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

Harriet Noble's 1824 Migration Account

As told to Elizabeth F. Ellet (1856)

Author: Harriet Noble | Date of Migration: 1824

The Reality of Pioneer Migration

In 1856, Elizabeth F. Ellet published the book Pioneer Women of the West, a compilation of histories of pioneer women, including the account of Harriet Noble, who emigrated from New York to Michigan in 1824. Like the majority of women undertaking overland migration at that time, Noble had little choice about whether to go or not; her husband made the decision for her.

During the journey, men generally drove the wagons while women and children walked behind in a cloud of dust. Noble expressed that her feet were already so swollen she could not walk anymore. Finally, the family arrived in the... Continue reading "Harriet Noble's 1824 Journey: Pioneer Life in Michigan" »

Using 'Make' and 'Do' Correctly

1. I need to do the shopping this evening.
2. It's hard to choose a gift for Mum, but we'll have to make a decision soon.
3. It was a pleasure to do business with you.
4. Could you do me a favour and call Katie?
5. I'd like to make an appointment with the doctor.
6. Rachel hopes to make a lot of money when she works in London.
7. We will do our best to finish the project on time.
8. Sue and Mike have started to make plans for their wedding.

Shopping Vocabulary: Value and Perception

1. You paid too much for that television. It was a rip-off.
2. Everyone is wearing these expensive shoes. They have become a status symbol.
3. The shopping center wants to attract younger people, so it's trying to change its image.
4. This diamond isn't real. It must be a fake.
5. These

CHARACTERS:   Hiro Adachi: Main character, is a Japanese student, studying in England with a study abroad program.

Akiko: Hiro's ex  The Shark / Erik Bjornson: the grandfather Hiro meets on the train to Koln Berlin Karl Meier: A German man in Berlin   Franz Schubert: A bodyguard

-His girlfriend Akiko, broke up with him for having a picture of his dog as a wallpaper. -

-Hiro is from Japan but he is studying in England with a study abroad program and now on his summer holidays he has used an InterRail ticket (ticket to travel anywhere in Europe).

-Hiro met Akiko in the same course in England, they were going to make a trip to the South of Spain and some friends but when he got angry for wanting to take the dog on a trip, everything took a turn... Continue reading "Encounter at Brandenburg Gate: A Tale of Deception and Survival" »

Essential English Irregular Verbs (R-W)

This table provides a comprehensive list of essential irregular verbs in English, covering forms from R through W, along with their Spanish meanings. Memorizing these forms is crucial for correct past tense and perfect tense construction in English.

The Modern Shopping Experience: Malls, Sales, and Consumer Culture

The Rise of Shopping Centers

For the past few years, malls and shopping centers have become increasingly successful ways of purchasing in our lifestyle. They are huge buildings built on the outskirts or in commercial areas of our cities.

The Appeal of Retail Environments

First of all, the stores have very attractive window displays. Everything is designed to make customers spend their money, indulge in a shopping spree, and return for their subsequent purchases. Key features include:

• Pleasant background music
• A wide range of products
• Prices clearly marked

Malls as Leisure Centers

Besides, malls offer many facilities to make shopping easier. The mall is a leisure center where you can... Continue reading "The Psychology of Shopping: Malls, Sales, and Retail Therapy" »

Speech Analysis: Rhetoric & Audience

Personal Dynamics

• Active / Energetic
• Insistent / Persistent
• Aggressive
• Ambitious
• Successful

Mood

Passionate; calm / self-controlled; choleric; melancholic

Self-confidence

With strong nerves; brave / courageous

Moral Attitude

Honest / truthful

Social Aspects

Sociable; open / frank; modest; open-minded; friendly

Argumentation

First of all, I think... | On the one hand,... On the other hand... | Let me give you an example... | As I already indicated... | In other words,... | I should like to emphasize that... | Summing up, it can be said that... | In my opinion...

Rhetorical Devices

• Simile (comparison)
• Personification
• Metaphor
• Symbol
• Hyperbole (exaggeration)
• Euphemism (replace a violent expression)
• Antithesis (opposition of two

English Vocabulary & Phrasal Verbs: Unit 1

Emotions, Qualities & Actions

• Mood: humor (estat d'ànim)
• Tough: dur, resistent
• Approach: enfocament, mètode
• All the rage: molt de moda, popular
• Remain: romandre, quedar-se
• Accurate: exacte, precís
• Firm: ferm, sòlid
• Trigger: desencadenar, provocar

Sensory Vocabulary

• Mouth-watering: que fa venir ganes de menjar
• Scent: olor (agradable)
• Weird: estrany, peculiar
• Nasty: desagradable, lleig
• Purchase: adquirir, comprar
• Take advantage of: aprofitar-se de, treure avantatge de

Phrasal Verbs: Start & Set

• Started out: començar (una activitat, carrera)
• Started over: tornar a començar
• Startup: muntar una empresa, posar en marxa
• Set off: provocar, iniciar (un viatge, una alarma)
• Set back: endarrerir, costar (diners)

Phrasal

The Lahti File

A British Spy Thriller

Chapter 1: The Briefing

London

British spy Ian Munro is briefed by his boss, Naylor, about the suspicious deaths of people and animals in Lahti, Finland. The cause is suspected to be a toxic gas. Munro is sent to Finland to investigate.

Chapter 2: Arrival in Lahti

Finland

Munro's local contact, Pentti Virolainen, is shot dead while Munro looks on, unable to intervene. Munro calls London for further instructions. He reads an article about Finnish businessman Jorma Lappalainen, owner of a bioengineering business.

Chapter 3: A Midnight Encounter

That evening, Munro meets the lovely Riitta Koivisto, who seems rather too curious about him. At midnight, Koivisto visits him in his hotel room, and they spend the night together.... Continue reading "The Lahti File: A British Spy Thriller in Finland" »

Day 2 - Sunday

Via Ferrata "Teresina K4" - Early Morning

For climbing enthusiasts seeking a challenge, the Via Ferrata "Teresina K4" offers an unforgettable experience. This itinerary combines vertical and horizontal sections, equipped with diverse materials to safely navigate areas inaccessible to hikers or those unaccustomed to climbing.

A via ferrata in Montserrat is known for its difficulty, so preparation is key for this exciting activity. The "Teresina" is a classic in Montserrat, and it was the first Spanish via ferrata, opened in 1993.

This K4 ferrata is comprehensive, with the difficulty increasing in the second half of the route, culminating in a final chimney. The route is 8km long, with an estimated time of 2.5 hours and two return... Continue reading "Montserrat Adventure: Via Ferrata & Cave Exploration" »