- Voy a + infinitive is the simplest reliable future.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Write an article about technology in your life. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 40 and 50 words.
0 words
See the model answer (46 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- (present) Tengo un móvil bastante nuevo.
- (present) Es pequeño y negro, y lo (present) uso todos los días (complex structure) para hablar con mis amigos.
- (opinion and reason) En mi opinión, las redes sociales son útiles, (connective) pero a veces son peligrosas.
- En el futuro (future) compraré un ordenador portátil (connective) porque lo (future) necesitaré en la universidad.
Why it works
- Present for the description, the future tense for the last bullet (compraré, necesitaré).
- Pero and porque link the sentences, which the top language band asks for.
- A pronoun (lo uso, lo necesitaré) avoids repeating the noun.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
An informal task of 80-90 words
18 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- All four bullet points addressed (three at most puts communication in the 8-10 band)
- Frequent development of ideas: an extra clause or sentence on a bullet point
- Opinions with reasons, narrating, and future plans
- Some extended sentences and occasional complex language
Language 5 marks needs generally successful use of three timeframes; 3-4 marks needs some successful use of at least two.
Write a letter to your friend about your family. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 80 and 90 words.
0 words
See the model answer (90 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- ¡Hola, Lucía!
- En mi familia (present) somos cinco: mis padres, mis dos hermanos y yo.
- (opinion and reason) Me llevo muy bien con mi hermana mayor (connective) porque es divertida y siempre me ayuda con los deberes.
- (connective) Sin embargo, mi hermano pequeño me (present) molesta a veces.
- El fin de semana pasado (past) fuimos a la playa.
- (past) Comimos paella en un restaurante y por la tarde (past) jugamos al voleibol.
- (opinion and reason) Lo (past) pasamos genial.
- En el futuro (future) quiero organizar una fiesta grande para el cumpleaños de mi abuela, que (future) va a cumplir noventa años.
- ¡(future) Será increíble!
- Un abrazo, Alex
Why it works
- Four bullet points, answered in order: present, opinion with a reason, past, future.
- Three timeframes, which the top language mark needs: somos, molesta (present); fuimos, comimos, jugamos (past); and future references: quiero organizar (a plan in the present tense), va a cumplir, será.
- Informal letter phrases (¡Hola!, Un abrazo) suit the task but earn no marks on their own.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Write a letter to your friend about holidays. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 80 and 90 words.
0 words
See the model answer (90 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- ¡Hola, Pablo!
- Normalmente (present) vamos de vacaciones a Gales, donde mis abuelos (present) tienen una casa en el campo.
- (opinion and reason) Me encantan las vacaciones con mi familia (connective) porque podemos relajarnos juntos, (connective) aunque mis padres siempre (present) quieren visitar museos.
- El verano pasado (past) fuimos a Valencia.
- (past) Hacía mucho calor, (connective) así que (past) nadábamos en el mar todos los días.
- Un día (past) alquilamos bicicletas y (past) visitamos la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
- El año que viene (future) me gustaría ir a Italia (complex structure) para probar la comida típica.
- ¿Y tú?
- ¿Adónde (future) vas a ir?
- Un abrazo, Alex
Why it works
- Imperfect for what happened every day (nadábamos), preterite for single events (fuimos, alquilamos, visitamos).
- Me encantan agrees with las vacaciones (plural), a classic accuracy point.
- A question back to the friend (¿Adónde vas a ir?) adds a second person of the verb.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
A formal task of 130-150 words
22 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- All four bullet points addressed with consistent development of ideas
- Pros and cons, explaining and narrating
- A wide variety of vocabulary and structures, frequent extended sentences and complex language
- Consistently accurate language; any errors minor
Language 4-5 marks needs consistently successful use of three timeframes; 2-3 marks needs generally successful use of at least two.
Write a blog about your studies and your future. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 130 and 150 words.
0 words
See the model answer (136 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- Este año (present) estudio nueve asignaturas, (connective) pero (opinion and reason) mis favoritas son la biología y el español (connective) porque los profesores explican todo muy bien.
- (opinion and reason) (complex structure) Lo que menos me gusta son las matemáticas: (complex structure) son más difíciles que las otras asignaturas.
- (complex structure) Ir a la universidad (present) tiene ventajas y desventajas.
- Por un lado, (present) puedes conocer a gente nueva y encontrar un trabajo mejor después.
- Por otro lado, (present) es muy caro y muchos estudiantes (present) terminan con muchas deudas.
- El verano pasado (past) trabajé en una cafetería cerca de mi casa.
- (past) Servía bebidas y (past) limpiaba las mesas.
- (past) Era cansado, (connective) pero (past) aprendí mucho y (past) ahorré dinero para un viaje.
- (complex structure) Después de los exámenes, (future) voy a descansar un poco y (future) buscaré un trabajo a tiempo parcial.
- En septiembre (future) haré el bachillerato y, (complex structure) si saco buenas notas, (future) estudiaré medicina.
- (opinion and reason) Creo que (future) será un trabajo duro, (connective) pero muy útil.
Why it works
- Pros and cons are set out clearly (por un lado ... por otro lado), as the second bullet asks.
- Consistent use of three timeframes: the imperfect for what the job involved (servía, limpiaba) and the preterite for the results (aprendí, ahorré); then two kinds of future.
- Complex language: lo que menos me gusta, a comparative, an infinitive as the subject (ir a la universidad), después de + noun and a si clause.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Write an article for a website about technology. Write your answer in Spanish. You should aim to write between 130 and 150 words.
0 words
See the model answer (132 words)
Your answer
The model answer
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Opinion and reason
- Connective
- Complex structure
- (present) Uso la tecnología todos los días.
- Por la mañana (present) escucho música en el móvil (connective) mientras (present) voy al instituto, y por la tarde (present) hago los deberes en el ordenador.
- (opinion and reason) En mi opinión, las redes sociales tienen ventajas y desventajas.
- (complex structure) Lo bueno es que (present) podemos hablar con amigos que viven lejos y compartir fotos.
- (connective) Sin embargo, (present) pasamos demasiado tiempo delante de la pantalla y a veces (present) hay mensajes crueles.
- El año pasado (past) tuve un problema grave: (past) perdí el móvil en el autobús y no (past) tenía copias de mis fotos.
- (past) Estaba muy triste, (connective) pero (past) aprendí la lección.
- (complex structure) Desde entonces, (present) guardo todo en la nube.
- En el futuro, (opinion and reason) creo que la tecnología (future) cambiará nuestra vida aún más.
- (future) Habrá coches sin conductor y los robots (future) harán muchos trabajos.
- (complex structure) Si usamos la tecnología con cuidado, (future) será muy positiva.
Why it works
- Every bullet point is covered in order, each with development.
- Irregular futures (habrá, harán) and preterites (tuve) show secure verb forms, which the accuracy mark weighs.
- Varied structures: mientras, lo bueno es que, desde entonces, a si clause, and a balanced opinion.
A model written for this site to show what the mark scheme describes. Examiners mark the whole answer, so no single feature guarantees a mark.
Translation into Spanish
10 marksWhat the mark scheme rewards
- See the translation practice page
Wrong tenses and verb forms are major errors.
This task is a translation into Spanish. Practise it with marking on the GCSE translation page.
Sources
Exam details checked 18 October 2026 against the official specifications, sample papers and mark schemes. Papers can change, so check your teacher's information for your exam year.
- AQA GCSE Spanish (8692) specificationVersion 1.3, September 2025
- AQA GCSE Spanish support and resources (specimen papers, vocabulary)
- AQA sample Foundation writing paper (8692/WF)
- AQA sample Foundation writing mark scheme
- AQA sample Higher writing paper (8692/WH)
- AQA sample Higher writing mark scheme
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE Spanish (1SP1) qualification page
- Pearson Edexcel specification (PDF)Issue 2, May 2025
- Pearson Edexcel sample assessment materials (PDF)Issue 3, August 2025
- DfE subject content for GCSE Spanish (word-list rules, sound-symbol correspondences, grammar)
Writing facts: AQA 8692 specification v1.3, sections 2 and 4.7; AQA 8692 sample assessment material: Paper 4 Writing question papers and mark schemes (8692/WF, 8692/WH); Pearson Edexcel 1SP1 specification Issue 2, Paper 4; Pearson Edexcel sample assessment materials Issue 3: Paper 4 question papers and mark schemes (Foundation and Higher).
Grammar for the timeframes: the preterite, the imperfect, preterite vs imperfect, ir a + infinitive, the future and the conditional. Back to the GCSE writing exam.