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Beginners' Spanish: Getting around

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Beginners' Spanish: Getting around

Introduction

Introduction

This free OpenLearn course is taken from Portales: beginners' Spanish, an Open University language course that concentrates on Spanish as a tool for communication, but also provides some insights into Hispanic societies and cultures through authentic printed and audio materials. It will be of interest to all those who want to improve their language skills in order to communicate more easily and effectively in Spanish. This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the first edition of Portales and focuses on public spaces and how to get by in a Hispanic city.

This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from a previous edition of the Open University course L194 Portales: beginners' Spanish.

Tell us what you think! We’d love to hear from you to help us improve our free learning offering through OpenLearn by filling out this short survey.

Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • describe places in Spanish

  • give and understand directions in Spanish

  • talk about urban transport in Spanish

  • navigate around a building in Spain.

Las plazas

Squares, las plazas, are a focal point of Hispanic towns and cities. In this course you will find out about several cities in Latin America: Santiago de Chile and La Serena in Chile, Santiago de Cuba and Havana in Cuba, and Montevideo in Uruguay. You will also hear about Valencia and Barcelona in Spain, their monuments, places of interest and where to go for different purposes.

Note: dictionary and grammar

In order to get the most from this course it's recommended that you obtain a copy of the following Spanish–English dictionary and Spanish grammar:

  • Collins Easy Learning Spanish Dictionary, HarperCollins Publishers, 2005, ISBN 0 00 718377 1;

  • Collins Easy Learning Spanish Grammar, HarperCollins Publishers, 2005, ISBN 0 00 719645 8.

Sesión 1 Arte y ciencia

In this session you are going to learn how to describe places, in terms of both appearance and function, starting with a new technology park in Valencia, la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a wonderful example of modern Spanish architecture.

Key learning points

  • Description of a famous public place

  • Adjectives: gender and number

1.1 La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

Vocabulario
ocio (el) leisure
consta de consists of
ojo (el) eye
bóveda (la) vault
acristalado (made of) glass
arbusto (los) shrubs
tiendas (las) shops
piscina (la) swimming pool

Actividad 1.1

a. 

una iglesia


b. 

un centro comercial


c. 

un aeropuerto


d. 

un centro cultural y de ocio


The correct answer is d.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is a.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

Part 3

Now correct the false statements from the previous step.

Corrija las frases falsas.

  • Ejemplo

  • El Umbráculo no es una plaza; es un paseo.

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El Umbráculo no es una plaza; es un paseo.

El Hemisférico no es un museo; es un edificio destinado a espectáculos audiovisuales.

El Oceanográfico no es una piscina; es un acuario gigante.

1.2 Actividad

In this activity you are going to use adjectives to describe buildings.

Actividad 1.2

1. Here are some adjectives taken from the text. Translate them into English. Consult the Spanish section of the dictionary if you wish.

Traduzca.

cultural
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espectacular
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moderno
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audiovisuales
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enorme
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metálica
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blanca
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interactivo
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precioso
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gigante
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2. Match the words in the column on the left with their opposites in the column on the right.

Enlace las dos columnas.

(a) grande, grande (i) negro, negra
(b) moderno, moderna (ii) pequeño, pequeña
(c) bonito, bonita (iii) antiguo, antigua
(d) blanco, blanca (iv) feo, fea
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  1. Here is a possible answer:

cultural cultural
espectacular spectacular
moderno modern
audiovisuales audiovisual
enorme enormous
metálica metallic/metal
blanca white
interactivo interactive
precioso beautiful
gigante gigantic
  1. grande – pequeño

    moderno – antiguo

    bonito – feo

    blanco – negro

ADJECTIVE ENDINGS (GENDER)

You will remember that an adjective changes according to whether the noun it refers to is masculine (e.g. el edificio – ‘building’ ) or feminine (e.g. la casa – ‘house’ ):

  • el edifici o modern o

  • la cas a modern a

When adjectives refer to a masculine noun, they end in - o.

When they refer to a feminine noun, they end in - a.

However, adjectives that end in - e or in a consonant have the same form for both masculine and feminine nouns:

  • el país grand e la plaza grand e

  • el complejo cultura l la actividad cultura l

1.3 Actividad

Vocabulario
puente(el) bridge
inacabado unfinished
jardines (los) gardens

ADJECTIVE ENDINGS (NUMBER)

Adjectives also change their ending according to whether the nouns they accompany are singular or plural:

  • el edifici o modern o los edifici os modern os

  • la cas a modern a las cas as modern as

If the noun is plural, like los edificios or las casas, the adjective takes a plural ending. The plural of an adjective is formed by adding - s to a vowel ending or - es to a consonant:

  • las casa s pequeña s los país es grande s

  • los complejos cultural es las actividad es espectacular es

Actividad 1.3

1 Work out the missing letters, from the following options:-o, -a, -os, -as, -es.

Complete las frases.

  • (a) La Catedral de Burgos es un edificio antigu___.

  • (b) El puente de Calatrava es una construcción modern___.

  • (c) La Sagrada Familia es una iglesia inacabad___.

  • (d) Las fiestas de Valencia son espectacular___.

  • (e) Los jardines del Turia son precios___.

  • (f) El Museo de las Ciencias “Príncipe Felipe” y el Hemisférico son edificios enorm___.

2 Now listen to the track and practise changing the adjective endings to make them agree with the nouns.

Escuche y participe.

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  1.  

    • (a) La Catedral de Burgos es un edificio antiguo.

    • (b) El puente de Calatrava es una construcción moderna.

    • (c) La Sagrada Familia es una iglesia inacabada.

    • (d) Las fiestas de Valencia son espectaculares.

    • (e) Los jardines del Turia son preciosos.

    • (f) El Museo de las Ciencias “Príncipe Felipe” y el Hemisférico son edificios enormes.

1.4 Actividad

Actividad 1.4

Part 1

Look at the following pictures and write two sentences describing each building. Use the nouns and adjectives from the boxes below, and don't forget to put the appropriate endings! You can either use the construction El edificio / El museo / La casa es… or Es un edificio / una casa / un museo…

Construya frases.

Ejemplos

El museo es enorme. Es un edificio educativo.

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(a) Es un edificio enorme. Es una construcción moderna. El edificio es horrible.

(b) Es un museo espectacular. Es una construcción metálica. El museo es precioso.

(c) Es una construcción antigua. Es un edificio espectacular. Es una casa preciosa.

Part 2

To describe a building or a sight emphatically, an exclamation is used. (Note that, in Spanish, an upside-down exclamation mark also appears at the front of the phrase.)

Use some of the adjectives you have seen to make exclamations about el complejo de la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

Describa.

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¡Qué moderno! ¡Es horrible! ¡Es enorme!

1.4.1 About Español de bolsillo

Below is the first example of Español de bolsillo ('Pocket Spanish' phrasebook). These are lists of phrases common in spoken Spanish. They usually consist of expressions best approached as complete phrases even if some of the grammar within them is not yet familiar to you.

Each example of Español de bolsillo has a box in which are written the phrases in Spanish and translated and an audio clip in which you can hear them spoken.

  • You can listen to the phrases as you come across them or at the end of each session, to revise and practise pronunciation and improve your fluency.

  • You can also use them as a quick overview of the language you have covered, or for revision when you return to that session.

Español de bolsillo
¡Qué bonito! How nice!
¡Qué lindo! (LAm*) How nice!
¡Es precioso! It's beautiful!
¡Es muy moderno! It's very modern!
* LAm means the term is used in Latin America.
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1.5 Léxico básico

aeropuerto (el) airport cultural cultural
antiguo old (a building, a piece of furniture) edificio (el) building
blanco white educativo educational
bonito pretty, nice feo ugly
casa (la) house grande big
centro comercial (el) shopping centre moderno modern
ciudad (la) city pequeño small
comercial commercial precioso beautiful

Sesión 2 Monumentos y edificios famosos

Introducción

In this session you are going to learn how to ask about different places of interest in Spain, Chile and Uruguay: what they are, where they are and what they look like.

Key learning points

  • Asking and answering where a monument or a building is

  • Describing a building

  • Using estar to indicate location

2.1 Actividad

Actividad 2.1

Part 1

Here are some pictures of famous monuments. Say whether you think they are in Latin America or in Spain. See how many you can guess.

Escriba dónde están los monumentos.

Vocabulario
fachada (la) front, façade
gente (la) people
Answer

(a) Seville, Spain (La Giralda).

(b) Granada, Spain (La Alhambra).

(c) Barcelona, Spain (La Sagrada Familia).

(d) Santiago, Chile (La Casa de la Moneda).

(e) Montevideo, Uruguay (El Cabildo).

Part 2

Listen to the next extract, in which some people are being interviewed about different buildings and places in Valencia. Then note the adjectives mentioned. In most cases two are used. The first has been done for you.

Escoja la opcion correcta.

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bonito animado festivo antiguo alto grande
la plaza de toros
los bares (en Valencia)
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la estación (de tren)
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el campanario del Miguelete
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el Mercado Central
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bonito animado festivo antiguo alto grande
la plaza de toros
los bares (en Valencia)
la estación (de tren)
el campanario del Miguelete
el Mercado Central
Part 3

Now write sentences based on the table you have just completed.

Escriba frases.

Ejemplo

La plaza de toros es bonita y grande.

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Los bares en Valencia son animados y festivos. La estación de tren es antigua.

El campanario del Miguelete es alto y grande.

El Mercado Central es grande.

2.2 Actividad

In this activity you are going to listen to two people being interviewed about monuments and sights in their country. You will also learn how to say where things are.

Vocabulario
detrás de behind

Actividad 2.2

Listen and choose the correct option below.

Escoja la opción correcta.

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a. 

Valencia


b. 

Galicia


c. 

Andalucía


The correct answer is c.

a. 

Córdoba


b. 

Sevilla


c. 

Granada


The correct answer is c.

a. 

Sevilla


b. 

Granada


c. 

Córdoba


The correct answer is a.

a. 

Paraguay


b. 

Uruguay


c. 

Bolivia


The correct answer is b.

a. 

en el este


b. 

en el barrio de Priépolis


c. 

en el centro


The correct answer is c.

ASKING WHERE A PLACE IS

To ask where a place is, use the interrogative pronoun dónde(where) and the verb estar. (Note that an upside-down question mark also appears at the front of the phrase.)

¿Dónde está (n) + (noun)? Está(n) en + (place)
¿Dónde está la Giralda? Está en Sevilla.
¿Dónde están las ruinas romanas? Están en Mérida.
ESTAR
(yo) estoy (nosotros, -as) estamos
(tú) estás (vosotros, -as) estáis
(él / ella/usted) está (ellos/ellas/ustedes) están

To say ‘towards’, use hacia:

Zaragoza está hacia el este de España.

To say how near or far somewhere is, use está cerca (de) (‘it's near (to)’) or está lejos (de) (‘it's far (from)’):

Córdoba está cerca de Sevilla.

Montevideo está lejos de México D.F.

Español de bolsillo
¿Cómo es la torre del Miguelete? What is the Miguelete tower like?
Es muy alta It's very tall.
Es muy antigua It's very old.
¿Dónde está el Miguelete? Where is the Miguelete?
Está en Valencia. It's in Valencia.
Está en el centro. It's in the centre.
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2.3 Actividad

In this activity you are going to practise asking where different places in Valencia are and what they look like. A guide takes Patricio Bustos, an architect, around the city while he asks about the sights.

Actividad 2.3a

Read the brochure below about Valencia and complete the dialogues by writing the questions to the answers provided. Use the questions ¿Dónde está(n)…?, ¿Cómo es/son…? and ¿Qué es/son…?

Lea y complete los diálogos.

Ejemplo

El Miguelete

¿Qué es el Miguelete?

Es la torre de la catedral.

¿Cómo es?

Es muy antigua.

¿Dónde está?

Está en el casco antiguo.

  • (a) El Paseo de la Alameda

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • Es un paseo ajardinado con unas fuentes.

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • ¡En el Paseo de la Alameda!

  • (b) La Estación del Norte

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • Es una estación de tren.

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • Es modernista.

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • En la calle Játiva.

  • (c) Las Torres de Pere Quart

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • Son unas torres medievales.

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • En el casco antiguo.

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • Son góticas.

  • (d) El Mercado Central

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • Un mercado.

    • ¿ __________ ?

    • Es modernista.

Answer
  • (a) El Paseo de la Alameda

    ¿Qué es el Paseo de la Alameda?

    Es un paseo ajardinado con unas fuentes.

    ¿Dónde está?

    ¡En el Paseo de la Alameda!

     

  • (b) La Estación del Norte

    ¿Qué es la Estación del Norte?

    Es una estación de tren.

    ¿Cómo es?

    Es modernista.

    ¿Dónde está?

    En la calle Játiva.

     

  • (c) Las Torres de Pere Quart

    ¿Qué son las Torres de Pere Quart?

    Son unas torres medievales.

    ¿Dónde están?

    En el casco antiguo.

    ¿Cómo son?

    Son góticas.

     

  • (d) El Mercado Central

    ¿Qué es el Mercado Central?

    Un mercado.

    ¿Cómo es?

    Es modernista.

The words qué and cómo are very useful for asking questions about new places. If you don't know what a place is or what it is used for, use ¿qué es? If you want to know what it looks like, use ¿cómo es?

Actividad 2.3b

Listen to the audio clip below and do the exercise.

Escuche y participe.

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2.4 Léxico básico

alto tall, high
animado lively
campanario (el) bell tower
casco viejo (el)/casco antiguo (el) old quarter
catedral (la) cathedral
estación (de tren) (la) (railway) station
gótico gothic
medieval medieval
mercado (el) market
modernista modernist
torre (la) tower

Sesión 3 Visita a Santiago y Montevideo

Introducción

In this session you are going to find some famous public places by following simple instructions.

Key learning points

  • Prepositional phrases

  • Prepositions of place

  • Reviewing the verb estar to indicate location

3.1 Actividad

In this activity you are going to review some of the vocabulary that you have learned about tourist sights, as well as learn some new words.

Actividad 3.1

Classify the vocabulary in the box under the following two categories.

Clasifique.

catedral • avenida • calle • iglesia • polideportivo • puente • parque • barrio • plaza
Monumentos y edificios Lugares
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Monumentos y edificios Lugares

iglesia, catedral, polideportivo, puente

calle, avenida, plaza, barrio, parque

3.2 Actividad

In the next activity, you are going to learn the most common prepositions and prepositional phrases used to indicate location.

INDICATING LOCATION
Prepositions of place are used to indicate location. Two of the most useful of these prepositions are en (‘in’) and entre (‘between’):
•La Plaza de Armas está en el centro
•El polideportivo está entre la calle Mayor y la avenida Goya.
Location is also indicated by prepositional phrases (a combination of two or more words which function as a preposition) such as detrás de (‘behind’), delante de (‘in front of’), enfrente de (‘opposite’), al lado de (‘next to’):
•El hospital está detrás de la universidad.
•El hotel está enfrente de la catedral.

Actividad 3.2

Part 1

Read the following sentences carefully and complete the map by writing where each building is situated – there's a printable version of the map below. All the buildings are around the cathedral.

Complete el mapa.

El parque está delante de la catedral. El hospital está al lado del parque. La escuela está en la calle Mayor al lado de la catedral. El polideportivo está entre la calle Mayor y la avenida Goya. El ayuntamiento está al lado del polideportivo en la calle Mayor. La oficina de turismo está al lado del parque en la avenida Goya. El museo está enfrente de la oficina de turismo. Mi casa está detrás del museo y al lado del polideportivo.

Click on 'Street Map' to open a printable version of the street map below.

Street Map

Answer
Part 2

Complete the following sentences with the correct combination of preposition and article.

Complete las frases.

a + el → al
de + el → del
  • (a) La escuela está __________ lado __________ museo.

  • (b) El hospital está __________ lado __________ escuela.

  • (c) La iglesia está __________ lado __________ hospital y el supermercado.

  • (d) El polideportivo está enfrente __________ parque.

  • (e) El ayuntamiento está enfrente __________ catedral.

Answer
  • (a)  La escuela está al lado del museo.

  • (b)  El hospital está al lado de la escuela.

  • (c)  La iglesia está al lado del hospital y el supermercado.

  • (d)  El polideportivo está enfrente del parque.

  • (e)  El ayuntamiento está enfrente de la catedral.

3.3 Actividad

Actividad 3.3

Look at the map of South America and complete the following description using al lado de, y and entre.

Mire el mapa y complete el texto.

Click below to view a larger version of this picture.

Picture 1

  • Chile está ___________ Argentina. Argentina está ___________ Chile ___________ Uruguay. Uruguay está ___________ Brasil ___________ Argentina. Bolivia está ___________ Perú, Brasil, Paraguay ___________ Chile. Ecuador está ___________ Colombia ___________ Perú. Venezuela está ___________ Colombia.

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Answer

Chile está al lado de Argentina. Argentina está entre Chile y Uruguay. Uruguay está entre Brasil y Argentina. Bolivia está entre Perú, Brasil,Paraguay y Chile. Ecuador está entre Colombia y Perú. Venezuela está al lado de Colombia.

3.4 Actividad

Actividad 3.4

Isabel, the Spanish theatre director of the group Expresiones, decides to take some time off to see the sights of Santiago.

Listen to the audio clip below to hear what the guide says about three different places in Santiago. Then look at the places marked (a), (b) and (c) on the map below and decide which they are. Choose from: Mercado Central; Casa Colorada; Catedral y Palacio del Arzobispo.

Escuche, mire y decida.

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Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. Mercado Central

  2. Casa Colorado

  3. Catedral y Palacio del Arzobispo

  • a.(b)

  • b.(a)

  • c.(c)

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = b
  • 2 = a
  • 3 = c
Español de bolsillo
Está al lado del Ayuntamiento. It's next to the Town Hall.
Está enfrente de las tiendas. It's opposite the shops.
Está cerca del Mercado Central. It's near the Mercado Central.
Está lejos de aquí. It's a long way from here.
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3.5 Actividad

Actividad 3.5

Heidi, one of the members of the theatre group Expresiones, has gone on a trip to Montevideo, in Uruguay. A friend of hers there, Javier, is letting her stay in his flat. He has left her a note recommending some of the sights in the city. Complete the gaps in his message using the words and phrases from the box. Note your additions in the empty box below. Look up any words you don't know in the dictionary.

Complete el mensaje.

Hola Heidi,

¡Montevideo es preciosa! Tiene unas avenidas y unos edificios muy bonitos y antiguos. Te recomiendo la Plaza de la Constitución, la plaza más antigua de Montevideo, en el casco antiguo. A un __________ la plaza está El Cabildo, el Museo Histórico y Archivo Municipal, y al __________ está la Iglesia Matriz. __________ allí está la Plaza Zabala. __________ la calle Solís está la Rambla con unas vistas al mar espectaculares. __________ a la izquierda y allí está el Mercado del Puerto, un sitio ideal para comer una parrilla y tomar un “medio y medio”.

Besos,

Javier

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Answer

Hola Heidi,

¡Montevideo es preciosa! Tiene unas avenidas y unos edificios muy bonitos y antiguos. Te recomiendo la Plaza de la Constitución, la plaza más antigua de Montevideo, en el casco antiguo. A un lado de la plaza está El Cabildo, el Museo Histórico y Archivo Municipal, y al otro lado está la Iglesia Matriz. Cerca de allí está la Plaza Zabala. Al final de la calle Solís está la Rambla con unas vistas al mar espectaculares. Gira a la izquierda y allí está el Mercado del Puerto, un sitio ideal para comer una parrilla y tomar un “medio y medio”.

Besos, Javier

Vocabulario
gira turn
parrilla (la) here, grilled fish
medio y medio (el) literally, half and half; a mixture of white and sparkling wines

MONTEVIDEO

Montevideo was founded in 1726 and many of its early residents were from the Canary Islands. As the capital of Uruguay, it dominates the country's political, economic and cultural life. Montevideo developed around its port, one of the most important in the Southern Cone. It experienced a construction boom in the early 19th century, when some of the original buildings of the 1720s, such as El Cabildo and the Iglesia Matriz, were remodelled.

3.6 Léxico básico

ayuntamiento (el) town hall
escuela (la) school
hospital (el) hospital
oficina de turismo (la) tourist office
palacio (el) palace
polideportivo (el) sports centre
puente (el) bridge
sitio (el) place
supermercado (el) supermarket
tienda (la) shop

Sesión 4 Espacios públicos

Introducción

In this session you are going to find out about everyday activities in the Hispanic world, and get to know the most popular places to go.

Key learning points

  • Saying where you are going

  • Using ir + a : ‘Voy a… ’

  • Vocabulary relating to public places

4.1 Actividad

Actividad 4.1

Here are three popular places to go in the Hispanic world.

Do they look different from the same type of place you would find in your country? In what way are they different? Write in English.

Observe y escriba en inglés.

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Answer

You may have written that these places look remarkably similar to the places you are used to in your own country. Or you might have written that the park looks slightly different because in Britain there are larger areas of grass to play on, and that the bar is more like a continental-style café–restaurant than the traditional British pub. In Spain, these places are usually open to everybody. Cafés, bars and parks are widely regarded as meeting places, and hence are all regarded as espacios públicos.

4.2 Actividad

Actividad 4.2

Patricio, the architect from Chile, is working in Valencia. He has a busy schedule.

Read the following e-mail message with his diary, as sent to his secretary. Put the different places listed into the order he is visiting them.

Ordene.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. el banco

  2. el aeropuerto

  3. el restaurante

  4. el Ayuntamiento

  5. el hospital

  6. la oficina

  • a.1

  • b.5

  • c.4

  • d.2

  • e.3

  • f.6

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = a
  • 2 = d
  • 3 = e
  • 4 = c
  • 5 = b
  • 6 = f

4.3 Actividad

SAYING WHERE YOU ARE GOING
To say where someone is going, use the verb ir ( ‘to go’ ) followed by the preposition a ( ‘to’).
Note that the verb ir is irregular (i.e. it does not follow a regular pattern).
IR
(yo) voy (nosotros, -as) vamos
(tú) vas (vosotros, -as) vais
(él/ella/usted) va (ellos/ellas/ustedes) van
Voy a la oficina. (yo)
¿Adónde vas ? (tú)
Juan va al bar. (él)
¿Adónde vamos ? (nosotros)
If you are going somewhere relatively far away, like another city or country, you can also use the verb viajar ( ‘to travel’):
¿Adónde viajas? Viajo a Madrid.

Actividad 4.3

Part 1

Now Patricio is at the airport picking up his colleague. Listen to the audio clip below and note down where the other people interviewed are going.

Escuche y escriba.

  • Ejemplo

  • (a)  Sevilla.

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Answer
  • (a) Sevilla
  • (b) Palma de Mallorca
  • (c) Madrid
  • (d) Palma de Mallorca
  • (e) Barcelona
Part 2

Nobody is working in the office today. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ir a. You may have to contract the preposition a with the article el to give al.

Complete las frases.

  • (a) (yo) __________ el cibercafé, a mandar un correo electrónico.

  • (b) María y Cristina __________ el restaurante con un cliente.

  • (c) Raquel, Miguel y yo __________ el hospital a visitar a un amigo.

  • (d) Olga, Antonio y tú __________ Correos a buscar unos paquetes.

  • (e) Inma __________ el parque con su hija.

  • (f) Concha y Pedro __________ el aeropuerto a buscar a un colega.

Vocabulario
mandar to send
correo electrónico (el) e-mail
buscar to look for, to pick up
Answer
  • (a) (yo) Voy al cibercafé, a mandar un correo electrónico.

  • (b) María y Cristina van al restaurante con un cliente.

  • (c) Raquel, Miguel y yo vamos al hospital a visitar a un amigo.

  • (d) Olga, Antonio y tú vais a / van a Correos a buscar unos paquetes. (Note that the vosotros form (e.g. vais) is not used in Latin America, where ustedes is preferred.)

  • (e) Inma va al parque con su hija.

  • (f) Concha y Pedro van al aeropuerto a buscar a un colega.

4.4 Actividad

Actividad 4.4

Part 1

Here are three smileys representing different moods. Which places do you most associate with those moods? Note down your thoughts. There is no ‘right’ answer.

Enlace.

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Discussion

Here is a possible answer. Yours may be very different!

  • : el bar, el cine, el cibercafé

  • : el parque, el restaurante

  • : la oficina, el hospital, el hipermercado, el aeropuerto

Part 2

Complete the table to say where you are going at the times mentioned. The smileys show your mood, and may give you a clue for a possible answer.

Complete la tabla.

¿Adónde va usted?
Hora Lugar
09:00h Voy a la oficina.
14:00h
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17:00h
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20:00h
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21:00h
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Discussion

Here is a possible answer:

¿Adónde va usted?
Hora Lugar
09:00h Voy a la oficina.
14:00h Voy al bar.
17:00h Voy al hipermercado.
20:00h Voy al cine.
21:00h Voy al restaurante.

4.5 Actividad

Actividad 4.5

Listen to the audio clip and do the exercise.

Escuche y participe.

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Español de bolsillo
¿Adónde vas? Where are you going?
Voy a la oficina. I‘m going to the office.
Voy al cine. I’m going to the cinema.
Salgo a dar una vuelta. I’m going out for a walk.
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Español de bolsillo
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4.6 Actividad

Actividad 4.6

Write questions appropriate to the following situations. Make sure you use the appropriate form of the verb.

Escriba preguntas.

  • (a) Somebody starts leaving the house unexpectedly. What do you ask?

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  • (c) You need a lift out of town. You notice that some of your friends are heading towards their car. What do you ask?

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Answer
  • (a)  ¿Adónde vas?

  • (b)  ¿Adónde va? / ¿Adónde van?

  • (c)  ¿Adónde vais? / ¿Adónde van?

4.7 En pocas palabras

4.7.1 Using grammatical information in the dictionary

Your dictionary is very useful for finding out which grammatical category a word belongs to. For example, the entry for precioso reads as follows:

precioso ADJETIVO

beautiful ¡Es precioso! It's beautiful!

The entry tells you that precioso is an adjetivo, in English an adjective, and that it therefore describes a noun. If you want to know more about what the different grammatical categories are, read the information at the beginning of your dictionary under ‘Parts of speech’ .

Actividad 4.7

Look up the following words in your dictionary and complete the table with the missing information. The first has been done for you.

Complete la tabla.

Headword Grammatical category A Spanish example
precioso adjetivo (adjective) ¡Es precioso!
bonito
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un, una
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tener
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en
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muy
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oficina
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Answer
Using grammatical information in the dictionary
Headword Grammatical category A Spanish example
precioso adjetivo (adjective) ¡Es precioso!
bonito adjetivo (adjective) una casa muy bonita
un, una artículo (article) una silla
tener verbo (verb) Tengo dos hermanas.
en preposición (preposition) Viven en Granada.
muy adverbio (adverb) Mi pueblo es muy bonito.
oficina sustantivo (noun) la oficina de turismo

4.7.2 Word clusters

Actividad 4.8

Which of the following adjectives go with the nouns below? Determine the odd one out. The first has been done for you.

Tache el intruso.

Word clusters
Sustantivo Adjetivo
iglesia grande • preciosa •• antigua
aeropuerto moderno • grande • feo • gótico
restaurante animado • agradable • moderno • metálico
bar enorme • antiguo • comercial • céntrico
parque blanco • grande • bonito • precioso
Answer

These are the odd ones out:

aeropuerto: gótico

restaurante: metálico

bar: comercial

parque: blanco.

4.8 Léxico básico

banco (el) bank (also: bench)
bar (el) bar (establishment)
cibercafé (el) cyber café, internet café
cine (el) cinema
Correos post office
hipermercado (el) hypermarket
oficina (la) office
parque (el) park
restaurante (el) restaurant

Sesión 5 Un bar en La Habana

Introducción

In this session you are going to have a closer look at a popular meeting place in the Hispanic world.

Key learning points

  • Describing a place

  • Use of hay / no hay

  • The indefinite articles: un, una, unos, unas

5.1 Actividad

Actividad 5.1

Part 1

Look at this photo of a bar in Havana, Cuba. What can you see? Below it is a list of objects, some of which appear in the photo. Note down the ones you can see. Look up the words you don’t understand in the dictionary.

Escoja la opcion correcta.

(a) el taburete
(b) el televisor
(c) la actuación en vivo
(d) el ventilador
(e) las tapas
(f) las bebidas
(g) la máquina tragaperras
(h) la barra
(i) el billar
(j) los periódicos
(k) el equipo de música
(l) el sofá
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Answer

(a) el taburete, (d) el ventilador, (f) la bebidas, (h) la barra.

Vocabulario
ventilador (el) fan
máquina tragaperras (la) slot machine
actuación en vivo (la) live performance/concert
comida (la) food
también also

a. 

una discoteca


b. 

un restaurante


c. 

un polideportivo


The correct answer is b.

Part 3

Which phrases were used to describe what is in this place? Write down two examples.

Escriba dos ejemplos.

  • Ejemplo

  • “Hay fotos del famoso músico de los años 50, Benny Moré”.

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Answer

“ … hay una actuación de música en vivo y cócteles buenísimos”.

“ … hay comida tradicional criolla”.

THERE IS / THERE ARE
The verb haber is used to express the idea ‘there is’ or ‘there are’ . There is only one form of the verb with this meaning: hay, which is why the form is the same in the singular and the plural.
Hay unas mesas.
Hay un ventilador.
No hay una máquina tragaperras.
Note the form of the indefinite article when only one object is mentioned (un/una) and when several objects are mentioned (unos/unas):
Hay unasilla.
Hay unos sofás.

5.2 Actividad

Actividad 5.2

Part 1

Look at the following picture of a bar. Write down what you see, using the structure hay + un/una.

Observe y escriba.

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Answer

Here is a possible answer:

Hay una barra. Hay una terraza. Hay un camarero. Hay un sofá. Hay unas mesas. Hay una máquina de café. Hay unos periódicos. Hay un equipo de música. Hay unos taburetes.

Part 2

Listen to the audio clip below and do the exercise.

Escuche y participe.

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Vocabulario
pista de baile (la) dance floor
juegos de mesa (los) board games

5.3 Actividad

You are looking for a bar to hold a birthday celebration in. You see the following advertisement.

Actividad 5.3

Part 1

Read the following advert from a magazine. Write down the words you don't understand and try to guess their meaning. Check your guesses in the dictionary. Would it be suitable for your celebration?

Escriba y compruebe.

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Here is a possible answer:

Some of the words you may not have understood are: Mugumba (a proper name), viernes (Friday), salón de comidas (dining room), ambiente agradable (pleasant atmosphere) and complejo turístico (tourist centre).

You may have decided it was suitable for your celebration as it has both a place for dining and for dancing and the atmosphere is pleasant.

Part 2

Complete the blanks to describe the bar Mugumba. Use the structure hay + un/una.

Complete el texto.

El bar se llama Mugumba Habana. __________ en vivo.

__________ y __________.

También __________. Es un bar muy animado.

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Here is a possible answer:

El bar se llama Mugumba Habana. Hay una actuación en vivo. Hay un salón de comidas y un ambiente agradable. También hay una pista de baile. Es un bar muy animado.

5.4 Actividad

Actividad 5.4

You have now found the perfect bar for your birthday celebration and you want to tell your friends about it. Read the following guide book entry about it and record yourself on your blank tape, saying what there is in the bar.

Lea y grábese en su cinta.

El chan chan
Este bar está situado en plena Habana Vieja, en la calle Aguacate.
Gran ambiente, cócteles variados.
Equipo de música de alta fidelidad.
Ventiladores, amplias mesas para grupos numerosos, cómodos sofás.
Guardarropa.
Vocabulario
de alta fidelidad high fidelity
guardarropa (el) cloakroom
Answer

Here is a possible answer:

  • Hay un gran ambiente.

  • Hay unos cócteles variados.

  • Hay un equipo de música de alta fidelidad.

  • Hay unos ventiladores.

  • Hay unas amplias mesas.

  • Hay unos sofás cómodos. / Hay unos cómodos sofás. (Note that adjectives in Spanish normally follow the noun. In the advertisement, the order was reversed for stylistic reasons.)

  • Hay un guardarropa.

5.5 Léxico básico

barra (la) bar (counter)
bebida (la) drink
cafetería (la) café
equipo de música (el) hi-fi
mesa (la) table
periódico (el) newspaper
pista de baile (la) dance floor
silla (la) chair
sofá (el) sofa
taburete (el) (bar) stool
televisor (el) television set
ventilador (el) fan

Sesión 6 El centro deportivo

Introducción

You are now going to find out about another public place: a sports centre. You will also explore the differences in attitudes towards public places in Spanish-speaking countries and your own.

Key learning points

  • Referring to location within a building

  • Asking and answering questions about location

6.1 Actividad

Actividad 6.1

a. 

changing rooms


b. 

sauna


c. 

gym


d. 

work-out room


e. 

squash


f. 

reception


g. 

sun-bed


h. 

swimming pool


i. 

toilets


j. 

crèche


The correct answers are a, b, c, d, f, h and i.

6.2 Actividad

You decide to visit the sports centre to see the facilities for yourself. In the reception area, you overhear some conversations.

Actividad 6.2

Part 1

Listen to the audio clip and pick the areas mentioned from the options below.

Escuche y escoja la opcion correcta.

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a. 

el gimnasio


b. 

la piscina


c. 

la recepción


The correct answers are b and c.

a. 

la oficina


b. 

los vestuarios


c. 

el gimnasio


The correct answer is c.

a. 

la sauna


b. 

la sala de entrenamiento


c. 

los vestuarios


The correct answer is c.

a. 

la piscina


b. 

la recepción


c. 

la sauna


The correct answer is b.

USE OF SABER
In order to express the idea ‘to know (a fact/idea/concept)’, Spanish uses the verb saber.
•Yo dónde está Marta.
•Yo no dónde está Marta.
•¿Sabes mi nombre?
(Notice that this is different from the verb conocer which means ‘to know (a person)’ in the sense of ‘to be acquainted with’.)
SABER
(yo) (nosotros, -as) sabemos
(tú) sabes (vosotros, -as) sabéis
(él/ella/usted) sabe (ellos/ellas/ustedes) saben
Part 2

Listen to the track again and say whether Juana, one of the receptionists, knows where the different people are. Mark the correct answers with an X in the table below.

Escoja la opcion correcta.

HighlightedYes, she knows No, she doesn't know (but guesses)
Marta
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La monitora
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Mercedes y Teresa
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Answer
Yes, she knows No, she doesn't know (but guesses)
Marta
La monitora
Mercedes y Teresa

6.3 Actividad

For the following activity, you work as a receptionist in a gym. Somebody who has arranged to meet some friends there asks you whether you know where they are. Some of them have left you a note of where they are but some haven't.

Actividad 6.3

Part 1

Answer the following questions, using the information on the notes people have left you.

Responda a las preguntas.

  • (a) ¿Sabes dónde está Mónica?

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Sí, está en el bar.

  • (b) ¿Sabes dónde está Juan?

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No, no sé.

  • (c) ¿Sabes dónde está Ignacio?

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Sí, está en la sauna.

  • (d) ¿Sabes dónde está Ramón?

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Sí, está en los vestuarios.

  • (e)  ¿Sabes dónde está la monitora?

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Answer

No, no sé.

Part 2

You join a new sports centre and you want to know where things are. Listen to the audio and answer, following the prompts.

Escuche y responda.

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Vocabulario
al lado de next to
delante de in front of
detrás de behind
entre between
en in, on, at
Español de bolsillo
¿Dónde está la monitora? Where is the instructor?
No sé. I don't know.
¿Está en el gimnasio? Is she in the gym?
¿Sabes dónde está el gimnasio? Do you know where the gym is?
Sí, está en el primer piso. Yes, it’s on the first floor.
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Part 3

Now record yourself on your blank tape asking different people where the following things are. Pay particular attention to the form of the verb, which will change according to whom you are addressing.

Grábese en su cinta.

  • Ejemplo

  • (tú) la piscina

  • ¿Sabes dónde está la piscina?

  • (a)  (usted) los vestuarios

  • (b)  (ustedes) el bar

  • (c)  (vosotros, -as) la sauna

  • (d)  (tú) el gimnasio

Answer
  • (a)  ¿Sabe dónde están los vestuarios?

  • (b)  ¿Saben dónde está el bar?

  • (c)  ¿Sabéis dónde está la sauna?

  • (d)  ¿Sabes dónde está el gimnasio?

6.4 Espejo Cultural

This activity will help you think about some of the possible differences between public places in Spain and Latin America, and in your own country.

Actividad 6.4

Part 1

Think of the different public places in Spain and Latin America that you have seen so far. Note them down.

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Answer

So far in this course you have seen a few ‘public’ places, for example la estación and el mercado central , and you have also come across los bares. Other buildings frequented by the general public that have come up in this course are el museo, el hospital, la escuela, el polideportivo o el centro deportivo, el ayuntamiento, el aeropuerto, la oficina, el banco, el restaurante, and a more modern one, el cibercafé. Another place in Hispanic countries where the community gathers is la iglesia, and of course los parques and las plazas.

Part 2

Link each of the following public places with as many adjectives as you feel appropriate from the box below. The choice of adjective is entirely subjective, and is designed to help you express your own attitudes towards these public places.

Enlace.

  • (a)  museo

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  • (b)  parque

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  • (c)  bar

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  • (d)  estación de tren

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  • (e)  cibercafé

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  • (f)  polideportivo

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precioso • moderno • caótico • tranquilo • animado • relajante • ruidoso • antiguo
Vocabulario
ruidoso noisy
tranquilo quiet
relajante relaxing
Answer

Here is a possible answer:

  • (a) museo: moderno
  • (b) parque: tranquilo
  • (c) bar: ruidoso, animado
  • (d) estación de tren: antigua, caótica
  • (e) cibercafé: moderno, tranquilo
  • (f) polideportivo: relajante.
Part 3

Do you think you would have made the same word associations in Part 2 if you were thinking of your own country? Note down your thoughts (there's no right or wrong answer).

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Discussion

You may think that these public places are totally different in your country, or you may think them similar. The important thing is to be aware of any similarities as well as differences between countries.

Part 4

Imagine you want to write an ‘electronic postcard’ to a travel guide website giving some tips for travelling to Valencia, Santiago de Chile, Montevideo and Havana. What would you say to your fellow travellers? Choose from the following phrases, taken from different websites, to write sentences about these cities.

Escriba frases.

Vocabulario
Imprescindible ver… Do not miss…
De mi viaje a… From my visit to…
Para relajarse… To relax…
Sobre todo… Above all…
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Answer

Here is a possible answer:

  • Valencia es una ciudad preciosa. Imprescindible verel campanario del Miguelete.

  • De mi viaje a España recomiendo visitar las Torres de Pere Quart y la espectacular estación modernista en Valencia.

  • En La Habana hay unos bares de los años 50 muy animados.

  • Para relajarse en el viaje, recomiendo ir a un centro deportivo en Santiago de Chile. En Montevideo hay una ciudad vieja muy bonita.

  • Sobre todo, visitar El Cabildo en la Plaza de la Constitución.

6.5 Léxico básico

aseos (los) toilets
caballeros (los) gentlemen
conocer to know (a person)
gimnasio (el) gym
lavabo (el) toilets, sink
monitora (la) instructor (female)
piscina (la) swimming pool
recepción (la) reception
recomendar to recommend
saber to know (a fact/idea/concept)
sauna (la) sauna
vestuarios (los) changing rooms

Sesión 7 Perdido en Barcelona

Introducción

In this session you are going to look at people and places in Barcelona. You will find out how to talk about everyday actions and give directions.

Key learning points

  • Asking for and giving information about places

  • Giving directions

7.1 Actividad

Vocabulario
cargar here, to charge
consultar here, to check
saldo (el) bank balance
cambiar to change (money)
cuenta corriente (la) current account
sello (el) stamp
comprar to buy

Actividad 7.1

a. 

sacar dinero


b. 

sacar entradas de teatro


c. 

cargar el teléfono móvil


d. 

mandar un correo electrónico


e. 

consultar el saldo de la cuenta corriente


f. 

comprar tarjetas de autobús y metro


g. 

comprar sellos


h. 

cambiar dinero


The correct answers are a, b, c, e, f and h.

Answer

Some notes:

sacar entradas de teatro, comprar tarjetas de autobús y metro – some banks in Barcelona sell these.

Things you don't usually do in a bank:

mandar un correo electrónico, comprar sellos – you can buy stamps at an estanco, a government-licensed tobacconist and newsagents.

Part 2

Match the following verbs with the corresponding phrases.

Enlace.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. cargar

  2. consultar

  3. comprar

  4. sacar

  5. mandar

  • a.el saldo de la cuenta corriente

  • b.entradas de teatro

  • c.un correo electrónico

  • d.una tarjeta de metro y bus

  • e.el teléfono móvil

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = e
  • 2 = a
  • 3 = d
  • 4 = b
  • 5 = c
Discussion

comprar can also be used with entradas, but is less common.

Part 3

Now listen to somebody asking for different things in a bank. What are they trying to do, and where are they directed? Make notes below. It may be easier if you pause after each dialogue.

Escuche y escriba.

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Answer

Ventanilla 1: cambiar dinero, cambiar euros.

Ventanilla 3: sacar entradas de teatro.

Cajero automático: cargar el (teléfono) móvil, sacar dinero con tarjeta de crédito.

7.2 Actividad

In the next activity, you will learn how to give directions.

GIVING DIRECTIONS
Use the following verbs to give directions: ir ( ‘to go’ ), tomar ( ‘to take’ ), seguir ( ‘to keep (straight) on’), cruzar ( ‘to cross over’ ) and girar ( ‘to turn’ ).
Vaya hasta el final de la calle. (Go to the end of the street.)
Tome la primera a la derecha. (Take the first on the right.)
Siga todo recto. (Keep straight on.)
Cruce la calle. (Cross the street.)
Gire a la izquierda. (Turn left.)
Use ordinal numbers (primera, segunda, tercera, etc.) to indicate which street to take.
la primera calle a la derecha
la segundacalle a la derecha
la tercera calle a la izquierda
To show whereabouts a building is in a street, you can talk about ‘blocks’: in Spain, the word for this is manzana and in Latin America, cuadra.
• La Pedrera está en la tercera manzana.
• El Cabildo está a dos cuadras.

Actividad 7.2

Part 1

Using the map, direct someone to the bank by putting the following sentences in the correct order from 1–5.

Ponga las frases en orden.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. siga todo recto

  2. vaya hasta el final de la calle

  3. gire a la izquierda

  4. después, tome la primera a la derecha

  5. cruce la calle, y está allí

  • a.3

  • b.2

  • c.4

  • d.5

  • e.1

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = e
  • 2 = b
  • 3 = a
  • 4 = c
  • 5 = d
Part 2

Let's find a bank in Barcelona. Look at where you are on the map in relation to where the bank is. You are in Calle Fontanella, in front of the Telefónica building facing the Plaza Catalunya. Complete the sentences with the appropriate verbs.

Complete las frases.

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Picture 2

  • – ¿Hay un banco por aquí?

  • – Sí. Hay uno muy cerca. Vaya todo recto. Después (a) __________ la segunda calle a la izquierda, se llama las Ramblas. (b) __________ todo recto, (c) __________ la segunda a la izquierda y hay uno allí.

  • – ¡Muchas gracias!

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Answer

(a) tome

(b) siga

(c) tome

7.3 Actividad

Español de bolsillo
¿Dónde hay un banco por aquí? Where can I find a bank near here?
Tome la primera a la derecha. Take the first on the right.
Siga todo recto. Keep straight on.
Tome la tercera a la izquierda. Take the third on the left.
Oiga, ¿para cambiar dinero? Excuse me, where can I change money?
La primera ventanilla. The first counter.
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Actividad 7.3

Part 1

Listen to the audio clip below and do the exercise. What are the next four phrases in the series?

Escuche y participe.

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Answer

La quinta. La quinta a la derecha. La sexta. La sexta a la izquierda.

Part 2

Now listen to the next audio clip and follow the directions with your finger on the map. You are at the crossroads of Calle Joan Maragall and Avenida Colón, facing towards the supermarket and museum. Can you guess where the person has sent you?

Escuche y siga las instrucciones en el dibujo.

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Answer

You have ended up where you started!

(Keep straight on. Take the second street on the right. Keep straight on. Take the first street on the right. Keep straight on. Take the second street on the right. Keep straight on.)

7.4 Actividad

Actividad 7.4a

You are now in a new city and want to find out about different things. Listen to the audio clip and do the exercise.

Escuche y pregunte.

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Actividad 7.4b

Again, you are in Calle Fontanella, in front of the Telefónica building. Several people come up to you for directions. Look at the map of Barcelona and answer them.

Observe y responda.

  • Ejemplo

  • ¿Para ir a la Biblioteca de Catalunya?

  • Siga todo recto. Gire a la izquierda por las Ramblas y tome la cuarta calle a la derecha. Vaya todo recto y está a la izquierda.

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Picture 3

  • (a)  ¿Para ir al Corte Inglés?

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  • (b)  ¿Para ir al Palacio de la Música Catalana?

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  • (c)  ¿Para ir al Ayuntamiento?

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  • (d)  ¿Para ir a la Universidad de Barcelona?

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  • (e)  ¿Para ir a la oficina de turismo?

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  • (f)  ¿Para ir al hotel El Jardí?

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Answer

Here are some possible routes:

  • (a)  Está aquí, a la derecha.

  • (b)  Gire a la derecha y tome la primera calle a la derecha, siga todo recto y el Palacio de la Música está a la izquierda.

  • (c)  Tome la primera a la izquierda, siga todo recto hasta el final de la calle, y está allí.

  • (d)  Tome la primera a la derecha y siga recto. Tome la segunda calle a la izquierda, la Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes. Siga todo recto y la Universidad está allí, a la derecha.

  • (e)  Siga todo recto y está a la izquierda.

  • (f)  Vaya a las Ramblas, siga todo recto, tome la tercera calle a la izquierda, siga todo recto y el hotel está allí, a la derecha.

7.5 Léxico básico

biblioteca (la) library
cajero automático (el) cash machine
cambiar (dinero) to change (money)
correo electrónico (el) e-mail
cuenta corriente (la) current account
dinero (el) money
entrada de teatro (la) theatre ticket
sacar dinero to take out money
sacar entradas to get ticket
saldo (el) balance (of bank account)
sello (el) stamp
tarjeta de autobús/metro (la) bus/underground pass (fixed number of tickets)
ventanilla (la) counter, box office (literally: little window)

Sesión 8 Hoteles con alma

Introducción

In this session you are going to talk about some city hotels in Havana, Valencia, Barcelona and Santiago de Cuba, and find out about their local amenities and suitability for tourism.

Key learning points

  • Talking about location

  • Indicating approximate time and distance

  • Revision of adjectives

8.1 Actividad

In this activity you are going to find out about two hotels, one in Havana and one in Valencia, what they look like and where they are situated.

Actividad 8.1

Part 1

Look at the pictures of the two hotels. Decide which words and phrases from the box best describe each picture.

Describa los hoteles.

Hotel Santa Isabel: típica mansión colonial cerca del mar (dejado), y Hotel Espartano: hotel muy céntrico cerca de restaurantes y cafeterías (derecho)
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Answer

Hotel Espartano: económico, varias plantas, moderno, barato, ruidoso, bloque de pisos, incómodo, funcional.

Hotel Santa Isabel: lujoso, dos plantas, antiguo, caro, tranquilo, mansión, cómodo, decorativo.

Part 2

Now look where they are situated on the maps. Write which streets they are in and their location in relation to other buildings.

Escriba dónde están los hoteles.

Hotel Espartano
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Hotel Santa Isabel
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Answer

Here are some possible answers:

El hotel Espartano está en la calle Convento San Francisco, detrás de la Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Está cerca de la Plaza de Toros.

El hotel Santa Isabel está en la calle Baratillo, entre O’ Reilly y Narciso López, en la Plaza de Armas. Está cerca del Castillo de la Fuerza.

8.2 Actividad

In this activity you are going to find out about three hotels situated in the old part of Barcelona and around the Ramblas, one of the main arteries of the city. You will also become familiar with ways of talking about approximate distance to or from a place.

LAS RAMBLAS

The ramblais an urban feature virtually unique to Catalonia, and there is one in most Catalan towns. Originally, the Rambla of Barcelona was a seasonal river bed, the name deriving from an Arabic word for river bank, ramla. Different sections of the Rambla in Barcelona have different names, as one descends from Plaza Catalunya: Rambla de Canaletes, Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de San Josep, Rambla dels Caputxins and Rambla de Santa Mónica. Hence the plural is often used – Rambles (Catalan) or Ramblas in Spanish and English.

(Adapted from Time Out Barcelona Guide, p. 50, Time Out Group Ltd)

Español de bolsillo
¿Dónde está el hotel Oriente? Where is the Oriente hotel?
A dos pasos del Teatro Liceo. A few yards from the Teatro Liceo. (Literally: Two steps from…)
A cien metros de la Plaza Catalunya. A hundred metres from the Plaza Catalunya.
A cinco minutos del puerto. Five minutes from the harbour.
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Actividad 8.2

Part 1

Listen to the three advertisements for hotels in Barcelona. Then note the proximity to the city centre, and the exact address of each hotel. The following phrases may help you.

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Escuche y complete.

Proximity to city centre Exact address
Hotel Duques de Bergara
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Hotel Oriente
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Hotel Rívoli
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Vocabulario
afueras (las) outskirts
pueblo (el) village, town
Answer
Proximity to city centre Exact address
Hotel Duques de Bergara En el corazón de Barcelona, a pocos metros de la Plaza Catalunya Calle Bergara, 11
Hotel Oriente En pleno centro, en las Ramblas Calle Ramblas, 45–47
Hotel Rívoli A dos pasos de la Plaza Catalunya La Rambla, 128
Part 2

Now listen to the audio clip below and do the exercise.

Escuche y participe.

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8.3 Actividad

In this activity you are going to find out about another interesting hotel, this time in Santiago de Cuba, which overlooks the house of Diego Velázquez, the first Spanish governor of Cuba.

DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ DE CUÉLLAR (1465–1524)

Velázquez became governor of Cuba in 1511, having conquered the island and founded Havana in that same year. He had first sailed to the Americas with Columbus, accompanying him on his expedition to the island of Española (Hispaniola, modern Dominican Republic and Haiti). As governor, he sent out several expeditions, including Cortés' to Mexico in 1519.

Actividad 8.3

The Hotel Casa Granda in Santiago de Cuba is one of the most up-market hotels in Cuba and is right in the city centre. Listen to the track and say where it is situated in relation to other buildings.

Escuche y participe.

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8.4 Actividad

Vocabulario
en el campo in the countryside

Actividad 8.4

Write a wish list for your perfect hotel. You may want to refer to location, proximity to local amenities and type of building. Use the prompts below to start you off.

Lea y escriba.

Quiero un hotel…

cerca de… • en pleno centro • en las afueras • en el campo • a diez metros de… • a dos pasos de… • antiguo / moderno, etc. • enfrente de…
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Answer

Here is a possible answer:

  • Quiero un hotel cerca de la playa, a dos pasos de los museos, antiguo y tranquilo, barato, en pleno centro, elegante y cómodo, a diez metros de los bares.

8.5 En pocas palabras

8.5.1 Vocabulary strategies: classifying vocabulary according to grammatical class

Actividad 8.5

Classify the following vocabulary by placing the words in the appropriate columns. If you are unsure of what the grammatical terms mean, go to the section ‘Parts of Speech’ in the dictionary.

Ponga las palabras en el recuadro correspondiente.

gimnasio • sacar • estar • dinero • funcional • lavabos • entre • recepción • saber • piscina • sauna • cómodo • vestuarios • tarjeta (de autobús) • en • cerca • soy

Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs Prepositions
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Answer

Nouns: gimnasio, dinero, lavabos, recepción, piscina, sauna, vestuarios, tarjeta (de autobús)

Verbs: sacar, estar, saber, soy (ser)

Adjectives: funcional, cómodo

Adverbs: cerca

Prepositions: entre, en

8.5.2 Diario hablado

Actividad 8.6

Rearrange the following short dialogues, each of which contains fixed expressions that you have learned in this session, and read them out on your blank tape.

Ordene los diálogos y léalos en su cinta.

  • Ejemplo

  • En la Plaza de Armas / de la ciudad / ¿Dónde / en el corazón / está situado el Hotel Isabel?

  • ¿Dónde está situado el Hotel Isabel? En la Plaza de Armas, en el corazón de la ciudad.

  • (a)  A dos / ¿Dónde / pasos / está la Plaza de Armas? / del lugar donde se funda la villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana

  • (b)  ¿Qué tipo / de los Condes de Santovenia / maravillosa / de edificio es? / Es una mansión

  • (c)  ¿Y de qué / Está cerca / y edificios famosos / está cerca? / de monumentos

  • (d)  ¿De qué edificios? / minutos del Cristo de La Habana / la Giraldilla y el Palacio de los Capitanes Generales / A cinco

Answer
  • (a)  ¿Dónde está la Plaza de Armas? A dos pasos del lugar donde se funda la villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana.

  • (b)  ¿Qué tipo de edificio es? Es una mansión maravillosa de los Condes de Santovenia.

  • (c)  ¿Y de qué está cerca? Está cerca de monumentos y edificios famosos.

  • (d)  ¿De qué edificios? A cinco minutos del Cristo de La Habana, la Giraldilla y el Palacio de los Capitanes Generales.

8.6 Léxico básico

barato cheap
bloque de pisos (el) block of flats
caro expensive
cómodo comfortable
decorativo decorative
económico inexpensive
incómodo uncomfortable
lujoso luxurious
mansión (la) mansion
planta (la) floor, storey
ruidoso noisy
tranquilo quiet

Sesión 9 Repaso

9.1 EL CÓMIC

This session is designed to help you revise the language that you have learned so far in this course.

Actividad 9.1

Complete the dialogue with appropriate words and phrases.

Observe y escriba.

Alberto ¿Dónde estamos?

Eva Estamos aquí. ___________ de la estación de tren. Voy a preguntar dónde ___________ el museo.

Alberto No, no preguntes. ¡Tenemos un mapa!

Eva Aquí no hay un museo. No ___________ edificios, no hay nada. ¡Estamos perdidos!

Alberto Sí, sí, está cerca de aquí. Es ___________ recto y está al ___________ de esta calle. ¡Venga!

Eva ¡Qué paciencia!

Eva Oiga, por favor, ¿ ___________ ir al museo?

Alberto Eva, mujer, ¡pero si está ___________ pasos de aquí!

Answer

Alberto ¿Dónde estamos?

Eva Estamos aquí. Delante de la estación de tren. Voy a preguntar dónde está el museo. Alberto No, no preguntes. ¡Tenemos un mapa!

Eva Aquí no hay un museo. No hay edificios, no hay nada. ¡Estamos perdidos! Alberto Sí, sí, está cerca de aquí. Es todo recto y está al final de esta calle. ¡Venga! Eva ¡Qué paciencia!

Eva Oiga, por favor, ¿ para ir al museo?

Alberto Eva, mujer, ¡pero si está a dos pasos de aquí!

9.2 EL PEDANTE

Vocabulario
rodeado de surrounded by

Actividad 9.2

Here are two descriptions of famous buildings in Santiago de Chile. There are four incorrect adjective endings in each description. Note down the appropriate corrections in the boxes.

Corrija los adjetivos.

  • (a) Palacio Cousiño

  • Uno de los palacios más antiguas y bello de Santiago. Se construyó en el siglo XIX. Está al sur de la Alameda, cerca del Parque Almagro. Está rodeado de enorme y lindísimas jardines.

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  • Uno de los palacios más antiguos y bellos de Santiago. Se construyó en el siglo XIX. Está al sur de la Alameda, cerca del Parque Almagro. Está rodeado de enormes y lindísimos jardines.

  • (b) Mercado Central

  • Justo enfrente del famosos río Mapocho, se encuentra este linda mercado en el centro de Santiago de Chile. Allí hay unos puestos de frutas y verduras espectacularas y unos restaurantes muy agradable.

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Answer
  • Justo enfrente del famoso río Mapocho, se encuentra este lindo mercado en el centro de Santiago de Chile. Allí hay unos puestos de frutas y verduras espectaculares y unos restaurantes muy agradables.

9.3 PLATO DE ESPAGUETIS

Actividad 9.3

Find out which of the following words go together by following the spaghetti strands. Note the pairs down in the box below.

Busque los pares.

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Answer

campanario – alto

edificio – espectacular

plaza – bonita

palacio – antiguo

tienda – barata

sofá – cómodo

bar – animado

músico – famoso

paseo – largo

parque – grande

escuela – moderna

centro – cultural.

9.4 UNA IMAGEN VALE MÁS QUE MIL PALABRAS

Vocabulario
muralla (la) town wall

Actividad 9.4

Look at the following town plan and answer the questions about the relative positions of the different buildings.

Mire y conteste.

Click below to view a larger version of this picture.

Picture 4

  • Ejemplo

  • ¿Qué hay al lado de la catedral?

  • El museo.

  • (a)  ¿Qué hay detrás de la torre?

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Answer

el mercado

  • (b)  ¿Qué hay enfrente del cabildo?

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Answer

la muralla / la estación de tren

  • (c)  ¿Qué hay a la derecha de la playa?

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el puerto

  • (d)  ¿Qué hay a dos pasos de la Plaza Vieja?

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Answer

la playa

  • (e)  ¿Qué hay cerca de la muralla?

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Answer

el cabildo

  • (f)  ¿Qué hay al lado del museo?

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Answer

la catedral

9.5 CRUCIGRAMA

Actividad 9.5

Complete the crossword (there's a printable version below). Which cities are the following buildings and districts in?

Complete.

  • Horizontales

  • 3 La Alhambra (7)

  • 6 El Miguelete (8)

  • 7 El Museo Guggenheim (6)

  • Verticales

  • 2 La Sagrada Familia (9)

  • 1 El barrio Carrasco (10)

  • 4 La Mezquita (7)

  • 5 La Giralda (7)

Click on 'view document' below to open a printable version of the crossword puzzle.

Crossword

Answer

9.6 MI GRAMÁTICA: Adjetivos / Adjectives

Actividad 9.6

The singular

Give the rules for changing masculine singular adjectives to feminine, and give examples.

Escriba las reglas y dé ejemplos.

Rule Example
Ending in a vowel -o changes to -a bonito → bonita
Ending in a consonant
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Ending in -e
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Words: 0
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The plural

Give the rules for forming plural adjectives from the singular forms.

Escriba las reglas y dé ejemplos.

Rule Example
Ending in a vowel Adds -s bonitos, bonitas
Ending in a consonant
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Ending in -e
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Words: 0
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Answer
The singular
Rule Example
Ending in a vowel -o changes to -a bonito → bonita
Ending in a consonant Stays the same espectacular, cultural
Ending in -e Stays the same interesante, grande
The plural
Rule Example
Ending in a vowel Adds -s bonitos, bonitas
Ending in a consonant Adds -es espectaculares, culturales
Ending in -e Adds -s interesantes, grandes

9.7 TEST CULTURAL

Actividad 9.7

Read the following sentences about cultural facts that have appeared in this course and note whether each is true or false.

¿Verdadero o falso?

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is a.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

Discussion

The famous Cabildo that you have seen is in Montevideo. Famous buildings in Santiago de Chile include La Casa de la Moneda and the Palacio Cousiño.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

Discussion

There are many different examples of historical architecture such as modernist and medieval.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is a.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is a.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

Discussion

The first governor of Cuba was Diego Velázquez, after whom the museum in Santiago de Cuba is named.

9.8 EL CANCIONERO

Actividad 9.8

It's time for another song. Read the following steps and do whichever you like, in any order you prefer.

  1. Listen to this popular children's song.

    Escuche la canción.

  2. What phrases do you recognize? Read the transcript.

    Lea la transcripción.

  3. Listen to the song again and sing along.

    Escuche otra vez la canción y cante.

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Singing in Café Juglar
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9.9 DOCUMENTAL

Now you are going to listen to a programme of the documentary series En portada. In this programme you are going to find out about la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

Vocabulario
trabaja works
¿Qué piensan? What do they think?

Actividad 9.9

Listen to the track and answer the following questions.

Escuche y participe.

To help you answer the questions, follow these steps:

  • Read the questions, listen to the programme and make notes of key words.

  • Listen to the programme again and add more information to your notes.

  • Read the transcript while you listen again, then try to complete the questions.

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En Portade
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  • (a)  ¿Dónde está la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias?

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Answer
  • En las afueras de Valencia.

  • (b)  ¿Cómo es el Museo de las Ciencias?

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  • You may have mentioned some of the following points:

    Es interactivo, moderno, divertido, dinámico, enorme, gigantesco, muy alto, como el esqueleto de un dinosaurio, totalmente nuevo, muy bonito, muy grande, muy amplio, con mucha luz.

  • (c)  ¿Quién es el arquitecto?

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Answer
  • El arquitecto es Santiago Calatrava.

Sesión 10 ¡A prueba!

This session consists of a self-assessment test which will give you an idea of the progress you have made throughout this course. In the answers, you will also find explanations and revision tips.

10.1 Test your vocabulary

Actividad 10.1

Note the incorrect option.

Tache la opción incorrecta.

a. 

gótica


b. 

blanca


c. 

cómoda


The correct answer is c.

Discussion

cómoda (comfortable) is incorrect as we don’t usually talk about churches in terms of their comfort.

a. 

moderna


b. 

festiva


c. 

antigua


The correct answer is b.

Discussion

festiva (festive) is the odd one out as we don't usually talk about the atmosphere in a railway station.

a. 

una pista de baile


b. 

unos sillones


c. 

un campanario


The correct answer is c.

Discussion

un campanario (a bell tower) is not a feature you would normally find in a bar!

a. 

unos vestuarios


b. 

un ayuntamiento


c. 

unos lavabos


The correct answer is b.

Discussion

un ayuntamiento (town hall) is not something you would find in a sports centre.

a. 

entradas de teatro


b. 

dinero


c. 

sellos


The correct answer is c.

Discussion

sellos (stamps) is not usually used with the verb sacar.

Actividad 10.2

Note the odd one out.

Tache la palabra intrusa.

a. 

dinero


b. 

hospital


c. 

oficina


d. 

restaurante


The correct answer is a.

Discussion

The other words refer to places/buildings.

a. 

aeropuerto


b. 

autobús


c. 

taxi


d. 

tren


The correct answer is a.

Discussion

The others refer to means of transport, whereas this is the building where the means of transport is based.

a. 

cuenta corriente


b. 

saldo


c. 

sello


d. 

tarjeta de crédito


The correct answer is c.

Discussion

The others refer to banking transactions.

a. 

campanario


b. 

catedral


c. 

iglesia


d. 

mercado


The correct answer is d.

Discussion

The others refer to religious buildings.

a. 

barra


b. 

taburete


c. 

televisor


d. 

ventanilla


The correct answer is d.

Discussion

The others refer to objects you can usually find in a Hispanic bar.

Revision tip
A good way of memorizing and organizing vocabulary is to classify it. For example, separate the words you have learned for places by putting them into two columns: one for the places you usually go to, and another for the places you don't usually go to

10.2 Test your grammar

Actividad 10.3

Part 1

Complete the following sentences using appropriate adjectives from the box. Make sure that the endings are correct too. More than one answer is possible in each case.

Complete las frases con la forma apropiada del adjetivo.

famoso • europeo • interesante • inacabado

  • (a)  La Sagrada Familia es una iglesia __________.

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  • (b)  Las salas de la Ciudad de las Ciencias y las Artes son muy __________.

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  • (c)  Los monumentos públicos normalmente son a personalidades __________.

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  • (d)  Chile es un país latinoamericano muy __________.

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Answer

Here is a possible answer:

  • (a)  La Sagrada Familia es una iglesia inacabada.

  • (b)  Las salas de la Ciudad de las Ciencias y las Artes son muy interesantes.

  • (c)  Los monumentos públicos normalmente son a personalidades famosas.

  • (d)  Chile es un país latinoamericano muy europeo.

Part 2

Give the adjectives their correct endings.

Complete el texto.

Dos edificios muy diferentes

El primero es un edificio alt___ . En la primer___ planta hay unas oficinas. En la segunda planta hay salas muy grand___ y ruidosas. También hay un bar, con unos sillones muy cómod___ y unos ventiladores de estilo colonial. Enfrente de este edificio, hay una casa antigua y muy bonit___.

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El primero es un edificio alto. En la primera planta hay unas oficinas. En la segunda planta hay salas muy grandes y ruidosas. También hay un bar, con unos sillones muy cómodos y unos ventiladores de estilo colonial. Enfrente de este edificio, hay una casa antigua y muy bonita.

Part 3

Change the verbs in the following sentences to correspond with the forms in brackets.

Transforme las frases.

  • (a)  (nosotros) Voy a la oficina.

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Vamos a la oficina.

  • (b)  (vosotros) Vas al cine.

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Vais al cine.

  • (c)  (ellos) Va al supermercado.

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Van al supermercado.

  • (d)  (yo) Sabemos dónde está Marta.

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dónde está Marta.

  • (e)  (tú) ¿Sabéis dónde está la monitora?

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Answer

¿Sabes dónde está la monitora?

Part 4

Write sentences with estar based on the following information.

Construya frases.

  • Ejemplo

  • María / Sevilla

  • María está en Sevilla.

  • (a)  La Alhambra / Granada

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La Alhambra está en Granada.

  • (b)  Las ruinas aztecas / México

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Las ruinas aztecas están en México.

  • (c)  El barrio Carrasco y la Plaza Zabala / Montevideo

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El barrio Carrasco y la Plaza Zabala están en Montevideo.

  • (d)  Nosotros / Cuba

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(Nosotros) estamos en Cuba.

  • (e)  Patricio y la familia de Isabel / Valencia

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Patricio y la familia de Isabel están en Valencia.

Revision tip
Make sure to review all the grammar you have studied so far. Go back to the ‘Overview’, look at the column ‘Language points’ and tick the grammar points that you feel confident handling. If you feel you need more practice with any of them, go to the relevant exercises and try doing them again.

10.3 Test your reading skills

Actividad 10.4

Read the following text and say whether the statements after it are true or false.

¿Verdadero o falso?

La Serena, Chile, es una ciudad preciosa y la segunda ciudad más antigua de Chile. Está en la costa del Océano Pacífico, en el norte de Chile. Es la capital de la región de Coquimbo. Hay muchas iglesias y muchas torres. En el centro de la ciudad los edificios son elegantes construcciones de estilo colonial. También tiene una playa bonita y en verano hay muchos turistas chilenos y argentinos. En la Plaza de Armas se encuentran los edificios oficiales, la catedral y la oficina de correos. El mercado de la Recova y sus restaurantes de mariscos están a solo diez minutos de la plaza.

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

Answer

Falso. (“la segunda ciudad más antigua de Chile” ; “ los edificios son … de estilo colonial”).

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is b.

Answer

Falso. (“Está … en el norte de Chile”).

a. 

Verdadero


b. 

Falso


The correct answer is a.

Answer

Verdadero. (“El mercado [está] a solo diez minutos de la plaza”).

Revision tip
A good technique for retaining information is to note down the key words. These are the terms, dates and names that summarize what has been said. Try to do this with any of the reading or listening passages (e.g. the documentary) that you have come across. When you see these words again, they will remind you of the information around them.

10.4 Test your writing skills

Actividad 10.5

Look at this photograph of a building in the city of La Serena. Describe what you see, using the prompts below.

Observe y describa.

(a)  ¿Qué hay en la calle?

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Hay un edificio antiguo. Hay gente delante del edificio. Hay un coche.

(b)  ¿Cómo es el edificio?

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Answer

El edificio es grande y antiguo, de estilo colonial.

Revision tip
Try doing the same exercise, but this time brainstorm the words you want to use by referring to the table in the section ‘En pocas palabras: Vocabulary strategies’. Then answer the questions. Were your answers fuller and more accurate?

10.5 Test your communicative skills

Actividad 10.6

Part 1

You are at the Hotel Francisco Aguirre in La Serena. Listen to and follow the directions given by the receptionist to find the following places. Where are they located on the map? If you download/print the image, mark them with the numbers 1 to 4.

Escuche y siga las indicaciones.

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Hotel Franciso Aguirre in La Serena in Chile
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  • (a)  La catedral (1)

  • (b)  La Iglesia de Santo Domingo (2)

  • (c)  El Parque Pedro de Valdivia (3)

  • (d)  El hospital (4)

Click below to view a larger version of this picture.

Picture 5

Answer
Part 2

Now you are in one of the restaurants in the market and a stranger asks you how to get to the Plaza de Armas. Give her directions.

Responda.

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Answer

Here is a possible answer:

Cruce la calle y tome la primera calle a la derecha, la calle Prat, siga todo recto, y la Plaza de Armas es la tercera calle a la izquierda, es la cuarta cuadra.

Revision tip
Imagine that you have visitors to your town. Choose the four places that you would recommend they visit and record yourself giving them directions from your house.

11 A guide to Spanish instructions

Busque Look for
Cambie (al plural) Change (to the plural)
Coloque Place
Complete (la tabla / el diálogo) Complete (the table / the dialogue)
Compruebe Check
Construya frases Make sentences
Conteste las siguientes preguntas Answer the following questions
Corrija las faltas Correct the mistakes
Dé ejemplos Give examples
Describa Describe
Elija una opción Choose an option
Enlace las columnas Match up the two columns
Escoja la opcion correcta Choose the correct option
Escriba (en inglés / en español) Write (in English / in Spanish)
Escuche (el extracto) Listen to (the extract)
Grábese en su cinta Record yourself on your tape
Lea (el texto) Read (the text)
Marque con una cruz Put a cross (= tick)
Mire (el mapa) Look at (the map)
Ordene (las palabras) Put (the words) in order
Participe Take part
Ponga (las frases) en orden Put (the sentences) in order
Pregunte Ask
Rellene los espacios Fill (in) the gaps
Repita (otra vez) Repeat (again)
Responda a Reply to, respond to, answer
Siga las instrucciones Follow the instructions
Subraye Underline
Tache Cross out /Cross off
Traduzca (al inglés) Translate (into English)
¿Verdadero o falso? True or false?

Conclusion

This free course provided an introduction to studying languages. It took you through a series of exercises designed to develop your approach to study and learning at a distance and helped to improve your confidence as an independent learner.

If you enjoyed this course, you might be interested in studying the Open University module L194 Portales: beginners' Spanish. Or, if you are interested in other language short courses, rather than studying languages for a degree, you may want to have a look at what else is on offer here.

Take the next step

If you enjoyed this course, why not explore the subject further with our paid-for short course, Beginners Spanish 1: ¡Empezamos!?

Find out more about Beginners Spanish 1: ¡Empezamos!

Acknowledgements

Except for third party materials and otherwise stated (see terms and conditions), this content is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence.

The material acknowledged below is Proprietary and used under licence (not subject to Creative Commons Licence). Grateful acknowledgement is made to the following sources for permission to reproduce material in this course:

Course image: Gilad Rom in Flickr made available under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Licence.

Las plazas: Barbara Scrivener;

Actividad 1.1: Courtesy of Tita Beaven;

Actividad 2.1: (c) Courtesy of Turespana, (d) Chris Sharp/South American Pictures; (e) Tony Morrison/South American Pictures;

Actividad 4.1: (c) Gabriela Larson Briceno;

Actividad 8.1: (left): courtesy of Hotel Santa Isabel, La Habana Vieja, Cuba;

Sesión 10 ¡A prueba! Part C: © Corbis; by Roger Zanni

Every effort has been made to contact copyright owners. If any have been inadvertently overlooked, the publishers will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the first opportunity.

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