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Year 11 - Spanish

De compras: modal verbs, extended reading (AQA)

Communication and the world around us: Repaso - la vida diaria y en línea

Unit Summary

This first revision unit covers all persons of the present and preterite. Pupils strengthen direct objects and modal verbs. They contrast the preterite and imperfect, use imperfect forms of 'estar' with a present participle to discuss actions in progress, and use the preterite for interruptions.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to read aloud and answer reading comprehension questions on the topic of shopping.

Key Notes

  • The modal verbs 'querer', 'poder', 'deber' and 'tener que' are followed by an infinitive verb.
  • It is important to have a good knowledge of sound-symbol correspondences to accurately read aloud in Spanish.
  • It is important to spot tricky sounds and cognates, and mentally rehearse before reading aloud in Spanish.
  • It is important to look out for synonyms and distractors when answering reading comprehension questions.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • modal verb: verb of necessity or possibility used with a second verb in the infinitive, e.g. 'must do', 'can eat', 'want to help'
  • infinitive: form of the verb giving its general meaning, with no subject or tense
  • sound-symbol correspondence: relationship between letters and their sounds

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Modal verbs like 'quiero' can be followed with a 1st person singular verb like 'compro'.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.

The modal verbs 'querer', 'poder', 'deber' and 'tener que' are followed by an infinitive verb. It is important to have a good knowledge of sound-symbol correspondences to accurately read aloud in Spanish.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'modal verb'

verb of necessity or possibility used with a second verb in the infinitive, e.g. 'must do', 'can eat', 'want to help'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: Modal verbs like 'quiero' can be followed with a 1st person singular verb like 'compro'. Correction: Modal verbs like 'quiero' must be followed with an infinitive verb like 'comprar'. For example, 'I want to buy' in Spanish is 'quiero comprar'.

More Lessons In This Unit

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