Caring for the planet (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Caring for the planet
Essential environmental vocabulary
When discussing environmental issues in Spanish, you need to know key vocabulary related to nature, problems, and solutions. This vocabulary will help you express concerns about the planet and discuss ways to protect it.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| la tierra | land, earth | la víctima | victim |
| el animal | animal | prohibir | to forbid, ban |
| el campo | countryside | el plástico | plastic |
| el aire | air | el pájaro | bird |
| el mar | sea | evitar | to avoid |
| la montaña | mountain | la basura | rubbish, litter |
| la flor | flower | cuidar | to look after |
| cortar | to cut | molestar | to annoy |
| proteger | to protect | recoger | to pick up |
| responsable | responsible | conservar | to preserve |
Focus on learning the action verbs like proteger, conservar, evitar, and cuidar as these are essential for expressing environmental solutions and responsibilities.
Example sentences using environmental vocabulary
Practice Examples: Environmental Vocabulary in Context
- Tenemos que proteger los animales del campo. = We have to protect the countryside animals.
- Es importante conservar la naturaleza para el futuro. = It's important to preserve nature for the future.
- No debemos cortar las flores en el parque. = We shouldn't cut the flowers in the park.
- La basura en el mar es muy peligrosa para los pájaros. = Rubbish in the sea is very dangerous for birds.
Useful phrases for environmental discussions
These phrases will help you express environmental concerns and solutions effectively in your speaking and writing tasks. Notice how many use modal verbs and expressions of necessity.
Expressing environmental needs and solutions
- Tenemos que reducir las temperaturas del planeta = We have to bring down the planet's temperatures
- Proteger los árboles y los bosques del mundo = Protect the world's trees and forests
- Conservar todas las especies de animales y pájaros = Preserve all the species of animals and birds
- Parar la polución de los ríos y mares = Stop polluting the rivers and seas
The phrase "Tenemos que..." (We have to...) is particularly useful for expressing environmental necessities and appears frequently in GCSE exams.
Example sentences in context
Worked Examples: Using Environmental Phrases
- Para proteger el planeta, hay que conservar los bosques. = To protect the planet, we must preserve the forests.
- Necesitamos evitar la polución del aire en las ciudades. = We need to avoid air pollution in cities.
- Es responsabilidad de todos cuidar la naturaleza. = It's everyone's responsibility to look after nature.
Using the subjunctive after certain verbs
The present subjunctive is essential when discussing environmental wishes, concerns, and recommendations. You use it after specific types of verbs that express subjective attitudes rather than facts.
The subjunctive is one of the most challenging grammar points in Spanish GCSE, but it's frequently tested in environmental contexts. Understanding when to use it is crucial for achieving higher grades.
When to use the subjunctive
The present subjunctive appears after verbs expressing:
- Wishing or wanting (querer, desear)
- Commanding or requesting (decir, pedir)
- Emotion (preocupar, alegrar, molestar)
Key examples with environmental themes
After verbs of wishing:
- Quiero que los animales tengan un futuro = I want the animals to have a future
- Esperamos que la gente recicle más = We hope that people recycle more
After verbs of commanding:
- Voy a decirles que no hagan un fuego = I'm going to tell them not to make a fire
- Les pido que conserven el agua = I ask them to preserve water
After verbs of emotion:
- Me preocupa que muchos pájaros sean víctimas de la polución = I am worried that many birds are victims of pollution
- Nos molesta que la gente tyre basura = It annoys us that people throw rubbish
Notice how the subjunctive verb forms change: tengan (not tienen), recicle (not recicla), conserven (not conservan). These irregular forms need to be memorised.
Translation practice
Translation Practice: Subjunctive with Environmental Topics
Spanish to English:
- Es importante que protejamos la naturaleza = It's important that we protect nature
- Quiero que mi ciudad sea más limpia = I want my city to be cleaner
English to Spanish:
- I hope that we preserve the forests = Espero que conservemos los bosques
- We're worried that pollution increases = Nos preocupa que la polución aumente
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't use the indicative mood after these trigger verbs. For example, it's "Quiero que tengas" (subjunctive), NOT "Quiero que tienes" (indicative).
Exam tips
Essential Exam Strategies:
- Learn environmental vocabulary in themed groups (places, animals, actions, problems)
- Practice using the subjunctive with environmental topics as it's commonly tested
- Use varied vocabulary and phrases to show range in speaking and writing tasks
- Listen carefully in audio exercises for specific environmental actions and problems
Key Points to Remember:
- Master essential environmental vocabulary including la tierra, el animal, proteger, conservar
- Use the subjunctive after verbs of wishing, commanding, and emotion
- Learn useful phrases like "Tenemos que..." and "Es importante que..." for environmental discussions
- Practice combining vocabulary with subjunctive structures for complex sentences
- Environmental topics often appear in GCSE listening, speaking, and writing tasks