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

Tell Me a Story: Plus Edition

Understanding Storytelling's Appeal

• Statement 1: Storytelling Appeals to Our Need for Escapism

  Answer: True. “We all want to be taken out of our own reality and into another world.”

• Statement 2: Electronic Books Replacing Paper Books

  Answer: True. “A lot of people are now choosing to read online or onscreen, with e-books becoming increasingly popular.”

Insights on Traditional Storytelling

• What is the Ancient Technology Centre like?

  The audience sits in the dark, and the only light comes from the fire in the fire pit, creating shadows everywhere.

• Why is traditional storytelling so popular?

  It’s popular because humans have a deep-rooted need to be connected with their ancestors.

Comprehension Check: Multiple Choice

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The Kidnapping of Farrow

Chapter 1: The Message in the Book

Farrow has been kidnapped by the Amsterdam Ring, a notorious smuggling organization. He has left a message in a book that Leila, his wife, has found.

Chapter 2: The Smugglers' Journey

Some of the smugglers, Keesing and de Fries, are driving with Farrow to Luxor, to the tomb of Queen Axtarte. Another smuggler, Greer, is kidnapping Mrs. Farrow in a house in Cairo.

Chapter 3: The Radio Contact

Every night, there is radio contact between the smugglers. This radio contact must take place at 19:00, or Christine Farrow will be killed.

Chapter 4: The Steep Slope

Farrow orders Keesing and de Fries to drive up a steep slope so that an aircraft can see them. Salahadin, a pilot, flies to Luxor at that... Continue reading "The Kidnapping of Farrow: A Thrilling Adventure in Egypt" »

The Blue Cross

ORDER

1. h) A boat arrived in Harwich.
2. g) A police chief had breakfast.
3. a) A bowl of soup was thrown at a wall.
4. c) An apple cart was knocked over.
5. f) Three policemen took a ride on a bus.
6. b) A window was broken.
7. d) A parcel was left at a sweetshop.
8. e) Two priests took a walk in a park.

Plot Analysis

2. Some key actions in the plot are only referred to later in the story. When do you think the following actions took place? Is it important to know exactly when? Why (not)? It is not important to know what happens at the moment because otherwise the end would not surprise you so much.

a) Valentin found out about Father Brown and the blue cross. At the end of the story, when Flambeau ends up discovering what Father Brown has done and the police... Continue reading "The Blue Cross: A Detective Story Analysis" »

Chapter 3: Understanding Scrooge's Transformation

Question Word Review

This chapter tests your understanding of key events. Can you answer these questions?

1. Where did the Ghost of Christmas Present first take Scrooge? Outside, into the cold, snowy streets.
2. Why did the spirit hold his torch over people’s heads? To inspire kindness and stop arguments.
3. Who held a special place in Bob Cratchit’s heart? Tiny Tim, his son.
4. Why was Mrs. Cratchit reluctant to toast Scrooge? She resented his meager wages and considered him a hateful man.
5. Who played a YES/NO game? Scrooge’s nephew, his family, and friends.
6. Who were the figures beneath the ghost’s robe? Two children, representing Want and Ignorance.

Character Analysis: Ebenezer Scrooge

Ebenezer Scrooge,... Continue reading "A Christmas Carol: Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis" »

1. Modal Verbs of Possibility and Certainty

Exercise 1

1-Vera might be back before lunch time.-That must be the new student.-Italian can’t be that difficult.-The teacher can’t have the results already.-Jackie must have a lot of money.-Wait! That might not be.

Exercise 2

2-You must have heard about the accident.. -You must have gone to bed late. -You can’t have seen this film before.-I might have left my notebook in the kitchen.-The teacher can’t have gone yet because her car is still in the car park. -I missed a call this morning. It might have been Simon, but I don’t think it was his number.

Exercise 3

3-If we’d arrived earlier, we would have got better seats.-I wouldn’t have made so many mistakes if I had revised more.-If they had

English Verb Tenses

COMPUTERISED ENGLISH: A)1.Most people are aware of the effec that computers have had on the English language. TRUE: Lines 2-3. 2.The Word Internet once had a different meaning before computers. FALSE: Lines 5-6. 3.On-line conversations have got an informal writing style. TRUE: Lines 8-9-10. C)In the past, the Word conversation referred to situations where people spoke face-toface or on the phone. D)Large-vast. Extra-additional. In person-face to face. Oppose-object.

OPINION ABOUT THE EFFECT THE COMPUTER HAS HAD  ON YOUR LIFE: Several years ago, the computer is causing many problems because people use it a lot and this causes several problems. In my opinion, I agree with that. //First, the computer is causing serious problems for people by misuse... Continue reading "The Walsh family have a computer at home" »

Paraphrasing Exercises

Theme 2 Paraphrasing

• It got harder
• Was shocked to hear
• Objected to having
• Need not have brought
• Doesn't have to cook
• Was being used so
• To get our flat painted
• Organized the festivities by ourselves
• Didn't succeed in delivering
• Although he was disabled
• Wouldn't have attacked
• Wouldn't have missed
• Would rather not play
• Accused him of stealing her
• Apologized for not telling
• Would have been injured
• Had better apologize for

Theme 1 Paraphrasing

• Swim as well as
• Getting higher and higher
• Succeeded in convincing me
• To Helen for arguing
• Made the criminals get into
• Had better not stay
• Should not have stolen
• Has been informed about
• Had his briefcase stolen
• Have had the meeting rescheduled
• Seems worried
• Due to the risk
• If I could afford it
• We could continue
• Didn't

Ask someone out

- invite on a date- Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.

Ask around

- ask many people the same question- I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet.

Add up to something

- equal- your purchases add up to $204.24

Back something up

- reverse- you'll have to back up your car so that I can get out

Back someone up

- support- my wife backed me up over my decision to quit my job

Blow up

- explode- the racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence

Blow something up

- add air- we have to blow up 50 balloons for the party

Break down

- stop functioning- our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm

Break down

- get upset- the woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died

Break something down

- divide into smaller... Continue reading "Common Phrasal Verbs with Examples" »