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

Eating out can be a very pleasurable experience. Having dinner with a friend, eating a romantic meal while on a date or celebrating some special event with a party at a restaurant are all things we enjoy doing.

Even so, there are few people who eat out all the time and eating at home has many points in its favor. It is cheaper to eat at home. It is healthier to eat at home and it is usually much more comfortable.

Cheaper and Healthier

Firstly, eating at home is much less expensive than eating in a restaurant. Obviously, when we eat at home we do the preparation, cooking and serving of the food ourselves and, therefore, do not need to pay the labor costs of cook, waiter and other restaurant staff.

Secondly, eating at home is much better for our... Continue reading "Benefits of Eating at Home vs. Restaurants" »

FUTURE SIMPLE (WILL)

Use: Future predictions, spontaneous decisions.

FUTURE SIMPLE (BE GOING TO)

Present Tense

• He isn't wearing a hat
• Is she cleaning the windows?
• She isn't writing a letter
• Are they watching a football match?
• She is making a pizza

Imperatives

• Go
• Don't swim
• Do

Present Simple

• They don't work
• We live

Past Tense

• Sophie and her mom read
• Uncle Franck catches
• Do my little brother hang out

Past of Regular and Irregular Verbs

• Take (takes)
• Goes (go)
• Do you do (you do)
• Watch (watch)
• They usually go for holidays to R
• I am never rude to my parents
• In the morning, children always eat my breakfast
• Bring (brought)
• Buy (bought)
• Eat (ate)
• Get (got)
• Go (went)

Time Expressions

• It's four forty
• It's seven o'clock
• It's ten past twelve

True/False/Doesn't Say

• She has so many friends

Third Person

• He sends
• She plays
• He listens
• She knows
• It expects
• She loses
• He delivers
• It has
• He wants
• She does

Countable/

Mary's Perspective on Life and Death

In the fifth stanza, Mary presents death not only as positive but also life as negative. This is a typical Catholic move, to undersell earthly life in favor of eternal life after death.

Mary did have a turbulent life. She married a French Dauphin, and after his premature death, she married Lord Darnley, a womanizer and alcoholic who committed murder out of jealousy. Darnley was later found dead, and Mary married the prime suspect of the crime, the Earl of Bothwell. She was then chased by the Scots and imprisoned for 17 years, suspected of plotting to overthrow Elizabeth, until her execution.

In verse 19, we read: “my speedy death has shortened long annoy”; she would have spent more years in prison had she... Continue reading "Martyrdom and Release: A Catholic Interpretation of Mary Stuart's Execution" »

Chapter 1: The Scorpion's Sting

A scorpion stings Coyotito, Kino and Juana's baby.

They seek help from the doctor.

Chapter 2: The Doctor's Refusal

1. Kino and Juana realize their clothes are old, and Juana's shawl has holes.
2. Kino plans to pay the doctor with pearls.
3. The doctor refuses to see Coyotito, claiming to be unavailable. Kino, enraged, punches the gate.

Chapter 3: The Great Pearl

1. A man could secure food with a pearl.
2. Juana prays for Kino to find a pearl.
3. Oysters live in the oyster beds at the bottom of the sea.
4. Kino discovers an enormous pearl, the largest in the world.
5. The pearl's discovery seemingly draws the poison from Coyotito's shoulder.

Chapter 4: Dreams and Fears

1. Everyone desires the pearl, and Kino stands in their way.
2. Kino dreams of marrying

Travel Keywords

beach holiday- city break- coach trip- day trip- five-star accommodation- holiday romance- luxury hotel- return flight -school trip- skiing gear- souvenir shop- train journey- train station- train ticket- train agent- travel companion- travel insurance- winter sports/ come across- come back- get off- get on- put on- put up- set off- set off- stop off- take off- turn back//

Fashion Keywords

Choosing a Dog for Companionship

Dear Chris,

It was great to hear from you. I have been thinking for a few days about how things have been going since the last time we spoke!

I think that your grandmother has had a great idea of getting a pet to keep her company. Animals are always a good option to feel loved and accompanied.

If I were you, I’d go for a dog, as it’s a very good animal for such occasions, and it will make her have to move from home to take him out for a walk. There are several different varieties to choose from, but I think that the best option for your grandmother is a little dog like a Yorkshire, or a Bichon Maltes, or some mini dogs like this, just because they are very quiet.

The other good thing about dogs is that they are... Continue reading "Choosing a Dog for Companionship & Countryside vs. Beach Holidays" »