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

It was a bleak winter’s day, and the snow had come early. The grass glistened like a carpet of crushed diamonds in the early morning sunshine. The air smelled pure and fresh. Everything seemed quieter, almost muffled. There was a sense of serenity in the atmosphere.

Feeling numb and wet, tired, and exhausted, he made his way along the path through the trench. His fingers ached in the winter wind as he clenched and unclenched them, trying to keep the feeling in their tips. He was a tall, slim man with a long face, a nose like a pin, and a thin, sandy moustache. He had a face like a lion’s and an eye like a hawk’s. His name was Fred.

As Fred trudged through the icy and frozen passageways, he nodded and weakly smiled at the soldiers that were... Continue reading "The Stench of War: A Soldier's Tale" »

Mastering Second and Third Conditionals

Second Conditional Examples

They aren't going to offer him the job because he seems very shy. (If he … not seem)
If he didn't seem too shy, they would give him the job.

We're not booking that flight because there's a six-hour stopover. (If there wasn't / weren't)
If there wasn't a six-hour stopover, we would book it.

Sally can't go to the cinema because she has to work overtime today. (If Sally … not work)
If Sally didn't have to work overtime, she could go to the cinema.

I'm not taking the job because the salary isn't high enough. (If the salary was / were …)
If the salary were high enough, I would take the job.

We don't see you very often because you live so far away. (If you … not live)
If you didn't

ADULTERY

Sex between a married person and someone who is not their husband or wife

BALCONY

A platform built on the upstairs outside wall of a building

BOSOM

A woman's chest, or the part of her clothing that covers it

CHEEK

Either side of the face below the eyes

COTTAGE

A small, simple house, usually in the country

DEVIL

A bad, evil person (the Devil is the enemy of God)

ELECTION

A time when people vote to choose a new government

EVIL

Very bad; harmful

FOREHEAD

The part of the face above the eyes

FORGIVE

To stop feeling angry with someone who has done something to harm or annoy you

GODLY

Living a good life that follows the laws of your religion

GOVERNOR

A person who controls part of a country

GRAVE

A hole in the ground where a dead person is buried

GRAVESTONE

A stone... Continue reading "Vocabulary and Definitions" »

The Enduring Appeal of English Literature

All of us have read at least one book of English origin that has significantly impacted literary history. English literature, in particular, offers a rich tapestry of expression. It employs diverse literary forms that imbue texts with richness and depth. For those who love reading and writing, it stands as a paramount subject, and for me, the most captivating within English Studies. English literature provides profound insights into the history and culture of various nations. Moreover, literature often serves as a testament to personal experiences and a vital historical legacy.

Cultivating a Lifelong Passion

My fascination with literature began in high school during Spanish literature classes, where I... Continue reading "Mastering English Studies: Literature, History, and Grammar" »

Spring Break Adventures and Reflections

My last holidays were my longest and most memorable. I enjoyed them immensely with my friends and family, and I met new people too, as I visited three different places from mid-March to the end of March.

Valencia: The Loud Spectacle of Las Fallas

The first place I visited was Valencia, Spain. I was invited by a good friend who owns a house there. I went with some friends, and we spent three days watching Las Fallas. It was incredibly loud, but also very nice and culturally rich. I met many people and would certainly like to return next year.

Magical Days at Disneyland Paris

Next, I traveled to Paris with my parents and my brother. Specifically, we went to Disneyland Paris. We stayed there for four unforgettable... Continue reading "Spring Break Adventures, Friendship, and Lottery Dreams" »

English Irregular Verbs in Spanish

Base Form, Past Simple, Past Participle, Spanish Translation

[v] Be. was/were. been. ser, estar.

[v] Beat. beat. beaten. golpear.

[v] Become. became. become. llegar a ser, convertirse.

[v] Begin. began. begun. empezar.

[v] Bend. bent. bent. doblar(se).

[v] Bet. bet. bet. apostar.

[v] Bite. bit. bitten. morder.

[v] Bleed. bled. bled. sangrar.

[v] Blow. blew. blown. soplar.

[v] Break. broke. broken. romper.

[] Bring. brought. brought. traer.

[v] Build. built. built. construir.

[] Burn. burnt/burned. burnt/burned. quemar.

[v] Buy. bought. bought. comprar.

[v] Catch. caught. caught. coger, agarrar.

[v] Choose. chose. chosen. elegir.

[v] Come. came. come. venir.

[v] Cost. cost. cost. costar.

[v] Cut. cut. cut. cortar.

[v] Dig. dug.

Our destination is Rio de Janeiro, a vibrant city with countless attractions. Due to a limited time of one week, we've curated a selection of its most iconic places and experiences.

Iconic Landmarks & Cultural Gems

Christ the Redeemer: An Art Deco Icon

First on our list is Christ the Redeemer, an impressive Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ. Created by a French sculptor, it stands as one of Rio's main attractions, offering breathtaking views.

Sugarloaf Mountain: Panoramic Vistas

Next, we will ascend Sugarloaf Mountain, whose name is said to refer to the similar shape of loaf sugar. It is known worldwide for its cableway and panoramic views of the city and beyond. This mountain is one of several monolithic granite peaks that rise straight from... Continue reading "Rio de Janeiro: Iconic Sights, Culture & Carnival Magic" »

Cycling: A Healthy and Practical Transportation Choice

In recent years, many people have rediscovered the bicycle as a useful and healthy mode of transport for navigating the city. It offers numerous advantages with few drawbacks.

Advantages of Cycling

• Cycling is an activity most people learn from a young age, regardless of where they live.
• Bicycles don't require gasoline. As gasoline prices rise, more people are choosing to cycle.
• Cycling is a cost-effective way to travel, using your own energy for movement.
• It provides exercise while commuting.
• Cycling is an environmentally friendly, non-polluting mode of transport.

Disadvantages of Cycling

• Cycling may require more travel time compared to other options.
• A good network of bike lanes is essential for

Mastering Key English Grammar Structures

1. Forming Tag Questions with Negative Statements

Tag questions are short questions added to the end of a statement. When the main statement is negative, the tag is positive. The auxiliary verb used in the tag must match the tense and subject of the statement.

Examples of Negative Statements and Positive Tags:

• That question isn't easy. Is it?
• He isn't working hard. Is he?
• There's no test tomorrow. Is there?
• He wasn't angry. Was he?
• He wasn't watching TV. Was he?
• There weren't many problems. Were there?
• This doesn't seem easy. Does it?
• She didn't work yesterday. Did she?
• He didn't leave early. Did he?
• They haven't yet finished. Have they?
• She hasn't visited Paris. Has she?
• He hasn't been there a long time. Has he?
• They

Comparativos:

Older than, bigger than, easier than, more modern than, more difficult than.

Good: better, Bad: worse, Fur: farther. + than

More bored, more stressed, more tired. + than

Faster than, more slowly than, more powerful than, more carefully than.

Well: better, Badly: worse.

Superlativos:

The tallest, the most experience, the least expensive, the best, the most, the worst, the most famous. (more, as, the, than, ever, him, most, in).

Artículos:

(a, an, the, nada)

• A nice house, a lawyer, an old man, a dog, an awful day, a week, a nurse, a horrible day, once a month, a chef, a week, an amazing, a housewife, a teacher, a problem.
• The dog, the bell, the children, the moon, the Earth, the cinema, the best, the hospital, the car, the theatre, the windows,