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

In Your Opinion, What Is the Most Difficult Language to Learn? Explain Your View.

I think it depends on what your mother tongue is. For example, Chinese is difficult to Spanish people because vocabulary and pronunciation are completely different.

Is It Good to Adopt English Words or Is It Better to Preserve or Find Equivalents in Your Own Language?

In my opinion, it is better to preserve or find equivalents in our own language when it is possible. Only if it does not exist equivalent in our language it could be good to adapt English words.

Should We All Speak the Same Language? Which One? Is This Possible and Would This Make the World a Better Place?

No, we shouldn't. I don't think that it would be possible. And if that were possible, the world... Continue reading "The Challenges of Language Learning and Globalization" »

PASSIVE VOICE

Tense Forms

Present: is/are + past participle

Past: was/were + past participle

Future: will be + past participle

Present Perfect: have/has been + past participle

Modal + BE + past participle

Modals

Expressing Ability and Possibility

can, can't, could, will be able to

Giving Advice

should, shouldn't

Expressing Obligation and Prohibition

must, have to, mustn't

Future Forms

Going to: Plans or clear evidence

Present Continuous: Future plans already made

Will: Predictions, spontaneous decisions, promises

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS

Asking to Meet

Are you available/free on ...?

Can we meet on ...?

How does the 3rd sound to you?

Would Friday suit you?

Is next Tuesday convenient for you?

What about sometime next ....?

Responding to Meeting Requests

Yes, Monday is fine.... Continue reading "English Grammar Essentials: Tenses, Modals, and More" »

Zero Conditional

Verdad absoluta: If it snows, it is cold.
Snows: present simple, is: present simple

First Conditional

Probabilidad (Unless: si no)
If I eat too much, I will get fatter.
Present simple, future

Second Conditional

Improbable (unlikely)
If I won the lottery, I wouldn't travel around.
Past simple, wouldn't + infinitive.

Third Conditional

Imposible
If I had studied, I would have passed.
Would have + past participle, past perfect

Personality Adjectives

Ambition - Ambitious / Cheerfulness - Cheerful (Alegre)

Creativity - Creative / Enthusiasm - Enthusiastic

Flexibility - Flexible / Generosity - Generous

Honesty - Honest / Idealism - Idealistic

Intelligence - Intelligent / Loyalty - Loyal

Maturity - Mature / Modesty - Modest (Modesto)

Optimism - Optimistic / Patience - Patient

Pessimism - Pessimistic / Punctuality - Punctual

Realism - Realistic / Self Confidence - Self Confident

Seriousness - Serious / Shyness - Shy

Sociability - Sociable / Stubbornness - Stubborn (Testarudo)

Sympathy - Sympathetic (Simpático) / Thoughtfulness - Thoughtful (Considerado)

Positive Qualities

• Have a good sense of humor
• Show lots of initiative
• Have physical courage
• Have lots of energy
• Be good at communicating
• Have

... Continue reading "Personality Adjectives and Relative Clauses in English" »

Bringing Max Home

As the morning sun peeked through the tall buildings, casting a warm glow over the bustling city streets, I found myself standing in front of a modest apartment building, anticipation coursing through my veins. This was to be the new home for my beloved companion, a furry four-legged friend named Max.

Max was a friendly and affectionate mixed-breed dog with a playful disposition, always eager for a game of fetch or a leisurely stroll through the park. However, as a responsible pet owner, I knew that transitioning to apartment living would require some adjustments for both Max and me.

Creating a Dog-Friendly Space

The first task at hand was finding the perfect apartment that could accommodate a dog. After much searching, we finally... Continue reading "Apartment Living with Dogs: Max's Urban Adventure" »

Phrasal Verbs

• Ask for
• Eat out
• Crash into
• Make up
• Depend on
• Warm up
• Get on with
• Take to/in
• Give away/up
• Turn up/on/down
• Look after/out
• Set off/up
• Pick up
• Check in
• Hang up
• Call back
• Switch on
• Carry on
• Make into
• Find out
• Do up
• Go out
• Break up
• Throw it away
• Slow down
• Grow up
• Calm down
• Bump into
• Look forward to
• Plug in

Prepositional Phrases

• Congratulate on
• Details of
• Divide into
• Dress in
• Example of
• Increase in
• Interested in
• Kind to
• Look for
• Marry to
• Nice to
• Pay for
• Proof of
• Reason for
• Remind of
• Responsible for
• Take part in
• Translate into
• Typical of
• Novel/film by
• In my opinion
• In the picture
• In the rain
• On page 45
• Arrive at
• Good at

Formal Letter Writing

Greetings and Opening: Dear Sir, I'm writing in response to your request.

Body: Giving information and details: To begin with... Another important aspect...

Closing Remarks and Signing Off: In conclusion... I strongly believe... Yours faithfully, Javier

For and Against Essay Structure

Opening: Introduce topic... It is often said that... The question proposed is an interesting one because... It is a well-known fact that...

Body: Presents topic for both sides with supporting details... On the one hand... On the other hand...

Closing: Sums up the topic and presents the writer's opinion: Taking all these aspects into account, I believe that the plan, while well-intentioned, is unrealistic and totally unnecessary. In my view...

Formal

... Continue reading "Mastering Formal and Informal Writing: Letters, Essays, Reports, and Reviews" »

11.1. Their Great-aunt from England wants Herrnione eats ro stay with the Durrells.
11.2. They move to a villa srnaller so that they can tell Great-aunt Hermione that she cannot come to stay with thern Because they havent got enough room.
12.1. In the new town, Gerry has the opportunity to observe Sorne Ladybugs and green transparent Sorne CAJL gecko lizards.
12.2. With Mr Kralefsky, Gerry spends part of every Jesson talking about birds but I also Leams a lot of history, geography and French.
12.3. Kralefsky's mother tells Gerry that flowers talk and that they have long conversations, Although she can not understand their lan gauge.
12.4. The Magpies drop papers all over the floor and paper clips all over the carpet and bed. They make... Continue reading "My family and other animals" »

Essential Business English Vocabulary

Pursue

To follow or chase (someone or something); to strive to gain or accomplish (a goal) over a long period.

Boardroom

A room where a company's board of directors meets.

Storm

To enter suddenly and forcefully (e.g., storm the boardroom).

Account for

To represent or form a particular proportion or part of something.

Fulfilling

Achieving satisfaction or happiness through one's actions; satisfying.

Single-handedly

Done by one person alone; without help.

Slightly

To a small degree; not considerably; a little bit.

Gruffly

In a rough, stern, or abrupt manner.

Although

Conjunction meaning 'in spite of the fact that'; similar to 'but'.

Stepped back

To move back physically or mentally; to withdraw from a situation to gain perspective.

... Continue reading "Business English Vocabulary and Grammar Essentials" »

Essential English Vocabulary

Here's a list of useful English words and phrases, along with their meanings:

• To put off: To postpone or delay
• Stage: A step or phase in a process
• Prompt: On time or before the expected time
• Deadline: The last day or time by which something must be done
• Rush hour: Peak time when traffic is heaviest
• Sharp: Exactly on time (e.g., 9 o'clock sharp)
• Timing: The ability to do something at the right moment
• In a hurry: To be rushed or have a sense of urgency
• Plenty: A lot of; a large quantity
• Brief: Short in duration
• On time: Punctual; at the scheduled time
• At a time: At a particular moment
• Downtime: A period when you are less busy or doing fewer things
• Sidetracked: To be distracted from your main task
• Drag on: To continue for too long,

... Continue reading "Mastering English: Essential Vocabulary and Modal Verbs" »