CiviqPass

CCSE task 4: Culture and history. Questions with answers and sources

Sources: 2 links, read on 22 October 2026.

Instituto Cervantes, CCSE preparation (free manual); Real Decreto 1004/2015, article 6 (BOE), read on 22 October 2026.

Task 4 of the free CCSE manual (Instituto Cervantes, 2026 edition) is about “Culture and history”. Here are 35 practice questions for that task, with the right answer marked, the explanation and the exact sentence of the law or official page that supports it.

Free CCSE mock, no sign-up

Read the question, cover the options and check your answer against the source each one cites. The questions and options are ours and cover the topic of each manual number; they do not copy the manual's.

The other tasks: Government and legislation · Rights and duties · Territory and geography · Society and daily life. All the questions by number: CCSE questions by number, with answers.

The 35 questions of task 4

4001 · In the courtyard of the Casa de Cervantes Museum in Valladolid, a relief shows Don Quixote arriving at the house of some dukes. Which other character in the novel arrives with him?

Answer: Sancho Panza. The museum’s leaflet explains that the relief tells of the arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza at the house of some dukes who had already read about their first adventures.

«Don Quijote y Sancho Panza llegan a la casa de unos duques que ya habían leído sus primeras aventuras.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, Museo Casa de Cervantes: folleto en lectura fácil. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4002 · Which Spanish scientist discovered the polymerase of the bacteriophage virus phi29, which is used to amplify DNA?

Answer: Margarita Salas. This biochemist of the CSIC discovered the polymerase of the bacteriophage virus phi29, which makes it possible to amplify DNA simply, quickly and reliably.

«A lo largo de su dilatada carrera, reconocida este año por la Oficina Europea de Patentes, Salas descubrió la polimerasa del virus bacteriófago phi29, que tiene una aplicación crucial en biotecnología: permite amplificar el ADN de manera sencilla, rápida y fiable.»

Source: Ministerio de Ciencia: fallece Margarita Salas. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4003 · Who is the author of the drama The House of Bernarda Alba (La casa de Bernarda Alba), which was almost finished in May 1936?

Answer: The poet Federico García Lorca. The biography of the Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes says that in May 1936 he had almost finished his drama The House of Bernarda Alba.

«Casi había terminado su drama de la sexualidad andaluza, La casa de Bernarda Alba.»

Source: Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes: biografía de Federico García Lorca. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4004 · A writer born in 1921 in Calle Aribau in Barcelona set her novel Nada there, winner of the first edition of the Nadal prize. Who is she?

Answer: Carmen Laforet. She was born in 1921 in a flat in Calle Aribau in Barcelona, where she sets her novel Nada, winner of the first edition of the Nadal prize.

«Carmen Laforet (Barcelona, 1921 – Majadahonda, 2004) nació el 6 de septiembre de 1921 en un piso de la misma calle Aribau donde ambienta su novela Nada (fulgurante éxito de público y crítica, y ganadora de la primera edición del premio Nadal), aunque se trasladó a Gran Canaria con tan sólo dos años, cuando su padre, Eduardo Laforet, obtuvo una plaza de Dibujo en la Escuela de Peritos Industriales de Las Palmas.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: Carmen Laforet, la verdad en libertad. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4005 · The pantomime El amor brujo and the ballet The Three-Cornered Hat (El sombrero de tres picos) are works by a Spanish composer of the twentieth century. Who is he?

Answer: The composer Manuel de Falla. The Ministry of Culture cites El amor brujo and The Three-Cornered Hat among his emblematic works.

«Autor de obras emblemáticas como la pantomima ‘El amor brujo’, el ballet ‘El sombrero de tres picos’, las ‘Siete canciones populares españolas’ o la ‘Fantasía bética’ para piano, su impacto ha sido notable en generaciones de compositores posteriores.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: Año Falla 2026. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4006 · At the Hogueras de San Juan in Alicante, which element is the main axis around which the whole festival takes place?

Answer: The bonfires, ephemeral artistic monuments. The Ministry of Culture explains that each comisión (committee) puts up these monuments in the street and that fireworks are used to set them alight.

«La hoguera, como monumento artístico efímero, es el eje principal en torno al cual se desarrolla toda la fiesta.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial: Fogueres de Sant Joan. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4007 · In flamenco, the toque is the musical accompaniment of the cante. Which instrument is used?

Answer: The guitar. In flamenco, the toque is the guitar’s accompaniment of the cante, and the flamenco guitar is a direct heir of the classical guitar.

«El toque es el acompañamiento de la guitarra al cante.»

Source: Junta de Andalucía, recurso educativo: El toque y el baile. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4008 · Isabel Coixet received the National Cinematography Prize 2020. What is her profession?

Answer: Film director and screenwriter. The Ministry of Culture presents her this way when announcing her National Cinematography Prize 2020.

«Isabel Coixet (Sant Adrià del Besós, Barcelona, 1960) es directora de cine y guionista.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: Isabel Coixet, Premio Nacional de Cinematografía 2020. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4009 · The Ministry of Culture has awarded the National Prize for Contemporary Music 2026 to a woman singer. Which of these artists has received it?

Answer: Rosalía. The Ministry of Culture has awarded her the National Prize for Contemporary Music 2026, worth 30,000 euros.

«Rosalía (Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Barcelona, 1992) es cantante, compositora, productora e intérprete.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: Premio Nacional de las Músicas Actuales 2026. This fact can change: we read it on that date. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4010 · A mosque-cathedral built on an old Visigothic basilica was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. In which city is it?

Answer: In Córdoba. The Ministry of Culture states that its mosque-cathedral was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984 and that it was built on an earlier Visigothic basilica.

«La actual mezquita catedral de Córdoba, crisol de las diferentes culturas que a lo largo de los siglos han modificado la construcción inicial, fue declarada Patrimonio Mundial en 1984.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, Patrimonio Mundial: Centro Histórico de Córdoba. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4011 · The Ministry of Culture describes the Alhambra as the Islamic palace city where the sultan and the Nasrid court lived. Which Andalusian city is home to it?

Answer: Granada. The Alhambra was the palace complex where the sultan and the court of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada lived, and it entered the World Heritage List in 1984 together with the Generalife.

«La Alhambra es una ciudad palatina islámica que incluye una fortaleza y un rico complejo palaciego donde residía el sultán y la corte del Reino Nazarí de Granada.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, Patrimonio Mundial: Alhambra, Generalife y Albaicín de Granada. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4012 · The film El crimen de Cuenca (1980): who directed it?

Answer: Pilar Miró. The programme of the Filmoteca Española attributes El crimen de Cuenca (1980) to Pilar Miró, who shot it during the Transition, with a screenplay by Lola Salvador.

«En plena Transición, Pilar Miró afrontó el rodaje de una película basada en este suceso a partir de un guion escrito por Lola Salvador.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, Filmoteca Española: programación de septiembre de 2020 (Cine prohibido). The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4013 · Irene Vallejo received the National Essay Prize 2020. For which work?

Answer: El infinito en un junco. La invención de los libros en el mundo antiguo (Infinity in a Reed. The Invention of Books in the Ancient World), the work for which Irene Vallejo received the National Essay Prize 2020. The jury described it as a personal, erudite and instructive journey through the history of the book.

«El jurado del Premio Nacional de Ensayo ha propuesto a Irene Vallejo para ser galardonada con el Premio Nacional de Literatura en su modalidad de Ensayo, correspondiente a 2020, por su obra ‘El infinito en un junco. La invención de los libros en el mundo antiguo’ (Editorial Siruela).»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: Irene Vallejo, Premio Nacional de Ensayo 2020. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4014 · Which of these institutions is the largest public research institution in Spain?

Answer: The CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) is the largest public research institution in Spain, according to its own website, which says so when celebrating its 85th anniversary.

«El Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), la mayor institución pública de investigación en España, ha celebrado hoy en Madrid su 85º aniversario en un acto en el que han estado presentes la ministra de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Diana Morant, el secretario de Estado de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, la secretaria general de Investigación, Eva Ortega Paíno, y la presidenta del CSIC, Eloísa del Pino.»

Source: CSIC: el CSIC conmemora 85 años de investigación. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4015 · Paco de Lucía, born in Algeciras, is a well-known figure of flamenco. What was his work?

Answer: Flamenco guitarist. The Ministry of Culture describes him as perhaps the most universal of flamenco guitarists.

«Quizás el más universal de los guitarristas flamencos.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, INAEM: Paco de Lucía. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4016 · According to the culture portal of Castilla-La Mancha, in which Christian festival is the Misa del Gallo celebrated?

Answer: Christmas Eve. The culture portal of Castilla-La Mancha says that in Isso (Albacete) the danzantes take part in the Misas del Gozo and del Gallo on Christmas Eve, and that they attended the Misa del Gallo on the night of 24 December.

«Acudían también a la Misa del Gallo la noche del 24 de diciembre cuando, subidos al coro de la iglesia parroquial de Santiago, cantaban unas estrofas.»

Source: Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Cultura: costumbres y tradiciones navideñas. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4017 · The Government awarded Juan Mari Arzak the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts. What is his work?

Answer: Restaurateur and creator of new cuisine. La Moncloa presents him as a restaurateur from San Sebastián who, with traditional Basque cuisine as a base, wanted to create a new Spanish cuisine of worldwide renown.

«Con la cocina vasca tradicional como base y con la influencia de grandes maestros como Paul Bocusse, hizo suyo el reto de crear una nueva cocina española que atravesase las fronteras y adquiriese renombre mundial.»

Source: La Moncloa: entrega de las Medallas de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes (2009). The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4018 · What did the deputy Clara Campoamor do in the Constituent Cortes of 1931?

Answer: She defended the civil and political rights of women. The Congress recalls that she was a member of the Constitution Committee and that she played a leading role in that defence.

«En la defensa de estos derechos Clara Campoamor representó un papel de primer orden ya que formaba parte de la Comisión de Constitución, lo que le permitía una relación más directa con la elaboración del articulado y el espíritu que se quería trasmitir.»

Source: Congreso de los Diputados: la diputada Campoamor y los derechos de las mujeres. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4019 · According to the Ministry of Culture, in Andalusia some traditional songs are sung around the Christmas nativity scene (Belén). What are they called?

Answer: Villancicos (Christmas carols). The Ministry of Culture explains that in Andalusia, around the Belén set up at Christmas, villancicos are sung and instruments are played.

«En torno al Belén se desarrollan otras actividades como cantar villancicos y tocar instrumentos, realizar ofrendas, etc, fomentando la sociabilidad colectiva de andaluces y andaluzas.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial: Belenismo en Andalucía. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4021 · Which poet of the Generation of ’27 was awarded the 1977 Nobel Prize in Literature?

Answer: Vicente Aleixandre. The 1977 Nobel Prize in Literature honoured his poetic creation, which illuminates the condition of man in the cosmos and in contemporary society.

«Prize motivation: “for a creative poetic writing which illuminates man's condition in the cosmos and in present-day society, at the same time representing the great renewal of the traditions of Spanish poetry between the wars”»

Source: NobelPrize.org: Vicente Aleixandre, hechos. The quotation is in English, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4022 · 7 July is the feast of San Fermín, co-patron saint of Navarre. Which festivities of Pamplona does it inspire?

Answer: The Sanfermines. The Ayuntamiento de Pamplona explains that the feast of San Fermín on 7 July inspires the Sanfermines.

«Copatrón de Navarra y símbolo de Pamplona, su festividad el 7 de julio inspira los Sanfermines.»

Source: Ayuntamiento de Pamplona: san Fermín. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4023 · In 2017, Teresa Perales had around 80 medals from the Paralympic Games, World Championships and European Championships. Which sport does she practise?

Answer: Swimming. In 2017 the Ministry of Culture presented her as a Paralympic swimmer with around 80 medals from the Paralympic Games, World Championships and European Championships.

«Teresa Perales cuenta en su palmarés con unas 80 medallas entre Juegos Paralímpicos, Mundiales y Europeos.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: entrevista a Teresa Perales (2017). The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4024 · At the Puerta del Sol in Madrid, on 31 December, what is eaten to the rhythm of the twelve chimes of the clock?

Answer: Twelve grapes. The Madrid tourism website explains that people eat 12 lucky grapes to the rhythm of the twelve chimes of the clock of the Real Casa de Correos.

«Thousands of people flock to the square to usher in the New Year and eat 12 lucky grapes to the twelve chimes of the Real Casa de Correos clock.»

Source: esMadrid (turismo de Madrid): New Year's Eve party at Puerta del Sol. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4025 · The Museo Reina Sofía holds the oil painting La verbena, from September 1927, which is part of a series on the festivities of Madrid. Who is its author?

Answer: Maruja Mallo. The Museo Reina Sofía dates La verbena to September 1927 and recalls that in 1928 the artist exhibited the four oil paintings of the series devoted to the festivities of Madrid.

«En 1928 Maruja Mallo exponía, en la muestra individual que le había organizado Ortega y Gasset en las salas de la Revista de Occidente, los cuatro óleos que constituyen la serie dedicada a las fiestas madrileñas, conjunto del que forma parte La verbena, perteneciente al Museo Reina Sofía.»

Source: Museo Reina Sofía: La verbena, de Maruja Mallo. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4026 · Picasso’s Guernica returned to Spain in 1981. In which museum in Madrid is it displayed today, in room 205.10?

Answer: The Museo Reina Sofía. According to the entry for it in the museum’s collection, the Guernica is displayed in room 205.10 and returned to Spain in 1981.

«Expuesta en Sala 205.10»

Source: Museo Reina Sofía: ficha de la obra Guernica. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4027 · According to the Institut Ramon Llull, which of these women writers is the most influential in contemporary literature in the Catalan language?

Answer: Mercè Rodoreda. The Institut Ramon Llull describes her as one of the most international Catalan authors and the most influential contemporary writer in the Catalan language.

«Mercè Rodoreda es una de las autoras catalanas más internacionales y la escritora en lengua catalana contemporánea más influyente, con traducciones a más de una treintena de lenguas.»

Source: Institut Ramon Llull: Mercè Rodoreda, volver a crear el mundo. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4028 · Toledo, a World Heritage city, is known as the city of the three cultures. Which are they?

Answer: The Jewish, the Islamic and the Christian. The Ministry of Culture calls Toledo the city of the three cultures because of the coexistence of those three great cultures.

«Su apariencia actual se debe a la superposición de todas estas influencias y a la coexistencia de tres grandes culturas: judía, islámica y cristiana.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, Patrimonio Mundial: Ciudad Histórica de Toledo. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4029 · What was put to a vote of the citizens in the referendum of 6 December 1978?

Answer: The Constitution. According to La Moncloa, the Spanish people were called on 6 December 1978 to vote on it, and it came into force on 29 December of the same year.

«La ciudadanía española fue convocada a un referéndum para votar la Constitución el 6 de diciembre de 1978.»

Source: La Moncloa: la Constitución española. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4030 · According to the Ministry of Culture, which city of al-Andalus became an important cultural and scientific centre in the ninth century?

Answer: Córdoba. The Ministry of Culture notes that in the ninth century it became an important cultural and scientific centre, and that the proclamation of the caliphate in 929 boosted that rise.

«En el siglo IX, Córdoba se convirtió en un importante centro cultural y científico gracias a los hombres procedentes de Oriente.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: El legado andalusí. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4031 · In which city stands the building of titanium, stone and glass that Frank Gehry designed for the Guggenheim Museum?

Answer: Bilbao. The museum’s website describes its building, the work of Frank Gehry, as the most recognisable icon of the city of Bilbao.

«El edificio del Museo, hoy día el icono más reconocible de la ciudad de Bilbao, es una gran escultura de titanio, piedra y cristal diseñada por el arquitecto norteamericano Frank Gehry.»

Source: Museo Guggenheim Bilbao: el museo. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4032 · Which professionals does the Ministry of Culture’s Premio Cervantes recognise for the whole of their work?

Answer: Women and men writers. The Ministry of Culture explains that the prize distinguishes anyone who, with the whole of their work, has enriched the Hispanic literary legacy, whatever their nationality.

«El Premio Cervantes constata el público testimonio de admiración a la figura de una escritora o escritor, independientemente de su nacionalidad que, con el conjunto de su obra, haya contribuido a enriquecer el legado literario hispánico.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: Premio Miguel de Cervantes. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4033 · The Ministry of Culture reports that As bestas won the awards for best film, direction and leading actor at its 37th edition. Which awards were they?

Answer: The Goya Awards. At its 37th edition, As bestas received the Goya for best film, direction, original screenplay, leading actor and other categories, according to the Ministry of Culture.

«‘As bestas’ recibió el Goya a mejor película, dirección, guion original, actor protagonista (Denis Ménochet), actor de reparto (Luis Zahera), sonido, fotografía, música y montaje.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, ICAA: Premios Goya 2023. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4034 · Which awards, presented every year at an academic ceremony in Oviedo, seek to promote the scientific, cultural and humanistic values of the universal heritage of humanity?

Answer: The awards of the Princess of Asturias Foundation. The Foundation calls for them in order to praise and promote the scientific, cultural and humanistic values of the universal heritage of humanity, and presents them every year in Oviedo.

«The Foundation’s aims are to contribute to extolling and promoting those scientific, cultural and humanistic values that form part of the universal heritage of humanity and to consolidate the existing links between the Principality of Asturias and the title traditionally held by the heirs to the Crown of Spain.»

Source: Fundación Princesa de Asturias: Princess of Asturias Awards. The quotation is in English, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4035 · According to the 2017 Sports Statistics Yearbook, with data from 2015, what does a larger share of the Spanish population have at home?

Answer: Footballs. According to the 2015 survey included in the Yearbook, 51.3% of the population have them, more than chess sets (40.3%) or basketballs (27%).

«El 51,3 % de la población dispone de balones de fútbol y el 27 % de baloncesto.»

Source: Ministerio de Cultura: Anuario de Estadísticas Deportivas 2017. The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

4036 · Among those awarded the National Sports Awards for their work in 2022 is a tennis player with the Rey Felipe Prize. Who is it?

Answer: Carlos Alcaraz. La Moncloa cites him as the tennis player awarded the Rey Felipe Prize for best sportsperson for 2022, after rising to first place in the ATP ranking.

«Entre ellos están el tenista Carlos Alcaraz o la triatleta Susana Rodriguez, premios Rey Felipe y Reina Letizia al mejor deportista, respectivamente.»

Source: La Moncloa: Premios Nacionales del Deporte (labor de 2022). The quotation is in Spanish, as the source prints it.

This question on its own page

Questions of this task with the Constitution article

To practise with 25 questions and a 45-minute timer, like the real exam: free CCSE mock. Dates, fees and rules of the sittings: CCSE and DELE 2026.

Free CCSE mock, no sign-up

The mock and its explanations are in Arabic, French and English.

Explanation written with AI from the official source cited on this page.

CiviqPass is an independent practice service for the CCSE and DELE A2 (reading, listening and writing). Each answer links to its source. Last updated .