Poema XX: Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche

Written by Qualified Language Expert Shui Ng González DESS, DEA, MA, BA (Hons)

In: Reading C1, Literature, Poetry, Theatre, Listening or Seeing C1

Discussion of this reading exercise: 4

Spanish online reading and listening practice - level C1

The Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, was once described by Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez as "el más grande poeta del siglo XX en todos los idiomas". As well as being admired for his poetry and winning the Nobel prize for Literature in 1971, he was active in the world of politics and held many political and diplomatic posts during his lifetime. The poem in this exercise is taken from his collection of poems entitled Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada. It was published when the poet was just 19 years old.

This reading and listening exercise can help you practise the perfect infinitive, using el de/la de/los de/las de and using Qué + noun/adjective/adverb + que + subjunctive to express feelings.

Exercise: Poema XX: Puedo escribir los versos más tristes, de Pablo Neruda

Watch and listen to the video. Click any phrase in the transcript for the translation and links to related grammar lessons which you can add to your Kwiziq notebook to practise later.