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DELE C2 phrases for writing and speaking

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Writing task 1 Written mediation

Mediación escrita

Format
Listen twice to a talk of 4 to 6 minutes and read two or three texts of 1,000 to 1,300 words in all, then write a text of 400 to 450 words that combines the information from them that matters for the situation given.
What it tests
Mediating spoken, written and graphic texts through a complete written text suited to a specific context. You hear a talk, read two or three texts and write a text, such as a letter to the editor, an email, a report, a review, an essay or an article, that brings together the information from them that matters for the situation.

Free writing prompt with a model answer

Making recommendations

  • Sería recomendable que... It would be advisable for... (imperfect subjunctive)
  • Proponemos que... We propose that... (subjunctive)
  • Urge... There is an urgent need to...
  • Convendría replantearse... It would be wise to rethink...

Urge revisar las ayudas antes de que acabe el año, y proponemos que se consulte a los afectados.

There is an urgent need to review the grants before the end of the year, and we propose that those affected be consulted.

Writing task 2 Reworking a text

Reelaboración de un texto

Format
Turn notes or an outline of 100 to 125 words into a formal text of 200 to 250 words, such as minutes, a report or an email.
What it tests
Turning notes or an outline, such as a draft letter or report, notes from a talk or a meeting or presentation slides, into a formal text such as minutes, a report, an email or a review that includes the relevant information and suits the context.

Free writing prompt with a model answer

Writing minutes

  • Siendo las... horas del día..., se reúnen... At... o'clock on..., ... meet
  • Asisten: Present:
  • Orden del día: Agenda:
  • Se aprueba el acta de la sesión anterior. The minutes of the previous meeting are approved.
  • Se acuerda por unanimidad... It is unanimously agreed to...
  • Sin más asuntos que tratar, se levanta la sesión a las... There being no further business, the meeting closes at...

Se acuerda por unanimidad pedir dos presupuestos y votarlos en la próxima junta.

It is unanimously agreed to ask for two quotes and to vote on them at the next meeting.

Turning notes into a report or an email

  • El presente informe recoge... This report sets out...
  • Tal y como se acordó en la reunión, ... As agreed at the meeting, ...
  • A continuación se detallan... ... are set out below.
  • Se adjunta... Please find attached...

Tal y como se acordó en la reunión, a continuación se detallan los pasos que seguirá el equipo.

As agreed at the meeting, the steps the team will follow are set out below.

Writing task 3 Written expression or interaction

Expresión o interacción escrita

Format
Write a formal text of 200 to 250 words, such as a letter, report or web post, from a chart, a data table, a short news item or an advert.
What it tests
A formal text, such as a letter, a report or a web post, written from a short text or a graphic stimulus: a chart, a data table, a short news item or an advert.

Free writing prompt with a model answer

Responding to a news item or an advert

  • He leído con atención la noticia publicada el pasado... I have read carefully the news item published last...
  • Me ha llamado poderosamente la atención que... I was particularly struck that... (subjunctive)
  • Discrepo abiertamente de... I openly disagree with...
  • No puedo sino aplaudir... I can only applaud...

Me ha llamado poderosamente la atención que el anuncio no mencione el precio final del servicio.

I was particularly struck that the advert does not mention the final price of the service.

Proposing other measures

  • Una alternativa más justa sería... A fairer alternative would be...
  • Sería más eficaz... It would be more effective to...
  • Lo razonable sería... The sensible thing would be to...

Lo razonable sería subir la tarifa solo a quienes más consumen.

The sensible thing would be to raise the charge only for those who use the most.

Making recommendations

  • Sería recomendable que... It would be advisable for... (imperfect subjunctive)
  • Convendría replantearse... It would be wise to rethink...

Sería recomendable que el ayuntamiento publicara los datos de consumo de cada barrio.

It would be advisable for the council to publish the consumption figures for each district.

Speaking task 1 Presentation

Exposición oral

Format
Choose one of two topics and give a presentation of 5 to 6 minutes from your notes on two or three texts of 700 to 800 words in all and one or two charts.
What it tests
Mediating several written texts and charts through a monologue: a presentation from the notes you took while reading two or three texts and one or two charts on the same topic.

Free speaking card with a model answer

Structuring your presentation

  • Voy a estructurar mi exposición en tres partes. I'll divide my presentation into three parts.
  • Paso ahora a... I'll now move on to...
  • Volviendo a la cuestión inicial, ... Coming back to the opening question, ...
  • Para terminar, quisiera... To finish, I'd like to...

Voy a estructurar mi exposición en tres partes: el origen del fenómeno, sus efectos y las posibles respuestas.

I'll divide my presentation into three parts: where the trend comes from, its effects and the possible responses.

Speaking task 2 Interview on the presentation topic

Entrevista sobre el tema de la exposición

Format
Answer the examiner's questions on the topic of your presentation for 5 to 6 minutes.
What it tests
Answering complex questions in an interview on the topic of task 1, arguing a position and giving examples.

Free speaking card with a model answer

Arguing a position

  • Defiendo que... I would argue that...
  • Estoy plenamente convencido / convencida de que... I'm fully convinced that...
  • Me reafirmo en que... I stand by the view that...
  • Esto queda patente en... This is evident in...
  • Por poner un ejemplo, ... To give an example, ...

Defiendo que el teletrabajo seguirá creciendo; esto queda patente en la cantidad de empresas que ya lo ofrecen.

I would argue that remote working will keep growing; this is evident in the number of companies that already offer it.

Qualifying a position

  • Tengo mis reservas. I have my reservations.
  • No me atrevería a afirmarlo. I wouldn't go as far as to say so.
  • Visto desde otro ángulo, ... Seen from another angle, ...
  • Habría que distinguir entre... y... We would need to distinguish between... and...

Habría que distinguir entre el trabajo creativo y el administrativo, porque no funcionan igual a distancia.

We would need to distinguish between creative and administrative work, because they don't work the same way remotely.

Speculating about the future

  • Todo apunta a que... Everything suggests that...
  • Es previsible que... It is to be expected that... (subjunctive)
  • No me extrañaría que... I wouldn't be surprised if... (imperfect subjunctive)
  • A la larga, ... In the long run, ...

No me extrañaría que dentro de diez años la mitad de las oficinas estuvieran vacías.

I wouldn't be surprised if half the offices were empty in ten years' time.

Speaking task 3 Conversation about headlines

Conversación sobre titulares de prensa

Format
Read two newspaper headlines on the same topic and discuss them with the examiner for 5 to 6 minutes until you reach an agreement.
What it tests
An informal, improvised conversation with the examiner about two headlines on the same topic, giving and justifying opinions, weighing different points of view and working together towards an agreement.

Free speaking card with a model answer

Interpreting the headlines

  • El titular da a entender que... The headline suggests that...
  • El primer titular es más sensacionalista. The first headline is more sensational.
  • El segundo enfoca la noticia desde... The second approaches the story from...
  • Me parece más sugerente porque... I find it more thought-provoking because...

El primer titular da a entender que la medida ya está decidida, mientras que el segundo la presenta como una propuesta.

The first headline suggests the measure has already been decided, while the second presents it as a proposal.

Disagreeing politely

  • Permítame que discrepe. Allow me to disagree.
  • No acabo de verlo. I'm not quite convinced.
  • Ahí no estoy de acuerdo con usted. That's where I disagree with you.
  • Eso es discutible. That's debatable.
  • Con todos mis respetos, ... With all due respect, ...

Permítame que discrepe: a los oyentes mayores les interesa más el segundo titular.

Allow me to disagree: older listeners are more interested in the second headline.

Weighing views and working towards agreement

  • Reconozco que su argumento tiene peso. I admit your argument carries weight.
  • Si lo miramos desde el punto de vista de... If we look at it from the point of view of...
  • Podríamos partir de... y después... We could start from... and then...
  • Pues entonces, estamos de acuerdo en... Then we're agreed on...

Reconozco que su argumento tiene peso; podríamos partir del segundo titular y comentar el primero después.

I admit your argument carries weight; we could start from the second headline and discuss the first one afterwards.

Letters, emails and messages

In the C2 guide's commentary on a band 2 answer to writing task 2, the raters point out a change of tone (Lo que pasa es que) and some wavering between tú and usted (Si me puedes informar beside gracias por su atención).

Opening a formal letter

  • Señor director: Dear Editor, (in a letter to a newspaper) Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • Estimados miembros de la junta: Dear members of the board, Writing task 2
  • Distinguida señora: Dear Madam, (very formal) Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • Estimada comunidad educativa: Dear school community, Writing task 1

Señor director: Como vecina del municipio desde hace veinte años, quisiera dar mi opinión sobre las nuevas tarifas.

Dear Editor, As a resident of the town for twenty years, I would like to give my opinion on the new charges. Writing task 3

Stating why you are writing

  • Me permito escribirle para... I am taking the liberty of writing to you to... Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • Con motivo de... In connection with... / On the occasion of... Writing tasks 1 and 2
  • Por la presente les comunico que... I hereby inform you that... Writing task 2
  • En nombre de... On behalf of... Writing tasks 1 and 2

En nombre de la comisión, por la presente les comunico los acuerdos de la última reunión.

On behalf of the committee, I hereby inform you of the decisions taken at the last meeting. Writing task 2

Closing a formal letter

  • Agradeciéndole de antemano su atención, le saluda atentamente, Thanking you in advance for your attention, yours faithfully, Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • Reciba un cordial saludo. Kind regards. (literally 'receive a cordial greeting') Writing tasks 1 and 2
  • Quedamos a la espera de sus comentarios. We look forward to your comments. Writing task 2

Quedamos a la espera de sus comentarios. Reciba un cordial saludo.

We look forward to your comments. Kind regards. Writing task 2

Staying in one register

  • Le ruego que me disculpe. Please accept my apologies. (usted) Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • Se hace constar que... It is recorded that... (in minutes) Writing task 2
  • Se informa a los vecinos de que... Residents are informed that... Writing task 2
  • Si me lo permite, ... If you'll allow me, ... Speaking tasks 2 and 3

Se hace constar que la presidenta votó en contra de la propuesta.

It is recorded that the chair voted against the proposal. Writing task 2

Connectors

Conectores

Band 2 of the C2 cohesion and coherence scale (Cohesión y coherencia) names connectors with different functions: argumentative, reformulating and structuring. Band 3 describes cohesive devices used in a varied, selective and precise way.

Adding

  • amén de besides, in addition to (formal) Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • a ello se añade... added to this... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • por añadidura moreover, on top of that Writing tasks 1 and 3

La propuesta resulta cara; a ello se añade que nadie ha consultado a los afectados.

The proposal is expensive; added to this, nobody has consulted the people affected. Writing task 1

Conceding

  • bien es cierto que... admittedly... Writing task 1, speaking task 2
  • aun cuando even if, even though (subjunctive for a hypothesis) Writing task 1, speaking task 2
  • así y todo even so Speaking tasks 2 and 3
  • por más que no matter how much (subjunctive) Writing task 3, speaking task 3

Bien es cierto que la medida tiene costes; así y todo, me parece la más justa.

Admittedly, the measure has costs; even so, I think it's the fairest. Speaking task 2

Cause and consequence

  • habida cuenta de que bearing in mind that Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • toda vez que given that (formal) Writing task 1
  • por ende therefore, hence (very formal) Writing tasks 1 and 2
  • en virtud de under, by virtue of Writing task 2

Habida cuenta de que el consumo ha bajado, la subida de la tarifa resulta difícil de justificar.

Bearing in mind that consumption has fallen, the increase in the charge is hard to justify. Writing task 3

Reformulating and adding an aside

  • esto es that is (formal) Writing tasks 1 and 2
  • a saber namely Writing tasks 1 and 2
  • dicho sea de paso incidentally Speaking tasks 2 and 3

Se aprobaron dos medidas, a saber: la instalación de placas y la revisión del tejado.

Two measures were approved, namely the installation of panels and the inspection of the roof. Writing task 2

Structuring the text

  • en primera instancia in the first instance Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • en lo tocante a as regards (formal) Writing tasks 1 and 3
  • a este respecto in this respect Writing tasks 1 and 3, speaking task 1
  • dicho lo cual having said that Writing task 1, speaking task 2

A este respecto, el segundo texto aporta un dato que el primero pasa por alto.

In this respect, the second text provides a figure that the first one overlooks. Speaking task 1

Concluding

  • a fin de cuentas when all is said and done Speaking tasks 2 and 3
  • en última instancia ultimately Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • así las cosas this being so, as things stand Writing tasks 1 and 3

Así las cosas, la decisión debería tomarse después de escuchar a todos los sectores implicados.

As things stand, the decision should be taken after hearing from every group involved. Writing task 1

Summarising and evaluating

Band 3 of the C2 scale for mediation in writing task 1 describes a text that uses relevant information from every source, generally saying where it comes from, in language and a structure of its own. Band 2 still reproduces some passages with hardly any reformulation.

Bringing the sources together

  • Tanto la charla como el segundo texto coinciden en que... Both the talk and the second text agree that... Writing task 1
  • En la misma línea, ... Along the same lines, ... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • Frente a esta postura, el informe sostiene que... Against this position, the report argues that... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • Ninguna de las fuentes menciona... None of the sources mentions... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • Los datos del gráfico matizan esta idea. The figures in the chart qualify this idea. Speaking task 1

Tanto la charla como el segundo texto coinciden en que el turismo rural necesita una regulación más clara.

Both the talk and the second text agree that rural tourism needs clearer regulation. Writing task 1

Los datos del gráfico matizan esta idea, porque el aumento solo se da entre los menores de treinta años.

The figures in the chart qualify this idea, because the rise only appears among the under-thirties. Speaking task 1

Saying where the information comes from

  • Según recoge el informe, ... As the report records, ... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • Como señala la autora del primer texto, ... As the author of the first text points out, ... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • En palabras de la ponente, ... In the speaker's words, ... Writing task 1
  • De acuerdo con la encuesta citada, ... According to the survey quoted, ... Writing task 1, speaking task 1

Como señala la autora del primer texto, el problema viene de lejos, pero su escala actual es nueva.

As the author of the first text points out, the problem goes back a long way, but its present scale is new. Writing task 1

Drawing conclusions from the sources

  • En síntesis, las fuentes apuntan a que... In short, the sources suggest that... Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • De todo lo anterior se desprende que... From all of the above it follows that... Writing task 1
  • Todo ello pone de relieve... All this brings out... Writing task 1, speaking task 1

De todo lo anterior se desprende que la medida solo funcionará si cuenta con el apoyo de los vecinos.

From all of the above it follows that the measure will only work if it has the support of local residents. Writing task 1

Assessing the sources

  • El argumento resulta sólido, aunque se apoya en un solo estudio. The argument is sound, although it rests on a single study. Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • La autora adopta una postura prudente. The author takes a cautious position. Speaking task 1
  • Los datos invitan a la cautela. The figures call for caution. Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • El texto peca de optimista. The text is overly optimistic. Writing task 1, speaking task 1
  • Llama la atención que no se mencione... It is striking that... is not mentioned. Writing task 1, speaking task 1

Los datos invitan a la cautela, porque la muestra del estudio es muy pequeña.

The figures call for caution, because the study's sample is very small. Speaking task 1

El texto peca de optimista al dar por hecho que todos los municipios tienen presupuesto para aplicar la medida.

The text is overly optimistic in taking it for granted that every town has the budget to apply the measure. Writing task 1

Commenting on charts and data tables

  • Según se desprende de la tabla, ... As can be seen from the table, ... Writing task 3, speaking task 1
  • La tendencia se invierte a partir de... The trend reverses from... onwards. Writing task 3, speaking task 1
  • Las cifras se han mantenido estables. The figures have remained stable. Writing task 3, speaking task 1
  • La diferencia entre... y... es mínima / notable. The difference between... and... is minimal / considerable. Writing task 3, speaking task 1
  • Conviene leer estos datos con prudencia. These figures should be read with caution. Writing task 3

Según se desprende de la tabla, el gasto en calefacción por hogar ha bajado un 12 %, mientras que el de electricidad se mantiene estable.

As can be seen from the table, spending on heating per household has fallen by 12%, while spending on electricity remains stable. Writing task 3

La tendencia se invierte a partir de 2020, cuando las suscripciones empiezan a bajar.

The trend reverses from 2020 onwards, when subscriptions begin to fall. Speaking task 1

Sources

The tasks and what they test come from the Instituto Cervantes documents below. The Spanish phrases and sentences are Apto DELE's own.