Exercise 1: Match a word
Instruction: Match each word with its definition.
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Exercise 2: Exam preparation (QR: Audio)
Instruction: Read the text, fill in the gaps with the missing words, and answer the questions below
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Crónica breve: condena y debate sobre la pena
Fill in the gaps: Tribunal Supremo, obedecer, sentencia, jurado popular, tribunal, Fiscalía
(Brief report: conviction and debate over the sentence)
La Audiencia Provincial de Madrid ha dictado en un caso de estafa por inversiones falsas. El considera probado que el acusado engañó a varios clientes y le impone tres años de prisión y una multa. La pidió una pena mayor, mientras que la defensa sostuvo que no hubo intención de fraude y anunció recurso ante el .
La resolución ha reabierto el debate sobre si las sanciones económicas son suficientes en los delitos financieros. Algunos juristas valoran que el juez tuviera en cuenta la reparación del daño, pero otros critican que la condena llega tarde. Si el hubiera escuchado ciertos peritajes, opinan, la decisión podría haber sido distinta. También recuerdan que la ley exige que las sentencias se perciban como coherentes.The Madrid Provincial Court has handed down a verdict in a fraud case involving fake investments. The court considers it proven that the defendant deceived several clients and imposes three years in prison and a fine. The Public Prosecution Service asked for a harsher sentence, while the defense argued that there was no intent to defraud and announced an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The ruling has reopened the debate about whether financial penalties are sufficient in financial crimes. Some legal scholars appreciate that the judge took compensation for the harm into account, but others criticize that the conviction comes late. If the lay jury had heard certain expert reports, they argue, the decision could have been different. They also recall that obeying the law requires that judgments be perceived as coherent.
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¿Qué argumentos presentan la Fiscalía y la defensa, y qué opinión te merece la pena impuesta en este caso?
(What arguments do the Public Prosecution Service and the defense put forward, and what is your opinion of the sentence imposed in this case?)
Exercise 3: Listening
Instruction: Listen to the audio and answer the questions.
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| True | False | |
|---|---|---|
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(The speaker thinks that politicians should not publish opinions that could influence the ruling.) |
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(According to the audio, the trial has concluded and the ruling was announced yesterday.) |
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(The speaker thinks that the appropriate response to a law you don’t like is to reform it, not pressure the judges.) |
Exercise 4: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
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1. El magistrado dudaba de que la policía ___ ___ el informe pericial con la cadena de custodia completa.
(The magistrate doubted that the police ___ ___ the expert report with the complete chain of custody.)2. Era preocupante que el acusado no ___ ___ la orden de alejamiento antes del juicio.
(It was concerning that the defendant had not ___ ___ the restraining order before the trial.)3. Si el fiscal ___ ___ una acusación más concreta, el jurado popular lo habría entendido mejor.
(If the prosecutor ___ ___ a more specific indictment, the lay jury would have understood it better.)Exercise 5: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
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Exercise 6: Discussion questions (QR: AI+)
Instruction: Speaking: translate and respond (QR: AI+)
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Useful expressions:
Me pareció (in)justo porque... / Si el tribunal hubiera tenido en cuenta... la sentencia habría sido... / Desde mi punto de vista, el fiscal/el abogado defensor debería haber...
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Piensa en un caso reciente que hayas visto en las noticias en España: ¿te pareció justa la sentencia y por qué?
Think of a recent case you saw in the news in Spain: did the sentence seem fair to you and why?
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Si un amigo hubiera sido llamado a formar parte de un jurado popular, ¿qué le habrías aconsejado para tomar una decisión imparcial?
If a friend had been called to serve on a jury, what would you have advised them to make an impartial decision?
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Exercise 7: Writing correspondence (QR: AI+)
Instruction: Write a reply to the following message appropriate to the situation
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Hola, Marta:
Soy Lucía, de la AMPA. Para el blog del colegio estamos preparando una entrada sobre cómo funciona la justicia en España. A raíz de un caso reciente que ha salido en las noticias, varias familias quieren hablar del juicio y de la sentencia (sin entrar en detalles del caso).
¿Te animas a enviarnos un texto de 8-10 líneas? Nos interesa especialmente tu opinión sobre el papel del tribunal, la fiscalía y si un jurado popular ayuda o complica las cosas. Fecha límite: viernes.
Gracias,
Lucía Fernández
Hello, Marta:
I’m Lucía, from the parents’ association. For the school blog we’re preparing a post about how justice works in Spain. Following a recent case that has been in the news, several families want to talk about the trial and the verdict (without going into details of the case).
Would you be willing to send us a text of 8–10 lines? We’re especially interested in your opinion about the role of the court, the prosecution service, and whether a jury helps or complicates things. Deadline: Friday.
Thank you,
Lucía Fernández
Useful phrases:
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Me parece importante distinguir entre... y..., porque...
(It seems important to me to distinguish between... and..., because...)
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Si el jurado hubiera recibido más información objetiva, quizá...
(If the jury had received more objective information, perhaps...)
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Desde mi punto de vista, es positivo/negativo que el jurado popular...
(From my point of view, it is positive/negative that the jury...)
Gracias por la invitación. Adjunto un texto para el blog.
En un juicio mediático, el tribunal debe velar por la imparcialidad y evitar que la presión pública condicione las decisiones. La fiscalía tiene la obligación de presentar los hechos con rigor y reconocer incertidumbres cuando existan; forzar una interpretación solo aumenta la desconfianza. Respecto al jurado popular, creo que aporta la perspectiva ciudadana, pero puede verse influido por la cobertura mediática; por eso es esencial explicar bien en qué consiste una sentencia y qué límites tiene. Si se hubiera informado con más claridad sobre el proceso y los criterios de decisión, se habrían reducido muchos malentendidos.
Para el debate propongo la pregunta: “¿Debe primar la percepción social de justicia o los criterios jurídicos objetivos?”
Un saludo,
Marta
Hello, Lucía:
Thank you for the invitation. I’m attaching a text for the blog.
In a high-profile trial, the court must ensure impartiality and prevent public pressure from influencing decisions. The prosecution service has the obligation to present the facts rigorously and acknowledge uncertainties when they exist; forcing an interpretation only increases distrust. Regarding the jury, I think it brings a citizen’s perspective, but it can be influenced by media coverage; that is why it is essential to explain clearly what a verdict consists of and what its limits are. If the process and the decision-making criteria had been communicated more clearly, many misunderstandings would have been reduced.
For the debate I propose the question: “Should social perceptions of justice take precedence, or objective legal criteria?”
Best regards,
Marta