Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

Demographic and Economic Recovery

Major epidemics disappeared and the birth rate increased, leading to a population rise. Agricultural surplus was generated and sold. Improvements in shipping gave rise to trade. This increased the production of hand-made goods and manufacturing, and the growth of cities. Bills of exchange were created to facilitate trade and payments.

Rise of the Bourgeoisie

The economic power of the bourgeoisie did not come from the land. They made their money from capital, investing in profitable activities such as trade, manufacturing, and banking. The first capitalist companies emerged, laying the groundwork for merchant capitalism. Commercial exchanges represented a major source of wealth.

The Strengthening of the Monarchy

In... Continue reading "European Transformation: 15th-16th Century Social and Religious Shifts" »

Problemas en las plataformas online

Las plataformas pueden realizar cambios repentinos e inexplicables en los términos y condiciones para las empresas, redactados en un lenguaje claro e inteligible. No se informa claramente ni se da una razón para la terminación o suspensión de una cuenta, incluyendo el motivo por el cual una oferta puede ser eliminada. Deben proporcionar a los usuarios comerciales la razón de la suspensión de servicios. Las políticas sobre el acceso a los datos no están claras, deben formular y publicar políticas generales sobre cómo se puede acceder a los datos generados a través de sus servicios. Las reglas de clasificación no están claras, deben informar claramente a las empresas. Favorecimiento del propio servicio... Continue reading "Problemas en las plataformas online y casos de estudio" »

Mastering the Passive Voice in English

Present Simple

Active: This singer writes many songs.

Passive: Many songs are written by this singer.

Past Simple

Active: This singer wrote many songs.

Passive: Many songs were written by this singer.

Future Simple

Active: This singer will write many songs.

Passive: Many songs will be written by this singer.

Present Continuous

Active: This singer is writing many songs.

Passive: Many songs are being written by this singer.

Past Continuous

Active: This singer was writing many songs.

Passive: Many songs were being written by this singer.

Present Perfect Simple

Active: This singer has written many songs.

Passive: Many songs have been written by this singer.

Past Perfect Simple

Active: This singer had written many songs.

Passive:... Continue reading "Mastering Passive Voice in English: Examples and Key Business Vocabulary" »

• Promote parallel thinking
• Encourage thought in all its breadth
• Separate

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my views towards the abuse of domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Recently, more and more mistreatment cases of domestic helpers hit the headlines. It is astonishing that those helpers can be mistreated in such a violent way. Below are the reasons why the abuse of domestic helpers should be opposed.

First and foremost, any kind of abuse is illegal.

According to the law, no one can hurt the others by any cruel means, including the domestic helpers. Although most domestic helpers are foreigners, they are protected by the law. The employers who mistreat the domestic helpers break the law and should be brought to justice. How can we accept people being mistreated illegally in Hong Kong? This is why the abuse should... Continue reading "Opposing the Abuse of Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong" »

Understanding Social Influence in Groups

Social influence in groups occurs when the majority of the members influence smaller subgroups within the group to change (majority influence) and when the minority members succeed in converting the majority of group members to their position (minority influence). Asch studied conformity by measuring people's decisions when the majority of their group's members made errors judging line lengths.

Types of Conformity

When group members change their position, their conformity may result from temporary compliance to the group's pressure rather than true conversion (private acceptance). Those who do not comply may be displaying independence or deliberate defiance of the group (anticonformity). When congruence... Continue reading "Understanding Social Influence: Majority and Minority Dynamics" »

Be (ser) was been

Beat (golpear) beat beaten

Become (volverse) became become

Begin (empezar) began begun

Bend (doblar) bent bent

Bet (apostar) bet bet

Bite (morder) bit bitten

Bleed (sangrar) bled bled

Blow (soplar) blew blown

Break (romper) broke broken

Bring (llevar, traer) brought brought

Build (construir) built built

Burn (quemar) burnt/burned burnt/burned

Buy (comprar) bought bought

Catch (atrapar) caught caught

Choose (elegir) chose chosen

Come (venir) came come

Cost (costar) cost cost

Cut (cortar) cut cut

Dig (cavar) dug dug

Do (hacer) did done

Draw (dibujar) drew drawn

Dream (soñar) dreamt/dreamed dreamt/dreamed

Drink (beber) drank drunk

Drive (conducir) drove driven

Eat (comer) ate eaten

Fall (caerse) fell fallen

Feed (alimentar) fed fed

Feel (sentir) felt felt

Fight... Continue reading "Irregular Verbs in English: Past Simple and Past Participle" »

The Salvation Army Christmas Advert Analysis

A Glimpse into the Reality of Homelessness

This advert poignantly portrays the harsh realities faced by homeless individuals, particularly during the Christmas season. It delves into the circumstances that lead to their plight, introducing us to Tom, evicted by his stepfather; Arthur, an elderly man weathered by years on the streets; and Lizzy, who finds solace and safety in a subway tunnel rather than a home. The advert emphasizes that a mere £19 can provide them with a warm bed and a hot Christmas meal.

Evoking Empathy and Inspiring Action

The advert's primary objective is to raise awareness about the challenging conditions endured by homeless people year-round. By focusing on the loneliness and cold... Continue reading "The Salvation Army Christmas Advert Analysis: A Call for Empathy and Action" »