In Leaving Certificate Higher Level Spanish, journalistic texts (textos periodísticos) play a central role in your examination. Authentic articles taken from Spanish newspapers and digital magazines test your comprehension in Section A through factual English-language retrieval questions, contextual translation, deduction of tone and attitude, and exact synonym identification. Reading comprehension accounts for 30% of your total examination marks. In Section B, which makes up 25% of the total marks, one of the writing tasks is directly linked to the themes of a reading text. To succeed, you need a disciplined technique for locating evidence in the text, alongside an active command of topical vocabulary and argument connectors to write your own persuasive response.
Anatomy, Tone, and Writer Attitude
Spanish news and feature articles generally present information in a clear hierarchy. The headline (el titular) grabs attention, followed by a lead paragraph that outlines the key facts (quién, qué, cuándo, dónde, and por qué). The body expands on reasons, data, and counter-arguments, quoting expert sources with reporting verbs such as afirma, advierte, or señala.
At Higher Level, examiners regularly ask you to identify the writer's tone (el tono) or attitude (la actitud). Always follow a two-step formula: name the attitude clearly, then prove it with translated or quoted textual evidence.
- Tono crítico o de denuncia (Critical tone): Uses negative evaluative vocabulary such as preocupante, alarmante, inadmisible, or un fracaso.
- Tono objetivo o informativo (Objective tone): Relies on concrete figures, neutral reporting verbs (explica, informa), and the impersonal se (se calcula que, se ha observado).
- Tono esperanzador u optimista (Optimistic tone): Employs positive evaluative vocabulary such as un avance prometedor or un logro histórico.
- Tono irónico (Ironic tone): Marked by deliberate exaggeration, rhetorical questions, or scare quotes around words the author rejects (e.g. las «soluciones» del gobierno). Remember that inverted commas («comillas») in news articles usually indicate direct quotation from a source rather than irony. Look for genuine contrast between words and reality before labelling a text ironic.
Section A Comprehension: Technique, Attribution, and Inference
When answering factual comprehension questions in English (or Irish), aim for complete precision. A recommended timing plan is roughly 20 minutes for the journalistic text. Read the article through once for the gist, and read it a second time with the questions in front of you. Always underline the paragraph reference stated in the question.
Factual Retrieval and the Comparison Trap
Marks are awarded point by point. If a question asks for two causes, provide both. If a text contrasts two situations, you must state both sides and include every statistic. Stating that Spain dedicates little time to PE forfeits marks; you must state that Spain dedicates only 3% of the school timetable to PE, compared with 20% in Finland.
Be alert to qualifiers that alter meaning:
| Spanish Qualifier | English Meaning | What it changes in your answer |
|---|---|---|
| no... hasta | not... until | Action only begins at that specific moment |
| ya no | no longer | An earlier habit or condition has ceased |
| todavía / aún | still | An action continues in the present |
| solo / solamente | only | Restricts the scope of the statement |
| la mayoría de | most of | Indicates a majority, never 'all' |
| al menos | at least | Establishes a minimum figure or threshold |
Answering Attribution Questions
Journalistic texts rely heavily on quoted sources. If a question asks what happens according to Pablo Gil or según la OMS, your answer must come strictly from that voice. Locate the named speaker, find their reporting verb (advierte, sostiene, afirma), and isolate what appears inside the quote or subsequent que clause. Answering with the author's general viewpoint from a neighbouring sentence earns zero.
Handling Inference Questions
Some questions ask what a text suggests or implies (¿qué se deduce?). Answer in two moves: state the implied conclusion, then support it with concrete facts from the text. Never offer a vague impression without the textual evidence that justifies it.
The Synonym Search: Búsqueda de Sinónimos
The synonym task directs you to a specific paragraph to find words or phrases that mean the same as a given prompt. Each item typically carries 4 marks (often 12 marks in total), so treat this section with care and never leave a blank. If you are uncertain, transcribe the most plausible phrase from that paragraph.
This task is governed by the rule of exact transcription: copy the exact word or phrase from the text, character for character, preserving all accents (tildes). Adding unnecessary introductory words, articles, prepositions, or surrounding clauses invalidates your answer and scores zero.
To find the target phrase, look for grammatical equivalence. The match nearly always agrees in person, number, or function with the prompt, although it does not have to be an identical single-word construction:
| Prompt Type | Prompt Example | Text Match Type | Target Text Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infinitive verb | intentar (to try) | Infinitive phrase | tratar de |
| Conjugated verb | causa asombro (astonishes) | 3rd person singular verb | sorprende |
| Verbal phrase | aún se escucha (is still heard) | Adverb + verb | todavía existe |
| Plural verb | destacan (they stand out) | Multi-word verb phrase | llaman la atención |
| Noun phrase | el incremento (the increase) | Noun phrase | la subida |
| Adjective | perjudicial (harmful) | Adjective | dañino |
| Adverbial phrase | a menudo (often) | Adverbial phrase | con frecuencia |
Always verify your candidate by slotting it directly into the prompt sentence. If the meaning and grammar hold together, transcribe only that exact phrase.
Core Vocabulary for Journalistic Themes
Journalistic articles in Leaving Certificate Spanish return consistently to five contemporary themes. Learn these terms in both directions to decode reading passages and build arguments in written production:
Medio ambiente y clima
- el cambio climático (climate change)
- la ola de calor (heatwave)
- las temperaturas se disparan (temperatures soar)
- la sequía (drought)
- las inundaciones (floods)
- los incendios forestales (forest fires)
- la contaminación (pollution)
- los gases de efecto invernadero (greenhouse gases)
- el calentamiento global (global warming)
- sostenible (sustainable)
Salud y estilo de vida
- la obesidad infantil (childhood obesity)
- los malos hábitos (bad habits)
- la comida basura (junk food)
- el sedentarismo (sedentary lifestyle)
- la falta de ejercicio (lack of exercise)
- una dieta equilibrada (a balanced diet)
- la salud mental (mental health)
- los grupos vulnerables (vulnerable groups)
- las personas mayores / los ancianos (elderly people)
Tecnología y medios de comunicación
- las pantallas (screens)
- las redes sociales (social media)
- estar enganchado a (to be hooked on)
- el ciberacoso (cyberbullying)
- los bulos (hoaxes / fake news)
- la prensa fiable (reliable press)
- el titular (headline)
- un reportaje (a news feature)
- informarse (to keep oneself informed)
Educación y trabajo
- la jornada laboral (working day)
- el horario escolar (school timetable)
- la asignatura (school subject)
- el rendimiento escolar (academic performance)
- el desempleo / el paro (unemployment)
- el sueldo (salary / wage)
Inmigración e igualdad
- el inmigrante (immigrant)
- emigrar (to emigrate)
- la frontera (border)
- los refugiados (refugees)
- la igualdad de género (gender equality)
- los prejuicios (prejudices)
- el esfuerzo y la dedicación (effort and dedication)
Describing Trends and Statistics
Comprehension questions and written pieces frequently require exact statistical phrasing:
- uno de cada tres (one in three)
- se ha duplicado / triplicado (has doubled / tripled)
- ha descendido a la mitad (has halved)
- un tercio de los encuestados (a third of those surveyed)
- frente al 20% de hace diez años (compared with 20% ten years ago)
Section B: The Topical Written Task
Written production represents 25% of your Higher Level marks. One writing task is linked directly to the theme of a Section A reading text, providing a topical statement and asking for your structured response. Check the examination paper carefully on the day for specific word counts and marks. Plan to write a focused piece of roughly 130–150 words.
Examiners assess your ability to address the prompt directly while demonstrating grammatical range and lexical precision. A pre-prepared essay that ignores the actual statement throws away content marks. Sentences copied word for word from the comprehension text do not count as your own Spanish. Borrow useful nouns and verbs from the passage, but construct your own sentences around them.
Structuring an Argument
- Introduction: State your position immediately («Estoy plenamente de acuerdo con...» or «No comparto en absoluto la afirmación de que...»).
- Body paragraphs: Present two distinct arguments supported by examples or data.
- Concession and contrast: High-scoring answers acknowledge counter-arguments before refuting them. Use connectors like sin embargo (however), no obstante (nevertheless), en cambio (on the other hand), a pesar de + noun (in spite of), and es cierto que... pero (it is true that... but).
- The aunque rule: When aunque introduces an established fact, it takes the indicative («Aunque el gobierno ha invertido dinero, el problema persiste»). When it introduces a concession or hypothetical condition ('even if'), it takes the subjunctive («Aunque sea difícil, debemos actuar»*).
- Conclusion: Summarise your stance with a concluding remark («En conclusión...», «Para terminar...»).
Adapting to Specific Formats
If the task specifies a format, apply its conventions:
- Carta al director (Letter to the editor): Begin with Estimado director: or Muy señor mío:. Open with a formal reference: «Le escribo para expresar mi opinión sobre el artículo publicado recientemente...». Maintain the formal usted mode of address throughout (como usted sabrá). Close with Le saluda atentamente, followed by your signature.
- Artículo de opinión (Article for a school or teen magazine): Include a short headline. You may address your peers using vosotros or rhetorical questions (¿Hasta cuándo vamos a ignorar esta realidad?). Finish with an appeal for action.
Key terms
- El texto periodístico
- An authentic newspaper or magazine article selected to assess reading comprehension and provide the contextual theme for written production.
- El titular
- The headline of a journalistic piece, summarizing the topic or highlighting an issue to engage the reader.
- Búsqueda de sinónimos
- The vocabulary search task requiring candidates to locate and transcribe exact Spanish equivalents from designated paragraphs in the text.
- Transcripción exacta
- The marking rule in synonym questions requiring the candidate to write the exact word or phrase without omitting letters or adding extraneous words.
- El tono
- The overall mood or voice created by a writer's linguistic choices, such as critical, ironic, objective, or optimistic.
- La actitud
- The perspective or stance adopted by an author or quoted expert toward a topic (e.g. supportive, disapproving, alarmed).
- Falso amigo
- A Spanish word that looks similar to an English word but has a completely different meaning (e.g. 'actualmente' meaning 'currently').
- Impersonal or passive se
- A standard construction using 'se' + third-person verb ('se calcula que', 'se ha observado') to report facts objectively without naming an agent.
- La jornada laboral
- The working day or working hours, a frequent journalistic term used when discussing work patterns and modern lifestyle.
- Los bulos
- Fake news stories or hoaxes circulated through social media and mass communication channels.
Check yourself
What language should you use to answer Section A comprehension questions set in English?
Answer in English (or Irish), unless a specific instruction tells you to quote or respond in Spanish.
Paragraph 1 reads: 'Durante siglos, la siesta ha sido uno de los símbolos más conocidos de España.' Find the phrase meaning 'más famosos'.
más conocidos
Why would an answer like 'Nightclubs in Madrid open late' lose marks on a question comparing Madrid nightlife to Norway?
Because it fails to state both sides of the comparison and omits the specific hours mentioned (they do not open until 1 or 2 a.m. in Madrid, whereas in Norway they would already be closed).
Which grammatical mood must follow 'No creo que...' when expressing disagreement in an opinion piece?
The subjunctive mood (for example, 'No creo que sea la solución definitiva').
What two core dimensions do examiners evaluate when marking your written production task linked to a reading text?
Content (relevance to the prompt, clear stance, and developed arguments) and Language (grammatical range, idiomatic phrasing, and accuracy).