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

Returning to Primavera Sound 2026

This review covers my experience attending Primavera Sound 2026 for three days with three friends. It was our second consecutive year at the festival, and after having such a great time last year, we were really looking forward to coming back.

A Strong Lineup and Non-Stop Action

Overall, the experience was fantastic. The lineup was incredibly strong, and we enjoyed almost every concert we attended. One of the things that makes Primavera Sound so exciting is that there is always something happening. At the same time, this can also be stressful because you spend the whole day rushing from one stage to another, trying not to miss any of the artists you want to see. There were so many great performances that it often... Continue reading "Primavera Sound 2026: Highlights and The Cure Review" »

First Conditional and Inversion

We use the first conditional to talk about future situations we believe are possible.

• Marker pens are in the cupboard if you ever need one.
• If a customer wishes to cancel their booking, they should notify us within seven days.

Inverting First Conditionals

To invert first conditional sentences, we replace if with the auxiliary verb should and change the verb into the infinitive. This makes the situation seem a little less likely and is often used to make a polite request or offer.

• Marker pens are in the cupboard should you ever need one.
• Should a customer wish to cancel their booking, they should notify us within seven days.

Second Conditional and Inversion

We use the second conditional to talk about situations that we... Continue reading "Mastering Inverted Conditionals in English Grammar" »

1. Summary and Character Analysis

"The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" by Arthur Conan Doyle begins when Sherlock Holmes receives a letter from Robert Ferguson, a man deeply concerned about his wife’s strange behavior. She has been seen sucking blood from their baby’s neck, leading Robert to fear she may be a vampire. Consequently, Sherlock and his companion, Dr. Watson, travel to the Ferguson home in Sussex to investigate.

Upon arrival, they meet the family: Ferguson, his wife, their baby, and Jack, Ferguson’s teenage son from a previous marriage. The atmosphere is palpably tense and unhappy. The wife remains silent, and Jack behaves erratically. Everyone suspects something terrible and unnatural is occurring.

However, Sherlock dismisses... Continue reading "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire: Analysis and Themes" »

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.

When I reflect on school rules and punishments, I recall my own experiences. During my years in public school, we were required to follow many daily regulations. This made me consider the importance of discipline in education, and my perspective on the subject has evolved significantly since then.

Personal Experience with School Discipline

I clearly remember a situation where I broke a rule. I failed to complete my homework for several days, and my teacher kept me in class during the break. At the time, I felt embarrassed and annoyed, but I later realized that I had been irresponsible. This experience helped me become more organized and encouraged me to take my schoolwork more seriously.

Diverse Perspectives on Classroom Rules

I recognize that... Continue reading "The Role of School Rules and Discipline in Education" »

The Role of Technology in Modern Life

Today, technology is everywhere, and almost everyone uses it every day. Mobile phones and computers help people communicate faster and perform tasks more easily. If technology did not exist, life would be more difficult for students and workers. Furthermore, people can learn many things on the internet very quickly.

However, technology also has some negative effects. Many teenagers spend too many hours on their phones and do not communicate enough with their families. Some people become addicted to social media, which can lead to stress or fatigue. If people used technology more mindfully, they would likely lead healthier lives.

Promoting Responsible Technology Use

In my opinion, technology is beneficial if... Continue reading "Balancing Modern Technology, Health, and Remote Work" »