Instituto Cervantes 03_09

Question 1

1a. Ayer CONECTÉ un rato con Nicolas porque …
1b. la semana pasada se quedó colgado en mitad de la clase
1c. y ya no pudimos recuperar la conexión
2. ¡Qué jóvenes SE VEN mis padres en la foto de su boda! Parecen dos niños.
3. ¿Qué talla gastas de camisa?

Answer 1

1a. Yesterday I CAUGHT UP with Nicolas for a while because (Clue - Eng vb exp is more informal)
1b. las week it crashed in the middle of the class
(clue - as in, it became frozen)
1c. and we couldn’t recover the connection
2. How young my parents LOOK in their wedding photo! They look like two children.
3. What size shirt do you wear? (not llevar)

Question 2

1. Estimado/a Señor/a
2. Distinguido/a Señor/a
3. Sr. Director / Sra. Directora
4. Sr. Gerente / Sra. Gerente
5. no le plantes cara a tu madre (plantar(le) cara a alguien)

Answer 2

Formal Emails - Saludos (m/f)

1. Dear Sir
2. Dear Sir (more formal yet)
3. Mr./Mrs. Director
4. Mr/Ms Manager
5. Don’t answer your mother back (loc. vb)

Question 3

1a. CONSIDERAR = to consider, to reflect upon
1b. Consideremos su candidatura cuando finalice el proceso de selección
2a. CONSIDERAR = to consider, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT/TO THINK ABOUT
2b. El agente inmobiliario me ha sugerido que no considere ofertas por la casa inferiores a 300.000 Euros
3a. CONSIDERAR = to consider, as in judge/estimar
3b. ¿Cómo se te ha podido olvidar pagar el alquilar? Te consideraba una persona responsable.

Answer 3

Tres significados de CONSIDERAR:

1a. vb form + significado 1
1b. We will consider your application when the selection process is finalised.
2a. vb form + significado 2
2b. The real estate agent has suggested that I do not consider offers for the house under 300.000 Euros.
3a. vb form + signficado 3
3b. How could you forget to pay the rent? I thought you were a responsible person.

Question 4

1a. Quedo a la espera desusrespuestas.
1b. Quedo a la espera desusnoticias.
1c. Ruegose ponga/nen contacto conmigo lo antes posible.
2. Estoy a su entera disposición para cualquier consulta.
3. Change the “su” to “tu”.

Answer 4

Formal emails - Closing bit before despedida (1 of 2)
Situation A = When asked for s.th in email
1a. I look forward to hearing from you.
1b. I look forward to hearing from you.
1c. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Situation B = When offered help
2. I am at your disposal for any questions you may have.
3. How change formal -> semi-formal?

Question 5

1a. Quedo a la espera de sus comentarios. (= comments)
1b. Espero sus comentarios.
2a. Agradezco de antemanosuayuda.
2b. Gracias de antemano.
2c. Muchas gracias por la información
3. Change the “su” to “tu”.

Answer 5

Formal emails - Closing bit before despedida (2 of 2)
Situation C = asked for advice or opinion
1a. I look forwards to hearing from you (in Span more explicit as to what going to hear)
1b. I look forwards to hearing from you
Situation D = to express thanks in advance
2a. Thank you in advance for your help.
2b. Thanks in advance.
2c. Thank you very much for the information.
3. How change formal -> semi-formal?

Question 6

1a. ¡Hola (Antonio)!
1b. Querido/a (Antonio)
2a. (Muchos) besos.
2b. Un abrazo.
2c. Te echo de menos.
3. ¿Y tú cuánto vas a TARDAR EN morir?

Answer 6

Informal emails (2 greetings + 3 farewells)

1a. Hi (Antonio)
1b. Dear (Antonio)
2a. (Lots of) kisses
2b. A hug
2c. I miss you
3. And how long WILL IT TAKE YOU to die?

Question 7

1. spend
2. wear out
3. use up, type of consume eg gasta energia = waste energy
4. has + behaviour eg gasta mal humor
5. gastar coche + ¿Cuándo empezaste a gastar gafas?

Answer 7

The 5 contemporary uses of gastar? (what in Eng + of note)

1. Emplear el dinero en algo
2. deterior con el uso
3. consumir (give an eg in Esp)
4. tener habitualmente (give an eg in Esp)
5. poseer + usar + llevar (give eg in Esp with coche + anteojos, bigote) (as in to wear/use on bodies)

Question 8

1. Es un conjunto fijo de dos o más palabras que funciona como un verbo
   1b. refers to how someone behaves (proceder, comportarse) with admiración (approval) or rechazo (disapproval)
   1c. COMO se las gasta Manolo. ¡Se ha comprado un Ferrari!
   1d. Ten cuidado con ese tipo.¡No sabes como se las gasta!

Answer 8

1a. what is a locución verbal?
1b. what does gastarlas or gastárselas mean+ how used?
1c. HOW Manolo behaves. He´s bought a Ferrari! (positive)
1d. Take care with that guy. You don’t know how he’s going to behave. (negative)

Question 9

1. caerse de espaldas = to be bowled over (ie astonished)
2. caer en la cuenta + de = to realise
3. cubrirse las espaldas = to watch your back
4. dar la cara = to face the music
   1a. te vas a caer de espaldas cuando te enteres de quién me ha llamado
   2a. Caí en la cuenta de que estaba casada cuando vi su alianza
   3a. Tom tiene que cubrirse las espaldas.

Answer 9

What is the locución verbal involving (not exact)?

1. caer + espalda = means?
2. caer + cuenta = means?
3. cubrir + espalda = means?
4. dar + cara = means?
   1a. You’re going to be gobsmacked when you find out who called me
   2a. I realised she was married when I saw her wedding ring
   3a. Tom needs to watch his back-cover his arse

Question 10

1a. to perceive an image of oneself
1b. No se reconoció a sí mismo cuando SE VIO en el espejo.
2a. oneself to be in a particular state or condition
2b. Mi hermano SE VIO muy solo cuando su mujer le abandonó.
3a. in a place or state where others see/perceive you in a certain way
3b. En la foto TE VES bastante bien. ¿Cómo me veo yo?

Answer 10

The meanings of VERSE (1 to 3 of 6)

1a. 1st PERCEPTION of what?
1b. He didn’t recognise himself when HE SAW HIMSELF in the mirror.
2a. 2nd PERCEPTION of what?
2b. My brother WAS very lonely when his wife left him.
3a. 3rd PERCEPTION of where?
3b. You look pretty good in the picture. How do I look?

Question 11

1. dejar plantado (a alguien) = to stand up
2. echar(le) en cara = throw it back in your face (ie recrimination)
3. Encogérse(me/le) el corazón a +inf = to break one’s heart (ie upset)
   1a. Me ha dejado plantado, ¿te lo puedes crees?
   2a. No me lo vengas a echar en cara..
   3a. se me encoge el corazón al ver …

Answer 11

What is the locución verbal involving (not exact)?
1. dejar + plantado = means?
2 .echar + cara = means?
3. encoger + corazón = means?
1a. She stood me up. Can you believe it?
2a. Don´t throw it back in my face (eg middle of argument)
3a. It breaks my heart to see …

Question 12

1. to warn or confront s.o. when scolding them
   1b. Ya ME VERÉ con ese desobediente para arreglar cuentas. Tendrá que VÉRSElas conmigo.
   2a. Encontrarse (to meet) o quedar (get together with) con alguien.
   2b. ¿Nos vemos mañana para a la hora de comer?
   3a. to communicate how situation END UP, ie was = fml
   3b. Un sosiego que se vio hecho pedazos cuando …

Answer 12

The meanings of verse (4 to 6 of 6)

1a. 1st PURPOSE used for?
1b. I’ll deal with the naughty one to settle accounts. He will have to deal with me.
2a. 2nd PURPOSE used for?
2b. See you tomorrow for lunchtime?
3a. 3rd PURPOSE used for?
3b. A calm that WAS shattered when …

Question 13

1a. llegar a las manos = to come to blows
2. No dar pie con bola = to be off form, flat footed, couldn’t get it right
3. plantar(le) cara (a alguien) = to stand up to
1b. Los CONTERTULIOS del programa de televisión llegarán a las manos cualquier día.
2b. hoy no doy pie con bola
2c. Zidane, como entrenador, no da pie con bola

Answer 13

What is the locución verbal involving (not exact)?

1a. llegar + mano = means?
2a. dar + bola = means?
3. plantar + cara = means?
1b. The TV show PANELLISTS will come to blows any day now (N = a talking head)
2b. Today I can’t seem to get anything right
2c. Zidane, as a coach, is making a complete hash of things

Question 14

1a. CARACTERIZARSE POR = to be characterised by ie to be defined
1b. Me caracterizo por SER una persona muy carismática, elegante y respetuosa
2a. CARACTERIZAR A = to characterise (ie personal attributes)
2b. Lo que más caracteriza a Miguel es su estupidez
3a. CARACTERIZAR = to play or portray, ie to act
3b. En la pelicula X, caracterizaron muy bien a Brad Pitt, tanto cuando es joven como cuando es major

Answer 14

Tres significados de CARACTERIZAR(SE):

1a. vb form + significado 1
1b. I AM NOTED FOR + BEING a very charismatic, elegant and respectful person.
2a. vb form + significado 2
2b. What characterizes Miguel the most is his stpuidity.
3a. vb form + significado 3
3b. In the movie X, PLAYED/PORTRAYED very well by Brad Pitt, both as a young man and as a major.

Question 15

1. Un cordial saludo.
2. Se despide atentamente.
3. Atentamente.
4. Cordialmente
   5a. Le escribo porque … he visto su anuncio
   5b. Le envio adjunto … mi CV donde ver

Answer 15

Formal emails - Despedidas

1. Kind regards
2. Yours sincerely
3. Yours truly
4. Regards
   5a. I am writing because … I have seen your advertisement
   5b. I attach … my CV where you will see

Question 16

1. Tener la cabeza llena de pajaritos = to have one’s head in the clouds
2. irse de la lengua = to spill the beans, let slip, blab
3. hacerse el sordo = to pretend not to hear
   2a. Lo siento, se me fue de la lengua
   3a. Cuando le pregunté a mi hijo que si tenía novia, se hizo el sordo

Answer 16

What is the locución verbal involving (not exact)?
1. tener + pajarito = means?
2. ir + lengua = means?
3. hacer + sordo = means?
2a I’m sorry, I blabbed
3a. When I asked my son whether he had a girlfriend, he pretended not to hear.