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

Hercule Poirot's Unexpected Journey

At the Hotel Tokatlian in Istanbul, private detective Hercule Poirot receives a telegram asking him to cancel his commitments and return to England as soon as possible. He decides to travel on the Orient Express, which departs that very night. During the journey, Poirot encounters an American named Ratchett, whom he had previously seen at the Tokatlian. Ratchett believes his life is in danger and attempts to hire Poirot, but the detective refuses, telling Ratchett that he "does not like his face."

A Snowstorm and a Murder

During the second night of the trip, the train is halted by a snowstorm near Vinkovci. Poirot is awakened several times by various noises and disturbances, including a cry from Ratchett's compartment....

Daily Routine

What time do you usually get up? What are the first things you do after you get up? What time do you start work? What do you usually do in the evening? What do you usually do at the weekend? How often do you meet your friends? How often do you watch TV? What programs do you watch? What is your favorite day? Why?

Shopping

Do you like going shopping? How often do you go shopping? How often do you buy clothes/food, etc.? How often do you go to the supermarket? Which supermarket do you like? Why? How do you usually pay (cash)? Do you prefer small shops or big shopping centers? Why? Do you like shopping on Saturday? Why? Do you usually go shopping alone? When did you last go shopping? What did you buy?

Night Out

Did you go out last Friday/...

English Tenses and Grammar

Present Continuous

Subject + to be (am, is, are) + gerund + complement

Past Continuous

Subject + was / were + gerund + complement

Present Simple

Subject + verb + complement (do, does) - General ideas

Past Simple

Subject + verb (past) + complement (did) - Finished actions in the past

Present Perfect

Subject + have / has + past participle + complement - Actions started in the past and continuing to the present

Present Perfect Continuous

Subject + have / has + been + gerund + complement

Past Perfect Continuous

Subject + had + been + gerund + complement

Passive Voice

Present Passive

Subject + is / are + past participle + agent

Past Passive

Subject + was / were + past participle + agent

Present Perfect Passive

Subject + has / have + been +...

Improve your English grammar and rephrasing skills with these common sentence transformation examples. Each example demonstrates how to express the same idea using different grammatical structures.

1. Original:

   My aunt would spend hours watching the birds in the park.

   Transformed:

   My aunt used to spend hours watching the birds in the park.

2. Original:

   We had to deal with the matter carefully.

   Transformed:

   The matter had to be dealt with carefully.

3. Original:

   “Let’s go swimming!” she said.

   Transformed:

   She suggested going swimming.

4. Original:

   “Would you like a cup of tea?”

   Transformed:

   He offered me a cup of tea.

5. Original:

   Her house was broken into because she didn’t lock it.

   Transformed:

   If she had locked her house, it wouldn’t have been broken into.

6. Original:

Formal Letter Writing Template

Opening: Dear [Sir/Madam / Name / Title],

I am writing to [reason for writing: complain about / ask for / give my opinion on / thank you for / inform you about] [topic]. I hope you will understand my situation.

Paragraph 1: Context and Situation

First of all, I would like to explain the situation. [Brief background: what happened / where / when / your role]. At that time, I felt [emotion: confused, disappointed, grateful, worried, etc.], because [reason].

Paragraph 2: Details and Problem Analysis

In addition, I would like to mention that [specific example or problem]. For example, [what exactly happened]. As a result, [consequence for you: I lost time / I felt uncomfortable / it helped me a lot, etc.].

Paragraph 3: Request,

Ethical Language & Fair Conduct

Complete the sentences using appropriate words related to fairness and honesty:

1. Calling names to your classmates is not an acceptable thing to do.
2. In fact, doing so is not justifiable. Every person has their own name.
3. Foreigners are people like you and me. Try not to have any prejudice against them.
4. It's unethical to be sharing others' private videos on the internet without permission.
5. I can't believe you paid that much for the concert. That's not reasonable at all.

Legal Terminology & Courtroom Phrases

Match the following definitions with their correct technical legal phrases:

• To give information in a court: To give evidence
• To ask to go to a higher court for another trial: To appeal
• The lawyer who tries to prove

Sheila Birling's Journey to Responsibility in An Inspector Calls

Sheila's Initial Acceptance of Blame

“I know I’m to blame — and I’m desperately sorry.” — Sheila Birling

This powerful admission from Sheila Birling highlights her immediate acceptance of responsibility and profound emotional maturity.

• Immediate Acceptance and Emotional Maturity

  Sheila’s admission “I know I’m to blame” is direct and unfiltered, showcasing her immediate acceptance of responsibility. Unlike Eric, who only admits guilt under pressure, Sheila acknowledges her role unprompted, demonstrating a clear moral awakening. This contrasts sharply with Eric’s defensive, almost resentful confession.

• Emotive Language and Sincerity

  The word “desperately” conveys

ESPRIU SALVADOR: THE WAY SONG ENCALMAT

Metrics: It consists of four stanzas, three lines of 5 and 8. All verses are hexasíl · labs least 6, which has half of syllables (3). In the first three stanzas there is a free verse, not the last. In addition, the first and second verse is the same place. In the third and fourth stanzas and rhymes keep it in a new one. The rhyme scheme is as follows:
AM = A (tonic accent because it is closed)
bf =-a (neutral)
= cm-or
Tue-é =
A6M, bf, b, - b3
a6, b, b, - b
- B, cm, b, b, c, b
a, b, dm, b, d, b
The long leaves every b 2 = verse romance: rhyming pairs with rhymes and odd Asson There rhymes introduced other charges. There is the feminine rhyme pairs and the odd male.

Structure: The answer to...

Simple & Continuous Tenses

• Simple Tenses: Used with verbs that describe an unchanging state rather than an action.
• Continuous Tenses: Used to emphasize that a situation is temporary or untypical. Example: I'm appreciating being able...

Perfect Tenses

Used to talk about a situation that existed in the past and still exists now.

Present Perfect

To talk about a repeated action that might happen again. Example: I've arrived late for work twice.

Present Perfect Continuous

To talk about an action in progress in the past for a period until now, and which is either still in progress or recently finished. Example: I've been working...

Future Tenses

Future Simple (Will vs. Be Going To)

Sometimes we use 'will' instead of 'be going to' to make a prediction based...