◄Previous: 4 Using cultural knowledge

# 4.1 Happiness and contentment

In this section you will listen to and watch Andrés Ponga Colina. As you do the exercises, think about the background cultural knowledge you are using from your own experience to help you interpret what he says, and maybe work out what makes him contented. You will also use contextual clues from the video to help you understand what he is saying.

## Actividad 13

First of all, identify the three things from the list that make you happiest.

- familia
- trabajo
- éxito
- dinero
- amor
- salud
- animales
- amigos
- viajes
- estudios
- tiempo libre

## Actividad 14

You have already met Andrés Ponga Colina. Watch this video extract with the sound off and try to work out

- where Andrés lives.
- what he does for a living.

This browser does not support video playback.

Transcript

### Answer

Just by looking at the visual clues in the video, you can see that Andrés lives in a village, in the countryside. You will have guessed that he is a farmer looking after his cattle and working in the fields. We see him having lunch with his family. These visual clues can lead us to believe that Andrés is likely to be talking about his family, his work and his animals, and that these are the things that make him happy.

## Actividad 15

Now watch the video with the sound on and find out what the most important things are for Andrés in his life. Complete the following sentences in Spanish according to the things he mentions.

This browser does not support video playback.

Transcript
(A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
Para Andrés hay cuatro cosas importantes en la vida:… A Andrés lo que le hace más feliz es:…

### Answer

For Andrés it is important in life is to have some tranquillity, peace (tranquilidad), to be happy (felicidad), the support of your family (familia que te apoye) and have a partner. For him, the thing that makes him happy is his family (familia).

## Actividad 16

Are you similar to Andrés? What is important to you in life? Jot down notes and then practise saying out loud in Spanish what is important to you and what makes you happy.

You can use the following prompts.

- Para mí las cosas importantes en la vida son _________.
- A mí lo que me hace más feliz es _________.

### Answer

Your answer will be individual to you, but here is an example:

Para mí las cosas importantes en la vida son la familia, la salud y la seguridad financiera.

A mí lo que me hace más feliz es estar con mi familia y disfrutar de una comida juntos.

◄Contents►Next: 4.2 Body language

OpenLearn - Intermediate Spanish: Understanding spoken Spanish
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