DELE C1 phrases for writing and speaking
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Writing task 1 Written mediation of a spoken text
Mediación escrita de un texto oral
- Format
- Listen twice to a lecture of 4.5 to 5.5 minutes and take notes, then write 220 to 250 words that summarise and assess it and give your opinion on the topic.
- What it tests
- Mediating a talk for a specific context through a written summary: you listen to a lecture, talk, speech or presentation, take notes and write a text that summarises and assesses it and gives your opinion on the topic.
Giving your opinion on the topic
- A mi juicio, ... In my view, ...
- Comparto la opinión de la ponente en cuanto a... I share the speaker's view on...
- No comparto del todo su postura, ya que... I don't entirely share his / her position, since...
- Habría que matizar que... It should be added, as a qualification, that...
A mi juicio, la propuesta más realista es la de renovar las tuberías más antiguas.
In my view, the most realistic proposal is to replace the oldest pipes.
Writing task 2 Written expression or interaction
Expresión o interacción escrita
- Format
- Choose one of two options and write a formal text of 180 to 220 words: an academic text, report or article built on a chart, or a formal letter or email replying to a short text.
- What it tests
- A formal text suited to a given context, built from a chart or a written text. One option is an academic text, report or article based on a chart, infographic or diagram; the other is a formal letter or email, such as a complaint, a request or a recommendation, in reply to a short text.
Structuring a report or an academic text
- El presente informe tiene como objetivo... The aim of this report is to...
- En el apartado siguiente se analiza... The next section looks at...
- A la vista de los datos, ... In view of the data, ...
- Se recomienda... It is recommended that... / We recommend...
A la vista de los datos, se recomienda reforzar el transporte público en las horas punta.
In view of the data, we recommend more public transport at rush hour.
Complaining formally
- Lamento tener que comunicarles que... I regret to have to inform you that...
- Considero inadmisible que... I consider it unacceptable that... (subjunctive)
- Pese a mis reiteradas llamadas, ... Despite my repeated calls, ...
- Solicito que se me reembolse... I request a refund of...
Pese a mis reiteradas llamadas, nadie se ha puesto en contacto conmigo para resolver el problema.
Despite my repeated calls, nobody has contacted me to resolve the problem.
Requesting and recommending
- Sería aconsejable que... It would be advisable to... (imperfect subjunctive)
- Propongo que... I propose that... (subjunctive)
- Convendría... It would be wise to...
- Una medida eficaz sería... An effective measure would be...
Convendría ampliar el horario de la biblioteca durante la época de exámenes.
It would be wise to extend the library's opening hours during the exam period.
Speaking task 1 Talk on a topic
Exposición oral sobre un tema
- Format
- Choose one of two topics, read its article of 750 to 850 words, then summarise and assess it from your notes and give your opinion, for 3 to 5 minutes.
- What it tests
- Mediating a long, complex newspaper article through a spoken summary, then assessing it and giving a reasoned opinion, speaking from the notes you took while reading.
Giving your opinion on the topic
- A mi juicio, ... In my view, ...
- No comparto del todo su postura, ya que... I don't entirely share his / her position, since...
- Habría que matizar que... It should be added, as a qualification, that...
No comparto del todo la postura de la autora, ya que no tiene en cuenta a los inquilinos.
I don't entirely share the author's position, since she doesn't take tenants into account.
Speaking task 2 Interview on the topic
Entrevista sobre un tema
- Format
- Answer the examiner's questions on the topic of task 1 for 4 to 6 minutes, arguing your position with examples.
- What it tests
- Answering complex questions on the topic of task 1 in an interview, arguing a position and giving examples.
Arguing a position with examples
- Pongamos por caso... Let's take the case of...
- Sin ir más lejos, ... To take an example close to home, ...
- Lo vemos claramente en... We see it clearly in...
- Esto se debe, en parte, a que... This is partly because...
Sin ir más lejos, en mi ciudad han limitado los pisos turísticos y los alquileres siguen subiendo.
To take an example close to home, my city has limited holiday flats and rents are still going up.
Qualifying what you say
- Hasta cierto punto, ... Up to a point, ...
- Depende de cómo se mire. It depends how you look at it.
- No lo tengo del todo claro. I'm not entirely sure.
- En principio sí, aunque... In principle, yes, although...
- Yo no iría tan lejos. I wouldn't go that far.
Hasta cierto punto, sí, aunque depende mucho del tipo de empresa.
Up to a point, yes, although it depends a lot on the kind of company.
Saying what you would do
- Si yo estuviera en su lugar, ... If I were in their position, ...
- Lo primero que haría sería... The first thing I'd do would be...
- Si de mí dependiera, ... If it were up to me, ...
Si de mí dependiera, lo primero que haría sería hablar con los vecinos afectados.
If it were up to me, the first thing I'd do would be to talk to the residents affected.
Bringing in your own experience
- En mi experiencia, ... In my experience, ...
- A mí personalmente me ha ocurrido que... It has happened to me personally that...
- En mi país, por ejemplo, ... In my country, for example, ...
En mi experiencia, las normas funcionan mejor cuando se explican bien desde el principio.
In my experience, rules work better when they are explained properly from the start.
Speaking task 3 Informal conversation: negotiation
Conversación informal: negociación
- Format
- Choose one of two cards and agree with the examiner on one of its four options, for 4 to 6 minutes.
- What it tests
- Exchanging ideas, giving and justifying opinions and making assessments in order to negotiate with the examiner and agree on one of four options.
Putting forward an option
- Yo me inclinaría por... I'd be inclined to go for...
- La opción que mejor cumple los criterios es... The option that best meets the criteria is...
- ¿Qué le parece si empezamos por...? How about we start with...?
La opción que mejor cumple los criterios es la segunda, porque llega a gente de todas las edades.
The option that best meets the criteria is the second, because it reaches people of all ages.
Objecting and arguing back
- Lo veo de otra manera. I see it differently.
- Entiendo su punto de vista, pero... I see your point, but...
- ¿No cree que...? Don't you think that...?
- Eso tiene un inconveniente: ... That has one drawback: ...
- Perdone que le interrumpa, pero... Sorry to interrupt, but...
Entiendo su punto de vista, pero ¿no cree que esa opción excluye a los más jóvenes?
I see your point, but don't you think that option leaves out the youngest?
Conceding and reaching a compromise
- Bueno, en eso le doy la razón. Well, I'll give you that.
- ¿Y si combinamos las dos? What if we combine the two?
- Podríamos llegar a un punto intermedio. We could meet halfway.
- Estoy dispuesto / dispuesta a ceder en... I'm willing to give way on...
Bueno, en eso le doy la razón. ¿Y si combinamos las dos y lo probamos durante tres meses?
Well, I'll give you that. What if we combine the two and try it for three months?
Closing the agreement
- Entonces, quedamos en que... So we're agreed that...
- De acuerdo, nos quedamos con... Agreed, we'll go with...
- Me parece una buena solución para todos. I think it's a good solution for everyone.
Entonces, quedamos en que elegimos la tercera opción y la presentamos en la próxima reunión.
So we're agreed that we choose the third option and present it at the next meeting.
Qualifying what you say
- Yo no iría tan lejos. I wouldn't go that far.
Yo no iría tan lejos: la idea no es perfecta, pero es la más fácil de organizar.
I wouldn't go that far: the idea isn't perfect, but it's the easiest to organise.
Letters, emails and messages
In the C1 model exam, the examiner opens the speaking test with contact questions that are not marked, among them ¿Prefiere que le hable de tú o de usted?
Opening a formal letter or email
- Estimados señores: Dear Sir or Madam, Writing task 2
- Estimada señora directora: Dear Director, (to a woman) Writing task 2
- Muy señor mío: Dear Sir, (very formal) Writing task 2
- A la atención de... For the attention of... Writing task 2
Estimada señora directora: Me dirijo a usted en calidad de presidente de la asociación de vecinos.
Dear Director, I am writing to you as chair of the residents' association. Writing task 2
Stating the purpose of the letter
- Me dirijo a ustedes con el fin de... I am writing to you in order to... Writing task 2
- Por medio de la presente, ... I hereby... / By this letter, ... Writing task 2
- Quisiera solicitar... I would like to request... Writing task 2
- En respuesta a su carta del..., ... In reply to your letter of..., ... Writing task 2
- En calidad de... As... (in my role as) Writing task 2
Por medio de la presente, quisiera solicitar información sobre las ayudas para la rehabilitación de viviendas.
By this letter, I would like to request information about grants for renovating homes. Writing task 2
Closing a formal letter or email
- Quedo a su disposición para cualquier aclaración. I remain at your disposal for any clarification. Writing task 2
- En espera de una pronta respuesta, ... Looking forward to a prompt reply, ... Writing task 2
- Sin otro particular, ... With nothing further to add, ... (formal) Writing task 2
- Les saluda atentamente, Yours faithfully, Writing task 2
Quedo a su disposición para cualquier aclaración. Sin otro particular, les saluda atentamente, Marta Ibáñez.
I remain at your disposal for any clarification. With nothing further to add, yours faithfully, Marta Ibáñez. Writing task 2
Keeping the register formal
- Sería de agradecer que... It would be appreciated if... (imperfect subjunctive) Writing task 2
- Se ruega... Please... (impersonal, in notices and formal letters) Writing task 2
- Como usted prefiera. Whichever you prefer. (answering the examiner's question on tú or usted before task 1) Speaking task 1
- Si me permite, ... If I may, ... Speaking tasks 2 and 3
Sería de agradecer que se informara a los usuarios con más antelación.
It would be appreciated if users were told further in advance. Writing task 2
Si me permite, quisiera añadir un argumento más a favor de la tercera opción.
If I may, I'd like to add one more argument for the third option. Speaking task 3
Connectors
Conectores
Band 3 of the C1 coherence and cohesion scale (Coherencia y cohesión) names connectors with different functions: argumentative, reformulating and structuring. Band 0 describes short sentences in a linear sequence with limited links such as por eso or además.
Adding an argument
- es más what's more, in fact Writing task 1, speaking task 2
- más aún even more so Writing tasks 1 and 2
- a esto se suma... added to this... Writing tasks 1 and 2
- asimismo likewise, also (formal) Writing task 2
La medida es barata; es más, podría aplicarse en pocas semanas.
The measure is cheap; in fact, it could be put in place within a few weeks. Writing task 1
Conceding and contrasting
- ahora bien that said, however Writing task 1, speaking task 2
- si bien although (formal) Writing tasks 1 and 2
- con todo even so, nevertheless Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- pese a que despite the fact that Writing tasks 1 and 2
- por mucho que however much (subjunctive) Speaking tasks 2 and 3
Si bien la propuesta es interesante, el ponente no explica cómo se financiaría.
Although the proposal is interesting, the speaker doesn't explain how it would be paid for. Writing task 1
Cause and consequence
- dado que given that Writing tasks 1 and 2
- de ahí que hence, which is why (subjunctive) Writing task 1, speaking task 2
- por consiguiente consequently Writing task 2
- en consecuencia accordingly, as a result Writing task 2
Los usuarios han aumentado un 40 %; de ahí que el servicio necesite más personal.
Users have risen by 40%, which is why the service needs more staff. Writing task 2
Reformulating
- es decir that is Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 1
- o sea I mean, in other words (when speaking) Speaking tasks 2 and 3
- mejor dicho or rather Speaking task 2
- en otras palabras in other words Writing task 1, speaking task 1
Es una medida necesaria, o sea, no veo otra forma de proteger el barrio.
It's a necessary measure; I mean, I can't see another way of protecting the area. Speaking task 2
Structuring the text
- para empezar to begin with Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- en lo que respecta a as regards Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 1
- por lo que se refiere a as far as... is concerned Writing tasks 1 and 2
- a continuación next, below Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 1
En lo que respecta a las soluciones, la ponente distingue entre medidas urgentes y medidas a largo plazo.
As regards solutions, the speaker distinguishes between urgent and long-term measures. Writing task 1
Specifying and giving examples
- en concreto specifically Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 2
- a modo de ejemplo by way of example Writing task 2, speaking task 1
- en particular in particular Writing tasks 1 and 2
A modo de ejemplo, el texto cita el caso de Lisboa, donde la medida se aplicó hace dos años.
By way of example, the text cites the case of Lisbon, where the measure was introduced two years ago. Speaking task 1
Concluding
- en definitiva in short, all in all Writing tasks 1 and 2, speaking task 1
- en suma in sum (formal) Writing task 2
- a modo de conclusión by way of conclusion Writing tasks 1 and 2
- en resumidas cuentas in short (when speaking) Speaking tasks 2 and 3
En definitiva, la conferencia plantea un problema real, aunque sus soluciones resultan algo optimistas.
All in all, the lecture raises a real problem, although its solutions seem somewhat optimistic. Writing task 1
Summarising and evaluating
Band 3 of the C1 scale for mediation in writing task 1 describes a summary that gives all the relevant content and reformulates it. Band 2 still shows some dependence on the source text.
Introducing the source
- En su conferencia, el ponente aborda... In his lecture, the speaker addresses... Writing task 1
- El artículo que he elegido plantea... The article I chose raises... Speaking task 1
- El texto gira en torno a... The text revolves around... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- El gráfico muestra la evolución de... The chart shows how... has changed over time. Writing task 2
En su conferencia, la ponente aborda el desperdicio de agua en las ciudades y propone tres medidas para reducirlo.
In her lecture, the speaker addresses the waste of water in cities and proposes three measures to reduce it. Writing task 1
El artículo que he elegido plantea si las ciudades deberían limitar el número de pisos turísticos.
The article I chose asks whether cities should limit the number of holiday flats. Speaking task 1
Reporting the main points
- El autor sostiene que... The author maintains that... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Según la ponente, ... According to the speaker, ... Writing task 1
- A continuación, se refiere a... Next, he / she turns to... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Advierte de que... He / She warns that... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Subraya la importancia de... He / She stresses the importance of... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Concluye que... He / She concludes that... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
La ponente sostiene que el principal problema es el mal reparto del agua, más que su escasez.
The speaker maintains that the main problem is the poor distribution of water, more than its scarcity. Writing task 1
Según la autora, la medida beneficiaría a los vecinos, aunque reconoce que perjudicaría a algunos propietarios.
According to the author, the measure would benefit residents, although she admits it would harm some owners. Speaking task 1
Putting it in your own words
- Dicho de otro modo, ... In other words, ... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- En pocas palabras, ... Put simply, ... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Lo que viene a decir es que... What he / she is basically saying is that... Speaking task 1
- En síntesis, ... In brief, ... Writing task 1
Dicho de otro modo, ahorrar en casa sirve de poco si las redes pierden buena parte del agua.
In other words, saving water at home does little good if the pipes lose a large share of it. Writing task 1
Assessing the talk or the text
- El planteamiento me parece convincente / poco convincente. I find the argument convincing / unconvincing. Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Los datos que aporta respaldan su postura. The figures he / she gives support his / her position. Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- La exposición es clara y está bien estructurada. The talk is clear and well structured. Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Echo en falta... I'd have liked... / ... is missing. Writing task 1, speaking task 1
- Su intención parece ser... His / Her aim seems to be... Speaking task 1
- Me parece que simplifica demasiado... I think he / she oversimplifies... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
Los datos que aporta respaldan su postura, aunque echo en falta alguna referencia al coste de las medidas.
The figures she gives support her position, although I'd have liked some mention of what the measures cost. Writing task 1
La exposición es clara, pero me parece que la autora simplifica demasiado un problema bastante complejo.
The piece is clear, but I think the author oversimplifies a fairly complex problem. Speaking task 1
Describing and interpreting a chart
- Como se aprecia en el gráfico, ... As the chart shows, ... Writing task 2
- Se observa un aumento / un descenso de... There is a rise / a fall in... Writing task 2
- La cifra se ha duplicado desde... The figure has doubled since... Writing task 2
- ... alcanza su punto máximo en... ... peaks in... Writing task 2
- Estos datos ponen de manifiesto que... These figures reveal that... Writing task 2
- Conviene tener en cuenta que... It is worth bearing in mind that... Writing task 2
Como se aprecia en el gráfico, el consumo de energía solar se ha duplicado desde 2015, mientras que el de carbón apenas ha variado.
As the chart shows, the use of solar energy has doubled since 2015, while that of coal has hardly changed. Writing task 2
Sources
The tasks and what they test come from the Instituto Cervantes documents below. The Spanish phrases and sentences are Apto DELE's own.
- Guía del examen DELE C1 (2024), Instituto Cervantes
- Cuadro de especificaciones DELE C1 (from April 2024), Instituto Cervantes
- DELE C1 model exam 00 (from April 2024), Instituto Cervantes
Latest version of this page: aptodele.com/dele-c1/phrases/