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

English Exam Solutions: 2009–2014

2009/2010 Exam Results

Option A

• 1. a) True ('And he tracked... on maps') b) False ('And so he abandoned... study animals')
• 3. a) creatures b) trust c) detachment d) wave
• 4. a) believes / eating - to eat b) about / must c) You don't have to dissect an animal to know a lot about it. d) Rogers told the bear not to worry.

Option B

• 1. a) True ('Ever since the great... like dust') b) True ('By 1870,... and deprivation')
• 3. a) wealth b) dust c) peak d) famine
• 4. a) that / longest b) from / meant c) long / takes d) Its / defeating

2010/2011 Exam Results

Option A

• 1. a) False ('With someone... human interventions') b) True ('Because the robot... consumption')
• 3. a) harder b) actually c) reducing d) proof
• 4. a) bought / hasn't stopped

Wealth

Definition: A large amount of money or valuable possessions that someone has.

Example: Their policies are all towards the creation of wealth.

Currency

Definition: The money that is used in a particular country at a particular time.

Example: Five people were indicted for making and selling counterfeit currency.

Endeavor

Definition: To try to do something.

Example: Engineers are endeavoring to locate the source of the problem.

Deliver

Definition: To take goods, letters, parcels, etc., to people's houses or places of work.

Example: Mail is delivered to our office twice a day.

Guilty

Definition: Feeling guilt.

Example: You've got a guilty conscience, that's why you can't sleep.

Rage

Definition: A period of extreme or violent anger.

Example: I was frightened... Continue reading "Mastering Essential English Vocabulary" »

Essential English Vocabulary

CLIMB: To go up, or to go towards the top of something. Example: The sun climbed higher in the sky.

UNLIKELY: Not probable or likely to happen. Example: It's pretty unlikely that they'll turn up now.

RISE: To move upwards. Example: At 6 a.m. we watched the sun rise.

FALL: To suddenly go down onto the ground. Example: He fell badly and broke his leg.

WONDER: To ask yourself questions. Example: Your parents will be wondering where you are.

WONDERFUL: Extremely good. Example: He's a wonderful cook.

HEART: The organ in your chest. Example: Isabel's heart was beating fast with fright.

JEWEL: A precious stone that is used to decorate valuable objects. Example: She was wearing a large gold necklace set with jewels.

BORROW: To get... Continue reading "Vocabulary Expansion: Mastering Essential English Words" »

Her increased sense of paranoia and the bitter disappointment of her failing marriage unbalances Antoinette's mental and emotional state.

Antoinette’s Perspective in Part Three

Part Three is told from the perspective of Antoinette, now known as Bertha. The story traces her relationship with Grace Poole. Rochester makes empty promises to come to her more, but actually sees less of her as he ventures off to pursue relationships with other women—and eventually with the young governess, Jane Eyre. Voicing her thoughts in a stream of consciousness and believing it her destiny, Antoinette/Bertha decides to take her own life.

Symbolism of the Novel

The Significance of Fire

Fire in the novel is associated with rebellion, both political and emotional.... Continue reading "Symbolism and Antoinette’s Fate in Wide Sargasso Sea" »

Present Simple to Past Simple

• Direct: "He is American."
  Reported: She said he was American.
• Direct: "Are you busy tonight?"
  Reported: He asked me if I was busy that night.

Present Continuous to Past Continuous

• Direct: "Dan is living in S.F."
  Reported: They said Dan was living in S.F.
• Direct: "Why are you working so hard?"
  Reported: She asked me why I was working so hard.

Past Simple to Past Perfect

• Direct: "He was American."
  Reported: They said he had been American.
• Direct: "Did you buy a new car?"
  Reported: She asked me if I had bought a new car.

Past Continuous to Past Perfect Continuous

• Direct: "I was working late last night."
  Reported: He said he had been working late the night before.
• Direct: "Were you sleeping when I called?"
  Reported: He asked if I had

Multiple Choice Questions

• Which character trait is Gina demonstrating if she offers to help a friend study for a test she knows will be difficult for him to pass? - Caring
• Which of the following best describes the roles that individuals play? - An individual can play different roles in relationships.
• Making friends from many cultures and backgrounds is a great way to demonstrate: - Tolerance.
• Which of the following is most likely to strengthen a relationship? - Tolerance.
• Showing empathy is an important part of: - Active listening.
• Which of the following is a respectful behavior that strengthens relationships? - Assertive communication.
• Which one of the following is NOT considered one of the three Cs of a healthy relationship? - Criticism.
• Which of

As the pendulum swings down, the narrator notices rats emerging from the pit, drawn to the meat the captors provided. Upon closer inspection, he sees the pendulum is shaped like a scythe, forming a sharp crescent as it descends. Despite the dire situation, the narrator believes he can still survive. Just before the pendulum slices him, he has an idea: he rubs the meat from the plate onto the strap binding him to the platform. The rats are attracted and begin gnawing at the bonds, allowing the narrator to break free. As he escapes, the pendulum retracts, suggesting he is being watched.

As the pendulum descends further, the narrator realizes its bottom edge is razor-sharp, designed to cut him in half. After much anxiety and fainting, he devises... Continue reading "Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum: A Summary" »

I would really love to visit Coney Island again. The place is far from the bustling city, and getting there is already part of the adventure. One can take the tunnel or drive, but whichever way you take, when one arrives on the island, it’s like being transported in time.

A Journey to Coney Island's Past

There is that feeling of déjà vu one gets when you see the heart of the island for the first time. Maybe it is because of the old films that featured the amusement parks, or because as a young child you had countless dreams of coming here. The place is filled with old buildings and structures that remind us of how our parents and grandparents might have enjoyed the Thunderbolt, the mermaid shows, the parachute drop, and all the other parks... Continue reading "Coney Island's Enduring Charm and Nostalgia" »

Speaking Part 1

1. What is your name?

My name is Keira.

2. Can you spell your last/surname name?

It’s S-a-n-t-e-l-l-a-n.

3. How old are you?

I’m 10 years old.

4. Where are you from?

I’m from Mexico City.

5. Where do you go to school?

I go to Queen Mary School.

6. How do you go to school?

I go to school by car.

7. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have one brother.

8. Do you have a pet?

Yes, I have a dog. It’s names are Lili and Frida.

9. What is your favorite subject at school? Why?

It’s Art because it’s fun to use different colors of paint.

10. Which is your least favorite subject at school and why?

I don’t like history because I have to memorize dates and then I forget them. I like geography because I learn more about cultures.

A2 Key Speaking

Effective Complaint Letters & Emails

Dear ________________,

Introduction

Choose one of the following opening statements:

• I am writing to complain about _________________.
• I am writing this letter/email because I would like to take this opportunity to express my __________ / opinion about _________________________.
• I am writing / We are writing this email/letter to express my/our agreement / disagreement _____________.

Body

Use different paragraphs and linkers to connect your ideas. Consider using the following:

• First of all,
• Apart from that,
• As well as that,
• Moreover,
• So,
• It is important to mention that,
• Besides,
• According to,
• Whereas,
• In fact,
• However,
• Due to,
• On the other hand,
• Finally,
• That is to say,
• Concerning,
• What's more,
• For instance,
• For example,
• Such as…

Conclusion