Key points about accessing media online

Use comparative An adjective used to compare two things, eg better, taller, older. and superlativeA word that describes the most of something, for example the biggest, the strongest, the fastest.adjectiveUsed to describe nouns and must agree with the nouns they are describing. to compare nouns.
adverbGenerally used to describe a verb, or actions to add more detail about how something is being done (and when, where or how often something takes place). and phrases of frequency are useful when talking about accessing media online.
Vocabulary - Media and technology
Useful vocabulary to use when describing media and technology include:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | advert | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | computer |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | app | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | page |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | screen | |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | photo | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | danger |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | image | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | follower |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again./Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | influencer | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | website, place |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | network | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | tablet computer |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | message | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | computer game |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | mobile phone | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | network |

For example:
Este influencer tiene muchos seguidores. – This influencer has a lot of followers.
Prefiero usar mi móvil para ir en la red porque es más rápido. – I prefer to use my phone to go on the internet because it’s faster.
Me encanta esta app porque puedo colgar imgenes y mensajes. – I love this app because I can upload images and messages.

Grammar - How to form comparative and superlative adjectives
Comparative adjectives
Comparatives are used to compare two things and say one thing is more than or less than the other.
Some examples of comparatives in English are 'faster', 'slower', 'happier' and 'shorter'.
To form the comparative meaning 'more than', use más followed by the adjective and que.
For example:
Mi móvil es más rápido que mi ordenador. – My phone is faster than my computer.
To form the comparative meaning ‘less than’, use menos followed by the adjective and que.
For example:
La televisión es menos popular que el Internet. – The TV is less popular than the internet.
Don’t forget that the adjectives still have to agree with the nounThe name of a thing such as an object, a place or a person. Nouns are often described as naming words. they describe. For example:
Esta pantalla es más pequeña que aquella. – This screen is smaller than that one.
Irregular comparative adjectives
When using the following adjectives in the comparative, it is not necessary to include más or menos.
For example:
| Adjective | Translation | Comparative adjective | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| bueno/a | good | mejor (que) | better (than) |
| malo/a | bad | peor (que) | worse (than) |
| viejo/a | old | mayor (que) | older (than) |
| joven | young | menor (que) | younger (than) |
For example:
Este sitio es mejor que el otro. – The website is better than the other.
Es peor para tu salud pasar demasiado tiempo en la red. – It is worse for your health to spend too much time on the internet.
Superlative adjectives
Superlatives are used to compare things and say which one is the biggest, strongest, fastest, etc or the most/least.
For example:
Mi pantalla es la más grande. - My screen is the biggest.
Este ordenador es el menos rápido. – This computer is the least fast.
To form the superlative meaning the most, use el/la/los/las followed by más and the adjective.
El/la/los/las is the word for ‘the’ and changes according to whether the noun is masculine, feminine, singular or plural.
Irregular superlatives
Common irregular superlatives include:
el/la mejor, los/las mejores - the best
el/la peor, los/las peores - the worst
el/la mayor, los/las mayores - the oldest
el/la menor, los/ las menores - the youngest
For example:
Es el mejor diseño. - It’s the best design.
Tiene la peor recepción. – It has the worst reception.
Comparative and superlative adjectives - Mini Quiz

Complete the following sentences in Spanish.
Mi ordenador es _____ ______ ______ mi móvil.
My computer is slower than my phone.
(lento=slow)
Mi ordenador es más lento que mi móvil.
To form the comparative you use más followed by the adjective and que.
The adjective lento must agree with the noun, móvil, which is masculine singular, so it ends in o.
Jugar en Internet es _____ ______ ver la televisión.
Playing on the internet is better than watching TV.
Jugar en Internet es mejor que ver la televisión.
‘Better than’ is an irregular comparative, and is mejor que.
Mi ordenador es ___ _____ ______.
My computer is the fastest.
(rápido=fast)
Mi ordenador es el más rápido.
To say that something is ‘the most’ or ‘est’ use el/la/los/las más followed by the adjective.
Tuve _____ _______ conversación online hoy.
I had the worst conversation online today.
Tuve la peor conversación online hoy.
‘The worst’ is an irregular superlative and is formed using el/la peor, los/las peores.
As conversación is a feminine singular noun, la peor is used.
Find out more about using comparative and superlative adjectives in the Comparative and superlative adjectives guide.
Listening practice
Listen to the following three people, discussing how they access online media and answer the questions.
Useful vocabulary
Listen out for the following opinion phrases used throughout the activity.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pienso que … | I think that … | A mi modo de ver … | As I see it … |
| Creo que … | I believe that … | Prefiero … | I prefer … |
| Me parece que … | It seems to me that … | Odio … | I hate … |
| En mi opinión … | In my opinion … | Lo que (no) me gusta es … | What I (don't) like is … |
Lola
What is Lola discussing?
She is talking about apps. There is no need to go into extra detail unless it is asked for.
Transcript
Creo que no vale la pena bajar cada app nueva porque cambian muy rápido.
Translation
I think that it’s not worth downloading every new app because they change very quickly.
Alejandro
What two things does Alejandro say?
| A | he doesn't have time to use apps |
| B | he uses a fitness app at the gym |
| C | he uses an app at home |
| D | he thinks the app is good value |
| E | he uses the app twice a day |
The correct answers are C and E.
He says, no tengo tiempo para ir al gimnasio (I don't have time to go to the gym) so it can't be A.
He says that he uses the app, en casa (at home) which means that it can't be B.
Although numbers are mentioned, these have nothing to do with cost and he does not mention the price of the app so D is not mentioned either.
Transcript
No tengo tiempo para ir al gimnasio, pero uso una app de ejercicios para ponerme en forma en casa. Me ayuda a entrenarme dos veces al día.
Translation
I don't have time to go to the gym, but I use an exercise app to get in shape. It helps me to train twice a day.
Carla
A Spanish friend, Carla, is talking about new apps.
According to Carla, her favourite app is …
| A | popular |
| B | free |
| C | fun |
The answer is A - popular
Carla says, todos mis amigos la usan (all of my friends use it) which means that it is popular, so the answer has to be A instead of B (free) and C (fun).
According to Carla she likes …
| A | taking photos |
| B | editing photos |
| C | uploading photos |
The answer is B - editing photos
Carla says, lo que prefiero es editar las fotos con efectos interesantes y emoticonos (what I prefer is editing the photos with interesting effects and emojis) which means the answer has to be B instead of A (taking photos) and C (uploading photos).
Transcript
Mi app preferida es una app de fotos y mensajes porque todos mis amigos la usan. Lo que prefiero es editar las fotos con efectos interesantes y emoticonos.
Translation
My favourite app is a photo and messaging app because all my friends use it. What I prefer is editing the photos with interesting effects and emojis.
Vocabulary - Key verbs to describe media and technology
Useful verbs on the theme of media and technology include:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to turn off, switch off | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to send |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to download/go down | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to send |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to search/look for | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to work |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to share | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to record |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to create | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to keep, save |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to turn on | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to upload, go up |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to edit | Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to use |

For example:
Pienso que es divertido compartir fotos con mis amigos. – I think it’s fun to share photos with my friends.
Prefiero crear imágenes con fotos que he editado. – I prefer to create images with photos that I’ve edited.
Uso internet para hacer compras en línea y para buscar información cuando hago mis deberes. – I use the internet to do online shopping and to look for information when I do my homework.
Desgraciadamente mi móvil no está funcionando en este momento. – Unfortunately my phone isn’t working at the moment.
All Foundation Tier vocabulary listed in this guide can be found on the vocabulary sheet below.

Grammar - Adverbs and phrases showing frequency
Useful adverbs of frequency and other phrases which show frequency include:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| a menudo | often | de vez en cuando | from time to time/once in a while |
| a veces | sometimes | todos los días | every day |
| diariamente | daily | cada día | every day |
| nunca | never | raramente | rarely |
| siempre | always | dos veces a la semana | twice a week |
| regularmente | regularly | cada semana | every week |
For example:
Veo la televisión raramente. A veces me conecto para escuchar música en línea. – I rarely watch TV. Sometimes I go online to listen to music.
Nunca uso el ordenador de mi padre, pero uso el portátil de mi hermano por lo menos dos veces a la semana. – I never use my father’s computer, but I use my brother’s laptop at least twice a week.
Pienso que jugar con apps es divertido y me gusta hacerlo todos los días/ cada día. – I think playing with apps is fun and I like to do it every day.
Juego a videojuegos regularmente y juego a menudo con mis amigos. – I play computer games regularly and I often play with my friends.
Adverbs and phrases of frequency - Mini Quiz

Complete the following sentences in Spanish.
Veo la television _____ .
I sometimes watch TV.
Veo la television a veces.
A veces means ‘sometimes’.
Juego con videojuegos _______ .
I often play computer games.
Juego a videojuegos a menudo.
A menudo means ‘often’.
Voy en línea _______ .
I go online every day.
Voy en línea todos los días/cada día.
Todos los días and cada día both mean ‘every day’.
______ subo fotos.
I always upload photos.
Siempre subo fotos.
Siempre means ‘always’.
Reading practice

Read the article about new technology and complete the activity below.
La inteligencia artificial* (IA) está cambiando la tecnología de formas emocionantes. Uno que destaca más es el desarrollo de coches autónomos**, que tienen la posibilidad de cambiar la manera en que viajamos. Los científicos han diseñado coches que conducen solos y que utilizan ordenadores para tomar decisiones en tiempo real.
Sin embargo, uno de los problemas con esta tecnología es la posibilidad de errores en los sistemas. Si un coche autónomo tiene un error, las consecuencias podrían ser graves, como accidentes de tráfico. Por lo tanto, asegurarse de la seguridad de estos sistemas es esencial.
*artificial
** self-driving cars
Choose the correct option to complete the following sentences.

- Artificial intelligence…
| A | …is a new phenomenon. |
| B | …will change technology in the future. |
| C | …is changing technology in exciting ways. |
- Artificial intelligence is changing technology in exciting ways.
Evidence from the article: La inteligencia artificial (IA) está cambiando la tecnología de formas emocionantes.
Artificial intelligence is changing technology in exciting ways.
- Self-driving cars …
| A | … will soon be used everywhere. |
| B | … use computers to decide how to drive. |
| C | … have been designed with the user in mind. |
Self-driving cars use computers to decide how to drive.
The article says ‘Los científicos han diseñado coches que conducen solos y que utilizan ordenadores para tomar decisiones en tiempo real’ (Scientists have designed cars that drive themselves and use computers to make decisions in real time).
- A problem with this technology is that …
| A | … there are lots of system errors. |
| B | … users will not be able to trust them to drive. |
| C | … errors may cause serious accidents. |
Errors may cause serious accidents.
The article says ‘Si un coche autónomo tiene un error, las consecuencias podrían ser graves, como accidentes de tráfico’ (If a self-driving car has a fault, the consequences could be serious, such as traffic accidents).
- It’s important to …
| A | … ensure that these systems are secure. |
| B | … mistakes are impossible. |
| C | … the systems cannot be hacked. |
It’s important ensure that these systems are secure.
The article says ‘asegurarse de la seguridad de estos sistemas es esencial’ (ensuring the safety of these systems is essential).
Click or tap on Show more to read a translation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing technology in exciting ways. One that stands out the most is the development of self-driving cars, which have the potential to change the way we travel. Scientists have designed cars that drive themselves and use computers to make decisions in real time.
However, one of the problems with this technology is the possibility of errors in the systems. If a self-driving car has a fault, the consequences could be serious, such as traffic accidents. Therefore, ensuring the safety of these systems is essential.
Vocabulary sheet
Click or tap on the image below for a list of useful vocabulary to use when describing accessing media online.
Higher Tier – Vocabulary – Accessing media online
Useful nouns include:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | password |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | device, gadget |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | emoji |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | influence |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | laptop |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | user |
For example:
Es importante tener una contraseña muy segura. – It’s important to have a strong password.
Useful verbs include:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to charge |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to comment |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to chat |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to post (a photo) |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to surf |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to publish, post (online) |
| Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to use |
All vocabulary listed in this guide can be found on the vocabulary sheet below.
Higher Tier - Vocabulary sheet
Click or tap on the image below for a list of Higher Tier useful vocabulary to use when describing accessing media online.
Now you have practised the key vocabulary and grammar needed for talking about accessing media online, why not have a look at the Describing family celebrations in Spanish guide?
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