Read the note mom left for her daughter. The note contains the chore-related vocabulary you’ve learned so far.

Here are some useful vocabulary from the note:

– quehaceres – chores
– preparar el desayuno – prepare breakfast
– lavar los platos – wash the dishes
– hacer la cama – make the bed
– limpiar el cuarto – tidy up the room
– barrer el suelo – sweep the floor
– cortar el césped – mow the lawn

In the note, the mom tells her daughter to do certain chores. When we tell people what to do or give them instructions, we use the imperative mood, also known as affirmative tú commands.

Since it is the mother who is telling her daughter what to do, the verb will match the second-person singular.

Example: (Tú) Lava los platos.
((You) Wash the dishes.)

You might have also noticed that the verb in certain places did not change. This is because of the construction “hay que”, followed by an infinitive. Similar to the imperative, this construction is used to express an obligation or instruction. In this construction, there is no subject. “Hay que” means “one must do something” or “something must/should be done.”

Example: Hay que lavar los platos.
(The dishes should be washed.)

To complete this exercise, we will use the “hay que construction because it is something that Irma’s mom asked her to do; it’s an action that should be done.

Remember that “hay que” is followed by an infinitive.

1. En la cocina:
(In the kitchen:)

– Hay que barrar el suelo dos veces.
(The floor should be swept two times.)

2. En el cuarto de Irma:
(In Irma’s room:)

– Hay que hacer la cama.
(The bed should be made.)
– Hay que limpiar el cuarto.
(The room should be tidied up.)

3. Afuera:
(Outside:)

– Hay que cortar el césped.
(The lawn should be mown.)

In this exercise, you are asked to answer the following question:

Do you think it’s good to help with house chores? Why?

Pienso que es muy bueno ayudar con los quehaceres de la casa porque es importante vivir en un espacio limpio. También pienso que somos más organizados y responsables.

(I think that it is very good to help with house chores because it is important to live in a clean space. I also think that we are more organized and responsible.)