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

David Copperfield: A Life's Journey

This is the story of David Copperfield, from his birth to adulthood. It begins on the day he was born, assisted by Dr. Chillip, when his father had already passed away. His mother was Clara, and her assistant was Pegotty.

Betsy Trotwood, Copperfield's father's sister, visits Clara on the day David is born, hoping to help raise the baby if it were a girl. However, she leaves disappointed that it is a boy.

When Copperfield is about seven years old, Clara remarries Lord Murdstone, a severe man whose main goal seems to be marrying women with money and imposing his strict regime. This has sad consequences for both Copperfield and his mother. While his mother is on her wedding and honeymoon, David is sent to Yarmouth... Continue reading "David Copperfield: A Life's Journey from Boyhood to Manhood" »

The Novel's Setting: Miners' Lives in Industrial Biscay

The text is divided into two main paragraphs. The first describes the workers' housing and introduces the main character of the novel, Aresti, who serves as the witness to the terrible living conditions of the miners. Aresti is inspired by Doctor Areilza, who worked in the miners' hospital of Triano at the end of the 19th century.

Aresti: Witness to Terrible Living Conditions

The second paragraph is divided into two parts: the first discusses the awful workers' housing, and the second details the appalling working conditions in the mines.

Quarry vs. Mine: Distinguishing Dangerous Work

The author makes a distinction between the quarry and the mine, noting that the quarry was the most dangerous... Continue reading "Social Conditions and Iron Mining in Industrial Biscay" »

1. Now that smoking is considered to be very dangerous to the health, it is especially difficult for children to buy cigarettes or tobacco. Our tobacconist, Mr. Soames, has always been very careful about this. If his customers are very young, he always ask them whom the cigarettes are for.

Hercule Poirot's Unexpected Journey

At the Hotel Tokatlian in Istanbul, private detective Hercule Poirot receives a telegram asking him to cancel his commitments and return to England as soon as possible. He decides to travel on the Orient Express, which departs that very night. During the journey, Poirot encounters an American named Ratchett, whom he had previously seen at the Tokatlian. Ratchett believes his life is in danger and attempts to hire Poirot, but the detective refuses, telling Ratchett that he "does not like his face."

A Snowstorm and a Murder

During the second night of the trip, the train is halted by a snowstorm near Vinkovci. Poirot is awakened several times by various noises and disturbances, including a cry from Ratchett's compartment.... Continue reading "Hercule Poirot's Orient Express Investigation" »

UNIT 8

NIVEL 1

Vocabulary

1. 1I traded clothes... 2 Go overseas to help yourself... 3 It was very satisfying/ordinary... 4 It was very satisfying worldwide... 5 I like to help yourself/go overseas... 6 was very ordinary/satisfying... 7 lives worldwide/nearby... 8 I signed/clothed/traded
2. 1 I think your idea is impossible. 2 I dislike this hotel. 3 If you overeat, you will not feel well. 4 I will reread the book. 5 That child is misbehaving. 6 This information is irrelevant to our situation. 7 Mark gets along well with his co-workers.
3. 1 My plane was delayed, I was late. 2 are staying overnight/a toothbrush. 3 The journey was the traveling. 4 We can't check in/hang around. 5 accommodation because it was dirty.

Grammar

Exercise 1

1. David has arrived.
2. The package

Verbs Followed by Infinitives or Gerunds

Verbs + to Infinitive

Afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, be about, be up to (you), beg, claim, choose, consent, dare, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail, get ready, hesitate, hope, intend, learn, manage, mean, need, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, threaten, turn out, volunteer, wait, want, wish.

Verbs + Object + to Infinitive

Bold verbs from the previous list and:

Cause, convince, enable, forbid, force, get, help, hire, inspire, instruct, invite, order, persuade, remind, require, teach, tell, warn, would hate/like/love/prefer.

Verbs + Gerund

Admit, appreciate, avoid, be used to, can’t help, can’t stand, can’t imagine, can’t face, complete, consider, delay, detest,... Continue reading "Verbs Followed by Infinitives and Gerunds" »

Present simple or the present continuous

Beth often goes (go) to the cinema

We are learning (learn) the present simple the week

My father likes classical music but he doesn't like (not like) pop music

John and Chris are doing (do) their homework now

Tom's mother isn't working (not work) at the moment

My best friend has got (have got) two brothers and one sister

I can help you with the cooking. I am not studying (not study) today

Robert often visits (visit) his grandparents

Past simple – past continuous

We did (do) our homework at 6.30 p.m. yesterday

They met (meet) while they were studying (study) at the university

I didn't listen (not listen) when the teacher explained (explain) the problem

We saw (see) when we played (play) in the park

When I got up... Continue reading "English Grammar Exercises: Present Simple, Past Simple, Comparative, Gerunds, and Infinitives" »

Part 1: Future Tense Selection

Exercise 1

1. Next week I'm going to travel to California.
2. I'm going to ask you a very personal question.
3. She didn't have time in the morning, but she's going to call us at night.
4. I will marry her. I promise.
5. Why won't you come?
6. Steven Spielberg will direct a new Jurassic Park film.
7. I won't do it again.

Part 2: Future Tense Application

Exercise 2

1. My dad is buying a bouquet. My aunt is making something special for lunch, and my sisters are sweeping and mopping. They are going to celebrate Mother's Day.
2. It's ten o'clock on a Saturday night. Tyler and Mrs. Evans are standing near the front door. They're waiting for a friend of Tyler's who is going to pick him up. He is going to have fun tonight.
3. Austin is nervous. He is wearing