How to write a note: Sample answer for the Spanish Leaving Cert
In order to get through your Spanish Leaving Certificate, all students must prepare for the written production section of the Exam. For this part, students have a choice in between different written expression. One of them is to write a note.
In this blog post, the ELC team will help you clear up the steps to write a note in Spanish, something that needs exactness, clearness, and a bit of your own style. Once you master the layout with this sample answer for the Spanish Leaving Cert, it’s structure and the content necessary for this section, you’ll be ready to ace your exam!
Important questions to ask yourself:
As you read the instructions on the exam paper, make a note of the following:
- WHO is the message addressed to ?
- Is it FORMAL or INFORMAL ?
- WHAT is the message about ? Don’t leave out any instructions,they are equally important.
- WHERE you are – if you are leaving a message, it is because you are not there to say it in person.
The layout:
- Write the name in the TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER of the page.
- Use the 24 hour clock.
- Name for whom the note is:
- Señor / Señora …
- First name
Note: If the message is formal, make sure you use the formal pronouns USTED / USTEDES, never “TÚ”.
Sentences to help
| Te / Le escribo esta nota para decirte/le que … | I am writing to you this note to tell you that … |
| Esta mañana | This morning |
| Me he levantado / Me levanté temprano | I woke up early |
| Me he ido / Me fui a nadar | I went for a swim |
| En el mar | In the sea |
| Estaba frío | It was cold |
| No había nadie | There was no one |
| Lo siento | I am sorry |
| Sucio(a) | Dirty |
| La cocina está sucia | The kitchen is dirty |
| Limpiar | To clean |
| La limpiaré cuando vuelva a casa | I will clean it when I go back home |
| Una fiesta | A party |
| Estar invitado(a)s | To be invited |
| El viernes por la noche | On Friday night |
| Nos lo pasaremos bien | We will have a good time |
| Comida | Food |
| Bebidas | Drinks |
| Compraré comida y bebidas para la fiesta de mañana | I will buy food and drinks for the party tomorrow |
| ¿Qué tipo de bebidas quieres? | What kind of drinks do you want? |
| Para la comida, ¿hay vegetariano(a)s, vegano(a)s? | For the food, any vegetarian, vegan? |
| El sábado | On Saturday |
| ¿Te gustaría visitar Pamplona conmigo? | Would you like to visit Pamplona with me? |
| Será un buen día | It will be a good day |
| PARA ACABAR | TO FINISH |
| Nos vemos más tarde | See you later |
| Nos vemos pronto | See you soon |
| Hasta mañana | See you tomorrow |
| Hasta el viernes | See you on Friday |
| Atentamente | Sincerely |
| Adios | Bye |
| Besos | Kisses |
Tema / Theme :
You are staying in Bilbao with your friend Iker. Leave a note in Spanish for Iker including any four of the following points:
- Say you got up early to go for a swim in the sea.
- Tell him that the kitchen is dirty but you’ll clean it later.
- Say that you have both been invited to a party on Friday night.
- Say that you will buy drinks and food tomorrow for the party.
- Ask him if he’d like to visit Pamplona with you on Saturday.
So there you have it! Your “Write a note” section in the LC exam is a great place to secure good points if you prepare for it correctly. We hope these tips come in handy for your exams! And if you’re looking for even more guidance and preparation for the Leaving Cert, our Spanish courses are an excellent resource. And remember, practice makes perfect!