Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for English for Baccalaureate

School in the Cloud: Verb Forms

(Exercise: Identify the correct verb forms.)

1. has tested
2. have never seen
3. taught
4. led
5. decided
6. has been operated

Tense Practice: Completing Sentences

(Exercise: Complete the sentences using the appropriate perfect or continuous tense.)

1. Football practice usually lasts two hours, but it ended early today.
   • Before the rain started, we had been practicing football.
2. I met my best friend when we were in Year 2.
   • What about you and Katherine? How long have you known each other?
3. She had better start studying for the test.
   • She has not studied for the test.
4. I was late for the art class today.
   • By the time I arrived, everyone had started the class.
5. I'm not surprised you're so tired these days!
   • You have been studying a lot at night.

Sentence Transformation

The Singular 'They': A Modern Grammar Debate

Is Using 'They' as a Singular Pronoun Grammatically Correct?

While riding the train recently, I overheard someone say, "Someone left their bag on the train." This seemingly simple sentence sparked a question: Is it grammatically correct?

Traditional Grammar Rules vs. Modern Usage

Traditional English grammar dictates using the singular pronoun "he" when the gender of a person is unknown. Therefore, the sentence should be, "Someone left his bag on the train."

However, many native English speakers would find nothing wrong with the original sentence. In spoken English, using "they" and "their" as singular pronouns when the gender is unknown or to avoid specifying gender is common.

Alternative Approaches

English Irregular Verbs

Here's a list of common irregular verbs in English, showing the base form, past simple, and past participle, along with their Spanish translation:

• lay - laid - laid - poner
• lead - led - led - llevar
• learn - learnt - learnt - aprender
• leave - left - left - dejar
• lend - lent - lent - prestar
• let - let - let - permitir
• lie - lay - lain - echarse
• light - lit - lit - encender(se)
• lose - lost - lost - perder
• make - made - made - hacer
• mean - meant - meant - significar
• meet - met - met - encontrar(se)
• pay - paid - paid - pagar
• put - put - put - poner
• read - read - read - leer
• ride - rode - ridden - montar
• ring - rang - rung - sonar
• rise - rose - risen - levantarse
• run - ran - run - correr
• say - said - said - decir
• see - saw - seen - ver
• sell - sold

English Vocabulary and Grammar Practice

Vocabulary & Phrasal Verbs

1. Got the sack
2. Call off
3. Controversial
4. Rose
5. Prevent
6. Convicted
7. Apologise
8. Stuck
9. Odd
10. Appeal
11. Approve of
12. Keeps track

Verb Tense Examples

1. Used to play / broke / haven’t been able
2. Have been interviewed / was selected
3. Won’t have finished
4. Would you have said / were insulted
5. Have had / taken
6. Hasn’t written / changed / hear / will get
7. Broke / couldn’t have braked

Sentence Correction Exercises

1. Sam, whose father is an artist, is a very good piano player.
2. I am visiting the small village which has a very nice museum.
3. If I had been more careful, I wouldn't have broken my sister's new toy.
4. Unless you have a ticket, you cannot get into the theatre.
5. If I had brought a map, I wouldn't have gotten lost in the mountains.

The Enduring Appeal of Train Travel

For many, the train represents the pinnacle of transportation.

Why Choose the Train? Convenience & Comfort

I believe train travel is superior due to its immense convenience. I frequently travel by train, and it offers a unique blend of comfort and practicality. Certain hygiene standards are maintained, allowing you to relax at your leisure and even raise your feet to the seat in front. Furthermore, many trains feature tables on one side of the car, perfect for playing cards or enjoying a meal on longer journeys. Trains also often provide services for basic needs, a feature some other public transport options lack. There's even dedicated space for bicycles or other large items.

Cost-Effectiveness and Amenities

Financially,...

My Friend Nerea

When I moved to my current town, I met my friend Nerea.

She is 16 and lives in Mollet del Vallés, Barcelona. Nerea is petite and thin, with long dark hair, brown eyes, and a small nose. She usually wears jeans and boots and almost never wears a skirt or dress. She is very pretty.

She loves going out with friends and talking to everyone. She enjoys shopping and trying on clothes, but she can never find the things she likes. I always argue with her because she spends a lot of time, and I hate it! She also hates watching football on television because she always gets angry with the players.

I like her because she is a little crazy, and she understands me very well.

Family Vacation

This holiday was great. My family traveled to the beach...