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

Analysis of “Out of Africa” by Grace Nichols

The poem “Out of Africa,” written in 1989 by Grace Nichols, reflects the life and heritage of the poet, who was born in Georgetown, Guyana. Before immigrating to the UK in 1977, Nichols worked as a teacher, journalist, and in government information services. Her poetry is deeply characterized by Caribbean rhythms, culture, and the influence of Guyanese and Amerindian folklore. The poem chronicles Nichols' personal journey, tracing her ancestry in Africa through her migration from the Caribbean to England.

Poetic Structure and Narrative Voice

The structure of the poem consists of three stanzas. The first and second stanzas are equal in length, while the third is slightly longer, representing... Continue reading "Analysis of Grace Nichols' Poem Out of Africa" »

Predictions

Impossible: People DEFINITELY WON’T live on Mars. / Unlikely: People PROBABLY WON’T choose to have holidays in space. / IT’S UNLIKELY that the earth WILL be hit by a meteorite. / I DON’T THINK the use of smartphones WILL increase. / Possible: Food MAY become more expensive. / Tablets MIGHT replace textbooks. / IT’S POSSIBLE that everyone WILL speak English. / Likely: IT’S LIKELY that in the future we’LL import more. / The cost of mobile technology WILL PROBABLY fall. / I THINK the use of smartphones WILL increase. / Certain: The use of smartphones WILL DEFINITELY increase. / I AM SURE the use of smartphones WILL definitely increase.

Usage

Will: predictions about the future.
Might/May/Be Likely/Unlikely/Possible: degree... Continue reading "English Grammar and Vocabulary Guide" »

Literary Fiction and Human Complexity

Reading Comprehension Answers

1. To commit a crime.
2. Who are consistent and predictable.
3. That people are complex beings that often defy expectations.

4. Literary Fiction's Impact

   Readers of literary fiction develop an awareness that people are complex beings that often defy expectations. Readers become emotionally involved with the characters.

5. Vocabulary in Context

   1. take into account
   2. infer
   3. reinforces
   4. defy
   5. fight

Vocabulary Exercises: Phrasal Verbs and Definitions

Exercise 1: Phrasal Verb Matching

1. turn up
2. brought up
3. take out
4. back up (support)
5. go on
6. give away
7. put down
8. back up (copy/reverse)

Exercise 2: Contextual Meanings

1. trust him
2. have space
3. we gave up our search
4. be careful
5. was caught in the end
6. of value

Exercise 3: Crime and Justice Terminology

1. guilty
2. raised
3. trial
4. forced
5. turn

Common English Irregular Verbs (V1 & V3)

This is a reference list of common irregular verbs in English, showing the base form (infinitive) and the past participle form.

Irregular Verbs: A-F

Irregular Verbs: G-R

Irregular

The Terror of the Red Death

The Red Death was a kind of virus that had always terrorized the whole country. It was named so because it left red, horrible blood on the body of each person it visited. Everyone feared it, except Prince Prospero, who lived his life quietly while everyone else was terrified.

The Prince's Secluded Masquerade

One day, the Prince decided to host a party in one of his castles, built specifically for the occasion, far from the borders of the country where the virus could not enter. He invited thousands of his strongest and bravest friends. It was a magnificent party, filled with drinks, musicians, and dancers. While the castle was full of life inside, outside lurked The Red Death.

The Seven Colored Rooms

In the castle, there... Continue reading "The Masque of the Red Death: Prince Prospero's Fate" »

Modal Verbs

1. Vera might... That must be... Italian can’t be that difficult if you can learn it so quickly! The teacher can’t... Jackie must... Wait! That might...

2.

• You must have heard about the accident. It was in all the newspapers.
• You must have gone to bed late. You look really tired.
• You can’t have seen this film before. It has only been in the cinema for a couple of...
• I might have left my notebook.
• The teacher can’t have gone yet because...
• I missed a call this morning. It might have been Simon.

3.

• If we’d arrived earlier, we would have gotten better seats.
• I wouldn’t have made so many mistakes if I had revised more.
• If they had been more careful, the disaster would never have happened.
• If I had known you were in town, I would have

English Vocabulary & Passive Voice

Key Vocabulary Terms

• Overshadowed: opacado / ensombrecido
• Appropriateness: idoneidad
• Achieve success: alcanzamiento
• Knowledge: conocimiento
• Traits: rasgos
• Self-esteem: autoestima
• Main: principal
• Actually: en realidad / de hecho
• Understanding: comprensión / entendimiento
• Which: cuales / las cuales / el cual
• Self-development: autodesarrollo
• Skills: habilidades / destrezas
• Rate: ritmo / velocidad
• Mistakes: errores
• Sensitivity: sensibilidad
• Agreement: acuerdo
• Aptitude: aptitud
• Able: capaz
• Worth: valer la pena

Rewrite Sentences Using Passive Voice

Rewrite these sentences using the passive voice.

1. In Britain today most people read newspapers online.

   In Britain today, newspapers are read online by most people.

2. Colourful leaflets advertise

Passive Voice Transformation Exercises

Rewrite the following sentences in the correct passive form without changing the original meaning:

1. I’m moving the money into your bank account right now.
   The money is being moved into your bank account right now.
2. We have received your application.
   Your application has been received.
3. Did a designer choose the office furniture?
   Was the office furniture chosen by a designer?
4. They’ll sell the business unless it starts making a profit.
   The business will be sold unless it starts making a profit.
5. How much money do people borrow from banks every year?
   How much money is borrowed from banks every year?

Verb Forms: Active and Passive

Complete the mini-passages with the correct form of the verbs in brackets:

Sarah 1 was hit... Continue reading "English Grammar Exercises: Passive Voice and Reading Skills" »