TV and Cinema (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
TV and Cinema
Exam topics you need to prepare for
The Leaving Cert Spanish exam frequently tests your ability to discuss television and cinema. You should be ready to write about these common topics:
- Tus hábitos de tele y programas favoritos - Your TV habits and favourite programmes
- Una reseña de una película reciente - A review of a recent film
- Ir al cine frente a ver pelis en casa - Going to the cinema vs watching films at home
- Opiniones sobre la telerrealidad o la publicidad - Opinions about reality TV or advertising
- Planes para una noche de cine con amigos - Plans for a film night with friends
Essential vocabulary
Television terms
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| las noticias | the news |
| un documental | a documentary |
| una serie / temporada / capítulo | series / season / episode |
| una telenovela | soap opera |
| la telerrealidad / la telebasura | reality TV / trash TV |
| un concurso | a quiz/game show |
| un programa de deportes / de música | sports / music show |
| los telespectadores | viewers |
| cambiar de canal / hacer zapping | to change channel / flick channels |
| la publicidad / los anuncios | adverts |
Example sentences:
- Suelo ver documentales porque me parecen educativos. (I usually watch documentaries because I find them educational.)
- Los telespectadores cambian de canal cuando hay demasiada publicidad. (Viewers change channel when there are too many adverts.)
Cinema and film terms
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la película (la peli) | film / movie |
| el estreno | premiere / release |
| el argumento / la trama | plot |
| el guion | script |
| el reparto / el elenco | cast |
| la interpretación | performance |
| la banda sonora | soundtrack |
| los efectos especiales | special effects |
| estar ambientada en... | to be set in... |
| fue dirigida por... | it was directed by... |
Example sentences:
- La película está ambientada en la posguerra española. (The film is set in post-war Spain.)
- El reparto ofreció interpretaciones muy convincentes. (The cast gave very convincing performances.)
Gender Traps to Avoid Remember that el programa, el problema, and el tema are masculine, while la publicidad and la telerrealidad are feminine. These exceptions often catch students out in exams!
Useful expressions and idioms
These native-sounding phrases will make your writing more sophisticated and help you achieve higher grades:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| me enganchó desde el principio | it hooked me from the start |
| me tuvo en vilo | it kept me on edge |
| merece la pena verla | it's worth watching |
| se me hizo larga | it felt long |
| lo mejor / lo peor fue... | the best / worst thing was... |
Example sentences:
- La serie me enganchó desde el primer capítulo. (The series hooked me from the first episode.)
- Aunque la película se me hizo un poco larga, merece la pena verla. (Although the film felt a bit long, it's worth watching.)
Grammar toolbox
Preterite vs imperfect for film descriptions
Understanding when to use these past tenses is crucial for describing films and TV programmes effectively.
Use the imperfect for background descriptions and the preterite for completed actions:
- La película era interesante y el final fue sorprendente. (The film was interesting and the ending was surprising.)
- Vi una película anoche. (I watched a film last night.)
Memory Aid: Think of imperfect as the "scene-setting" tense (what was happening) and preterite as the "action" tense (what happened).
Present perfect for recent viewing
Use the present perfect to connect recent actions to the present:
- He visto una serie nueva esta semana. (I've seen a new series this week.)
Gustar-type verbs
This is a frequent source of errors in Spanish writing about preferences.
Key Rule: The verb agrees with the thing being liked, not the person doing the liking.
- Me gusta la película. (I like the film.)
- Me gustan las películas. (I like films.)
Worked Example: Gustar Construction
Step 1: Identify what is liked "I like Spanish films" = Spanish films are liked by me
Step 2: Spanish films = plural, so use gustan Me gustan las películas españolas.
Step 3: Check agreement ✓ gustan (plural) agrees with películas (plural) ✗ gusto would be incorrect here
Subjunctive triggers
Certain phrases require the subjunctive mood - memorise these key triggers:
- Es importante que los jóvenes seleccionen programas educativos. (It's important that young people choose educational programmes.)
- Te recomiendo que veas esta película. (I recommend you watch this film.)
Common Subjunctive Triggers
- Es importante que...
- Es necesario que...
- Recomiendo que...
- Prefiero que...
- Espero que...
Future time with 'cuando'
After cuando referring to future time, use the present subjunctive:
- Cuando tenga tiempo, veré el último capítulo. (When I have time, I'll watch the latest episode.)
Conditional sentences
Master both types for sophisticated writing:
For hypothetical situations, use imperfect subjunctive + conditional:
- Si tuviera más dinero, iría al cine cada semana. (If I had more money, I'd go to the cinema every week.)
For real present conditions, use present indicative:
- Si tengo tiempo, veo la tele. (If I have time, I watch TV.)
Passive constructions
Use se constructions or passive voice for film reviews:
- Se estrenó en 2024. (It was released in 2024.)
- La película fue dirigida por Almodóvar. (The film was directed by Almodóvar.)
Worked Example: Complete Film Review Structure
Opening: Present perfect + opinion He visto una película increíble este fin de semana. (I saw an incredible film this weekend.)
Description: Imperfect for background + preterite for events La película era muy dramática y el argumento me sorprendió. (The film was very dramatic and the plot surprised me.)
Opinion: Native expressions + subjunctive Me enganchó desde el principio. Recomiendo que la veas. (It hooked me from the beginning. I recommend that you watch it.)
Conclusion: Conditional for hypothetical Si tuviera que puntuarla, le daría cinco estrellas. (If I had to rate it, I would give it five stars.)
Sample exam response
Model Answer: TV and Cinema Discussion
Normalmente, veo la tele para relajarme después de un día de estudio. Suelo ver series de comedia porque me hacen reír y reducen el estrés, aunque a veces también elijo documentales para aprender algo nuevo.
Lo bueno es que la tele puede ser educativa; lo malo es que a veces los programas no son de mucha calidad. El fin de semana pasado vi una película dramática que se estrenó recientemente. Fue dirigida por un director famoso y está ambientada en la posguerra.
El argumento trata de un periodista que investiga un misterio, y el reparto ofrece interpretaciones muy creíbles. La banda sonora creó una atmósfera intensa y el final me tuvo en vilo. Aunque la película se me hizo un poco larga, recomiendo que la veas porque merece la pena.
En definitiva, la tele y el cine nos entretienen y nos educan, siempre y cuando los usemos con moderación.
Translation: Normally, I watch TV to relax after a day of study. I usually watch comedies because they make me laugh and reduce stress, although sometimes I also choose documentaries to learn something new.
The good thing is that TV can be educational; the bad thing is that sometimes the programmes aren't of very high quality. Last weekend I watched a drama film that was recently released. It was directed by a famous director and is set in the post-war period.
The plot is about a journalist investigating a mystery, and the cast offer very believable performances. The soundtrack created an intense atmosphere and the ending kept me on edge. Although the film felt a bit long, I recommend you watch it because it's worth it.
In short, TV and cinema entertain and educate us, as long as we use them in moderation.
Key Points to Remember:
- Master the essential TV and cinema vocabulary - these terms appear in exam questions
- Practice using opinion phrases like "me enganchó" and "merece la pena" to sound more natural
- Know when to use preterite vs imperfect when describing films and viewing experiences
- Use the subjunctive after opinion triggers like "es importante que" and "recomiendo que"
- Include complex structures like conditional sentences to demonstrate advanced grammar knowledge