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

Active and Passive Voice

Normal Sentences

• My father gets a good salary.
  A good salary is gotten by my father.
• The boss lent me one of his books.
  I was lent one of his books by the boss.
• He did not pay the bill.
  The bill wasn't paid.
• My neighbor is going to buy a new car.
  A new car is going to be bought by my neighbor.
• I had lost my umbrella when it began to rain.
  My umbrella had been lost when it began to rain.
• Alice was looking for her pencils.
  Her pencils were being looked for by Alice.
• I will hang a picture on the wall.
  A picture will be hung on the wall.
• Susan has not answered your letters.
  Your letters haven't been answered by Susan.
• Amy Winehouse broke an expensive picture at the hotel.
  An expensive picture was broken at the hotel by Amy Winehouse.
• Tom's

FAHRENHEIT 451

Summary of the Hearth and the Salamander

In the first part of Fahrenheit 451, the character Guy Montag, a thirty-year-old fireman in the twenty-fourth century (remember that the novel was written in the early 1950s) is introduced. In this dystopian (dreadful and oppressive) setting, people race 'jet cars' down the roads as a way of terminating stress, 'parlor walls' are large screens in every home used dually for entertainment and governmental propaganda, and houses have been fireproofed, thus making the job of firemen, as they are commonly known, obsolete. However, firemen have been given a new occupation; they are burners of books and the official censors of the state. As a fireman, Guy Montag is responsible for destroying not... Continue reading "Fahrenheit 451: Summary of the Hearth and the Salamander" »

Be (ser) was been

Beat (golpear) beat beaten

Become (volverse) became become

Begin (empezar) began begun

Bend (doblar) bent bent

Bet (apostar) bet bet

Bite (morder) bit bitten

Bleed (sangrar) bled bled

Blow (soplar) blew blown

Break (romper) broke broken

Bring (llevar, traer) brought brought

Build (construir) built built

Burn (quemar) burnt/burned burnt/burned

Buy (comprar) bought bought

Catch (atrapar) caught caught

Choose (elegir) chose chosen

Come (venir) came come

Cost (costar) cost cost

Cut (cortar) cut cut

Dig (cavar) dug dug

Do (hacer) did done

Draw (dibujar) drew drawn

Dream (soñar) dreamt/dreamed dreamt/dreamed

Drink (beber) drank drunk

Drive (conducir) drove driven

Eat (comer) ate eaten

Fall (caerse) fell fallen

Feed (alimentar) fed fed

Feel (sentir) felt felt

Fight... Continue reading "Irregular Verbs in English: Past Simple and Past Participle" »

The Boat to Fuerteventura

Two summers ago, my friend Jose and I had tickets for a water park in Fuerteventura. We decided to take the early boat to have more time during the day and be able to go shopping.

When Jose and I arrived at the port, it was crowded. My friend said, “If we had come earlier, we would be the first ones here.” During the trip, Jose got seasick and vomited on me. I told him, “If I had known this was going to happen, I wouldn't have sat next to you!” As soon as we arrived in Fuerteventura, we went straight to the water park because it was scorching.

We had a fantastic time at the water park. All in all, it was an unforgettable experience, and I would definitely repeat the trip.

Party Fail

Last summer, my best friend and... Continue reading "Unforgettable Summer Adventures: From Fuerteventura to Camping Chaos" »

TRAINING SESSIONS

Who wants to learn to sing? We are holding coaching activities for new members on Monday and Friday in the afternoon. Meet in the auditorium of Lorca at five o'clock.

SOCIAL EVENTS

We are very happy to announce that the club is organizing a show about song pop for all members next Saturday at eight o'clock in the auditorium of Lorca. In this show, old members usually give new members singing tricks.

VISIT FROM JASON HADDERLY

All members can go to the conference with singer David Bisbal, who is going to talk about the types of songs.

NEW CLUB WEBSITE

We're pleased to announce that we're launching a club website to inform members of all the events in Lorca about music. Don't forget to register your email address to receive all the... Continue reading "Club Events and Activities in Lorca: Singing Training, Social Show, Conference, and Website Launch" »

Vocabulary

1.

• 1. Trash
• 2. Voyage
• 3. Avoid
• 4. Landfills
• 5. Shortcut
• 6. Amount
• 7. Harmful
• 8. Halfway
• 9. A drop in the ocean

2.

1. E
2. F
3. D
4. C
5. A
6. B

3.

1. Carbon footprint
2. Renewable energy
3. Litter
4. Fuel

Grammar

4.

1. Could do / Could have done
2. Shouldn’t wear
3. May / Can / Could … have
4. Can’t believe
5. May / Might not have seen
6. Needn’t / Don’t have to pay

5.

1. Susan shouldn’t / needn’t have brought so many bottles. / Susan didn’t have to bring so many bottles.
2. Otherwise, I would have mentioned it.
3. That’s why I didn’t have to get up so early.
4. Could / Can we give you a lift?

6.

1. We had better leave immediately.
2. He shouldn’t wear pale colors.
3. You had better not say a word to anyone!

Vocabulary

1.

1. Went bald
2. Picked up
3. Ingest
4. Inhabit
5. Used up
6. Emits
7. Fool

2.

1. Caught the waiter’s eye
2. Pick up so many languages
3. Cut

Ability: Can - Could - Be Able to

We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability. She can speak six languages - My grandfather could play golf very well. I can't drive - I won't be able to drive that lorry.

Probability: May, Might (something is possible)

He may be in his office (perhaps) (may not) - John might not be in his office (mightn't)

When talking about possible plans, I may (might) be going to Italy in July (it's possible) - I may (might) go to Italy in July (it's possible)

Deduction: Can't Be - Must Be

It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside - This bill can't be right (£200 for two cups of coffee!)

Obligation: Must (possibly based on the speaker's opinion)

Children must do their homework - We have to wear a uniform at work... Continue reading "English Grammar: Ability, Probability, Deduction, Obligation, Permission, Advice, and Suggestions" »

Bullying: A Growing Concern

I think that bullying is an important problem in our country and society. Furthermore, bullying is dangerous for children and young people because their feelings at those ages are very sensitive. When children feel threatened, they don't know what to do and they can commit suicide or simply avoid society. Many children don't tell their parents when they are being bullied by other children in their school because they are frightened. Although, I'd like these children to be less afraid over time. Last month, I watched on TV an incident in a school in Spain. One boy killed a classmate because he thought that the boy was saying private things. In my opinion, adults should be careful with the bullying their children face.... Continue reading "Addressing Social and Environmental Issues" »

Diverse Historical Topics

Wallis Simpson and the Abdication

1. She went with her second husband to Leicestershire to spend a week there, and the prince was there too.
2. She didn't feel quite confident because she didn't know anything about hunting and she didn't know about etiquette.
3. As he was not allowed to marry a divorcee, he decided to abdicate because he could not live without her.
4. TRUE (line 7): "She and her mother... some money"
5. FALSE (line 13): "None of the royal... to the wedding"

• blond
• reasonable
• to attend
• on

10. It was believed that Wallis was worried about royal etiquette.
11. The Prince fell in love with her although she was not young or beautiful.
12. When did her father die?
13. Wallis, who was very poor as a child, wanted a life of luxury.

Reflections on a Funeral

1. It