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

Rasselas: Marriage, Happiness, and the Human Condition

28. Rasselas tries to calm his sister, telling her not to be troubled by evil that has not yet come to pass. He answers everything the princess said previously: that marriage is not a problem, and it is normal for confrontations to arise, both outside and within marriage. She should not be troubled by the continuity of the species because they should seek the happiness of the individual, with or without marriage, populating the world or not, because it is the least of their problems.

29. The characters continue discussing marriage. Finally, they conclude that sooner or later, whether you marry or not, you will always experience both pleasures and problems. You must deal with them because... Continue reading "Rasselas: Marriage, Pyramids, and a Kidnapping in Egypt" »

My Mother, Cecilia

My mom, Cecilia Perez, was born on November 14, 1974, in Mexico City, Mexico. Her parents are Consuelo Ceballos and Ramon Perez. She has an older sister who is one year older than her.

She attended primary and secondary school and then pursued a technical career in secretarial studies. Due to financial constraints, she started working at an early age. Before beginning her career, she diligently completed the necessary service. At the age of 20, she married my father, Rodolfo Lopez. They had a loving relationship, and at 22, she gave birth to her first child, me. Two years later, she had her second child, my brother, Brian.

She initially worked at a social club and then furthered her secretarial career by working for various... Continue reading "The Benefits of Online Shopping vs In-Store Shopping" »

Mamma Mia!: A Joyous Celebration of Love and Music

Mamma Mia! is by far and away the best musical film you will see in your life. The first time I saw it was in the cinema many years ago. This film symbolizes love, family, and unity, some of the most important and significant values for most of us. It is known worldwide for its high-quality cast and soundtrack.

The film is set in Skopelos, a beautiful Greek island that makes you want to be there, smell the fresh sea air, and walk through the white alleys. The scenery captures the audience's imagination, making them feel heart-warmed and at peace.

Another important and necessary aspect to highlight is the music of ABBA. It can turn a grey day into a cheerful and lively one. The songs are some of... Continue reading "A Joyous Celebration of Love and Music: A Review of "Mamma Mia!"" »

Personal Interests & Hobbies

Travel Enthusiasts: Discovering New Cities

Hey, you too! Why did you join? Well, I signed up for this club because I really wanted to get to know like-minded people who are big fans of traveling too. I’d like to discover a variety of less-known and exciting cities to visit.

Culinary Adventures: Global Dishes

Hey, great thanks! I joined because I really wanted to meet like-minded people who are really keen on cooking like me. I’d love to learn how to make a variety of less-known and exciting dishes from around the world.

Language Learning & Cultural Exchange

Hey there! I joined because I really wanted to meet like-minded people who are massive fans of learning new languages like me. I’d love to speak with... Continue reading "Personal Interests & English Communication Skills" »

Chapter 1

1. 1 – e; 2 – f; 3 – a; 4 – c; 5 – b; 6 – d
2. 1. Maxine/Grabowski
   2. Maxine
   3. Rolondo’s girlfriend, Rosa
   4. Rolondo

Chapter 2

1. 1 – c; 2 – g; 3 – e; 4 – a; 5 – d; 6 – f; 7 – b
2. It used to be a middle-class area, but now it is a poor and dangerous part of town.
3. Student’s own answer.

Chapter 3

1. Smooth shapes of wood painted in different colours; the largest consists of twelve chairs tied together and suspended from the ceiling.
2. Twelve life-size heads made of clay, with glass eyes and shell teeth; they stand on tall platforms and are painted white, brown, or black.
3. 1. Maxine
   2. Soren Berendorf
   3. Lillian Hockstedder
   4. Louie
   5. Helen Mueller
4. He was standing by the food table.
5. Because there were so many people.
6. Student’s own answer.
7. Student’s own answer.

Chapter

Listening Comprehension Questions and Answers

• Q: What did the boy do on Saturday? A: He went for a walk by the river.
• Q: What sort of film is the review about? A: A sci-fi film.
• Q: Why are some passengers being offered a free meal? A: Because they’ve been waiting a long time.
• Q: What is Jenny studying at university? A: Chemistry.
• Q: What happened in Grantford last night? A: Things fell from space.

Listening Gap Fill Answers

1. The first speaker is planning a visit to the museum on Monday afternoon.
2. The star of Journey to Jupiter is expected to win best Actor at the awards.
3. Passengers who are entitled to a free meal have to claim their Voucher from the information desk.
4. Jenny keeps up her music by playing in the university Orchestra.
5. The objects that fell

Direct Speech vs. Reported Speech

Direct Speech

• Present Simple
• Present Continuous
• Present Perfect Simple (have + past participle)
• Past Simple
• CAN
• WILL
• MUST/HAVE TO
• MAY

Reported Speech

• Past Simple
• Past Continuous
• Past Perfect (had + past participle)
• Past Perfect
• COULD
• WOULD
• HAD TO
• MIGHT

Examples:

• "Are you feeling well?" He asked me if I was feeling well.

Changes in Adverbs and Time Expressions:

• THIS becomes THAT
• HERE becomes THERE
• TODAY becomes THAT DAY
• YESTERDAY becomes THE DAY BEFORE
• TOMORROW becomes THE FOLLOWING DAY
• TONIGHT becomes THAT NIGHT
• TOMORROW MORNING becomes THE FOLLOWING MORNING
• YESTERDAY AFTERNOON becomes THE PREVIOUS AFTERNOON
• NEXT WEEK/MONTH/YEAR becomes THE FOLLOWING WEEK/MONTH/YEAR
• LAST WEEK/MONTH/YEAR becomes THE PREVIOUS WEEK/MONTH/YEAR
• A WEEK/MONTH/YEAR

Inversion with Negative & Limiting Adverbials

This grammatical structure involves placing a negative or limiting adverbial at the beginning of a sentence, followed by an inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb. The typical pattern is: Negative/Limiting Adverbial + Auxiliary Verb (e.g., have, do, is, be) + Subject + Main Verb.

Illustrative Examples

• We only very rarely go to the cinema these days.

  Only very rarely do we go to the cinema these days.

• I have never seen such a terrible performance of Hamlet before.

  Never before have I seen such a terrible performance of Hamlet.

• I very rarely study at night.

  Very rarely do I study at night.

• I will never agree to those terms.

  Under no circumstances will I agree to those terms.

• Amy had not enjoyed herself

Social Media: A Balancing Act

Social networks like Twitter and Facebook have become integral parts of our lives. They offer numerous advantages, such as connecting with new people, staying updated on current events, and engaging in discussions. However, it's crucial to use them responsibly and be mindful of potential drawbacks like privacy concerns and excessive time consumption.

Advantages of Social Media

• Connecting with new people and making friends
• Staying informed about current events and news
• Engaging in discussions and sharing opinions
• Entertainment and leisure

Disadvantages of Social Media

• Potential for addiction and excessive time spent online
• Privacy concerns and data security

In conclusion, social media platforms can be valuable tools for communication... Continue reading "Exploring Travel, Pets, and Social Media: A Personal Perspective" »