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

1) I met Rachel two years ago - I have known Rachel for 2 years.

2) He sang for five minutes then they told him to stop - He had been singing for 5 minutes when they told him to stop.

3) I can't wait to meet you - I'm looking forward to meeting you.

4) The boy will be taller by the end of summer - The boy will have grown by the end.

5) Sue broke her arm during the hike - while she was looking.

6) This is his first acting role - He has never acted before.

7) I haven't heard from Charles in 2 weeks - The last time I heard from Charles was 2.

8) When did you start to work in the company? - How long have you been working here.

9) I got my driving license when I was 17 - I have had my driving license since I was 17.

10) I've eaten three pieces of cake. Now

MY FAMILY

My dad, my mom, and my sister live in Fuente-Tójar, a town in Córdoba. I lived there until I came to Jaén to study. Now I only go to Fuente-Tójar on weekends.

Mother and Sister

My mother is very pretty. Her name is Lourdes, just like my little sister. She is 49 years old. She was born in Málaga and moved to Fuente-Tójar when she married my father. She is a hairdresser in my old town.

Father

My father is called Antonio. He doesn't work because he has a disability. He is two years younger than my mother, so he is 47 years old. He is very funny.

Little Sister

Lourdes is my little sister. She is 15 years old. She is funny and adorable. She is more intelligent than me. Usually, instead of helping her, she helps me. At school, she excels... Continue reading "Meet My Family from Fuente-Tójar: A Story of Love and Fun" »

Main Characters

1. Mary Lennox

Mary Lennox is a young, orphaned girl with blonde hair who is described as initially unpleasant. After her parents die of cholera in India, she is sent to live with her uncle, Mr. Craven, at Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire. Over time, her temper improves, and she becomes happier.

2. Martha

Martha is a kind servant at Misselthwaite Manor who befriends Mary. She is Dickon's sister and plays a significant role in helping Mary adjust to her new life.

3. Mr. Craven

Mr. Craven is Mary's uncle and Colin's father. He is a recluse who hates the locked garden because his wife died there. He has a crooked back and is often gloomy.

4. Mrs. Craven

Mrs. Craven is Mr. Craven's deceased wife who loved the garden. She taught Ben Weatherstaff... Continue reading "The Secret Garden: Character Guide" »

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This film is worth watching. I'm looking forward to taking some great photos. I started working here eight years ago. It's up to us to end environmental disasters. I expect her to come any minute now. Music is used to encourage shoppers to buy more. She warned us not to get into trouble. His new order means working overtime. I avoided bumping into the car in front by braking. John suggested going to see the new play tonight. The party turned out to be a success. The new durable and lightweight running shoes allowed athletes to train longer. Burglars made my aunt give them her jewels. I feel like going to an Indian restaurant. I love playing tennis but I dislike watching it. That man seems to be following us. I don't... Continue reading "The Importance of Effective Communication in Daily Life" »

At a restaurant:

waiters: lay the table, take an order, recommend a dish, carry a tray, serve customers, pour the wine

customers: book a table, order food, try the wine, send something back, ask for the bill, leave a tip. food, plate, dish, meal, course

DIY and repairs:

change, drill, mend, put together, put up, set up, sew, stick, tie

Looking after yourself:

have your hair: bleached, curled, dyed, put up, straightened have: a blow-dry, a perm, a shave, a treatment, a trim, highlights

equipment: an exercise bike, a running machine, weights, a rowing machine, a cross-trainer, a yoga mat exercises: do sit-ups, do press-ups, do stretches, do aerobics, do spinning, do yoga/pilates manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, waxing, fake tan

helmet, archer, arrow,... Continue reading "Vocabulary and Grammar Practice" »

A

Arise > Arose > Arisen > Surgir, Levantarse
Awake> Awoke > Awoken > Despertarse
Be > Was/Were > Been > Ser / Estar

B

Bear> Bore > Borne/Born > Soportar, dar a luz
Beat> Beat > Beaten > Golpear
Become> Became > Become > Llegar a Ser
Begin> Began > Begun > Empezar
Bend> Bent > Bent > Doblar
Bet> Bet > Bet > Apostar
Bind > Bound > Bound > Atar, encuadernar
Bid > Bid > Bid > Pujar
Bite> Bit > Bitten > Morder
Bleed > Bled > Bled > Sangrar
Blow > Blew > Blown > Soplar
Break > Broke > Broken > Romper
Breed > Bred > Bred > Criar
Bring > Brought > Brought > Traer/Llevar
Broadcast > Broadcast >... Continue reading "Complete List of Irregular Verbs in English" »

The Boatman Had Good Control of the Boat

Strong winds played with the tiny boat and the crowd of people nearly caused it to turn over several times, but the boatman had a strong hand, and before long he was near the shore of Greece and shouting at the passengers to get out.

The Country on the Border with Greece Didn't Want the Refugees to Come In

There were soldiers with guns and dogs. Furious people banged on the metal fence which had been built to block their path, but there was no way through. Worrying about his mother and Salah affected Tariq badly. For a moment, Tariq felt free and happy, but then he asked himself, 'How could I be happy until I know that my mother and my brother are safe?'

The Soldiers Weren't Sympathetic to Hassan and Tariq

'... Continue reading "The Journey of Refugees: Struggles, Challenges, and Hope" »

There are people who think there is no way to stop the increasing of global warming, but I think that if all of us do a little, we could make a change on the environment.

At first, we should begin recycling the garbage in its own container. In addition, plastic bags could be forbidden in order to use more environmentally friendly materials.

Secondly, solar energy could be a good alternative to harmful energy sources that are being used nowadays like fossil fuels. Everybody should have solar panels on their roofs, especially in countries where the sun hours are longer like Spain.

In conclusion, there are many things that we can do to improve the situation of the planet. We only have one planet and we have to look after it.

1) Passive Voice

• It's thought

Present Simple

Affirmative: I like tennis, she likes football, they like sport.

Negative: I don't like tennis, she doesn't like football, they don't like sport.

Interrogative: Do you like football? Yes, I do. Does she play tennis? Yes, she does. Does he live in France? No, he doesn't. Do they go cycling? No, they don't.

There's / There Are

There's is used with singular countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

There are is used with plural countable nouns.

Affirmative: Use a or an with singular countable nouns. Use some with plural and uncountable nouns.

Negative and Interrogative: Use a or an with singular countable nouns. Use any with plural and uncountable nouns.

How much/how many: How much is used with uncountable nouns. How many is used with plural... Continue reading "English Grammar Essentials: Tenses and Structures" »