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

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

Rasselas: Episodes 35–43 — Reunion and the Astronomer

Princess, Pekuah, and the Search Continues

35. The princess is disheartened by Pekuah's absence. Rasselas hires musicians and makes every effort to amuse her, but is not successful. All the while she asks Imlac about the search. Imlac tells her to amuse herself and be entertained, to which she replies that she will always remember her friend. Rasselas orders a more diligent search to calm the princess and remove from her mind the idea of isolation.

36. The princess recovers from the loss of her friend, albeit reluctantly. She occupies her mind with other activities and reserves an hour each day to remember her friend. She preserves her love for Pekuah, and asks Imlac to continue the search.... Continue reading "Rasselas and Pekuah: Reunion and the Quest for Happiness" »

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

Ashton and Benson disappeared but were found in Sweden so they went to spy them. They  discover that the Russians were spying Ashton. They decided to make Larry act as a Russian to  See Ashton’s reaction. Ashton ran away with Benson to another village. They do the same  Again, and Ashton accepts to go with the Russians (who is Larry), but Benson doesn’t let him  And they run away to the forest. At the forest, Benson shoots Ashton and Henry kills Benson  For having killed Ashton. Jaggard decides to investigate Benson’s past in the English Army. He  Discovers that Benson isn’t really Benson, but another man who took his role when the real ... Continue reading "Income from the forest" »

The Red-Headed League Case Details

Initial Inquiries and Mr. Wilson's Situation

• His hair was **bright red**.
• He was paid **four pounds a week**.
• The requirements were for **red-headed men over twenty-one years old**.
• The location mentioned was **7 Pope’s Court, Fleet Street, London**.
• The setting was **Saxe-Coburg Square, in the City of London**.
• The person involved was **Mr. Wilson’s assistant**.

Reasons for Employment and Tasks

1. The initial reason for leaving his previous post was **for half pay**.
2. His previous occupation involved **photography**.
3. He was sent **to the cellar of Mr. Wilson’s shop**.
4. The job opened because **there was a vacancy in the Red-Headed League**.
5. Members of the League could **make a lot of money**.
6. The appeal was that upon

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