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

Memories of a Wonderful Summer Vacation

Last summer, I had a wonderful holiday. When school finished, I was very happy because I could finally rest and have fun. I prioritized spending quality time with my family and friends.

Beach Days and Mountain Retreats

I went to the beach many times with my friends. Our activities included:

• Swimming in the sea.
• Playing volleyball.
• Eating delicious ice cream.

For one week, I traveled with my family to the mountains. We stayed in a small house. Every day, we walked and saw beautiful places. At night, we made a fire, told stories, and watched the stars. I truly enjoyed the fresh air and the quiet atmosphere.

When I came back home, I visited my grandparents and helped them in their garden. I felt happy and relaxed.... Continue reading "Reflections on Life: Childhood Memories and Future Career Goals" »

Memorable Trip to Nuremberg, Germany

Last summer, my boyfriend and I traveled to Germany with another couple. We visited Nuremberg, a beautiful city with a lot of history. We were very excited because it was our first time in Germany.

First Impressions and Nuremberg Castle

When we arrived, the weather was nice, and the sun was shining. We walked around the old town and saw the famous Nuremberg Castle. It was amazing! While exploring the castle, our friends took lots of pictures. My boyfriend and I discussed how impressive the architecture was.

Local Flavors and Market Square

In the afternoon, we were hungry, so we went to a traditional German restaurant. We ate sausages and drank beer while chatting and laughing. The food was delicious! After lunch,... Continue reading "Unforgettable Journeys: Nuremberg History & Ronda Views" »

Personal Correspondence and Travel News

Letter 1: Alba to Pepa

Hi Pepa,

How are you? I've got some exciting news to tell you. I'm going on a trip to (lugar) for (tiempo) with my friend Lucía.

We're flying to (ciudad) at the beginning of (mes) and we're spending a whole month there. We'll see the most famous monuments in the city. We'll also go hiking and landscaping. After that, we're flying to (ciudad) where we will spend two weeks visiting the best museums and trying out the different foods. We can't wait.

After that, we will probably fly back to Seville, but we are not sure yet. Amazing, don't you think? You should definitely come with us! Let me know ASAP.

Speak soon,

Alba

Letter 2: Rosa to Clara

Hi Clara,

How are you? I hope this letter finds you... Continue reading "Travel Plans: Exciting Adventures Shared" »

The Romantic Fantasy of Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella

Cinderella is a romantic fantasy film directed by Kenneth Branagh from a screenplay by Chris Weitz. The film centers on Cinderella, a young girl who is mistreated but, with the help of her fairy godmother, attends a royal ball and finds love with a prince.

Plot Summary: The Royal Ball and the Glass Slipper

The story begins when the King hosts a ball, inviting all the young women in the kingdom. However, Cinderella’s stepmother prevents her from attending. With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella receives a beautiful dress and a magical carriage to go to the dance, but she must return before midnight. At the ball, she captures the Prince’s heart but leaves behind her glass slipper... Continue reading "Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella Film: A Dual Review and Analysis" »

Phrasal Verbs

• Ask for
• Eat out
• Crash into
• Make up
• Depend on
• Warm up
• Get on with
• Take to/in
• Give away/up
• Turn up/on/down
• Look after/out
• Set off/up
• Pick up
• Check in
• Hang up
• Call back
• Switch on
• Carry on
• Make into
• Find out
• Do up
• Go out
• Break up
• Throw it away
• Slow down
• Grow up
• Calm down
• Bump into
• Look forward to
• Plug in

Prepositional Phrases

• Congratulate on
• Details of
• Divide into
• Dress in
• Example of
• Increase in
• Interested in
• Kind to
• Look for
• Marry to
• Nice to
• Pay for
• Proof of
• Reason for
• Remind of
• Responsible for
• Take part in
• Translate into
• Typical of
• Novel/film by
• In my opinion
• In the picture
• In the rain
• On page 45
• Arrive at
• Good at

Report Purpose and Recommendations

The purpose of this report is to present findings and offer recommendations regarding [Insert Topic Here]. It will proceed to provide actionable suggestions concerning [Insert Area of Focus].

Identified Strengths

This country/area/system undoubtedly possesses many strengths. For instance, [Specific Area] is particularly effective due to the fact that [Reason]. Another clear strong point is [Another Strength].

Expressing General Opinions and Information

• [Subject] is considered/thought/said to be [Opinion].
• [Subject] is highly regarded in [Place] (possessing a good reputation).
• There is widespread agreement that [Consensus Point].
• Opinions are divided regarding [Controversial Point].
• It is common knowledge that [Accepted

Key Phrasal Verbs and Action Vocabulary

These examples demonstrate common phrasal verbs and strong vocabulary usage:

• Economizing: They got into financial trouble and had to economize. They had to tighten the budget.
• Dismissal: She got sacked because she was rude to a customer.
• Conflict: Kim's teacher was annoyed when Kim answered back so rudely.
• Depletion: We had run out of money by the end of the holiday.
• Self-Advocacy: You should stand up for yourself instead of letting others tell you what to do.
• Persuasion: My friends talked me into going to the party.
• Success: I'm glad Frank's career has finally taken off.
• Cancellation: The festival has been called off because of the weather.

Essential Idioms and Everyday Expressions

• Overrated: The restaurant isn'

Mastering Complex English Structures

Tag Questions: Examples and Usage

Tag questions are short questions added to the end of a statement. They are used to confirm information or encourage a reply. Note the reversal of polarity (positive statement uses a negative tag, and vice versa).

• Everything has a beginning, doesn't it?
• It doesn't really make you angry, does it?
• You don't think they're too close, do you?
• She didn't think to have it all sunshine, did she?
• I have got a lot, haven't I?
• It is rather soon, isn't it?
• You're not to blame, are you?
• I'm not too old for the moon-run, am I?
• You've seen my snuff-box, haven't you?
• You're not thinking she had anything to do with the murder, are you?
• It was a visitation, wasn't it?
• It sounds so respectable and sane,

Formal Letter Writing

Greetings and Opening: Dear Sir, I'm writing in response to your request.

Body: Giving information and details: To begin with... Another important aspect...

Closing Remarks and Signing Off: In conclusion... I strongly believe... Yours faithfully, Javier

For and Against Essay Structure

Opening: Introduce topic... It is often said that... The question proposed is an interesting one because... It is a well-known fact that...

Body: Presents topic for both sides with supporting details... On the one hand... On the other hand...

Closing: Sums up the topic and presents the writer's opinion: Taking all these aspects into account, I believe that the plan, while well-intentioned, is unrealistic and totally unnecessary. In my view...

Formal

Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather

Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events:

• Avalanche
• Blizzard/Snowstorm
• Downpour
• Drought
• Dust Storm
• Earthquake
• Epidemic
• Flood/Flash Flood
• Forest Fire/Wildfire
• Hail
• Heatwave
• Hurricane
• Gust
• Landslide
• Thunderstorm
• Tornado
• Torrential Rain
• Tsunami
• Gale
• Volcanic Eruption

Words Connected with Natural Disasters:

• Aftershock (n)
• Aid (n)
• Ash (n)
• Casualty (n)
• Collapse (v)
• Debris (n)
• Destruction (n)
• Devastating (adj)
• Evacuate (v)
• Evacuee (n)
• Molten Lava (n)
• Put Out (phrasal verb)
• Relief Worker (n)
• Spread Through/Across (phrasal verb)
• Supply (n, v)
• Survivor (n)
• Sweep Down (v)
• Tremor (n)
• Victim (n)

Prepositional Verbs:

• Agree with
• Apologise for (something)
• Arrive at/in
• Believe in
• Belong to
• Complain about
• Depend on
• Dream of
• Listen to
• Protect (somebody/something) from