CCSE questions on Literature
Practice questions on Literature for the CCSE. This topic belongs to task 4 (Spanish culture and history).
In the novel El Quijote, who goes with don Quijote as his squire?
- ALazarilloLazarillo
- BDon Juan TenorioDon Juan Tenorio
- CSancho PanzaSancho Panza
Show answer and explanation
✓ Sancho Panza
Sancho Panza is don Quijote's squire in the novel by Miguel de Cervantes. He is a simple, practical peasant who goes with don Quijote on his adventures, in contrast to the idealistic knight. The work was published in 1605 and 1615, and it is one of the most important in world literature. Don Juan Tenorio is another classic character, but from a different work. Lazarillo is the main character of an earlier book.
Who is the author of the play La casa de Bernarda Alba?
- AMiguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno
- BFederico García LorcaFederico García Lorca
- CAntonio MachadoAntonio Machado
Show answer and explanation
✓ Federico García Lorca
Federico García Lorca wrote La casa de Bernarda Alba in 1936. It is a play about a strict mother who locks up her five daughters after her husband dies. Lorca, an Andalusian poet and playwright, belongs to the Generación del 27 and also wrote Bodas de sangre and the Romancero gitano. He was killed at the start of the Civil War, in 1936. Remember: Lorca equals 20th-century theatre and poetry.
Who wrote Nada, the Spanish post-war novel that won the Premio Nadal?
- ACarmen LaforetCarmen Laforet
- BRosa MonteroRosa Montero
- CAna María MatuteAna María Matute
Show answer and explanation
✓ Carmen Laforet
Carmen Laforet wrote Nada in 1944, when she was only 23, and won the first Premio Nadal. The novel tells the life of a young woman in post-war Barcelona, among poverty and sadness. Ana María Matute wrote Primera memoria, and Rosa Montero is a present-day author. Remember: Nada equals Laforet equals first winner of the Premio Nadal.
5 practice questions on this topic
- In the novel El Quijote, who goes with don Quijote as his squire?
- Who is the author of the play La casa de Bernarda Alba?
- Who wrote Nada, the Spanish post-war novel that won the Premio Nadal?
- What successful book did the author Irene Vallejo write?
- Which Spanish woman writer wrote her works in Catalan, another official language of Spain?
Other topics in task 4
Free official material
The Instituto Cervantes publishes a manual and an app with the official questions. We write new questions on the same facts, with explanations: use them together.
Frequently asked questions
How many CCSE questions are about Literature?
Literature is part of task 4 (Spanish culture and history), which has 3 of the 25 questions in the exam. Here are 5 original practice questions on this topic.
Are these the official CCSE questions?
No. They are original questions that test the same facts as the Instituto Cervantes' official 2026 manual, with our own explanations. The official manual can be downloaded free from the Instituto Cervantes website.
How do I practise this topic?
Read each question, pick an option and check the explanation. When you feel confident, take a timed 25-question mock test and see which task you miss most.