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

Mastering Travel English: Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises

1. Label the Forms of Transport

• A: Canoe
• B: Motorbike
• C: Camel
• D: Donkey
• E: Gondola

2. Fill in the Correct Noun

(Note: There is one extra noun you do not need to use.)

1. Last week I fell asleep on the bus and I missed my Stop!
2. There was a terrible Delay this morning and I was late for work.
3. The people were standing on the Platform waiting for the train.
4. He says that he walks to work because he can’t afford the bus Fare!
5. When the woman in the ticket office asked what my Destination was, I told her it was London.

3. Complete the Sentences with the Correct Verb

(Note: There is one extra verb you do not need to use.)

My sister (1) Got off the bus, walked a few meters, then (2) Fell and hurt her knee. She... Continue reading "Transport Vocabulary and English Grammar Practice" »

Boda en una Isla

Last year, Carla, my best friend, got married on a desert island. It was very important for me because I had organized the wedding. Fortunately, everything was wonderful and we had a really fun day.

The sun was shining brightly and there were all kinds of flowers everywhere. The mixture of the sound of the waves and a sweet violin transmitted so much peace. All the food was delicious, but the star dish was stuffed hake. The atmosphere was very cheerful and fun.

The ceremony was very emotional. When it had finished, all the guests danced a funny dance for the couple with their favourite song. After lunch, the guests handed them the presents. The gift they liked most was a video of their childhood that had been made by their friends.... Continue reading "Memorable Life Events: Weddings, Sibling Bonds, and Jazz" »

Catching Up: My Summer in Peru

Hi Jona,

How are you doing? Thanks for your email. It’s great to hear from you again. I wanted to tell you that I’ve just returned from my summer trip, and it was awesome. I spent nearly three months in Peru, and life there is very different from Spain. I really enjoyed it and met many new people. The weather wasn't the best, but I had a lot of fun.

Why don’t we go there next year? You should talk to your parents about it; we could spend time together. I must go now. Say hello to your family. Take care.

P.S. I’m sending some pictures for you to take a look at.

Discovering Tokyo: A Modern Marvel

Have you ever been to Japan? Tokyo is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. Its architecture is very... Continue reading "Travel Reflections: From Peru to Tokyo and Future Plans" »

Gulliver's Travels (1726), a prose satire by Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)

Part III: A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, and Japan

Chapter 1: Pirates and the Floating Island

Gulliver prepares to set out for the East Indies. On the voyage, pirates attack the ship. Gulliver hears a Dutch voice among them and speaks to the pirate in Dutch, begging to be set free. A Japanese pirate tells them they will not die, and Gulliver tells the Dutchman that he is surprised to find more mercy in a heathen than in a Christian. The Dutchman grows angry and punishes Gulliver by sending him out to sea in a small boat. Gulliver finds some islands and goes ashore on one of them. There he sees a landmass dropping down from the sky and notices that... Continue reading "Gulliver's Travels Part 3: Laputa Summary" »

The Value of Brand Names in Spain

Nowadays, in Spain, fewer people are buying brand names because they try not to waste money on expensive items, focusing instead on essentials for human beings, such as bread, food, and housing. However, the question remains: is it necessary for people to buy brand names or not?

Social Acceptance and Personal Image

Although certain brand names signify quality, people often have a desire to fit in, whether at school, work, or in social circles. For this reason, consumers sometimes purchase brands because they believe these labels contribute to greater social acceptance. Besides, many buy brands to support their personal or professional image and increase their happiness.

Quality vs. Cost: Are Brands Overvalued?

On... Continue reading "Consumer Habits: Brand Names and Online Shopping" »

Tom King is a big brute of a man who looks every inch the champion prizefighter he was twenty years ago. Times are harder now. He seldom gets a good match and even has trouble finding work on the docks. As the story opens, Tom is finishing a meager meal of flour gravy and bread. He had been craving a piece of steak since the morning, and his poor wife had tried to get meat from the local butchers, but they refused her credit. She purchased the bread with their last few shillings and borrowed the flour from a neighbor. There is no food in the house. She eats nothing herself and has sent their two children to bed without supper. She knows that Tom needs all the nourishment he can get. In less than two hours, he will be fighting a younger man... Continue reading "The Aging Boxer's Last Stand" »

Understanding Tense Changes in Reported Speech

When converting direct speech to reported (or indirect) speech, verb tenses often shift backward. This process is known as "backshift." Below are common tense transformations:

The Pit and the Pendulum

PREGUNTA A

Prince Prospero

1. Prince Prospero invited... C. He thought that they would
2. When the stranger arrived... A. the guests were horrified
3. When the prisoner in The Pit... B. He could see nothing because
4. At the very end of The Pit... B. Was saved from death at the last moment
5. Monsieur Dupin knew... C. The fingerprints and hair that were found
6. When the orangutan saw... A. He suddenly became scared.

PREGUNTA B

1. Reading
2. Evil
3. Dizziness
4. Was held
5. Struck
6. Has been condemned
7. Slimy
8. Glimmer
9. Grope
10. Fate
11. Skills
12. Which
13. Scratches
14. Bruised
15. What makes of it all?

PREGUNTA C2

The Theme of The Pit and the Pendulum

The theme of The Pit and the Pendulum is man's inhumanity to man. How is this theme shown in the story? Quote examples from the text to support your answer.... Continue reading "The Pit and the Pendulum: Analysis & Comprehension" »