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

The Singer: Ramón Melendi Espina

Ramón Melendi Espina is from Asturias, Spain. He is a talented singer, tall with brown eyes and short, dark, straight hair. Although he is well-known, he is always recognized wherever he goes. He follows fashion and is very good-looking.

He sings various genres, including pop-rock, rock, metal, and punk. He has been described as big-headed and has sometimes had problems with the law, reportedly due to drug use. He also has a fear of flying, but nowadays, he is doing better. He recently got married and has three children. He is also a songwriter.

In 2015, Melendi performed on more than 100 stages around Spain. Despite being famous and having sold over five albums, he prefers not to be treated as a star.

A Scene

My Love for Cinema

I like going to the cinema. Last week I went to see "El Ilusionista."
It was made in 2006 by Neil Burger. It is a dramatic film. It's a screen adaptation of the book The Illusionist, written by Steven Millhauser, who won the Pulitzer Prize.
It's an American film. The film is about a young magician who knows a beautiful young princess. It was around 1870 in Vienna. It has a happy end.
I like both American and European films. I think American films have more budget and effects than the Europeans.
In Spain, we have very famous directors and actors. Pedro Almodovar is one famous director who has won an Oscar, and Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas are two very good Spanish actors, even in Hollywood.

At the moment, something is becoming...

English Phrasal Verbs and Irregular Verbs Vocabulary List

English Phrasal Verbs

• laugh at: reírse de
• leave out: excluir, suprimir
• let down: defraudar, soltar pelo
• look after: cuidar
• look at: mirar
• look down on: mirar mal, sentir superior
• look for: buscar
• look forward to: tener ganas de
• especular (contextual/notes) / look into: investigar
• look like: parecerse, que
• look out: ¡cuidado!
• look up: consultar, visitar, mirar arriba, mejorar
• look up to someone: admirar a
• make up: inventar
• pay back: devolver dinero, pagar con la misma moneda
• pay for: pagar por
• pick out: escoger, elegir
• pick up: recoger
• pull up: contenerse, detenerse, frenar
• put away: ordenar, guardar, aportar
• put down: poner abajo, poner por escrito
• put someone down: humillar
• put off: cancelar, posponer, desanimar
• put

Vocabulary Practice

1. Form Expressions by Choosing Two Words

• 1. Look up: information, a friend
• 2. Beat: an opponent, a team
• 3. Overcome: a difficulty, pain

2. Complete the Sentences

1. The local authority raised a question about installing cameras...
2. The thief ran off with the jewelry before anyone...
3. There is no access for people with a disability in this building.
4. It's a huge relief to hear that Matthew is well.
5. Don't forget to make sure that everyone knows...

3. Complete the Passage with Suitable Words

1. ... achieved this goal. 2. Alicia set a record by becoming... 3. She even broke her father's record by a day... 4. She had aimed to win a competition between herself... 5. Alicia says she got lots of valuable... 6. ... dangerous journey. 7. Her teacher...

Past Simple of Regular Verbs

Example: (not cook) didn't cook

• Visit - visited
• Live - lived
• Try - tried
• Stop - stopped

Sports Vocabulary

• A game: Football, baseball, soccer
• B match: Tennis, ping-pong, boxing
• C race: Swimming

Irregular Verbs

• Sit - sat
• Win - won
• Leave - left
• Lose - lost
• Beat - beat
• Throw - threw
• Catch - caught
• Ride - rode

My father (left)

Who (won)

Mike is... (lost)

Tony (threw)

My brother (rode)

Somebody (sat)

Comparative Forms

Regular

• Cheap - cheaper
• Strange - stranger
• Big - bigger
• Happy - happier
• Popular - more popular

Irregular

• Good - better
• Bad - worse
• Far - farther/further

Vocabulary

• Singer
• Artist
• Photographer
• Waiter
• Journalist
• Actor
• Musician
• Graphic Designer
• Pilot

Superlative Forms

Chapter 13: Visitors to Rosings

Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy. He appears to be interested in her, but she thinks nothing of it.

Chapter 14: Mr. Darcy's Proposal

Elizabeth learns that it was Darcy who stopped Bingley from marrying Jane. She is angry and then amazed when Darcy asks her to marry him. She refuses him rudely.

Chapter 15: The Letter

Elizabeth receives a letter from Darcy explaining why he stopped Bingley from marrying Jane and providing his version of his conflict with Wickham.

Chapter 16: Return Home

Elizabeth and Jane return home, and Elizabeth tells Jane about Darcy.

Chapter 17: The Regiment Leaves Meryton

After Wickham’s regiment leaves for Brighton, Lydia, the youngest Bennet sister (sixteen), is invited to stay in Brighton with friends....

Cycling: A Healthy and Practical Transportation Choice

In recent years, many people have rediscovered the bicycle as a useful and healthy mode of transport for navigating the city. It offers numerous advantages with few drawbacks.

Advantages of Cycling

• Cycling is an activity most people learn from a young age, regardless of where they live.
• Bicycles don't require gasoline. As gasoline prices rise, more people are choosing to cycle.
• Cycling is a cost-effective way to travel, using your own energy for movement.
• It provides exercise while commuting.
• Cycling is an environmentally friendly, non-polluting mode of transport.

Disadvantages of Cycling

• Cycling may require more travel time compared to other options.
• A good network of bike lanes is essential for

How to Write an Informal Email

1. The Greeting

Begin your email or letter with a friendly greeting. Examples include: Hi, Hi there, Hiya, or Dear [Name].

2. Introduction and Responding

Ask about your friend's health, thank them for their previous message, and mention the reason for writing. Useful phrases include:

• Thanks for your letter/email.
• It's great to hear from you!
• Sorry it's taken me so long to reply.

3. The Body

Write two or three short paragraphs covering the main subjects of your email.

4. Conclusion and Closing

Include your closing remarks and a sign-off.

• Closing remarks: Lots of love to you and your family, Hope everyone's doing well, Say "hi" to [Name] for me!
• Sign-offs: Bye for now, Write soon, See you soon, Call me, Take care, Love from,

Career Fulfillment or High Salary?

Many people desire a job that provides a substantial income, allowing them to enjoy life with that money. However, sometimes the job itself is disliked. So, what is truly more important?

I believe that despite all the money you might expect to earn, if you are not happy, it is better to leave that job. If you enjoy what you do every day, it drives you to improve and be happy. I think that even a modest income from a fulfilling job, if it allows you to live comfortably, shall be sufficient.

Furthermore, if you work on something you dislike, you may not perform as well as you are capable of. The money earned in this scenario does not compensate for the dissatisfaction of working on something you hate. Conversely,...