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

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

Personality Traits

• Argumentative: Opinionated (ten opinión para todo)
• Assertive: Confident (seguro)
• Beautiful: Gorgeous
• Bad-tempered: Grumpy
• Big-headed: Conceited (engreído) / Pig-headed (tozudo)
• Cagey: Secretive (reservado)
• Considerate: Kind, sympathetic, well-meaning
• Dependable: Loyal
• Down-to-earth: Sensible, realistic
• Easy-going: Relaxed, laid-back
• Eccentric: Weird, odd
• Extroverted: Outgoing
• Generous: Open-handed
• Immature: Childish
• Intolerant: Narrow-minded
• Insensitive: Thick-skinned
• Negative: Pessimistic
• Sensitive: Thin-skinned
• Tolerant: Open-minded
• Shy: Tongue-tied
• Selfish: Tight (egoísta)
• Positive: Optimistic

Behavior and Communication

• Be up for anything: Estar dispuesto
• Speak your mind: Dicio o que pensas
• Not give much away: Non contar segredos
• Expect the worst:

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" »

Two years ago, I met again with a girl named Maite. Maite and I had been friends since we were little. We met in Barcelona, specifically in the Ramblas of Plaza Cataluña. She used to live here, in La Llagosta, but due to family problems, she had to move to France.

When we met, it was very strange because we didn't know how to react by simply saying hello or hugging each other. When we saw each other, we quickly went towards each other and hugged each other very tightly. It had been two years since we had seen or spoken to each other. We had completely lost touch. We started talking, and I told her that there were times when I talked to her, but she didn't get the messages and she told me that she had changed her cell phone and lost all of her... Continue reading "Reconnecting with Old Friends: Stories of Friendship and Change" »

Fitness Instructor Job Application

I am writing to apply for the position of Fitness Instructor, as advertised on the InfoJobs website. This is a perfect role for me; it is attractive work, and my experience and motivation are the perfect complement.

My work experience at iFitness improved my leadership skills, communication skills, and ability to work in a team environment. I have fluent spoken and written English. I also have fluent spoken and written German and can therefore work in Hamburg. Currently, I am studying Sports and Personal Training at the University of Las Palmas, graduating in 2016. Relevant subjects I am studying include High-Intensity Training and Personal Training for football players.

Personal Letter to Parents

Dear Mum and... Continue reading "Professional Fitness Instructor Application and Personal Updates" »

Essential English Irregular Verbs

Here's a list of common irregular verbs in English to help you improve your grammar and vocabulary:

• B:
  • be - was/were - been (ser/estar)
  • beat - beat - beaten (golpear)
  • become - became - become (convertirse)
  • begin - began - begun (empezar)
  • bend - bent - bent (doblar)
  • bet - bet - 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)
• C:
  • catch - caught - caught (coger)
  • choose - chose - chosen (elegir)
  • come - came - come (venir)
  • cost - cost - cost (costar)
  • cut - cut - cut (cortar)
• D:
  • dig - dug - dug (cavar)
  • do - did - done (hacer)
  • draw

Choosing the Right Career Path

Facts and Considerations

1. True: Choosing a career path is often a confusing and stressful experience.
2. True: You can begin by choosing a career that fits well with your skills.

Common Questions

1. Why is it difficult? It's challenging because, without experience, you don't know what a job truly involves, and careers can be unpredictable.
2. What should you look for? You should aim for a career you are good at and one that you will genuinely want to do.

Key Vocabulary

• Confusing
• Fits
• Reach
• Venture

Sentence Fragments and Answers

1. are motivated
2. best, have ever read
3. for, about
4. where
5. to choose a job she loved

Navigating the January Sales

Facts and Considerations

1. True: Consumers who visit shops are rewarded with discounts of up to 80%.
2. True: Online

Should People Stop Eating Meat?