These articles are written in our Bilingual Reader: click any phrase to see the English translation and related grammar lessons. Most of these features also include a video or audio file so that you can practice your listening comprension at the same time.
Reading practice exercises by level
A2: Lower Intermediate
- El frotar se va a acabar
This is about a Spanish advert for washing powder. - Julieta, a film by Pedro Almodovar
Pedro Almodovar is Spain's most successful film director of international renown. His quirky screenplays focus on pop culture, desire, passion, and strong female characters. - La Roja baila
This reading and listening exercise is based on a song by the Spanish national football team. - Las tunas en el día de la Inmaculada
This reading and listening exercise is about the Spanish tradition of Las Tunas. - Martes y Trece - supersticiones
This exercise is about superstitions in Spain. - No tengo miedo - Halloween song
It's Halloween! How about practising your Spanish with this cute song? - Orgullosa de mis hijos
Here's a short vignette narrated by a mother about her two sons. - Song "Mediterráneo" by Ana Belén and Joan Manuel Serrat
This reading and listening exercise is based on the lyrics of the Spanish song Mediterráneo written by singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat. - Súbeme la radio - Enrique Iglesias
This reading and listening exercise is based on the song Súbeme La Radio by Enrique Iglesias. It can help you practise El Imperative and El Presente. - ¡A comer!
This reading and listening exercise is about how to make a Spanish potato omelette: una tortilla de patata. - ¿Y a ti qué te ha dejado Santa?
It's Christmas morning! Our gift to you is this reading and listening exercise that can help you practise El Pretérito Perfecto and El Imperfecto Progresivo. B1: Intermediate
- 23-F: Coup d'Etat in Spain
This exercise is based on events that occurred on 23 February 1981, when Lieutenant-Colonel Tejero led 200 civil guards in a coup d'État against the recently-formed Spanish democracy. - Algo inesperado
This exercise describes an unexpected encounter on the beach. It can help you practise El Imperfecto and El Indefinido and introduces El Pluscuamperfecto. - Cotilleando
This exercise can help you practise how to use gustar to say you find someone attractive. - Día Internacional de las Montañas
Find out why mountains are so important with this reading and listening exercise that can help you practise El Presente, El Imperativo and the position of pronouns after gerunds. - El clásico
Discussion of the traditional rivalry that exists between the Real Madrid and Barcelona football teams. It can help you practise comparatives and superlatives. - El Día de Muertos
The Mexican celebration of El Día de Muertos (the Day of the Dead) actually lasts more than one day as it is celebrated on el Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day) and el Día de los Fieles Difuntos (All Souls' Day), 1 and 2 November respectively. - El Gordo de Navidad
This is about the Spanish Christmas tradition of playing the lottery known as El Gordo. - La Casa de Bernarda Alba
Federico García Lorca is probably Spain's most famous modern poet and playwright. La Casa de Bernarda Alba is one of his most well-known plays. - La Feria de Abril
This exercise is about the Spanish festival La Feria de Abril. - Las Doce Uvas
Are you familiar with the Spanish New Year's tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight? - Las Fallas de Valencia
This reading and listening exercise is about the Spanish festival Las Fallas de Valencia. - Las hogueras de San Juan
This reading and listening exercise is about the Spanish celebration of the feast day of Saint John. - Los Novios
This reading and listening exercise can help you practise the subjunctive. - Queridos Reyes Magos
This is about the Spanish tradition of the Three Kings - Los Reyes Magos. - Song "La vida es un carnaval" by Lucrecia
This reading and listening exercise is based on the lyrics of the Spanish song La vida es un carnaval sung by Lucrecia. - ¿Harás caso a todo lo que se dice? Coca-Cola Light advert
This reading and listening exercise is based on an advert for Coca-Cola Light. It can help you practise El Imperativo and El Futuro. - ¿Qué harías en Bilbao?
This reading and listening exercise describes the delights of the Basque city of Bilbao. It can help you practise El Condicional. - ¿Sabías cuál es el origen del turrón?
This reading and listening exercise is about the traditional Spanish Christmas nougat called turrón. B2: Upper Intermediate
- Buenas amigas
Two friends discuss what to do about the boyfriend of one of them. Or is it just one of them? - Despacito
Despacito by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee is one of the hot hits of 2017 and the first Youtube video to get more than 4 billion views! Both artists are from Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States whose official languages are both English and Spanish but with Spanish as the dominant language. - La Familia Addams
There's a lot of spooky excitement in Madrid right now because of the new Addams Family musical! Practise your Spanish with this video filmed after the premiere. - La herencia árabe en España
This exercise is about the influence of Arabic culture on Spain and the Spanish language. - Semana Santa
This reading and listening exercise is about the Spanish religious celebration of Semana Santa in Seville. C1: Advanced
- Janucá
Hanukkah Sameach! This reading and listening exercise discusses the story behind the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. - La Pepa
Today, 6 of December, is when Spain celebrates El Día de la Constitución. This reading and listening exercise discusses the Spanish constitution and explains why it is fondly referred to as La Pepa.