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

Cursed Objects

Un sacerdote robó el diamante de una estatua de Hindu en India muchos siglos atrás. El diamante fue comprado por un joyero francés (Jean Baptiste) - 112.5 quilates. Tavernier lo vendió al Rey Luis XIV de Francia. Nombre: El diamante azul de la Corona. Tavernier fue brutalmente asesinado por perros salvajes durante el viaje. La Princesa de Lamballe fue golpeada hasta la muerte por una enfurecida multitud en la calle. La Reina María Antonieta fue ejecutada en la guillotina. La Sra. McLean compró el diamante por $154,000. Su hijo de 9 años (Vinsin) fue atropellado por un auto y su hija se suicidó a los 25 años. Su esposo se volvió mentalmente enfermo y perdió el control de su enorme negocio de periódicos. Jean Dean fue... Continue reading "Cursed Objects and Mythical Creatures: Tales of Bad Luck and Mystery" »

Pride and Prejudice is about a beautiful and intelligent woman who meets a rich man whom she initially dislikes, but eventually they fall in love. The film is based on the book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Set in the United Kingdom in 2004, the film stars Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Fitzwilliam Darcy.

My favorite character is Elizabeth because she is a very beautiful and intelligent woman, ahead of her time. She prioritizes her studies and doesn't dream of getting married like other women did. The movie is well-made, with great performances by the actors, although the image quality may not be the best by today's standards. It is ideal for romantic and sensitive individuals, as it evokes strong emotions.... Continue reading "Pride and Prejudice: A Beautiful Love Story in 2004" »

Oral Communication Skills in English Language Learning

The primary objective of teaching English is to equip students with the ability to communicate effectively using the language. Therefore, oral communication plays a pivotal role in our classrooms.

Developing Oral Competence

Developing oral competence involves two key aspects: receptive (listening) and productive (speaking). Our communication activities should aim to:

• Foster a genuine desire in students to communicate and receive information.
• Present an engaging communicative purpose that resonates with them.
• Incorporate the processing of diverse language elements.

Effective Classroom Activities for Oral Communication

Classroom Language

Encourage the use of English phrases for communication between... Continue reading "Enhancing Oral Communication Skills in English Language Learning" »

A News Report: Stormy Day in Villahermosa

On July 4th, 2015, my friend and I were in a park when suddenly the wind surprised us. We were on our way to a party at Voladero disco when the wind broke a large tree branch and some bottles. The local police in Villahermosa arrived to assess the damages.

However, my friends and I went to our houses with some dust on our clothes. Later, my friend Rosa and I went to the pub in the square, and after a while, more people started to arrive. People were a little scared at first, but as time passed, they calmed down.

In conclusion, the party ended at the same time that the storm finished.

Informal Email to Anna

Hi Anna,

It's been a long time since we've seen or spoken to each other. I hope you are doing well in... Continue reading "A Stormy Day in Villahermosa and Other Stories" »

This list includes the base form, past simple, and past participle of some common irregular verbs in English.

Verb Forms

Base Form - Past Simple - Past Participle

be - was/were - been (ser, estar)

become - became - become (convertirse en, hacerse)

begin - began - begun (empezar, comenzar)

bite - bit - bitten (morder)

blow - blew - blown (soplar)

break - broke - broken (romper)

bring - brought - brought (llevar, traer)

build - built - built (construir)

buy - bought - bought (comprar)

can - could - been able (poder)

catch - caught - caught (coger, atrapar, tomar)

choose - chose - chosen (elegir, escoger)

come - came - come (venir)

cost - cost - cost (costar)

cut - cut - cut (cortar)

do - did - done (hacer)

draw - drew - drawn (dibujar)

drink - drank - drunk (beber)... Continue reading "English Irregular Verbs" »

Each person has their own preferences for life in the country and in the city. It is obvious that both have advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Rural Living

• Nature: This includes uncontaminated air, picturesque landscapes, animals, and much more.
• Slower Pace of Life: You do not worry that you will not do something in time but work at your own pace.
• Strong Community Bonds: The relationships between the inhabitants of the countryside are generally very good. People know each other well enough to help one another.

Disadvantages of Rural Living

• Limited Access to Healthcare: There is often no medical center in the countryside, and to consult a doctor, one has to go to the city, which can be quite far.
• Limited Access to Amenities: The same goes

1. How does Winston think the girl with dark hair probably got her injury? Winston thinks she probably crushed her hand while turning one of the kaleidoscopes used to produce novels in the Fiction Department.
2. What two possibilities does Winston consider before opening the note given to him by the girl with dark hair? Winston thinks the note must be a message either from the Thought Police or from an underground organization like the Brotherhood.
3. What does the note actually say? The note says “I love you.”
4. Why doesn’t Winston shirk his evening at the Community Center even though he desperately wants to be alone? Winston’s will to live has been revived by the girl’s note, and he decides not to take any unnecessary risks now that he has something

Analysis of Burning Bright

The ironies in this book continue to multiply as Montag discovers that Millie was the one who turned in the fire alarm. In fact, it's interesting to note that as Millie makes her abrupt departure, her worries and concern focus only on her television family and not her husband (Montag). Although Beatty feels some remorse over what will happen to Montag, he continues to ridicule him: "Old Montag wanted to fly near the sun and now that he's burnt his damn wings, he wonders why. Didn't I hint enough when I sent the Hound around your place?" Though one's sympathies are, rightly so, with Montag, Beatty is revealed here as a man torn between duty and conscience, which makes him more of an individual and less a villain, less... Continue reading "The Ironies of Burning Bright" »

Jennifer's Daily Routine

My name is Jennifer. I get up at 5 in the morning. I have breakfast, coffee, and a sandwich. Then, I go to work and leave at two in the afternoon. I go home for lunch and spend time with my daughter in the afternoon. After that, I have a shower and prepare everything for the next day before going to bed.

Hobbies

• Play football
• Play basketball
• Play volleyball
• Play tennis
• Play rugby
• Play jockey
• Play poker
• Play golf
• Go sailing
• Go yachting
• Ride a bike
• Ride a ski
• Surf
• Dance

Careful with the third person (he, she, it), add -s: play – plays, -es: watch – watches, -es: pass – passes, -es: go – goes. Usage: The present simple is used to talk about habitual actions. + (affirmative) TURN ON THE COMPUTER – (negative) DON´T TURN ON THE

I thought that we could talk about travelling. Do you enjoy travelling?

If answer is YES.  Ahhh, then you will probably feel the same as me about this way of life.

If answer is NO  Oh.... You must be then one of the very few people who don’t..... In any case…

I prefer to speak about the reasons why we do it and the benefits we might get when we travel. Have you been on a trip recently?

Let me tell you a bit more about the reasons why people decide to travel. Nowadays, people travel mostly for pleasure. Travelers typically choose destinations where they think they’ll feel relaxed in different ways. Other people instead prefer travelling for deeper, more conscious motivations. If you have lived all your life with the comforts of western society,... Continue reading "The Benefits of Traveling: Why You Should Explore the World" »