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

Regency England: Society and Social Norms

Marriage and Inheritance Customs

At this time, the most influential sector was comprised of wealthy landowners, who often did not work but lived on large properties in the countryside. Family properties could not be divided; all land and income passed to the eldest son, while other siblings had to learn a profession. Daughters faced even greater complications; they could neither inherit land nor pursue a profession. Most remained at home, awaiting a suitable husband who could offer financial security.

Marriages at this time were often for convenience. Mothers sought wealthy, landed husbands for their daughters, while men, conversely, sought brides from affluent families. For example, in Pride and Prejudice,... Continue reading "Pride and Prejudice: Social Norms and Enduring Themes" »

The Ring's History and Curse

1. The deacons deposited the ring in the glass case of a fashionable jeweler.
2. The Earl of Essex was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
3. The red glow of the diamond symbolizes the presence of the evil spirit within the ring.
4. The Countess of Shrewsbury came to visit the Earl, pretending to be his friend, but actually wanting to get revenge on him for some past slight.
5. The ring was stolen from the Earl's tomb by Cromwell's soldiers when they desecrated the church and robbed the vaults many years after his death.
6. After crossing the Atlantic, the ring ended up being thrown into the contribution box of a church in New England.
7. The ring brought sorrow, deceit, and misfortune to all who possessed it due to the evil spirit dwelling

Common Grammatical Corrections

Here are some common grammatical corrections to improve your English:

• We must make the most of it.
• Honestly, it doesn't matter.
• Could you speak more slowly? / Were you able to understand?
• What's the answer? Subtract eight from eight.
• Three hundred students took part in the competition.
• The students will have finished by tomorrow.
• Three will have run out of time.
• My sister isn't very keen on horror movies.
• Peter asked if he had eaten the chocolate.
• Bob hadn't seen her since she had gone by.
• I needed a cup of coffee. / I could have done with a cup of coffee.
• I'm not going to tolerate this. / I'm not capable of putting up with this.
• We went for a walk in spite of the rain.
• I'm sure it will be fine. / It is bound to be fine.
• Could

Phrasal Verb Examples

1. Break Down

   Tina's computer broke down in the middle of her paper.

2. Turn Down

   She turned down all the men who asked her to marry them.

3. Look Up To

   That teacher is someone I look up to.

4. Get On With

   Does Sheila get on well with her parents?

5. Look Into

   Have scientists ever looked into the way animals communicate with humans?

6. Get By

   It is difficult for the family to get by on the money they have.

7. Look Forward To

   The girls are looking forward to seeing their grandparents again.

8. Come Up With

   The inventor came up with a solution to the problem in a dream.

9. Put Off

   They have put off the meeting until next Friday.

10. Work Out

    It was difficult to work out what was happening in the story.

11. Look Up

    Will you look up this word in the dictionary?

12. Drop Out

    I didn't know

Essential English Vocabulary

• Library: I went to the library to borrow a history book.
• Bookshop: She bought the novel at the bookshop near school.
• Gang: The gang was arrested for robbing the bank.
• Bargain: These shoes were a real bargain – only 10 euros!
• Camp: My little brother is going to summer camp next week.
• Field: They have a small house in the middle of the field.
• Bigot: The bigot used his power to silence anyone who disagreed.
• Moustache: The man with the big moustache looked like a detective.
• Vase: She put the flowers in a beautiful glass vase.
• Glass: He drank a glass of water after his run.
• Groceries: I went to the supermarket to buy some groceries.
• Rudeness: His rudeness shocked everyone at the meeting.
• Journey: The journey by train through the

Mastering Sentence Transformations

Practice converting sentences between active and passive forms to improve your English grammar skills and writing clarity.

1. Using Instruments and Agents

• Someone used a knife to cut this shoelace.
• This shoelace was cut with a knife.
• This shoelace was cut by someone with a knife.

2. Causative Verbs and Resignations

• The principal made the head of studies resign.
• The head of studies was made to resign by the principal.
• The head of studies was forced to resign by the principal.

3. General Knowledge and Impersonal Passive

• Everybody knows that exercising is good for the heart.
• Exercising is known to be good for the heart.
• It is known that exercising is good for the heart.

4. Describing Actions with Tools

• She drew the man with

Formal Complaint: Defective Refrigerator

Subject: Refrigerator Not Cooling - Order Inquiry

Dear Edesa Customer Service,

I am writing to formally complain about the poor condition of the refrigerator I recently purchased. Given the price point, the quality of the product is unacceptable.

Last week, I purchased a refrigerator through your website, which arrived yesterday. While the exterior appeared fine, I discovered the following issues upon inspection:

• The interior corner is damaged.
• The unit fails to cool after being plugged in.

I attempted to resolve this by calling customer service, but I received no response. I am seeking an immediate solution, specifically a full refund or an exchange for a non-defective unit, to avoid further escalation.

I look... Continue reading "Formal Complaint: Defective Refrigerator Resolution" »

Job Application: Waiter Position

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my interest in the waiter position at Bar Alameda, which I recently saw advertised locally. As you can see from my attached CV, I completed a course at FP in Ourense, where I was trained as a bartender. In my previous role as a full-time waiter, I was responsible for food service. Moreover, I have three years of experience as a delivery driver, where I honed my efficiency. I am now seeking this position to expand my professional experience. People describe me as a passionate, fast worker who takes pride in performing tasks well. I believe I would be a great fit for your team and am available for an interview at your convenience. Please do not hesitate to contact me for... Continue reading "Professional Writing Samples: Cover Letter, Essay, and Complaint" »

Vocabulary Sentences: Sports Focus

Instructions: Review these sentences using sports-related words.

1. Some people believe that competitive sports help young people work together as part of a team.
2. I am expecting an easy victory against the two other teams tomorrow; they are not very good.
3. And the referee has just blown her whistle to end the game.
4. My brother won the trophy for the fastest runner at school this year.
5. The football match has been cancelled because of bad weather on the pitch.
6. In tomorrow's game, I will be playing against a very difficult opponent - I'm not sure I will win.
7. I was so tired this morning I could only run one lap of the field before I needed to rest.
8. Unfortunately, the team I support lost in the first round of the championships.

1. Complete these sentences

• If you get paid badly, you earn too little money.
• A dead-end job offers no opportunities for promotion.
• A stressed worker will probably have mental health problems.
• If you’re out of work, you have lost your job.
• When you plan your work, you accomplish your tasks.
• When a person gets fired, his or her job has come to an end.

2. Correct form of the words in brackets

• I’m sorry, but I don’t feel you’ve got the proper qualifications for this position.
• I need someone reliable. I couldn’t depend on the last few workers.
• They announced her resignation. We’re all going to miss her.
• It’s just seasonal work during the summer months.
• He hopes to work his way up to a managerial position.

3. Complete with the most suitable word

• I’m