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

Improve your English grammar and rephrasing skills with these common sentence transformation examples. Each example demonstrates how to express the same idea using different grammatical structures.

1. Original:

   My aunt would spend hours watching the birds in the park.

   Transformed:

   My aunt used to spend hours watching the birds in the park.

2. Original:

   We had to deal with the matter carefully.

   Transformed:

   The matter had to be dealt with carefully.

3. Original:

   “Let’s go swimming!” she said.

   Transformed:

   She suggested going swimming.

4. Original:

   “Would you like a cup of tea?”

   Transformed:

   He offered me a cup of tea.

5. Original:

   Her house was broken into because she didn’t lock it.

   Transformed:

   If she had locked her house, it wouldn’t have been broken into.

6. Original:

Dear Mr. Jones

1. T, T, F, F, DS
2. On 28th July at 11 pm.
3. Because they arrived late, their room wasn’t available. / There were no rooms available.
4. The hotel regulation: guests must pay for the room in advance if they want the hotel to keep the room after the expected arrival time.
5. The price was £100 more than the Lotus Hotel.
6. Pay compensation for the trouble and expense.

Vocabulary Exercise 1

1. I worked a lot of overtime last month.
2. Some people don’t like to be asked their age.
3. Don’t leave your bags or luggage unattended.
4. We spoke to the manager about the rude hotel staff.
5. The job pays a voucher salary of £50,000 a year.
6. The hotel has got a restaurant on its premises.
7. We asked Kate to help, but she refused.
8. I’m thinking of accompanying Jenny.

Vocabulary

Causative Verbs in English

Causative verbs are used when one person or thing causes another person or thing to do something, or to have something done to them. Here are the main forms:

Form 1: Subject + Have / Get + Object + Past Participle

• Structure: Subject + have / get + Object + Past Participle
• Example: I got my hair cut last week.

Form 2: Subject + Have + Agent + Base Verb + Object

• Structure: Subject + have + Agent + Base Verb + Object
• Example: Sussane had her brother cut.

Form 3: Subject + Get + Person + To + Base Verb

• Structure: Subject + get + Person + to + Base Verb
• Example: She gets her son to do this.

Understanding the Passive Voice

The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action rather than the doer of the action. It is often used... Continue reading "Mastering English Sentence Structures: Causatives, Passives, Conditionals, Relative Clauses" »

Journalist's Urgent Warning to Mrs. Torbay

Dear Mrs. Torbay,

I hope you are well. I am writing to inform you about some recent reports regarding your husband, Ronald Torbay. As a journalist, I have been following his actions closely, and I must say that I am concerned. Many people have reported that Ronald has been acting in a strange and aggressive manner lately.

Some witnesses claim that he has made threats and behaved violently in public. These reports are worrying, and I feel it is important that you are aware of the situation.

If you need further information or would like to discuss this matter more, please do not hesitate to contact me. I recommend that you take the necessary steps to ensure your safety.

I hope this letter helps you understand... Continue reading "Urgent Safety Concerns: Addressing Domestic Threats" »

Mastering Irregular Verbs

LOREM IPSUM

be.was.been.ser.estar.beat.beat.beaten.golpear.become.became.become.llegaraser.begin.began.begun.empezar.bend.bent.bent.doblar.bet.apostar.bite.bit.bitten.morder.bleed.bled.bled.sangrar.blow.blew.blown.soplar.break.broke.broken.romper.bring.brought.brought.traer.build.built.built.construir.burn.burnt.burnt.quemar.buy.bought.bought.comprar.catch.caught.caught.coger.choose.chose.chosen.elegir.come.came.come.venir.cost.cost.cost.gastar.cut.cut.cut.cortar.dig.dug.dug.cavar.do.did.done.hacer.draw.drew.drawn.dibujar.dream.dreamt.dreamt.soñar.drink.drank.drunk.beber.drive.drove.driven.conducir.eat.ate.eaten.comer.fall.fell.fallen.caer.feed.fed.fed.alimentar.feel.felt.felt.sentir.fight.fought.fought.luchar.find.

This video follows the lives of Emily, a 16-year-old girl from Sydney, and Harry, a 16-year-old boy from Perth. Harry admits to stealing, lying, and being violent. Emily also displays violent tendencies. At 13, when left alone at home while her mother worked, she would invite friends over for parties with alcohol. Both Emily and Harry are sent to Whitechurch for seven days to live with Mary, John, and their five children, a strict Catholic family.

In this family, violence, television during the week, and cell phones at night are prohibited. Drinking and smoking are also forbidden. Emily and Harry must respect the family's rules and change their ways of thinking.

Ultimately, they respect the rules, despite initial difficulties, and return home... Continue reading "Teen Redemption: A Week of Transformation in Whitechurch" »

The Real McCoy: A Castle's Ghostly Secret

Four children were staying in an old castle. A rumor circulated that a real ghost haunted the place. However, one child was skeptical. The other three children conspired to imitate ghosts and surprise him. But he saw a ghost that was clearly not one of his friends, a chilling encounter that proved the castle's spectral inhabitant was indeed the real McCoy.

Strange Message: An Astronaut's Legacy

A young girl dreamed of becoming an astronaut. One day, her computer received a strange message. It read: “Follow your dream!” She found this unbelievable, as she had never shared her dream with anyone. Thinking it was a marvel, she replied to the message. Later, she discovered the message had been sent by a... Continue reading "Unexplained Encounters: True Supernatural Stories" »

Living Alone vs. Parents: A Young Adult's Choice

Normally, when you start working or studying, you leave your home and rent a house, beginning to live on your own. Many young adults believe this is beneficial for their independence, while others think it is too challenging. As a result, many prefer to stay with their parents instead of buying or renting a new place.

Embracing Independence

On the one hand, renting a house allows you to become more independent, as you have to take care of household chores by yourself, such as cleaning the house or cooking dinner. Additionally, you have more freedom because you don’t feel pressured by your parents. For example, you can play music throughout the house without disturbing your flatmates.

Navigating

Bank Reconciliation and Partnership Accounting

1.2.1 Meaning of a Bank Reconciliation Statement

A bank reconciliation statement shows the causes of disagreement between the balance shown by the Bank Pass Book and the balance shown in the cash book (under the Bank column) at the end of a specific period or month. Generally, it is prepared at the end of every month by the bank. If the transactions with the bank are large in number, then a Bank Reconciliation Statement is prepared at the end of every week.

In short, a bank reconciliation statement is prepared to verify the balance shown by the Bank Pass Book and the balance shown in the cash book.

1.2.3 Need and Importance of Preparing a Bank Reconciliation Statement

It is necessary for a business... Continue reading "Bank Reconciliation, Partnership & Non-Profit Accounting" »

Key Literary Concepts: Short Notes

1. Duality of Human Nature in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson beautifully explores the idea that every human carries both good and evil within. Dr. Jekyll creates Mr. Hyde to experience freedom without guilt, separating his moral self from his darker desires. But once unleashed, Hyde grows stronger, overpowering Jekyll's control. The story reflects how suppressing our dark side only gives it more power, and that human nature is never purely one or the other—it's a constant inner conflict.

2. Symbolism of Venice in Death in Venice

Venice stands as a haunting symbol of beauty hiding decay. Its stunning scenery and rich culture reflect Aschenbach's admiration for youth and perfection. But underneath,... Continue reading "Classic Novels: Themes, Characters, and Symbolism" »