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

Distinctive Feature Theory

Distinctive Feature Theory challenges Phoneme Theory (PT) by focusing on the features that compose phonemes, rather than the phonemes themselves. This approach questions the validity of the phoneme concept, arguing that speech is not simply a series of discrete sounds.

Natural Class: A set of sounds sharing phonetic features, affected by the same environment, and having the same effect on surrounding sounds.

Major Class Features

• Vowels: [+SYLLABIC], [+SONORANT], [-CONSONANTAL] - form the syllable nucleus.
• Glides: [-SYLLABIC], [+SONORANT], [-CONSONANTAL].
• Sonorant Consonants (nasals and liquids): [+/-SYLLABIC], [+SONORANT], [+CONSONANTAL].
• Obstruents: [-SYLLABIC], [-SONORANT], [+CONSONANTAL].

Consonant Features

• Voice: [+/-VOICE]

... Continue reading "Phonetics and Phonology: Distinctive Features and Vowel Sounds" »

Reported Speech

• Present Simple → Past Simple
• Present Continuous → Past Continuous
• Present Perfect → Past Perfect
• Future with will → Future in the Past
• Imperative → Infinitive
• I / We → He / She / They
• My / Our → His / Her / Their
• Your → My / Her / His / Their
• Here → There
• Now / At the moment → Then / At the time
• Today → That day
• Tomorrow → The next day / The following day
• Yesterday → The day before / The previous day
• This → That
• Last → The previous / Before

Zero Conditional

If + present tense → present tense or infinitive

Use: General truths, habitual actions, repeated events, or instructions.

First Conditional

If + present simple → will

Use: To talk about a possible future event. If can appear at the beginning or in the middle... Continue reading "English Grammar Essentials: Reported Speech & Verb Forms" »

Orden of adjectives: O(opinion), S(size), SH(shape), A(age), C(colour), O(origin).
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FUTURE:
-Will: Predictions, opinions, spontaneous, decisions.
-Be going to: plans for the future, intention of future, predictions with evidence.
-Present continuous: Arrangements(preparativos), dates(fechas).
-Future continuous: S+WILL+BE+GERUND. Finished action in the future.
-Future perfect: S+WILL+HAVE+PAST PART. Completed action in the future
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Such...that / So...that:
Such + (a/an [singular]) + adjective + noun + that
It was such a cramped street that we couldn't walk.
So + adjective + that
The street was so cramped that we couldn't walk.

Conditional sentences:

First... Continue reading "Orden of adjectives, future, conditional sentences and wishes and regrets in English" »

Concept of Active and Passive Voice

We focus the action of the verb in the subject (active voice) or object (passive).

Examples:

• Active Voice: The porter carries the bags. (The porter carries the bags.)
• Passive Voice: The bags are carried by the porter. (The bags are carried by the porter.)

Grammar Rules

The passive voice is formed using the verb to be + the main verb's past participle.

Table of Verbal Changes: Active to Passive Voice Transformation

Considering the points above, this scheme shows the changes to the tense when transforming an active sentence into a passive sentence. We use the example: to write a letter.

Verb forms for 'to write': write (present) / wrote (past) / written (past participle).

Tense of the Active Sentence	Active Sentence Example	Passive

... Continue reading "Mastering Active and Passive Voice Transformations" »

Traffic Management in London: Answer Key

(A) Comprehension Questions (4 points)

1. Reason for Traffic Increase: Because traffic has increased significantly since the scheme's introduction.
2. Methods of Reduction: By collecting money from fees and fines and reducing private traffic. (Both reasons must be given.)
3. Statement 3: TRUE. All motorists coming into the capital between 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. have to pay a £5 admission fee. (Line 4)
4. Statement 4: FALSE. The Government took an attitude of wait and see. (Line 8)
5. Statement 5: FALSE. Private traffic is now down by 20 per cent. (Line 9)
6. Statement 6: TRUE. If you put it in a package, a majority of motorists will support it. (Lines 12-14)

(B) Use of English and Vocabulary (3 points)

7. Synonyms for Pleased:

... Continue reading "English Practice Key: London Congestion Charge and Japanese Imperial Family Protocol" »

Mastering Reported Speech: Tense Transformations

When reporting what someone said, the tenses often shift. Here's a breakdown of common tense changes:

• Present Simple (makes) → Past Simple (made)
• Present Continuous (is making) → Past Continuous (was making)
• Past Simple (made) → Past Perfect (had made)
• Past Continuous (was making) → Past Perfect Continuous (had been making)
• Present Perfect (has made) → Past Perfect (had made)
• Present Perfect Continuous (has been making) → Past Perfect Continuous (had been making)
• Past Perfect (had made) → Past Perfect (had made) (no change)
• Past Perfect Continuous (had been making) → Past Perfect Continuous (had been making) (no change)
• Future Simple (will make) → Conditional Simple (would make)
• Future

... Continue reading "Mastering Indirect Speech: Tense & Adverb Transformations" »

1-this text talks about a sport of riske,the bungee jumping.A gentleman who practises this sport explains as it is done,the one who can do it,his experiences...And he says also that though the people thinks that it is dangerous,it is a lie.

2-This expresion means that you feel that the death in near. / this expresion means that it is what you think when you do something.

3-Mark ...Said that he had done about fifty jumps./bungee..Is such incredible experience that it makes.../you must have a medical certificat if yiu are.../It is taken up as a sport by many people.

4-Because it is a very exciting sport/Because the old people have more risk os suffering some heart attack or other problems.

5-    (arriba derecha direcc y fecha).Dear Carmen,(aparte)... Continue reading "Invention by experience" »

Morphological Analysis

This section details the morphological characteristics observed in early Middle English texts.

Nouns

Examples include: boc (book), Englisca boc (English book), Latin (Latin), Albin (Albin), Austin (Austin), feire (fair), fulluht (baptism), Frenchis clerc (French clerk), quene (queen), kinges (king), leaf (leaves). Note that boc (book) uses the singular form, while leaf (leaves) is the plural form. The pluralization of leaf does not follow the modern -s or -es form, illustrating historical variation.

Verbs

Examples include: bi-won (obtained), nom (took), makede (made), broute (brought), leide (laid), wende (turned). bi-won (obtained) shows the prefix bi-, which is less common in Modern English. The past tense forms nom (took)... Continue reading "Early Middle English Linguistic Analysis" »

Allegra Byron's Early Life in Venice

Allegra Byron lived with her father, Lord Byron, in a large house called the Palazzo Mocenigo. However, Lord Byron eventually realized that it was not a suitable home for a child. He entrusted Allegra to an English family in Venice. Allegra stayed in Venice for eight months with different families. When Allegra was four years old, Byron sent her to a convent school near Ravenna. Allegra was often cold and lonely there.

Grammar Notes

• Prepositions:
  • In for months (e.g., in May)
  • On for days (e.g., on Monday)
  • At for weekends and specific times (e.g., at the weekend, at 7 o'clock)
• Present Simple: After 'go', use the gerund form (-ing) (e.g., go swimming).
• Do/Does: Use 'do' or 'does' + person + verb for questions (e.g.

... Continue reading "Tragic Story of Allegra Byron: Unveiling a Venetian Mystery" »

Botas

1.- 1E 2C 3D 4A 5B

2.-

A: ____ Could you clean up your shoes ?
(Make a request about the picture on the left)

B: __Ohh, sorry, but I don’t have time, I’ll clean
up in the afternoon.

3.-

1. __First, try not to put metal objects inside.
2. _ Remember to set up the clock.
3. _ Don’t forget to close the door before starting up.

4.-

1.What are robots used for? They are used in difficult tasks for humans and are also used for research in universities, among others.

2.How do computers make life easier? Computers make our lives easier because they help us to get information, do transactions, pay bills, among others. Nowadays, they are always present.

Silla

1.- 1B 2C 3D 4E 5A

2.-

A: __Please, put on your jacket_____________?
(Make a request about the picture

... Continue reading "Understanding Everyday Technology and Its Uses" »