Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for English for Other courses

Social Media: A Balancing Act

Social networks like Twitter and Facebook have become integral parts of our lives. They offer numerous advantages, such as connecting with new people, staying updated on current events, and engaging in discussions. However, it's crucial to use them responsibly and be mindful of potential drawbacks like privacy concerns and excessive time consumption.

Advantages of Social Media

• Connecting with new people and making friends
• Staying informed about current events and news
• Engaging in discussions and sharing opinions
• Entertainment and leisure

Disadvantages of Social Media

• Potential for addiction and excessive time spent online
• Privacy concerns and data security

In conclusion, social media platforms can be valuable tools for communication...

Precious Artifact: A Martian Engineer's Journey

Milt Biskle was a reconstruction engineer working on Mars. He dreamed of bringing his family to the colony, yet he harbored a persistent, unsettling feeling that something was fundamentally wrong. Seeking the truth about the war, he consulted his psychiatrist, Dr. DeWinter, who arranged for him to travel to Earth.

Upon reaching Earth, Milt met his guide, Mary. He soon discovered a harrowing reality: humanity had lost the war, and no one had survived on Earth. His wife and children were merely illusions. Devastated, Milt contemplated suicide but eventually chose to accept his reality and move forward. He asked Mary to find him a cat, as she claimed animals had survived the conflict. However, this...

How I Live Now – My Opinion

How I Live Now is a book written by Meg Rosoff. The story follows a girl named Daisy who lives in New York but travels to England to stay with her aunt and cousins. Daisy does not have a very good relationship with her father and stepmother, so she enjoys being in England and feels much more welcome there.

Daisy lives with her cousins Edmond, Isaac, Piper, and Osbert. She becomes very close to them, especially Edmond and Piper:

• Edmond: A strange but interesting character. Daisy and Edmond grow very close and eventually fall in love.
• Piper: An important figure to Daisy as the two develop a strong friendship.

I like Daisy because she undergoes significant character development throughout the story. At the beginning, she...

Formal Complaint: Defective Refrigerator

Subject: Refrigerator Not Cooling - Order Inquiry

Dear Edesa Customer Service,

I am writing to formally complain about the poor condition of the refrigerator I recently purchased. Given the price point, the quality of the product is unacceptable.

Last week, I purchased a refrigerator through your website, which arrived yesterday. While the exterior appeared fine, I discovered the following issues upon inspection:

• The interior corner is damaged.
• The unit fails to cool after being plugged in.

I attempted to resolve this by calling customer service, but I received no response. I am seeking an immediate solution, specifically a full refund or an exchange for a non-defective unit, to avoid further escalation.

I look...

Conditionals

• Zero Conditional: If I put my finger on the sun, I get burned.
• 1st Conditional: If I'm feeling well, I will go to the mall.
• 2nd Conditional: If I won the lotto, I would travel the world.
• 3rd Conditional: If I had stopped at the traffic lights, I wouldn't have crashed.

The Causatives

Have/Get something done.

Reported Speech

Present Simple

• Direct Speech: "Go home now!"
• Reported Speech: Itziar told me to go home now.

Present Continuous

• Direct Speech: "She is making an effort."
• Reported Speech: He said that she was making an effort.

Present Perfect

• Direct Speech: "I haven't seen Julie."
• Reported Speech: She said she hadn't seen Julie.

The Passive Voice

She said that she could finish her report then
Maria asked Peter If he had eaten the chocolates
My teacher advised me to spend the summer in England
My mother told me not to forget to phone the next day
The police officer wanted to know if anyone had noticed anything unusual
The waitress asked me if I was waiting to be served
The teacher wanted to know If we were pleased it was nearly…
Bob asked me If I left like going for a walk
John suggested that we should go for a swim
I think the children had better go to bed now
The problem we came up against was a serious one
Being rich has nothing to do with being happy
I am looking forward to seeing the sights in London
The tourist trade has picked up noticeably since last month
What is the difference between...

Social Networks: Impact and Considerations

Nowadays, social networks are becoming an important part of people's lives, and most of us belong to some of the most popular platforms. In my case, I started using social networks some years ago; I did not like them initially, but my friends insisted.

Benefits of Social Networks

• Staying in contact with friends.
• Keeping up-to-date with hobbies, such as finding out about music concerts near my village.
• Learning about upcoming events, like aerobics exhibitions.

Potential Dangers and Precautions

On the contrary, social networks can be dangerous for young people because a lot of information about you can be gathered. Furthermore, some companies may look into your profile if you want to work with them.

In conclusion,...

Moral Lessons in Short Stories

Pablito's Bravery: The Short Child Who Saved the Day

There was a child in a village named Pablito who was very short and self-conscious about his small stature. His friends often laughed at him because of his height.

One day, Pablito and several friends went to the field. Suddenly, black clouds appeared, darkening the day. A strong storm approached, and they quickly entered a cave, as they were several miles from town. The cave ceiling was very low, and everyone had to go crouching, except for Pablito, who was short enough to stand comfortably.

Suddenly, they heard a noise in the back of the cave. Everyone was scared, except for Pablito, who, though short, was the bravest of them all. The noise came nearer, and everyone...

Education: Technology's Role in Modern Learning

As the proverb goes, "You never stop learning" — but what’s the best way to learn today? In many schools, books and worksheets are still used. However, in recent years, learning apps and platforms have been introduced in classrooms all over the world.

It's widely agreed that lessons are becoming more interactive and personalised thanks to digital tools. A teacher once said that students remember better when they enjoy the process. And it’s true — if learning relied solely on textbooks, boredom would quickly set in. However, combining elements like games, music, and videos transforms learning into an exciting and memorable experience.

Imagine using video games to learn mathematics or history....