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

Carol Ann Duffy

Carol Ann Duffy was born in Scotland in 1955 and comes from a working-class background. Duffy grew up with four little brothers and was born into a Catholic family. She had a very good relationship with her mother, to whom she dedicated the poem 'Premonitions' after her death in 2005.

When Duffy was six years old, her family moved from Glasgow to Stafford. She attended the University of Liverpool and majored in Philosophy. After that, Duffy worked in some freelance jobs until the mid-80s when she decided to become a full-time poet.

Carol Ann Duffy wrote her first poem when she was 11 years old, and after realizing she had talent, her teachers encouraged her to pursue poetry. Currently, Duffy works as a professor of Creative Writing... Continue reading "Carol Ann Duffy: A Democratic Voice in Poetry" »

Analysis

The poem, A dialogue between the Soul and Body by Andrew Marvell contains vivid and concrete imagery, and makes use of a number of conceits imagery, and metaphysical kind. In fact, the very basis of the poem is the metaphysical kind. In fact, the very basic of the poem is the metaphysical concept that the Soul and the Body are separate entities. The body feeling itself to be a victim of the Soul tyranny, and the Soul believing itself to be a prisoner inside the Body are metaphysical conceits.

Stanzas

1. In the opening speech, we have a graphic picture of a prisoner being held in chains and fetters, and about to be hanged on the gallows
2. In the second speech, we have a vivid picture of the Body going about like a walking precipice.
3. We have the

Letters Giving Advice

Introduction

Paragraph 1 - Thanks for the letter and express understanding of the problem.

Main Body

Paragraphs 2, (3) - Suggestion(s) and reason(s).

Conclusion

Final paragraph - Closing remarks.

Useful Language for Letters Giving Advice

Opening Remarks

Formal

• Thank you for your letter requesting...
• I am writing in reply to your letter asking for advice about...
• I hope the following advice will be of some help to you, etc.

Informal

• I just got your letter and I think I can help you...
• I was sorry to hear about your problem. Here's what I think you should do, etc.

Suggestions

Suggestions can be introduced with expressions such as:

Formal

• I strongly recommend that...
• I would suggest that...
• I believe the best course of action is...
• I would advise

Key Figures

Ken Robertson: Journalist and photographer at the Daily Dispatch.

Mamphela Ramphele: A 20-year-old black woman working at the Daily Dispatch.

Plot Summary

Preliminary Situation

Woods learned about the mistreatment of black people by white people, reported in the Daily Dispatch. Ramphele approached the editor about Biko. Biko was interested in Woods to publish his ideas.

Inciting Event

Woods visited Biko, who was under house arrest for inciting revolution. They visited a clinic in Zanempilo and a black township to show Woods the living conditions of black people.

Rising Action

Biko spoke at a stadium advocating for black rule, equal laws, and non-violence. He was arrested. Police attacked a church, reported in the newspaper despite risks.... Continue reading "Cry Freedom: Story of Struggle and Escape" »

My Love for Cinema

I like going to the cinema. Last week I went to see "El Ilusionista."
It was made in 2006 by Neil Burger. It is a dramatic film. It's a screen adaptation of the book The Illusionist, written by Steven Millhauser, who won the Pulitzer Prize.
It's an American film. The film is about a young magician who knows a beautiful young princess. It was around 1870 in Vienna. It has a happy end.
I like both American and European films. I think American films have more budget and effects than the Europeans.
In Spain, we have very famous directors and actors. Pedro Almodovar is one famous director who has won an Oscar, and Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas are two very good Spanish actors, even in Hollywood.

At the moment, something is becoming... Continue reading "Cinema, Film Preferences, and the Beauty of Doñana Natural Park" »

Vocabulary

Social Interactions

• Back up
• Fall out
• Finish with
• Friendship group
• Gossip about
• Hurt somebody's feelings
• Take an instant dislike to
• Let down
• Life and soul of the party
• Look out for
• Make up
• Rely on
• Talk behind somebody's back
• Split up
• Upset

Opinions and Attitudes

• Approve of
• Be ashamed of
• Attitude towards
• Be aware of
• Belong to
• Bias against
• Decrease in
• Depend on
• Different from
• Fearful of
• Prevent/protect from
• Puzzled by
• Result in
• Similar to
• Typical of

Phrasal Verbs

• Do away with
• Die out
• Take over
• Carry on
• Get on
• Talk someone into
• Get across

Time and Scheduling

• Ahead of schedule
• The last minute
• At times
• Catch up on
• Deadline
• From time to time
• Get behind
• In the nick of time
• In two weeks' time
• Keep somebody waiting
• Remember
• Retain
• Rush
• Slow down
• Take your time
• Time to spare
• Turn up

Emphasis and Specificity

• Specially
• Especially
• Particular
• Particularly

Additional

1. Complete these conditional sentences with the right form of the verbs. (5 p)

2. I won’t buy those jeans unless you lend (lend) me the money.

1. We wouldn’t have seen Joe if we hadn’t come (not come) to this shop.

2. Meet me outside as soon as you finish (finish).

3. I wouldn’t have complained (not complain) if the service had been better.

4. If they build a shopping centre here, the small shops will go (go) out of business.
   

1. Rewrite these sentences using conditional structures. (9 p)

1. I want to go to the party but I have to finish work early.

If I finish work early, I’ll go to the party.

2. I couldn’t post the letter because the post office was closed.

I would have posted the letter if the post office hadn’t been closed.

3. You should break up with that... Continue reading "English Grammar Exercises" »

• Yes, from my dad on a regular basis but I don't spend it, I try to save it for when I want something specific.
• Yes or they should work if they are not so young, I think that having money helps them to know how to manage it.
• Yes, I don't remember for how long I saved money but it was for a play station and some games.

• The advantages I think are that you can check the website at any time, that you can ask for what you want and see if it is available and that you don't have to go to the store for small things. The disadvantages are that if you don't have references you can get ripped off, if it's clothing you can buy the wrong size and sometimes they can charge you a lot for shipping
• I think that during the pandemic I prefer to buy online especially

Prepositional Verb Exercise

Instructions: Replace the verb in bold in each sentence with the correct form of the corresponding prepositional verb provided below it.

1. Anyone who doubts the power of the social web only needs to observe the activity on Twitter.
   Replace with: Look at
   Correction: Anyone who doubts the power of the social web only needs to look at the activity on Twitter.
2. How are you progressing at work?
   Replace with: Get over
   Correction: How are you getting over at work?
3. A free microblogging service that started a few years ago, Twitter resembles an on-screen bulletin.
   Replace with: Look like
   Correction: A free microblogging service that started a few years ago, Twitter looks like an on-screen bulletin.
4. An opportunity has arisen for a Twitter