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NCEA L1 Spanish study materials
NCEA L1 Spanish study resources

NCEA L1 Spanish practice questions

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Question 1Listening

You hear: «Hola, me llamo Ana y tengo dieciséis años». How old is Ana?

  1. 6
  2. 26
  3. 60
  4. 16 Correct answer.

Explanation

The number «dieciséis» means sixteen in Spanish. The verb «tener» is used for age, so «tengo dieciséis años» states that the speaker is sixteen years old.

Question 2Listening

You hear a student say: «Estudio en un instituto en el centro de la ciudad». Where does the student study?

  1. At a primary school in the countryside
  2. At a secondary school in the city centre Correct answer.
  3. At a university outside town
  4. At home online

Explanation

«Instituto» is the Spanish word for a secondary school, and «en el centro de la ciudad» places it in the city centre. The other locations contradict what is said.

Question 3Listening

You hear: «Los sábados voy al mercado con mi madre». When does the speaker go to the market?

  1. Every weekday
  2. On Sundays
  3. On Saturdays Correct answer.
  4. Only in summer

Explanation

«Los sábados» is a habitual time expression meaning on Saturdays. Spanish uses the plural article with days of the week to describe regular actions.

Question 4Listening

You hear a shop assistant: «La camiseta cuesta veinte euros, pero hoy hay un descuento del diez por ciento». What does the assistant say about the T-shirt?

  1. It costs 10 euros and today there is a 20% discount
  2. It costs 20 euros with no discount
  3. It is free today only
  4. It normally costs 20 euros and today there is a 10% discount Correct answer.

Explanation

The price «veinte euros» is twenty euros and «un descuento del diez por ciento» is a ten per cent discount. The word «pero» signals that the discount is additional information about today's price.

Question 5Listening

You hear: «Mi hermano es alto y tiene el pelo rizado». Which description matches the brother?

  1. Tall with curly hair Correct answer.
  2. Tall with dark hair
  3. Short with straight hair
  4. Short with curly hair

Explanation

«Alto» means tall and «el pelo rizado» means curly hair. Both adjectives describe the brother directly, so the matching option must combine tall with curly hair.

Question 6Listening

You hear a weather forecast: «Mañana hará sol por la mañana, pero por la tarde va a llover». What will the weather be like tomorrow afternoon?

  1. Snowy
  2. Rainy Correct answer.
  3. Windy
  4. Sunny

Explanation

The forecast contrasts the morning and the afternoon with «pero». For the afternoon it says «va a llover», the near future form meaning it is going to rain.

Question 7Listening

You hear: «Para llegar a la estación, gira a la derecha en el semáforo». What instruction is given?

  1. Go straight past the station
  2. Turn right at the traffic lights Correct answer.
  3. Turn right after the bridge
  4. Turn left at the traffic lights

Explanation

«Gira a la derecha» means turn right, and «en el semáforo» specifies the traffic lights as the landmark. Both details must match for the option to be correct.

Question 8Listening

You hear a girl say: «Me encanta el tenis porque es muy divertido». Why does she like tennis?

  1. Because she is good at it
  2. Because her friends play it
  3. Because she finds it fun Correct answer.
  4. Because it is cheap

Explanation

«Divertido» means fun or enjoyable, and «porque» introduces the reason. The sentence therefore gives enjoyment as the reason she loves tennis.

Question 9Listening

You hear: «Normalmente desayuno a las siete y media, pero los domingos me levanto más tarde». What happens on Sundays?

  1. The speaker gets up earlier than usual
  2. The speaker has breakfast at 7:30
  3. The speaker skips breakfast
  4. The speaker gets up later than usual Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast word «pero» introduces an exception to the normal routine. «Me levanto más tarde» means I get up later, so on Sundays the routine changes in that way.

Question 10Listening

You hear: «Este fin de semana voy a ir al cine con mis primos». What is the speaker going to do?

  1. Stay at home with cousins
  2. Go to a concert with friends
  3. Go to the cinema with cousins Correct answer.
  4. Go to the cinema with parents

Explanation

«Voy a ir al cine» is the near future construction for going to the cinema, and «con mis primos» identifies the companions as cousins. Both parts are needed to select the right option.

Question 11Listening

You hear a waiter ask: «¿Qué va a tomar de primero?» What is the waiter asking about?

  1. The customer's drink
  2. The dessert
  3. The bill
  4. The customer's starter course Correct answer.

Explanation

In a Spanish menu «de primero» refers to the first course or starter. The verb «tomar» here means to have or order, so the waiter is asking what the customer will order as a starter.

Question 12Listening

You hear: «Ayer llovió mucho, así que no fuimos a la playa». What consequence does the speaker describe?

  1. They went to the beach despite the rain
  2. They stayed at the beach all day
  3. They went to the mountains instead
  4. They did not go to the beach because of the rain Correct answer.

Explanation

«Así que» introduces a consequence of the previous statement. Because it rained a lot yesterday, the group did not go to the beach, which is the result expressed.

Question 13Listening

You hear a teacher say: «El examen de español es el jueves a las nueve de la mañana». When is the Spanish exam?

  1. Friday at 9 a.m.
  2. Thursday at 9 a.m. Correct answer.
  3. Tuesday at 9 a.m.
  4. Thursday at 9 p.m.

Explanation

«El jueves» is Thursday and «a las nueve de la mañana» specifies nine in the morning. Both the day and the time of day must be combined correctly.

Question 14Listening

You hear: «Mi casa está cerca del parque, enfrente de la biblioteca». Where is the house?

  1. Near the park, opposite the library Correct answer.
  2. Next to the park, behind the school
  3. Behind the library, far from the park
  4. Opposite the park, near the library

Explanation

«Cerca del parque» places the house near the park, and «enfrente de la biblioteca» places it opposite the library. The order of the two landmarks matters when matching the option.

Question 15Listening

You hear a friend say: «Prefiero el verano al invierno porque no me gusta el frío». Which season does the friend prefer and why?

  1. Summer, because they like rain
  2. Winter, because they dislike heat
  3. Summer, because they dislike the cold Correct answer.
  4. Winter, because they like the cold

Explanation

«Prefiero el verano al invierno» expresses a preference for summer over winter. The reason given with «porque» is «no me gusta el frío», a dislike of the cold.

Question 16Listening

You hear: «Tengo que hacer los deberes antes de cenar». What must the speaker do?

  1. Eat dinner before homework
  2. Finish homework before dinner Correct answer.
  3. Cook dinner for the family
  4. Do homework after dinner

Explanation

«Tengo que» expresses obligation, «hacer los deberes» means to do homework, and «antes de cenar» means before having dinner. The sequence is homework first, then dinner.

Question 17Listening

You hear a tourist ask: «¿Me puede decir cuánto cuesta un billete de ida y vuelta a Valencia?» What does the tourist want to know?

  1. The platform number for Valencia
  2. The price of a return ticket to Valencia Correct answer.
  3. The time of the next train to Valencia
  4. The price of a single ticket to Valencia

Explanation

«Un billete de ida y vuelta» is a return ticket, and «cuánto cuesta» asks the price. The request therefore concerns the cost of a return journey to Valencia.

Question 18Listening

You hear: «Cuando era pequeño, jugaba al fútbol todos los días en el patio del colegio». What does this tell us about the speaker's childhood?

  1. They used to play football daily in the school playground Correct answer.
  2. They play football at school only at weekends now
  3. They watched football on television as a child
  4. They played football in a park after school

Explanation

The imperfect tense «jugaba» describes a repeated past habit, and «todos los días» means every day. The location «el patio del colegio» is the school playground.

Question 19Listening

You hear: «No me apetece nada ir de compras; prefiero quedarme en casa leyendo». What is the speaker's attitude?

  1. They would rather stay home reading than go shopping Correct answer.
  2. They want to go shopping but cannot
  3. They dislike reading and prefer shopping
  4. They are eager to go shopping with friends

Explanation

«No me apetece nada» expresses strong unwillingness to go shopping, and «prefiero quedarme en casa leyendo» states the preferred alternative. The overall attitude is a preference for staying home to read.

Question 20Listening

You hear a voicemail: «Hola, soy Marta. No puedo venir a la fiesta porque tengo que cuidar a mi hermana pequeña. Lo siento mucho». Why is Marta not coming to the party?

  1. She has to work late
  2. She has to look after her little sister Correct answer.
  3. She was not invited
  4. She is ill and staying in bed

Explanation

«Porque» introduces the reason for not attending, and «tener que cuidar a mi hermana pequeña» means having to look after her little sister. The apology «lo siento mucho» confirms she regrets missing the party.

Question 21Listening

You hear: «Si mañana hace buen tiempo, iremos a la montaña; si no, nos quedaremos en casa». What does the speaker say?

  1. They will stay home whatever happens
  2. The plan depends on tomorrow's weather Correct answer.
  3. They are going to the beach tomorrow
  4. They will definitely go to the mountains

Explanation

The structure «si... iremos...; si no...» sets up two possible outcomes based on a condition, here the weather. This shows the plan is conditional rather than fixed.

Question 22Listening

You hear two friends talking: «-¿Vamos al cine esta tarde? -Lo siento, pero tengo que estudiar para el examen de mañana». What does the second speaker's reply imply?

  1. They are accepting and will meet this afternoon
  2. They want to go but have no money
  3. They have already seen the film
  4. They are declining the invitation because of exam preparation Correct answer.

Explanation

«Lo siento, pero...» is a polite refusal, and the reason given is studying for tomorrow's exam. The reply therefore declines the cinema invitation because of exam preparation.

Question 23Listening

You hear a news item: «El ayuntamiento ha decidido cerrar el centro a los coches los domingos para reducir la contaminación». What is the purpose of the measure?

  1. To encourage more cars to enter on Sundays
  2. To close shops on Sundays
  3. To reduce pollution by banning cars in the centre on Sundays Correct answer.
  4. To increase parking spaces in the city centre

Explanation

«Para reducir la contaminación» states the purpose of the measure, and «cerrar el centro a los coches los domingos» describes the action. The aim is therefore to cut pollution by keeping cars out on Sundays.

Question 24Listening

You hear: «Aunque llueve, mis amigos han decidido ir a la playa porque dicen que mañana hará frío». What can we infer about their decision?

  1. They are staying home because of the cold
  2. They are going to the beach today despite the rain Correct answer.
  3. They are postponing the trip until tomorrow
  4. They are going to the mountains instead

Explanation

«Aunque llueve» concedes that it is raining, yet «han decidido ir a la playa» shows the trip is going ahead today. The mention of tomorrow's cold explains why they do not delay the outing.

Question 25Listening

You hear a radio advert: «¿Quieres aprender español de forma divertida? ¡Apúntate a nuestro curso de verano! Las clases son por la tarde y hay plazas limitadas». What information is given about the course?

  1. Afternoon classes with limited places Correct answer.
  2. Morning classes with unlimited places
  3. Online classes only in winter
  4. Free classes on weekday mornings

Explanation

«Las clases son por la tarde» states the classes are in the afternoon, and «hay plazas limitadas» means places are limited. Both details appear in the advert and together form the correct option.

Question 26Listening

You hear a student say: «Este año estudio matemáticas, historia y francés, pero la asignatura que más me gusta es el arte». Which subject does the student like most?

  1. Matemáticas
  2. Francés
  3. Historia
  4. Arte Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase «la asignatura que más me gusta» signals the favourite subject. The speaker lists maths, history and French as subjects studied, then names arte as the one liked most.

Question 27Listening

You hear: «Mi hermano mayor tiene veintiún años y trabaja en un hospital». How old is the speaker's brother?

  1. 20
  2. 31
  3. 12
  4. 21 Correct answer.

Explanation

The number «veintiún» corresponds to twenty-one. The word «años» confirms it refers to age, and «hermano mayor» identifies the brother.

Question 28Listening

You hear a boy say: «Los sábados por la mañana juego al baloncesto con mis amigos en el polideportivo». What does he do on Saturday mornings?

  1. He goes swimming at the sports centre.
  2. He does his homework at home.
  3. He watches basketball on TV.
  4. He plays basketball with friends. Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb «juego al baloncesto» means 'I play basketball', and «con mis amigos» specifies with friends. The place «polideportivo» is a sports centre, but the activity is playing, not watching.

Question 29Listening

You hear: «Me duele la cabeza y tengo fiebre; creo que voy a ir al médico esta tarde». What is the speaker going to do?

  1. See a doctor Correct answer.
  2. Stay in bed
  3. Go to the pharmacy
  4. Take an aspirin

Explanation

«Voy a ir al médico» expresses a plan to visit the doctor. The symptoms (headache and fever) explain the reason, but the action stated is going to the doctor.

Question 30Listening

You hear: «Para mí, lo más importante en un amigo es que sea sincero y que me escuche cuando tengo problemas». What quality does the speaker value most in a friend?

  1. Being honest and listening Correct answer.
  2. Being good at sports
  3. Being funny and popular
  4. Having a lot of money

Explanation

«Lo más importante» introduces the key quality. The speaker names «sincero» (honest) and «que me escuche» (listening), which match the first option.

Question 31Listening

You hear: «El tren a Sevilla sale a las ocho y cuarto de la mañana desde la plataforma tres». What time does the train leave?

  1. 8:15 Correct answer.
  2. 3:08
  3. 8:30
  4. 8:45

Explanation

«Ocho y cuarto» means quarter past eight, i.e. 8:15. The platform number (three) is separate information and should not be confused with the time.

Question 32Listening

You hear a girl say: «Mi color favorito es el azul, por eso mi habitación tiene las paredes azules». What is her favourite colour?

  1. Red
  2. Yellow
  3. Green
  4. Blue Correct answer.

Explanation

«Mi color favorito es el azul» directly states that blue is the favourite colour. The reference to blue walls reinforces this choice.

Question 33Listening

You hear: «Para el postre, prefiero la tarta de chocolate al helado». What does the speaker prefer for dessert?

  1. Cheese
  2. Ice cream
  3. Fruit salad
  4. Chocolate cake Correct answer.

Explanation

The structure «prefiero X a Y» means 'I prefer X to Y'. Here X is «la tarta de chocolate» and Y is «el helado», so chocolate cake is preferred.

Question 34Listening

You hear: «Cuando llego a casa del instituto, primero meriendo y luego hago los deberes». What does the speaker do first after arriving home?

  1. Have a snack Correct answer.
  2. Do homework
  3. Go to bed
  4. Watch TV

Explanation

The sequence words «primero... luego...» show the order. «Meriendo» means 'I have an afternoon snack', which comes before doing homework.

Question 35Listening

You hear a shop assistant say: «Lo siento, pero no nos quedan tallas medianas en este color; solo tenemos talla grande». What is the problem?

  1. The shop is closed.
  2. The large size is out of stock.
  3. The medium size is out of stock. Correct answer.
  4. The colour is not available.

Explanation

«No nos quedan tallas medianas» means 'we have no medium sizes left'. The assistant adds that only large is available, confirming the medium size is the missing one.

Question 36Listening

You hear: «Si quieres llegar al museo, tienes que coger el autobús número doce y bajar en la tercera parada». How should you get to the museum?

  1. Take bus 3 and get off at the twelfth stop.
  2. Take a taxi to the third stop.
  3. Take bus 12 and get off at the third stop. Correct answer.
  4. Walk for twelve minutes.

Explanation

The instruction combines «autobús número doce» (bus 12) with «bajar en la tercera parada» (get off at the third stop). The numbers refer to different things and must not be swapped.

Question 37Listening

You hear: «Antes vivía en el campo, pero ahora vivo en el centro de la ciudad porque está más cerca del trabajo». Why does the speaker live in the city centre now?

  1. Because it is quieter
  2. Because it is closer to work Correct answer.
  3. Because of the schools
  4. Because the rent is cheaper

Explanation

The causal link «porque está más cerca del trabajo» gives the reason: it is nearer to work. The contrast «antes... pero ahora...» shows a change of home.

Question 38Listening

You hear: «Me gustaría ser veterinaria porque me encantan los animales y quiero ayudarles cuando están enfermos». What is the speaker's reason for wanting to be a vet?

  1. She wants to work with children.
  2. She loves animals and wants to help them. Correct answer.
  3. She wants to earn a lot of money.
  4. She likes working outdoors.

Explanation

The reason is introduced by «porque»: «me encantan los animales y quiero ayudarles». This combines affection for animals with a desire to help them when ill.

Question 39Listening

You hear: «No he podido dormir bien porque los vecinos han hecho mucho ruido hasta las dos de la mañana». Why is the speaker tired?

  1. The speaker was studying until 2 a.m.
  2. The speaker had a party.
  3. The speaker was ill.
  4. The neighbours were noisy until 2 a.m. Correct answer.

Explanation

«No he podido dormir bien porque los vecinos han hecho mucho ruido» gives the cause: noisy neighbours. The time «hasta las dos de la mañana» specifies how long it lasted.

Question 40Listening

You hear: «Mi asignatura favorita es la historia porque me interesa mucho cómo vivía la gente en el pasado». Why does the speaker like history?

  1. Because it is interesting to learn how people lived in the past. Correct answer.
  2. Because it helps with future jobs.
  3. Because it is an easy subject.
  4. Because the teacher is very good.

Explanation

The reason is given with «porque me interesa mucho cómo vivía la gente en el pasado». The interest is in past ways of life, not in the teacher, ease, or jobs.

Question 41Listening

You hear: «Para ir al aeropuerto, lo mejor es tomar el metro porque es más rápido y no hay atascos». What reason is given for taking the metro?

  1. It stops at the hotel.
  2. It is cheaper than the bus.
  3. It is faster and avoids traffic jams. Correct answer.
  4. It runs all night.

Explanation

The reason is introduced by «porque es más rápido y no hay atascos»: the metro is quicker and there are no traffic jams. Other options are not mentioned.

Question 42Listening

You hear a conversation in a restaurant: «-¿Qué tal está la sopa? -Está un poco sosa; le falta sal». What does the customer think of the soup?

  1. It is too expensive.
  2. It needs more salt. Correct answer.
  3. It is too hot.
  4. It is delicious.

Explanation

«Sosa» means bland or lacking salt, and «le falta sal» confirms that salt is missing. The customer is giving mild criticism, not praise.

Question 43Listening

You hear: «Me apetece mucho ir a la fiesta, pero primero tengo que terminar un trabajo para el lunes». What does the speaker imply?

  1. They want to go but must finish work first. Correct answer.
  2. They are not invited to the party.
  3. They have already finished their work.
  4. They do not want to go to the party.

Explanation

«Me apetece mucho» expresses enthusiasm, while «pero primero tengo que terminar un trabajo» places a condition before going. The implication is desire plus obligation.

Question 44Listening

You hear a teacher say: «Para el próximo lunes, tenéis que leer el capítulo tres y preparar cinco preguntas sobre el texto». What is the homework?

  1. Read chapter 3 and prepare five questions. Correct answer.
  2. Write a five-page essay.
  3. Prepare a presentation for Monday.
  4. Read chapter 5 and answer three questions.

Explanation

The two tasks are «leer el capítulo tres» and «preparar cinco preguntas». The number five belongs to the questions, not to the chapter, so the details must be matched carefully.

Question 45Listening

You hear: «Aunque me gusta mucho el deporte, no practico ninguno porque no tengo tiempo entre semana». What can we infer about the speaker?

  1. They have plenty of free time.
  2. They dislike all sports.
  3. They enjoy sport but cannot do it on weekdays. Correct answer.
  4. They play a sport every day.

Explanation

«Aunque me gusta mucho el deporte» concedes enjoyment, while «no practico ninguno porque no tengo tiempo entre semana» states the lack of practice due to weekday time constraints.

Question 46Listening

You hear: «Si no hubiera perdido el autobús, habría llegado a la entrevista a tiempo». What does the speaker mean?

  1. They decided not to go to the interview.
  2. They missed the bus and were late for the interview. Correct answer.
  3. The interview was cancelled.
  4. They caught the bus and arrived on time.

Explanation

The past perfect subjunctive with «si» plus the conditional perfect («habría llegado») describes an unreal past situation. Since they did lose the bus, they did not arrive on time.

Question 47Listening

You hear: «No es que no me guste el plan, es que ya tengo otro compromiso para ese día». What is the speaker's real reason for declining?

  1. They dislike the plan.
  2. They have no money.
  3. They already have another commitment. Correct answer.
  4. They do not like the people.

Explanation

The structure «no es que... es que...» corrects a possible misunderstanding. The speaker denies disliking the plan and gives the true reason: another commitment.

Question 48Listening

You hear: «Por mucho que estudie, siempre me pongo nervioso antes de un examen». What does the speaker say about exams?

  1. They always fail exams.
  2. They get nervous no matter how much they study. Correct answer.
  3. They enjoy exams.
  4. They never study for exams.

Explanation

«Por mucho que estudie» is a concessive phrase meaning 'no matter how much I study'. It is followed by «siempre me pongo nervioso», showing nerves persist regardless of preparation.

Question 49Listening

You hear: «Apenas había llegado a casa cuando sonó el teléfono». What happened first?

  1. The speaker ignored the phone.
  2. The phone rang, then the speaker arrived home.
  3. The speaker left home when the phone rang.
  4. The speaker arrived home, then the phone rang. Correct answer.

Explanation

The structure «apenas había llegado... cuando...» uses the pluperfect for the earlier action and the preterite for the later one. Arriving home happened first, immediately followed by the phone ringing.

Question 50Listening

You hear: «Si te digo que no me importa, es porque de verdad no me importa». How does the speaker feel?

  1. They are angry but hiding it.
  2. They genuinely do not mind. Correct answer.
  3. They are pretending not to mind.
  4. They are confused by the question.

Explanation

The conditional «si te digo que...» followed by «es porque de verdad...» reinforces sincerity. The repetition of «no me importa» with «de verdad» confirms genuine indifference.