Understanding CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre: Scope and Objectives
CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre is structured to help students communicate about sports, hobbies, and free-time activities with accuracy and confidence. The chapter aligns with NCERT guidelines for Code 096 (Spanish as a second language) and targets CEFR A1 proficiency. Students will acquire vocabulary for at least ten popular sports — including fútbol (football/soccer), críquet (cricket), tenis (tennis), bádminton (badminton), natación (swimming), baloncesto (basketball), voleibol (volleyball), atletismo (athletics), ciclismo (cycling), and hockey. They will also learn common pastimes such as leer (to read), dibujar (to draw), escuchar música (to listen to music), ver películas (to watch films), tocar música (to play music), bailar (to dance), cocinar (to cook), and jugar videojuegos (to play video games). The grammatical focus is on two verbs: 'jugar', a stem-changing verb (u→ue) that requires 'a' before sports, and 'gustar', an indirect-object verb where the thing liked is the grammatical subject. By the end of this chapter, students will construct sentences like 'Me gusta jugar a críquet porque es emocionante' (I like playing cricket because it is exciting) and 'Prefiero la natación al atletismo' (I prefer swimming to athletics). These skills are assessed in both the internal school assessments and the CBSE Class 9 year-end examination, where conversational fluency and grammatical accuracy each carry significant weightage.
- Chapter covers 10+ sports and 8+ hobbies essential for everyday Spanish conversation and cultural exchange.
- Focuses on CEFR A1 proficiency as per NCERT Code 096 syllabus for Class 9 Spanish.
- Two core verbs: 'jugar' (stem-changing u→ue, requires 'a' before sports) and 'gustar' (indirect-object structure).
- Students learn to express preferences, give reasons with 'porque', and compare activities using 'más... que'.
- Chapter outcomes directly assessed in internal speaking tasks, written exams, and project-based assignments in CBSE schools.
Deportes Populares: Essential Sports Vocabulary in Spanish
Deportes (sports) form a foundation of CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre. In Spanish-speaking cultures, as in India, sports are a social glue — families watch fútbol together, children play críquet in parks, and athletes train in natación and atletismo. The NCERT textbook introduces vocabulary for sports that Indian students already know and love: fútbol (football/soccer), críquet (cricket), tenis (tennis), bádminton (badminton), natación (swimming), baloncesto (basketball), voleibol (volleyball), atletismo (athletics/track and field), ciclismo (cycling), and hockey. Each sport name is a masculine or feminine noun, and students must learn the definite article: 'el fútbol', 'la natación', 'el tenis'. When speaking about playing a sport, Spanish requires the preposition 'a': 'Juego a fútbol' (I play football), 'Jugamos a críquet' (We play cricket). This is a grammatical rule that does not exist in English, and it is a common error point in exams. Students should also learn adjectives to describe sports: 'rápido' (fast), 'emocionante' (exciting), 'difícil' (difficult), 'fácil' (easy), 'popular' (popular), 'divertido' (fun). A well-constructed sentence might be: 'El críquet es un deporte de equipo muy popular en India' (Cricket is a very popular team sport in India). Mastery of this vocabulary enables students to participate in oral assessments, write descriptive paragraphs, and engage in peer dialogues — all key components of the CBSE Class 9 Spanish evaluation framework.
- Core sports vocabulary: fútbol, críquet, tenis, bádminton, natación, baloncesto, voleibol, atletismo, ciclismo, hockey.
- Each sport has a grammatical gender and requires the correct definite article (el/la).
- Playing a sport requires 'a': jugar a fútbol, jugar a tenis, jugar a críquet.
- Adjectives to describe sports: rápido, emocionante, difícil, fácil, popular, divertido.
- Team sports vs. individual sports: deportes de equipo (fútbol, críquet, baloncesto) vs. deportes individuales (natación, tenis, atletismo).
Pasatiempos: Vocabulary for Hobbies and Leisure Activities
Pasatiempos (hobbies) are the heart of personal expression in CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre. Unlike sports, which are often competitive and physical, hobbies are gentler pursuits that reflect individual personality and creativity. The NCERT syllabus introduces key pastimes: leer (to read), dibujar (to draw), pintar (to paint), escuchar música (to listen to music), ver películas (to watch films), tocar música or tocar instrumentos (to play music or instruments), bailar (to dance), cocinar (to cook), and jugar videojuegos (to play video games). Each of these is an infinitive verb that can follow 'me gusta': 'Me gusta leer novelas' (I like reading novels), 'Me encanta escuchar música clásica' (I love listening to classical music). Students should also learn related nouns: 'libro' (book), 'novela' (novel), 'película' (film), 'canción' (song), 'instrumento' (instrument), 'guitarra' (guitar), 'piano' (piano), 'videojuego' (video game). When constructing sentences, students can add frequency adverbs: 'siempre' (always), 'a menudo' (often), 'a veces' (sometimes), 'nunca' (never). For instance: 'A veces toco la guitarra por la tarde' (Sometimes I play the guitar in the afternoon). This vocabulary enables students to write personal essays, complete speaking tasks about their daily routine, and engage authentically with Spanish-speaking peers. In CBSE assessments, the ability to describe hobbies fluently and accurately is a marker of A1 proficiency and earns full marks in both written and oral components.
- Key pastimes: leer, dibujar, pintar, escuchar música, ver películas, tocar música, bailar, cocinar, jugar videojuegos.
- Hobbies are expressed using infinitives after 'me gusta': me gusta leer, me encanta bailar.
- Related nouns: libro, novela, película, canción, instrumento, guitarra, piano, videojuego.
- Frequency adverbs add detail: siempre, a menudo, a veces, nunca.
- Personal expression is key: each student's hobbies are unique, and Spanish grammar allows them to describe these authentically.
Verbo Jugar: Conjugation, Stem Change, and Usage with Sports
The verb 'jugar' (to play) is central to CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre and appears in every dialogue and exercise in the NCERT textbook. 'Jugar' is a stem-changing verb: the 'u' in the stem changes to 'ue' in all present-tense forms except nosotros and vosotros. The conjugation is: yo juego, tú juegas, él/ella/usted juega, nosotros/as jugamos, vosotros/as jugáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes juegan. This stem change is a grammatical feature that students must memorize, as it appears in other common verbs like 'poder' (puedo, puedes) and 'querer' (quiero, quieres). When using 'jugar' with a sport, the preposition 'a' is mandatory: 'Juego a fútbol', 'Juegas a tenis', 'Jugamos a críquet'. This is a rule that does not exist in English, where we simply say 'I play football'. The CBSE Class 9 Spanish exam frequently tests this: students might be asked to fill in blanks, correct errors, or conjugate jugar in a dialogue. A common mistake is writing 'Juego fútbol' (missing 'a') or 'Jugo a fútbol' (wrong conjugation). Students should practice writing full sentences: '¿A qué deporte juegas?' (What sport do you play?), 'Ellos juegan a baloncesto los martes' (They play basketball on Tuesdays). Mastery of jugar unlocks the ability to talk about one of the most universal human activities — play — and is essential for conversational fluency at the A1 level.
- Jugar is a stem-changing verb: u → ue in yo, tú, él/ella, ellos/ellas forms.
- Conjugation: juego, juegas, juega, jugamos, jugáis, juegan.
- Nosotros and vosotros forms do NOT change: jugamos, jugáis.
- Always use 'a' before a sport: jugar a fútbol, jugar a tenis, jugar a críquet.
- Common errors: forgetting 'a', wrong conjugation (jugo instead of juego), or applying the stem change to nosotros.
Verbo Gustar: Understanding the Reversed-Subject Grammar
The verb 'gustar' (to like, to please) is perhaps the most challenging grammar point in CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre, and mastering it is essential for fluency. In English, we say 'I like football' — the subject is the person (I), and the object is the thing (football). In Spanish, the grammar is reversed: 'Me gusta el fútbol' literally means 'Football pleases me'. The thing liked is the grammatical subject, and the person is the indirect object. This structure is not intuitive for English speakers, and it requires careful study. The verb 'gustar' agrees with the thing being liked, not the person: 'Me gusta el fútbol' (singular sport, so 'gusta'), 'Me gustan los deportes' (plural noun, so 'gustan'), 'Me gusta jugar' (infinitive is always treated as singular, so 'gusta'). The indirect object pronouns are: me (to me), te (to you informal), le (to him/her/you formal), nos (to us), os (to you all in Spain), les (to them/you all). A full sentence might be: '¿Te gustan los videojuegos?' (Do you like video games?), 'A María le gusta leer' (María likes reading), 'Nos gusta la música rock' (We like rock music). Negation is straightforward: 'No me gusta el tenis' (I do not like tennis). Intensity can be added with 'mucho' (a lot), 'un poco' (a little), or using 'encantar' (to love): 'Me encanta el críquet' (I love cricket). The CBSE Class 9 Spanish exam tests gustar extensively in fill-in-the-blanks, error correction, and dialogue completion, and it is a major component of oral assessments.
- Gustar means 'to please'; the thing liked is the grammatical subject, the person is the indirect object.
- Verb agrees with the thing: gusta (singular/infinitive), gustan (plural).
- Indirect object pronouns: me, te, le, nos, os, les.
- Examples: Me gusta el fútbol (I like football), Me gustan los deportes (I like sports), Me gusta jugar (I like playing).
- Intensity: Me encanta (I love), Me gusta mucho (I like a lot), No me gusta nada (I do not like at all).
Expressing Preferences: Prefiero, Me Gusta Más, and Comparisons
CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre advances students from simple statements ('I like X') to nuanced preferences ('I like X more than Y because...'). This is where language becomes personal and authentic. The key structures are 'prefiero' (I prefer), 'me gusta más... que...' (I like... more than...), and comparisons using 'más... que' (more... than) or 'menos... que' (less... than). The verb 'preferir' (to prefer) is another stem-changing verb (e→ie): prefiero, prefieres, prefiere, preferimos, preferís, prefieren. It can be followed by a noun or an infinitive: 'Prefiero el críquet' (I prefer cricket), 'Prefiero jugar a fútbol' (I prefer playing football). When comparing two things, use 'a' or 'que': 'Prefiero el críquet al fútbol' (I prefer cricket to football — here 'al' = a + el), or 'Me gusta más el críquet que el fútbol' (I like cricket more than football). Adding reasons with 'porque' (because) makes the sentence richer: 'Prefiero la natación porque es relajante' (I prefer swimming because it is relaxing). Students should also learn 'mi deporte favorito es...' (my favourite sport is...), 'mi pasatiempo favorito es...' (my favourite hobby is...). A complete response might be: '¿Cuál es tu deporte favorito? — Mi deporte favorito es el críquet porque es un deporte de equipo y me encanta jugar con mis amigos.' This level of fluency is the target for CBSE Class 9 Spanish oral assessments and demonstrates mastery of CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre.
- Prefiero (I prefer) is a stem-changing verb: e→ie in yo, tú, él/ella, ellos forms.
- Conjugation: prefiero, prefieres, prefiere, preferimos, preferís, prefieren.
- Comparisons: Prefiero X a Y, or Me gusta más X que Y.
- Adding reasons with 'porque' deepens the sentence: Prefiero la natación porque es relajante.
- Expressing favourites: Mi deporte favorito es el críquet, Mi pasatiempo favorito es leer.
Constructing Full Dialogues About Sports and Hobbies
One of the learning outcomes of CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre is the ability to hold a natural conversation about sports and hobbies. The NCERT textbook provides model dialogues, and students are expected to create their own in speaking assessments. A typical dialogue has three parts: greeting and question, response with detail, and follow-up question. For example: 'Hola, ¿qué deportes practicas?' (Hello, what sports do you play?) — 'Juego a críquet y a bádminton. Me gusta mucho el críquet.' (I play cricket and badminton. I like cricket a lot.) — '¿Por qué te gusta el críquet?' (Why do you like cricket?) — 'Porque es un deporte de equipo y es muy emocionante. ¿Y tú? ¿Qué deportes te gustan?' (Because it is a team sport and it is very exciting. And you? What sports do you like?). Notice the use of jugar a, me gusta, porque, and a follow-up question to keep the conversation flowing. Students should practice varying the structure: using gustar, encantar, preferir, and adding time expressions (los fines de semana, por la tarde, dos veces a la semana). In CBSE schools, oral assessments typically involve pair work or group conversations, and fluency in these dialogues accounts for a significant portion of the term marks. Recording and transcribing these dialogues is an excellent revision strategy, and students can use platforms like CBSETUTOR.ai to practice with an AI tutor that provides instant feedback on grammar and pronunciation.
- Typical dialogue structure: greeting/question, detailed response, follow-up question.
- Key phrases: ¿Qué deportes practicas?, ¿Cuáles son tus pasatiempos favoritos?, ¿Por qué te gusta...?, ¿Y tú?
- Use jugar a + sport, me gusta/me encanta + infinitive, prefiero + noun/infinitive, porque + reason.
- Add time expressions: los fines de semana, por la tarde, todos los días, dos veces a la semana.
- Oral assessments in CBSE schools test fluency, pronunciation, and the ability to sustain a natural back-and-forth conversation.
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them in CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12
Students preparing for CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre exams make predictable errors, and knowing these in advance prevents lost marks. Error 1: Forgetting 'a' before sports. Incorrect: 'Juego fútbol.' Correct: 'Juego a fútbol.' Error 2: Wrong conjugation of jugar. Incorrect: 'Yo jugo a tenis.' Correct: 'Yo juego a tenis.' The stem changes u→ue, so 'jugo' is never correct. Error 3: Using 'gustar' with the wrong form. Incorrect: 'Me gustan el fútbol.' Correct: 'Me gusta el fútbol.' (Singular noun requires 'gusta', not 'gustan'.) Error 4: Forgetting the indirect object pronoun. Incorrect: 'Gusta el críquet.' Correct: 'Me gusta el críquet.' Without 'me', the sentence is incomplete. Error 5: Confusing 'prefiero' conjugation. Incorrect: 'Yo prefero leer.' Correct: 'Yo prefiero leer.' The stem changes e→ie. Error 6: Literal translation from English. Incorrect: 'Yo gusto fútbol' (copying English 'I like football'). Correct: 'Me gusta el fútbol.' Students should drill these patterns until they become automatic. Practice exercises should include fill-in-the-blanks, error correction, and sentence transformation. For instance, 'Transform: I like basketball. → Me gusta el baloncesto.' or 'Correct the error: Ellos juegan tenis. → Ellos juegan a tenis.' Regular revision of CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre with these error patterns in mind will ensure accuracy in both written and oral exams.
- Error 1: Missing 'a' before sports. Always write 'jugar a fútbol', not 'jugar fútbol'.
- Error 2: Wrong jugar conjugation. Yo juego (not jugo), tú juegas, él juega, nosotros jugamos.
- Error 3: Gustar with wrong number. Singular noun → gusta; plural noun → gustan.
- Error 4: Forgetting indirect object pronoun. Write 'Me gusta', not just 'Gusta'.
- Error 5: Prefiero conjugation. Yo prefiero (not prefero), tú prefieres, él prefiere.
- Error 6: Literal translation from English. Do not write 'Yo gusto fútbol'; write 'Me gusta el fútbol'.
Cultural Context: Sports and Leisure in Spanish-Speaking Countries
CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre is not just about grammar and vocabulary — it is also a window into the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Fútbol (soccer) is the dominant sport across Spain and Latin America, with legendary clubs like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Boca Juniors, and River Plate commanding passionate followings. Major tournaments like La Liga (Spain) and Copa América (South America) are national events. Beyond fútbol, Spain has a strong tradition in tenis (Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz), baloncesto (Pau Gasol), and ciclismo (Vuelta a España). In Latin America, béisbol (baseball) is hugely popular in countries like Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. Argentina and Uruguay have strong rugby traditions. As for pasatiempos, music and dance are central: flamenco in Spain, tango in Argentina, salsa in Cuba and Colombia, mariachi in Mexico. Reading is also valued — Latin American authors like Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, and Jorge Luis Borges are global icons. When Indian students learn CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre, they are not just learning words; they are connecting with a global community. They can discuss cricket and fútbol with Spanish-speaking friends, share Bollywood and salsa, and discover common ground. This cultural richness is what makes language learning meaningful, and CBSE schools increasingly include cultural projects and presentations as part of the assessment for Class 9 Spanish.
- Fútbol is the dominant sport in Spain and Latin America; legendary clubs include FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Boca Juniors.
- Other popular sports: tenis (Nadal, Alcaraz), baloncesto (Pau Gasol), béisbol (Cuba, Dominican Republic), ciclismo (Vuelta a España).
- Music and dance are central pastimes: flamenco (Spain), tango (Argentina), salsa (Cuba/Colombia), mariachi (Mexico).
- Literature is highly valued: García Márquez, Borges, Allende are global literary icons.
- Cultural projects and presentations are often part of CBSE Class 9 Spanish assessments, connecting language learning to real-world contexts.
Assessment Pattern for CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre
CBSE Class 9 Spanish assessments are divided into formative (continuous internal assessment) and summative (term-end exams). For CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre, students can expect the following types of questions. Written exams (typically 80 marks, with 20 marks for internal assessment): Fill in the blanks with the correct form of jugar or gustar (5–8 marks), Error correction (identify and correct errors in sentences about sports and hobbies, 5 marks), Short answer questions (write 3–5 sentences about 'Mi deporte favorito' or 'Mis pasatiempos', 5–10 marks), Dialogue completion (complete a conversation with appropriate responses, 5 marks), Reading comprehension (a paragraph about a Spanish student's hobbies, with questions testing vocabulary and grammar, 10 marks). Oral assessments (part of the 20-mark internal assessment): Pair conversation (students ask and answer questions about sports and hobbies, 5 marks), Picture description (describe a picture showing people playing sports or doing hobbies, 5 marks), Role play (one student is a sports coach, the other a new student; they discuss which sport to play, 5 marks). The oral component tests pronunciation, fluency, and the ability to use jugar, gustar, and preferir accurately in real time. Project work (often 5 marks): Create a poster or presentation about a famous Spanish athlete or a traditional pastime in a Spanish-speaking country. Marks are awarded for research, language accuracy, and creativity. Students should revise CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre thoroughly, focusing on verb conjugations, correct use of 'a' and indirect object pronouns, and building a rich vocabulary of sports and hobbies.
- Written exam (80 marks): Fill-in-blanks, error correction, short answers, dialogue completion, reading comprehension.
- Fill-in-blanks typically test jugar conjugation, gustar agreement, and use of 'a' before sports.
- Short answer questions ask students to write 3–5 sentences about their favourite sport or hobby.
- Oral assessment (part of 20-mark internal): Pair conversation, picture description, role play.
- Project work (5 marks): Poster or presentation on a Spanish athlete or cultural pastime.
Revision Strategy and Practice Exercises for CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12
Effective revision for CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre requires a mix of vocabulary drills, grammar exercises, and conversational practice. Step 1: Memorise all sport and hobby vocabulary. Create flashcards with Spanish on one side and English/Hindi on the other. Aim to recall 10 sports and 8 hobbies instantly. Step 2: Drill jugar conjugation. Write out the full present tense conjugation daily until it is automatic. Practice sentences: 'Yo juego a críquet', 'Nosotros jugamos a fútbol', 'Ellos juegan a tenis.' Step 3: Master gustar with different nouns and infinitives. Practice: 'Me gusta el fútbol', 'Me gustan los deportes', 'Me gusta jugar a bádminton.' Step 4: Write 10 sentences about your own sports and hobbies using jugar, gustar, preferir, and porque. For example: 'Me gusta leer novelas de misterio porque son interesantes. También juego a críquet los fines de semana. Prefiero el críquet al fútbol porque es un deporte de equipo.' Step 5: Practice dialogues with a classmate or family member. Record yourself asking and answering questions, then listen back for errors. Step 6: Use CBSETUTOR.ai to upload photos of your worksheet or textbook exercises and get instant, step-by-step solutions and explanations. The AI tutor can correct your sentences, explain why 'juego' and not 'jugo', and help you practice pronunciation. At ₹999/month for all subjects and classes 6–12, it is a cost-effective way to get 24×7 personalised help. Step 7: Solve previous years' CBSE Class 9 Spanish sample papers, focusing on questions related to Chapter 12. Time yourself to build exam speed. Review and revise errors weekly, not just before the exam.
- Step 1: Memorise 10 sports and 8 hobbies using flashcards (Spanish on one side, English/Hindi on the other).
- Step 2: Drill jugar conjugation daily until automatic. Practice with full sentences.
- Step 3: Master gustar with singular nouns (gusta), plural nouns (gustan), and infinitives (gusta).
- Step 4: Write 10 original sentences about your sports and hobbies using jugar, gustar, preferir, porque.
- Step 5: Practice dialogues with a partner; record and review for errors.
- Step 6: Use CBSETUTOR.ai (₹999/month, all subjects, classes 6–12) for instant corrections, explanations, and pronunciation practice.
- Step 7: Solve CBSE sample papers and time yourself; review errors weekly.
How CBSETUTOR.ai Supports CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre Mastery
CBSETUTOR.ai is India's most-trusted 24×7 AI tutor for CBSE Classes 6–12, and it is particularly effective for language subjects like Spanish. For CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre, students can upload a photo of any worksheet, textbook exercise, or handwritten question and receive instant, step-by-step solutions in clear, simple language. The AI explains why 'juego a fútbol' is correct and 'juego fútbol' is wrong, how to conjugate jugar and preferir, and when to use 'gusta' vs. 'gustan'. It provides model sentences for every scenario: describing a favourite sport, comparing hobbies, constructing dialogues. The AI can also generate practice exercises tailored to the student's weak areas — if a student struggles with gustar, the AI will create 10 fill-in-the-blank questions focused on that verb. For oral practice, students can type out their dialogue responses and the AI will correct grammar, suggest better vocabulary, and even explain cultural nuances (e.g., why fútbol is so important in Spain). CBSETUTOR.ai covers all NCERT subjects and chapters for classes 6–12 at a flat ₹999/month — one price, no hidden fees, no per-class charges. There is a 3-day free trial with no credit card required, so students can test the platform before committing. For a Class 9 student juggling multiple subjects, having an AI tutor available at 10 pm when a doubt arises is a shift. Parents across India use CBSETUTOR.ai to give their children the support they need without the cost and scheduling hassle of traditional tutors.
- Upload photos of any CBSE Class 9 Spanish worksheet or textbook exercise and get instant, step-by-step solutions.
- AI explains why 'juego a fútbol' is correct, how to conjugate jugar and preferir, when to use 'gusta' vs. 'gustan'.
- Generates tailored practice exercises based on student's weak areas (e.g., 10 gustar questions if that is the struggle).
- Provides model sentences, dialogue corrections, and cultural context for CBSE Class 9 Spanish Chapter 12 Deportes, Pasatiempos y Tiempo Libre.
- Flat ₹999/month for all subjects and classes 6–12; 3-day free trial, no credit card required.
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