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

PLOT1.1:

Kathy H. is a student at Hailsham, a boarding school in England, where the teachers are known as guardians. The children are watched closely and they are often told about the importance of producing art and of being healthy (smoking is considered a taboo, almost on the level of a crime, and working in the vegetable garden is compulsory). The students' art is then displayed in an exhibition, and the best art is chosen by a woman known to the students as Madame, who keeps their work in a gallery. Kathy develops a close friendship with two other students, Ruth and Tommy. Kathy develops a fondness for Tommy, looking after him when he is bullied and having private talks with him. However, Tommy and Ruth form a relationship instead.

In an... Continue reading "The Art of Love and Fate at Hailsham School" »

Air Crash

1. Air crash: An accident in which an aircraft hits land or water and is damaged or destroyed.

1. American Airlines had an air crash, but nobody survived.

1. In the second world War, many soldiers died in air crashes.

Drought

1. Drought: A long period of time during which no rain falls.

1. Drought in Africa has been a problem for years.

1. The OMS told us drought is the second cause of death in Africa.

Flood

1. Flood: A large amount of water that covers an area that is usually dry.

1. The flood destroyed the city.

1. The flood blocked the sewers.

Storm

1. Storm: Very bad weather with a lot of rain or snow and strong wind.

1. The storm in London continued for all days.

1. The storm caused a flood in Guayaquil.

Wildfire

1. Wildfire: A fire that is burning strongly and out of control in the

Nouns (Algo que Poseemos)

Confidence: autoconfianza / Esteem: autoestima

Self image: imagen de ti mismo / Pity: Autocompasión

*ADJECTIVES (DESCRIPCIÓN)

Centered: egocéntrico / Confident: seguro de sí mismo / Conscious: inseguro / Critical: autocrítico

*Nowadays there is daily clothing which varies according to profession and economic class, likewise years ago. In general it consists of slacks or jeans with button-down shirts or skirts, similarly, my mom used to wear that kind of clothes.

In the past, my mom wanted to be fashionable when she went outside. In contrast, I prefer to be comfortable in my clothes. I don't want to dress the same as everyone else, while my mom never left her home in casual clothes. Formal dressing was a common fashion.

Tema 4 (A)

J: OK. I will go shopping with you if we spend some time in the music shop, too.

B: Fine, I will do whatever you want as long as I have about half an hour...

J: It's Saturday afternoon. Even if we leave now, we won't avoid the traffic.

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A) If it weren't raining, we would be lying on the beach now.

B) I would buy a moped if I had enough money.

C) If organic food were less expensive, more people would buy it.

D) I wouldn't go to expensive restaurants even if I had the money.

E) If I could get a ticket, I would go to Benicasim.

F) England would be a nicer country to live in if it didn't rain so often.

G) If you had a credit card, I would be tempted to spend...

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P1: If you hadn't gone on that expensive holiday last month, you wouldn't have... Continue reading "Conditional Sentences and Hypothetical Situations" »

Essential English Grammar Practice

Verb Tenses and Structures

This section focuses on various verb tenses and grammatical structures commonly used in English.

Past, Present, and Future

• Past: I began working here eight years ago.
• Present: I expect her to come any minute now.
• Future: I want him to come with me tonight.

Modals and Phrasal Verbs

• Modals: They advised us to take a taxi.
• Phrasal Verbs: I feel like going to an Indian restaurant.

Gerunds and Infinitives

• Gerunds: I love playing tennis, but I dislike watching it.
• Infinitives: I want her to marry that boy.

Common Expressions and Vocabulary

This section covers frequently used expressions and vocabulary to enhance your fluency.

Everyday Language

• Music is used to encourage shoppers to buy more.
• Children usually

The population that includes the black ethnicity in Panama has its origin between 1850, at the beginning of the construction of the railroad, when they were brought to carry out these works. Since those times they have remained in our territory, forming part of it, contributing their culture and customs.

The black offspring in Panama has generated a significant contribution in its population, in terms of culture and customs. Part of its cuisine, dances, folk music, plastic and artistic manifestations, clothing and celebrations are influenced by this ethnic group.

They are mainly concentrated in the provinces of Darién, Bocas del Toro, Colón and Panama. Where they show off their representative dances such as Congo, on dates such as International... Continue reading "The Influence of Black Ethnicity on Panamanian Culture" »

Allegories in Rasselas

An allegory is a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; a figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. This analysis points out allegories found in Samuel Johnson's The History of Rasselas: Prince of Abyssinia.

The Figure of Imlac

The figure of Imlac in the story is very important, but it's not immediately clear who he is, or at least what he stands for. We know that he is a philosopher who has travelled extensively around the world and is now in the Happy Valley, but is that all?

If we analyze what he says and the role he represents for the protagonist, Rasselas, we realize that he is more than just a philosopher.

He acts as a guide for Rasselas on his journey,... Continue reading "Imlac's Allegorical Role in Samuel Johnson's Rasselas" »

Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. The story revolves around the main character, Elizabeth Bennet. She is the second of five daughters of a country gentleman named Mr. Bennet, the proprietor of a great house in Longbourn.

Set in England in the early 19th century, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's five unmarried daughters after two gentlemen have moved into their neighborhood: the rich Mr. Bingley and his friend, the even richer and more eligible Mr. Darcy. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, Darcy (a very serious person with no intentions to fall in love) repeatedly clashes with the Bennets' lively second daughter, Elizabeth. This is how... Continue reading "Pride and Prejudice: A Classic Novel by Jane Austen" »

Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple: Used for habits, routines, states, opinions, or feelings.

Present Continuous: Used for activities in progress, temporary activities or situations, and fixed plans and arrangements.

Future Tenses: Will and Be Going To

Will: Used for predictions based on personal opinions.

Be going to: Used for predictions with specific evidence, plans, and intentions.

Past Simple and Past Continuous

Past Continuous: (e.g., was living in 2002) Used for actions in progress at a specific time in the past, or actions in progress interrupted by another.

Past Simple: (e.g., he spoke at a conference in 2007) Used for completed past actions.

Used To

Used to: (e.g., they used to use oil lamps) Used for habits or states in the... Continue reading "English Verb Tenses and Grammar Rules: A Comprehensive Review" »