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

Mastering English Grammar and Vocabulary

Grammar and Sentence Practice

1. Peter was looking forward to escaping from Auschwitz with Mary.
2. In spite of women having a professional life, they still have to do most of the housework.
3. Peter and Mary were given two different books in the afternoon.
4. He isn't attracted by the wages and the working conditions.
5. Mary has pushed the table into the corner.
6. Mary, whose purse has been stolen, was very upset.
7. If Peter tried harder, he could find a job.
8. If he hadn't arrived so late, he would have seen the famous writer.
9. Mary doesn't mind working hard for the organization.
10. The teacher asked the students to stop those attacks.
11. They used to live in peace when they were children.
12. Unless you return my trainers, I will tell the teacher.

Letter to a Friend About a Trip

From: [Your Name]

To: [Friend’s Name]

Subject: My Trip to Canada

Hi [Friend’s Name],

How are you? I have amazing news! I’m going to Canada for three weeks to study English!

I’ll be arriving on January 15th and staying at a student residence close to the school. My course has 20 lessons a week, and I’ll take morning classes. In the afternoons, I plan to join some activities, like city tours and maybe trying fun things like ice skating. I also want to explore and enjoy Canadian food. It’s going to be so exciting!

I hope you’re doing well. Do you think I should pack anything special for the trip? Let me know!

Take care,

[Your Name]

Family Vacation in La Serena, Chile

I went on vacation in February with my family... Continue reading "Canada Trip & Family Vacation: Travel Stories & Johnny Depp Bio" »

Passive Voice & Quantifiers

Passive Voice

• do → is done
• is doing → is being done
• did → was done
• was doing → was being done
• have done → has been done
• had done → had been done
• will do → will be done
• is going to do → is going to be done

Quantifiers

• Large: a lot of, much (uncountable), many (countable), plenty of
• Small: a few (countable), little (uncountable)
• More or less: too big, too many, enough
• Zero: any, no

Relative Clauses

• that → who/which (ese/que)
• who → people (quien)
• which → things/animal (cual)
• where → places (dónde)
• whose → mean possession (cuyo)

Modals

must have → el conductor se debería haber perdido

might/may have → se debe haber comprado una casa nueva

could have → podrías haber evitado el accidente

should have → debería... Continue reading "Mastering English Grammar: Passive Voice, Clauses & Conditionals" »

Exercise 1: Vocabulary Identification

• Issues
• Overpopulation
• Moreover
• Homelessness
• Famine
• Cheated
• Expelled
• Fell
• Subjects
• Sororities
• Diet
• Publicity
• Unfit
• Get involved
• Lose
• Creative
• Passionate
• Irresponsible
• Importance
• Tolerant

Exercise 2: Vocabulary Matching and Definitions

• Nation: national, country
• Folklore: culture
• Reception: host
• Color of skin: race
• Country of origin: nationality
• The condition of being a woman or a man: gender
• 8. Immigrants
• Armed conflicts: wars
• Illnesses: diseases
• Extreme weather conditions: climate change
• Displaced people: refugees
• Really cheap: bargain
• Reduction: discount
• Used: second-hand
• Wait in line:
• Coins and notes: cash
• Plastic money: a credit card
• Ask for money from a friend: borrow
• To give money on the condition of repayment: lend

Exercise 3: Verb Tenses

Past Simple

Affirmative

I/you/he/she/it/we/they watched. Translation: I watched.

Negative

I/you/he/she/it/we/they didn't watch.

Interrogative

Did I/you/he/she/it/we/they watch?

Past Continuous

Affirmative

I/he/she/it was watching Translation: I was watching.

we/they/you were watching

Negative

I/he/she/it wasn't watching

we/they/you weren't watching

Present Simple

Affirmative

I/you/we/they play Translation: I play

he/she/it plays

Negative

I/you/we/they don't play

he/she/it doesn't play

Present Continuous

Affirmative

I am reading Translation: I am reading

He/she/it is reading

we/they/you are reading

Negative

I am not reading

He/she/it isn't reading

we/they/you aren't reading

Present Perfect

Affirmative

I/you/we/they have finished Translation: I have finished

he/she/it has finished

Negative

I/... Continue reading "Essential English Grammar Reference" »

English Grammar Practice: Sentence Construction & Verb Usage

Choose the Correct Option: Quantifiers & General Usage

• I had many interesting experiences during that year.
• My dad has a lot of work.
• There isn’t enough space in this.
• I’ve been to this train station many times.
• There is a lot of competition between big supermarkets.

Complete the Sentences: Quantifiers & Context

• There is a flea market every Sunday.
• All my friends enjoy it.
• Many people drive, but few cycle.
• I’d rather travel on the train; there’s little choice and it's efficient.
• This is a pedestrian zone; no motor vehicles are allowed.
• I’ve been to Paris several times.
• There wasn’t much traffic.
• There is plenty to see.

Modal Verbs: Choose the Correct Option

• The lecturer must

English Grammar Points

Passive Voice

Structure: Subject + conjugated 'be' + past participle

Causative Verbs

Structure: Conjugated 'have'/'get' + object + past participle

Using So and Such

• So: so + adjective/adverb
• So: so + many/much/few/little + noun

Using Enough

• Enough: adjective/adverb + enough (+ to + verb)
• Enough: enough + noun (+ to + verb)

Reported Speech

• Present Simple → Past Simple
• Present Perfect Simple → Past Perfect Simple
• Future Simple → would + infinitive
• Can → Could
• May → Might
• Have to → Had to
• Should → Should
• Yes/No Question → if/whether + subject + verb (past tense)
• Wh-Question → wh-word + subject + verb (past tense)

Conditional Sentences

• Type 1 (Real Conditional): If + Present Simple, Future Simple
• Type 2 (Unreal Present Conditional)

Self-Employment: Advantages and Disadvantages

Discussing the Pros and Cons of Being Your Own Boss

Have you ever considered becoming your own boss? In recent years, the number of people choosing to start their own business has risen significantly. Many claim that this trend is due to a growing desire for independence and a shift away from traditional employment.

Advantages of Self-Employment

• Complete Self-Reliance: You are fully in charge and can make all decisions independently.
• Sense of Freedom: This autonomy provides a great sense of freedom, allowing you to pursue your vision without external interference.
• Flexible Working Hours: Your working day can be planned for your convenience, enabling you to work when and how you are most productive.
• Direct

1. "I can't come to the party now," said Lucy. (apologise)
   Lucy apologised for not being able to come to the party then.

2. "We went to the concert yesterday," said my brother. (say)
   My brother said they had gone to the concert the day before.

3. "Will you help me with this project?" she asked. (ask)
   She asked me if I would help her with that project.

4. "Where did you buy this jacket?" he asked me. (ask)
   He asked me where I had bought that jacket.

5. "Don't touch that button!" the technician said. (warn)
   The technician warned me not to touch that button.

6. "I forgot to do my homework," said Daniel. (admit)
   Daniel admitted

Understanding how to convert direct speech into reported (or indirect) speech is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. This involves changes in tenses, pronouns, time and place adverbs, and demonstratives. Let's break down the key transformations.

Direct vs. Reported Speech Basics

Direct Speech: Quoting the exact words spoken. Often enclosed in quotation marks. Example: He said, "She studies English."

Reported Speech: Reporting what someone said without quoting their exact words. Often introduced by a reporting verb like "said that," "told me that," etc. Tenses and other elements usually shift backward. Example: He said that she studied English.

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

• Present Simple to Past Simple

  • Direct: "She studies English."
  • Reported: