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

Hotel Stay Dissatisfaction: Room & Service Issues

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction regarding my stay at your hotel last weekend. I had specifically booked a room with a sea view, but was instead assigned a room with no view whatsoever. Furthermore, the room was noticeably dirty; there was visible dust on the floor and hair in the bathroom. The air conditioning also functioned poorly, making the room very hot and significantly hindering my ability to sleep.

I reported these issues to the receptionist, but unfortunately, no assistance was provided, nor was an alternative room offered. Given the significant amount I paid for this room, I expected a much higher standard of service. I am extremely unhappy... Continue reading "Formal Complaint Letters: Addressing Service & Product Issues" »

Urban Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises

Section 1: Word Associations

• Packed — people
• High-rise — flats
• Slums — poor
• Ran an errand — shop
• Congestion — big city
• Smashed — window
• Litter — floor

Section 2: Collocations and Prepositions

• Reason — for (d) → 2.
• Lack — of (c) → 3.
• Access — to (e) → 1.
• Break — from (b) → 5.
• Along — with (a) → 4.

Section 3: Post-War Housing in Britain

In 1945, Britain had a...

1. Housing
2. Lack of
3. Abandoned
4. Suburbs
5. Neighbourhoods
6. Built-up
7. Room for
8. Solution to

Section 4: Sentence Completion

1. Which city will hold the next Olympic Games?
2. Housing prices have increased five times faster than...
3. We will have them brought...
4. The bins in our neighbourhood should be emptied...
5. Years ago it was believed...
6. A lot of old buildings in

The Joy of Vanilla Cake and Cinema

My comfort food is vanilla cake with nuts and vanilla ice cream. When I am sad or even happy, I really like to prepare this food because I forget why I was sad, or sometimes I feel really happy when I prepare it. When I eat this food, I like to watch my favorite movie, which is The Space Between Us.

Traditional Noodles: Affordable and Delicious

Our food cart is called Traditional Noodles. We are going to sell all kinds of noodles that you can imagine. Everyone likes to eat noodles, so why not sell them for a dollar?

Our menu features:

• Traditional Noodles: This is our best dish.
• Spicy Noodles: You will also love the heat.
• Cold Noodles: You have found the right place to try them.
• Noodles for Couples: The right choice

Request or Inquiry

Purpose

• I’m writing to ask about…
• I’d like to get more information regarding…
• I’m contacting you to find out if…

Context & Details

• I saw your announcement about…
• I heard from [Source] that…
• I wanted to check if there are any requirements for…

Request

• Could you please tell me…?
• Would it be possible to…?
• I was wondering whether you could provide…

Complaint or Problem Emails

Purpose

• I’m writing to let you know about a problem I’ve experienced with…
• I’d like to report an issue regarding…
• I’m contacting you because I recently experienced…

Context & Details

• The issue occurred when I…
• I noticed that…
• Unfortunately, the product or service did not work as expected.

Request

• Could you please look

English Grammar and Vocabulary Practice Exercises

Multiple Choice Quiz

1. Last Saturday, the burger restaurant was so crowded that the girls __________ to wait outside.

• was told
• told
• sit down
• were told

2. The hyperloop train is a __________ train that can reach speeds of around 1,200 km/h.

• time-consuming
• high’s speed
• high-speed
• high-school

3. People sometimes forget the __________, and they get stuck on rocks with water all around them.

• wave
• tides
• sunsets
• sunrise

4. I love walking in the fields at __________ when the first light appears in the sky.

• sunrise
• sunset
• dawn
• twilight

5. My order __________ until next Monday.

• won’t ship
• will be shipped
• won’t be shipped
• won’t be shipped

6. Pollution from nearby factories is killing the native __________.

• wildlife
• sources
• threats
• transport

7.

Irregular English Verbs: Infinitive, Past Simple, and Past Participle

This table presents 60 essential irregular verbs, including their phonetic transcription, Past Simple form, Past Participle form, and Spanish meaning.

Ditaly: Authentic Italian Pizza in Valladolid

Last weekend, I visited a restaurant called Ditaly, which is located in the center of Valladolid, very close to Plaza Mayor. One of the main advantages of Ditaly is its location. It is surrounded by shops, bars, and tourist attractions, so it’s very convenient for a break while walking around.

In addition, the restaurant has a modern and cozy atmosphere, ideal for going with friends or as a couple. Another positive point is the service; the staff are usually very friendly and professional. A highlight of the restaurant is the option to customize your pizza, its star dish, by choosing the ingredients you like most.

Pros and Cons of Dining at Ditaly

• Advantages: Central location, customizable pizzas,

Bringing Max Home

As the morning sun peeked through the tall buildings, casting a warm glow over the bustling city streets, I found myself standing in front of a modest apartment building, anticipation coursing through my veins. This was to be the new home for my beloved companion, a furry four-legged friend named Max.

Max was a friendly and affectionate mixed-breed dog with a playful disposition, always eager for a game of fetch or a leisurely stroll through the park. However, as a responsible pet owner, I knew that transitioning to apartment living would require some adjustments for both Max and me.

Creating a Dog-Friendly Space

The first task at hand was finding the perfect apartment that could accommodate a dog. After much searching, we finally... Continue reading "Apartment Living with Dogs: Max's Urban Adventure" »

Mission to Aurelia: Journey Through the Cosmos

In the vast expanse of the universe, a small spacecraft hurtled through the darkness of space. Its destination was Aurelia, a distant planet discovered by astronomers back on Earth. The crew onboard—a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and explorers—had been chosen for their skills, expertise, and resilience in the face of the unknown.

Approaching Aurelia's Orbit

"Approaching Aurelia's orbit," announced Captain Chen, her voice steady and calm over the intercom. "Get ready for atmospheric entry."

The crew gathered in the observation deck, their faces reflecting a mixture of excitement and trepidation. As the spacecraft drew closer to the mysterious planet, the shimmering jewel of Aurelia sparkled... Continue reading "The Aurelia Encounter: First Contact with the Luminarians" »

Class C Review

Vocabulary

1. Don't let negative thoughts take over. / 2. Don't worry, pick up. / 3. I hope you keep on playing. / 4. But at the end, I gave in. / 5. Blame it on her alarm. / 6. Time to get rid of it. / 7. How do you compare? / 8. My sister is constantly complaining about it.

2. The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots

1. artificial, 2. opposed, 3. devices, 4. equipped, 5. capable, 6. matter, 7. long.

3. Complete (Same in Both Classes):

1. Viral video
2. Cutting-edge technology
3. Glued to the screen
4. You have to go in person
5. Instructions are not user-friendly

Grammar

1. Complete (Same in Both Classes - Seattle):

1. visited
2. went
3. had seen
4. have stuck
5. has tried
6. has never stayed
7. had finished
8. didn't leave
9. had put

2. Rewrite:

1. We have been working here since last year.
2. By the