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

English Grammar Practice: Set 1

1. I’m looking forward to trying the new restaurant.
2. She asked me where I had bought that jacket.
3. When did you move to Spain?
4. We shouldn’t have left the house without a jacket.
5. I have my car revised every February.
6. The match was cancelled due to heavy rain.
7. That is the city where we lived for four years.
8. An event is being organized to raise money for charity.
9. She apologised for breaking my mug.
10. At 10:30, she will be playing football.
11. It is thought that she is one of the best actors in the world.
12. If you went to bed earlier, you wouldn’t always be tired.
13. I wish I had revised English grammar.
14. We have been sent an invitation.
15. She said that they were going to visit their grandparents the next day.

English Grammar Practice: Set

Regency England: Society and Social Norms

Marriage and Inheritance Customs

At this time, the most influential sector was comprised of wealthy landowners, who often did not work but lived on large properties in the countryside. Family properties could not be divided; all land and income passed to the eldest son, while other siblings had to learn a profession. Daughters faced even greater complications; they could neither inherit land nor pursue a profession. Most remained at home, awaiting a suitable husband who could offer financial security.

Marriages at this time were often for convenience. Mothers sought wealthy, landed husbands for their daughters, while men, conversely, sought brides from affluent families. For example, in Pride and Prejudice,... Continue reading "Pride and Prejudice: Social Norms and Enduring Themes" »

The Ring's History and Curse

1. The deacons deposited the ring in the glass case of a fashionable jeweler.
2. The Earl of Essex was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
3. The red glow of the diamond symbolizes the presence of the evil spirit within the ring.
4. The Countess of Shrewsbury came to visit the Earl, pretending to be his friend, but actually wanting to get revenge on him for some past slight.
5. The ring was stolen from the Earl's tomb by Cromwell's soldiers when they desecrated the church and robbed the vaults many years after his death.
6. After crossing the Atlantic, the ring ended up being thrown into the contribution box of a church in New England.
7. The ring brought sorrow, deceit, and misfortune to all who possessed it due to the evil spirit dwelling

Common Grammatical Corrections

Here are some common grammatical corrections to improve your English:

• We must make the most of it.
• Honestly, it doesn't matter.
• Could you speak more slowly? / Were you able to understand?
• What's the answer? Subtract eight from eight.
• Three hundred students took part in the competition.
• The students will have finished by tomorrow.
• Three will have run out of time.
• My sister isn't very keen on horror movies.
• Peter asked if he had eaten the chocolate.
• Bob hadn't seen her since she had gone by.
• I needed a cup of coffee. / I could have done with a cup of coffee.
• I'm not going to tolerate this. / I'm not capable of putting up with this.
• We went for a walk in spite of the rain.
• I'm sure it will be fine. / It is bound to be fine.
• Could

Phrasal Verb Examples

1. Break Down

   Tina's computer broke down in the middle of her paper.

2. Turn Down

   She turned down all the men who asked her to marry them.

3. Look Up To

   That teacher is someone I look up to.

4. Get On With

   Does Sheila get on well with her parents?

5. Look Into

   Have scientists ever looked into the way animals communicate with humans?

6. Get By

   It is difficult for the family to get by on the money they have.

7. Look Forward To

   The girls are looking forward to seeing their grandparents again.

8. Come Up With

   The inventor came up with a solution to the problem in a dream.

9. Put Off

   They have put off the meeting until next Friday.

10. Work Out

    It was difficult to work out what was happening in the story.

11. Look Up

    Will you look up this word in the dictionary?

12. Drop Out

    I didn't know

Vocabulary Sentences: Sports Focus

Instructions: Review these sentences using sports-related words.

1. Some people believe that competitive sports help young people work together as part of a team.
2. I am expecting an easy victory against the two other teams tomorrow; they are not very good.
3. And the referee has just blown her whistle to end the game.
4. My brother won the trophy for the fastest runner at school this year.
5. The football match has been cancelled because of bad weather on the pitch.
6. In tomorrow's game, I will be playing against a very difficult opponent - I'm not sure I will win.
7. I was so tired this morning I could only run one lap of the field before I needed to rest.
8. Unfortunately, the team I support lost in the first round of the championships.

Education: Technology's Role in Modern Learning

As the proverb goes, "You never stop learning" — but what’s the best way to learn today? In many schools, books and worksheets are still used. However, in recent years, learning apps and platforms have been introduced in classrooms all over the world.

It's widely agreed that lessons are becoming more interactive and personalised thanks to digital tools. A teacher once said that students remember better when they enjoy the process. And it’s true — if learning relied solely on textbooks, boredom would quickly set in. However, combining elements like games, music, and videos transforms learning into an exciting and memorable experience.

Imagine using video games to learn mathematics or history.... Continue reading "Navigating Modern Life: Choices for Well-being and Growth" »

Reported Speech Tense Changes

Present Simple

Direct: He works as an editor.

Reported: She said that he worked as an editor.

Present Continuous

Direct: He is working as an editor.

Reported: She said that he was working as an editor.

Past Simple

Direct: He worked as an editor.

Reported: She said that he had worked as an editor.

Past Continuous

Direct: He was working as an editor.

Reported: She said that he had been working as an editor.

Present Perfect Simple

Direct: He has worked as an editor.

Reported: She said that he had worked as an editor.

Present Perfect Continuous

Direct: He has been working as an editor.

Reported: She said that he had been working as an editor.

Past Perfect Simple

Direct: He had worked as an editor.

Reported: She said that he had worked... Continue reading "English Grammar Transformations" »