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Spanish Language Reading and Writing Syllabus

The Reading and Writing syllabus for Spanish Language in full: 4 chapters and 16 topics, every one listed below, plus 51 Reading and Writing flashcards with answers.

4Chapters
16Topics
51Flashcards

Reading and Writing syllabus: all 4 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Reading Comprehension

     4 topics
    • Signs, Menus, and Notices
    • Short Texts and Messages
    • News Articles and Blogs
    • Inferring Meaning from Context

  2. Everyday Writing

     4 topics
    • Filling in Forms
    • Text Messages and Emails
    • Notes and Lists
    • Social Media Posts

  3. Structured Writing

     4 topics
    • Paragraph Structure and Cohesion
    • Describing People, Places, and Events
    • Narrating Past Experiences
    • Expressing and Justifying Opinions

  4. Culture and Spanish in Context

     4 topics
    • Spanish-Speaking Countries and Customs
    • Festivals and Traditions
    • Politeness and Cultural Norms
    • Variation Between Spain and Latin America

Spanish Language Reading and Writing flashcards — 51 questions with answers

  1. On a Spanish notice, what does the sign "Empuje" instruct you to do, and what is its opposite?

    "Empuje" means "Push" (on a door). Its opposite is "Tire" (or "Tirar"), meaning "Pull."

  2. What do the Spanish restroom signs "Aseos / Servicios / Baños" indicate, and how are they typically split by gender?

    They all mean "Toilets/Restrooms." They are split into "Caballeros/Hombres" (Men) and "Señoras/Damas/Mujeres" (Women).

  3. On a Spanish shop notice, what is the difference between "Abierto" and "Cerrado"?

    "Abierto" means "Open" and "Cerrado" means "Closed."

  4. What does the warning sign "Prohibido fumar" mean, and what grammatical form is "Prohibido"?

    It means "No smoking" (smoking prohibited). "Prohibido" is a past participle used adjectivally on signs to express prohibition.

  5. On a Spanish menu, what dishes fall under the headings "Entrantes," "Platos principales," and "Postres"?

    "Entrantes" = starters/appetizers, "Platos principales" = main courses, and "Postres" = desserts.

  6. What is a "Menú del día" in a Spanish restaurant, and what does it usually include?

    A fixed-price daily set menu. It typically includes a first course (primer plato), second course (segundo plato), a drink (bebida), and sometimes bread and dessert or coffee.

  7. On a menu, what do the labels "IVA incluido" and "Servicio no incluido" tell the customer?

    "IVA incluido" means VAT/tax is already included in the price; "Servicio no incluido" means the service charge (tip) is not included.

  8. What key information should you identify first when reading a short text or message for gist?

    The who (sender/recipient), what (main purpose), when (time/date), and where (place), rather than every individual word.

  9. In a Spanish news article, what is the "titular" and what is the "entradilla"?

    The "titular" is the headline; the "entradilla" is the opening lead paragraph summarizing the main facts of the story.

  10. What register and verb tenses typically dominate a Spanish news article versus a personal blog?

    News articles use a formal, impersonal register with preterite and present tenses; blogs use an informal, personal register, often with the first person and colloquial expressions.

  11. What strategy is "inferring meaning from context" when you meet an unknown Spanish word?

    Using surrounding words, sentence logic, cognates, and the overall topic to deduce a word's likely meaning without a dictionary.

  12. What is a Spanish–English cognate, and give one "false friend" (falso amigo) to beware of.

    A cognate is a word similar in form and meaning in both languages (e.g., "animal"). A false friend looks similar but differs in meaning: "embarazada" means "pregnant," not "embarrassed."

  13. On a form, what personal data do the fields "Nombre," "Apellidos," and "Fecha de nacimiento" request?

    "Nombre" = first name, "Apellidos" = surname(s), and "Fecha de nacimiento" = date of birth.

  14. On a Spanish form, what do "DNI/NIE," "Domicilio," and "Código postal" refer to?

    "DNI/NIE" = national identity/foreigner ID number, "Domicilio" = home address, and "Código postal" = postal (zip) code.

  15. When filling a form, what does the instruction "Rellene en mayúsculas" require?

    It requires you to complete the form in capital (uppercase) letters.

  16. How do you begin and end a formal email in Spanish?

    Begin with "Estimado/a Sr./Sra. [surname]:" and end with "Atentamente" or "Un cordial saludo," followed by your name.

  17. How do you begin and end an informal text message or email in Spanish?

    Begin with "Hola [name]" or "Querido/a [name]," and end with "Un abrazo," "Besos," or "Un saludo."

  18. What do the common Spanish texting abbreviations "xq," "tb," "q," and "bss" stand for?

    "xq" = porque/por qué (because/why), "tb" = también (also), "q" = que/qué (that/what), and "bss" = besos (kisses).

  19. When writing a shopping list or notes in Spanish, why are articles and verbs often omitted?

    Because lists and notes use an abbreviated, telegraphic style focusing on key nouns and quantities (e.g., "2 kg patatas, leche, pan") to save space and time.

  20. What features characterize a typical Spanish social media post?

    Short informal sentences, hashtags (etiquetas, e.g., #FelizViernes), emojis, mentions (@usuario), and colloquial or slang vocabulary.

Show the other 31 Reading and Writing flashcards

  1. What is "cohesion" in a Spanish paragraph, and name two devices that create it.

    Cohesion is the linking of ideas so a text flows logically. Devices include connectors/linking words (conectores) and pronoun/reference words that avoid repetition.

  2. Give three Spanish sequencing connectors used to organize a paragraph in order.

    "Primero" (first), "luego/después" (then/afterwards), and "finalmente/por último" (finally).

  3. Which Spanish connectors express addition, contrast, and cause?

    Addition: "además" / "también"; contrast: "pero" / "sin embargo"; cause: "porque" / "ya que" / "debido a."

  4. What is the typical structure of a well-formed paragraph in Spanish writing?

    A topic sentence (idea principal), supporting sentences that develop it (ideas secundarias), and a concluding or linking sentence to the next paragraph.

  5. Which verb tense is normally used to describe people and places in Spanish, and give an example structure.

    The present tense, plus the imperfect for background description. Example: "Es alto y tiene el pelo castaño" (He is tall and has brown hair).

  6. What is the difference between "ser" and "estar" when describing a person?

    "Ser" describes permanent/inherent traits ("Es simpático" – He is nice), while "estar" describes states/conditions or location ("Está cansado" – He is tired).

  7. Which two past tenses are used to narrate past experiences in Spanish, and what does each express?

    The pretérito (preterite) expresses completed actions/events, and the imperfecto (imperfect) expresses ongoing background, habits, or descriptions in the past.

  8. Contrast the meaning of "comía" and "comió."

    "Comía" (imperfect) = "was eating / used to eat" (ongoing/habitual); "comió" (preterite) = "ate" (a single completed action).

  9. Which past tense do these time markers signal: "ayer," "anoche," "el año pasado" versus "todos los días," "mientras," "siempre"?

    "Ayer, anoche, el año pasado" signal the preterite (completed actions); "todos los días, mientras, siempre" signal the imperfect (habitual/ongoing actions).

  10. Give three Spanish expressions for stating an opinion.

    "Creo que..." (I think that...), "En mi opinión..." (In my opinion...), and "Me parece que..." (It seems to me that...).

  11. How do you justify an opinion in Spanish, and which mood follows a negated opinion verb?

    Justify with "porque," "ya que," or "por eso." After a negated opinion verb ("No creo que..."), Spanish uses the subjunctive: "No creo que sea verdad."

  12. Give two Spanish phrases each for agreeing and disagreeing with an opinion.

    Agree: "Estoy de acuerdo" and "Tienes razón." Disagree: "No estoy de acuerdo" and "No es cierto / Te equivocas."

  13. Approximately how many countries have Spanish as an official language, and on which continents are they found?

    About 20 countries, mainly across the Americas (North, Central, and South America) plus Spain in Europe and Equatorial Guinea in Africa.

  14. What is the capital and currency of Mexico, and of Argentina?

    Mexico: capital Mexico City (Ciudad de México), currency the Mexican peso. Argentina: capital Buenos Aires, currency the Argentine peso.

  15. What are "tapas" and "la sobremesa" in Spanish culture?

    "Tapas" are small savory dishes shared with drinks; "la sobremesa" is the relaxed time spent talking at the table after a meal has finished.

  16. What is "la siesta," and how does it affect shop opening hours in Spain?

    A short afternoon rest. Many small shops traditionally close in the early afternoon (roughly 2–5 p.m.) and reopen in the evening.

  17. What is celebrated at Spain's "Las Fallas" and "La Tomatina"?

    "Las Fallas" (Valencia, March) burns giant satirical figures with fireworks; "La Tomatina" (Buñol, August) is a mass tomato-throwing festival.

  18. What is "El Día de los Muertos," where is it mainly celebrated, and what is its purpose?

    The Day of the Dead, celebrated mainly in Mexico around November 1–2, honors deceased loved ones with altars (ofrendas), marigolds, and sugar skulls (calaveras).

  19. What are "las Posadas" and "Semana Santa" in the Spanish-speaking world?

    "Las Posadas" are pre-Christmas processions (Dec 16–24) re-enacting Mary and Joseph seeking shelter; "Semana Santa" (Holy Week) features solemn Easter religious processions.

  20. When and how do many Spanish-speaking children traditionally receive gifts at Christmas time?

    On January 6, "el Día de Reyes" (Epiphany), when the Three Wise Men (los Reyes Magos) bring gifts, often celebrated with "roscón de Reyes" cake.

  21. In Spanish, when do you use "tú" versus "usted"?

    "Tú" is informal, for friends, family, and peers; "usted" is formal/polite, for strangers, elders, and people in authority.

  22. What are the polite Spanish equivalents of "please," "thank you," and "you're welcome"?

    "Por favor" (please), "gracias" (thank you), and "de nada" (you're welcome).

  23. What is the customary Spanish greeting between friends, and how does it differ in formal or business settings?

    Friends often greet with two kisses on the cheeks (or a hug); in formal/business settings a handshake (un apretón de manos) is used.

  24. How do you politely make a request or ask permission in Spanish using the conditional?

    Use the conditional for softness: "¿Podría ayudarme?" (Could you help me?) or "Me gustaría..." (I would like...) / "¿Le importaría...?" (Would you mind...?).

  25. What is the main pronoun difference in the second-person plural between Spain and Latin America?

    Spain uses "vosotros/vosotras" (informal plural "you"); Latin America uses "ustedes" for all plural "you," formal and informal alike.

  26. What is "voseo," and where is it common?

    "Voseo" is the use of "vos" instead of "tú" for informal singular "you," with special verb forms (e.g., "vos tenés"). It is common in Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Central America.

  27. How is the pronunciation of "c" (before e/i) and "z" different in Spain versus Latin America?

    In most of Spain they are pronounced as a soft "th" sound (distinción/ceceo); in Latin America they are pronounced as "s" (seseo).

  28. Give three everyday vocabulary differences between Spain and Latin America.

    Car: "coche" (Spain) vs "carro/auto" (Lat. Am.); computer: "ordenador" (Spain) vs "computadora" (Lat. Am.); potato: "patata" (Spain) vs "papa" (Lat. Am.).

  29. Which past tense do Spain and Latin America each prefer for recent past actions like "I ate breakfast this morning"?

    Spain tends to use the present perfect ("He desayunado"), while much of Latin America prefers the preterite ("Desayuné").

  30. What is the difference between "por qué," "porque," and "por que/porqué" when reading Spanish?

    "¿Por qué?" = why (question), "porque" = because (answer/cause), and "el porqué" (one word, noun) = the reason.

  31. When narrating a story, which Spanish connectors show time sequence and result?

    Time sequence: "entonces" (then), "de repente" (suddenly), "al final" (in the end); result: "así que" / "por eso" (so/therefore).

Spanish Language Reading and Writing FAQ

What is in the Spanish Language Reading and Writing syllabus?

Spanish Language Reading and Writing is split into 4 chapters: Reading Comprehension, Everyday Writing, Structured Writing and Culture and Spanish in Context. Together they contain 16 topics.

How many chapters are in Spanish Language Reading and Writing?

4 chapters, containing 16 topics. The largest chapter is Reading Comprehension, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for Spanish Language Reading and Writing?

Yes — a 51-card Reading and Writing deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.