Paper 4: Writing (1) (AQA GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Paper 4: Writing revision guide
Exam overview
Paper 4 focuses entirely on your writing skills in Spanish. The exam structure differs between Foundation and Higher tiers, so make sure you know which one you're taking.
Foundation tier students complete three writing tasks plus one translation exercise within 1 hour and 10 minutes. Higher tier students tackle two writing tasks plus one translation exercise in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
All questions, instructions, and titles appear in English, making it easier to understand what's being asked of you. Every question connects to the key topics and themes you've studied throughout your course.
Topics you might encounter
Your writing tasks will draw from these important theme areas:
| Theme | Examples |
|---|---|
| Identity and relationships | Family, friends, personal descriptions |
| Celebrity culture | Famous people, entertainment |
| Healthy living and lifestyle | Food, exercise, daily routines |
| Travel, tourism and places of interest | Holidays, destinations, attractions |
| Education and work | School subjects, jobs, future plans |
| Media and technology | Social media, phones, internet |
| Free-time activities | Hobbies, sports, entertainment |
| The environment and where people live | Towns, cities, environmental issues |
| Customs, festivals and celebrations | Traditions, special occasions |
These themes form the foundation of your Spanish studies. Make sure you have vocabulary and phrases ready for each topic area, as you never know which combination might appear in your exam.
Foundation question 1: Photo description
This question presents you with a photograph and asks you to describe what you see using five short sentences. Each sentence earns you 2 marks, giving you a total of 10 marks for this section.
Key strategies for success:
- Keep your sentences brief but ensure they're complete sentences containing a verb
- Focus on vocabulary you know well rather than attempting complex words
- Remember that marks are awarded for clear communication of relevant information
- Your Spanish needs to be accurate, and you must actually describe what's visible in the photo
- Don't elaborate unnecessarily - there are no extra marks for detailed descriptions
Essential verbs for photo descriptions
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| hay | there is/there are | Describing what exists in the photo |
| es | he/she/it is | Permanent characteristics |
| son | they are | Permanent characteristics (plural) |
| está | he/she/it is | Location or temporary state |
| tiene | he/she/it has | Possession or characteristics |
| tienen | they have | Possession or characteristics (plural) |
Worked Example: Photo Description
- Hay una familia. (There is a family.)
- Es una fiesta. (It is a party.)
- Es el cumpleaños del niño. (It's the boy's birthday.)
- Hay regalos en la mesa. (There are presents on the table.)
- El niño está muy contento. (The boy is very happy.)
Foundation question 2: Extended writing task
This section requires approximately 50 words in Spanish and carries 10 marks. You'll receive five bullet points guiding you on what to include in your response. The task focuses on clear information delivery across all bullet points, plus variety and accuracy in your language use.
Essential requirements:
- You can answer all points using the present tense
- Aim for around 50 words - not too short, not too long
- Address every bullet point provided
- Use vocabulary and structures you're confident with
Sample task: Write an email about school
Bullet points to cover:
- subjects
- teachers
- uniform
- break
- rules
Worked Example: School Email Response
Me gustan mis asignaturas, especialmente la historia. Los profesores son simpáticos, pero hay muchos deberes. Las reglas son estrictas pero necesarias. Odio el uniforme porque es un verde muy feo y no me gusta nada el colour. El recreo es a las once y salimos al patio a comer un bocadillo. (51 words)
Useful school vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| asignaturas | subjects |
| profesores | teachers |
| deberes | homework |
| reglas | rules |
| uniforme | uniform |
| recreo | break time |
| historia | history |
| simpáticos | nice/friendly |
| estrictas | strict |
| necesarias | necessary |
| bocadillo | sandwich |
Foundation question 3: Fill-the-gap exercise
This question presents five sentences, each missing one word. You'll see three options for each gap and must select the correct one, then write it exactly as shown (including any accent marks).
Understanding ser vs estar
A common feature in gap-fill exercises involves choosing between different forms of "to be":
- Estar describes location or temporary states: Mi hermano está en su dormitorio (My brother is in his bedroom)
- Ser describes permanent characteristics: Mi hermano es alto (My brother is tall)
You must copy the word exactly, including all accent marks, to receive the mark.
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Understanding key grammar patterns will help you write more accurately and confidently in your exam.
Present tense patterns:
- Regular -ar verbs: hablo, hablas, habla, hablamos, habláis, hablan
- Regular -er verbs: como, comes, come, comemos, coméis, comen
- Regular -ir verbs: vivo, vives, vive, vivimos, vivís, viven
Accent marks matter:
- está (is/he is) vs esta (this)
- sí (yes) vs si (if)
- Always include accent marks when copying words in gap-fill exercises
Useful connecting words:
- pero (but)
- y (and)
- porque (because)
- también (also)
- sin embargo (however)
Translation practice exercises
Practice with these translation exercises to build your confidence with key vocabulary and structures.
Translation Practice: Spanish to English
- Me gustan las matemáticas pero odio la educación física.
- Mi profesor de historia es muy simpático y divertido.
Translation Practice: English to Spanish
- There are five students in the classroom.
- My sister is studying French and German.
Answers:
Spanish to English:
- I like maths but I hate PE.
- My history teacher is very nice and funny.
English to Spanish:
- Hay cinco estudiantes en la clase.
- Mi hermana estudia francés y alemán.
Key Points to Remember:
- Keep Foundation Question 1 sentences short and simple - focus on accuracy over complexity
- For the 50-word writing task, address all bullet points and use vocabulary you know well
- In gap-fill exercises, copy words exactly including accent marks
- Use the present tense for most Foundation writing tasks
- Stick to familiar vocabulary rather than attempting difficult words you're unsure about