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

Passive Voice Transformation Exercises

Part 1: Active to Passive Conversions

• 1. All students must be given an identity card.
• 2. The fires are being started deliberately.
• 3. He is said to be the greatest drummer alive.
• 4. The results will be sent out in six weeks.
• 5. Nothing can be done about it without a receipt.
• 6. It has been decided that three students will be interviewed.
• 7. That chair has just been given to me by my grandmother.

Part 2: Sentence Transformation Practice

1. 1. The wine should be opened about three hours before you use it.
2. 2. Steps in the ice had been cut by previous climbers.
3. 3. My shoes had been cleaned and my suit was brushed.
4. 4. This room is only used for special occasions.
5. 5. Nails must not be hammered into the walls without permission.

CHARACTERS:   Hiro Adachi: Main character, is a Japanese student, studying in England with a study abroad program.

Akiko: Hiro's ex  The Shark / Erik Bjornson: the grandfather Hiro meets on the train to Koln Berlin Karl Meier: A German man in Berlin   Franz Schubert: A bodyguard

-His girlfriend Akiko, broke up with him for having a picture of his dog as a wallpaper. -

-Hiro is from Japan but he is studying in England with a study abroad program and now on his summer holidays he has used an InterRail ticket (ticket to travel anywhere in Europe).

-Hiro met Akiko in the same course in England, they were going to make a trip to the South of Spain and some friends but when he got angry for wanting to take the dog on a trip, everything took a turn... Continue reading "Encounter at Brandenburg Gate: A Tale of Deception and Survival" »

Essential English Irregular Verbs (R-W)

This table provides a comprehensive list of essential irregular verbs in English, covering forms from R through W, along with their Spanish meanings. Memorizing these forms is crucial for correct past tense and perfect tense construction in English.

The Modern Shopping Experience: Malls, Sales, and Consumer Culture

The Rise of Shopping Centers

For the past few years, malls and shopping centers have become increasingly successful ways of purchasing in our lifestyle. They are huge buildings built on the outskirts or in commercial areas of our cities.

The Appeal of Retail Environments

First of all, the stores have very attractive window displays. Everything is designed to make customers spend their money, indulge in a shopping spree, and return for their subsequent purchases. Key features include:

• Pleasant background music
• A wide range of products
• Prices clearly marked

Malls as Leisure Centers

Besides, malls offer many facilities to make shopping easier. The mall is a leisure center where you can... Continue reading "The Psychology of Shopping: Malls, Sales, and Retail Therapy" »

Speech Analysis: Rhetoric & Audience

Personal Dynamics

• Active / Energetic
• Insistent / Persistent
• Aggressive
• Ambitious
• Successful

Mood

Passionate; calm / self-controlled; choleric; melancholic

Self-confidence

With strong nerves; brave / courageous

Moral Attitude

Honest / truthful

Social Aspects

Sociable; open / frank; modest; open-minded; friendly

Argumentation

First of all, I think... | On the one hand,... On the other hand... | Let me give you an example... | As I already indicated... | In other words,... | I should like to emphasize that... | Summing up, it can be said that... | In my opinion...

Rhetorical Devices

• Simile (comparison)
• Personification
• Metaphor
• Symbol
• Hyperbole (exaggeration)
• Euphemism (replace a violent expression)
• Antithesis (opposition of two

English Vocabulary & Phrasal Verbs: Unit 1

Emotions, Qualities & Actions

• Mood: humor (estat d'ànim)
• Tough: dur, resistent
• Approach: enfocament, mètode
• All the rage: molt de moda, popular
• Remain: romandre, quedar-se
• Accurate: exacte, precís
• Firm: ferm, sòlid
• Trigger: desencadenar, provocar

Sensory Vocabulary

• Mouth-watering: que fa venir ganes de menjar
• Scent: olor (agradable)
• Weird: estrany, peculiar
• Nasty: desagradable, lleig
• Purchase: adquirir, comprar
• Take advantage of: aprofitar-se de, treure avantatge de

Phrasal Verbs: Start & Set

• Started out: començar (una activitat, carrera)
• Started over: tornar a començar
• Startup: muntar una empresa, posar en marxa
• Set off: provocar, iniciar (un viatge, una alarma)
• Set back: endarrerir, costar (diners)

Phrasal

The Lahti File

A British Spy Thriller

Chapter 1: The Briefing

London

British spy Ian Munro is briefed by his boss, Naylor, about the suspicious deaths of people and animals in Lahti, Finland. The cause is suspected to be a toxic gas. Munro is sent to Finland to investigate.

Chapter 2: Arrival in Lahti

Finland

Munro's local contact, Pentti Virolainen, is shot dead while Munro looks on, unable to intervene. Munro calls London for further instructions. He reads an article about Finnish businessman Jorma Lappalainen, owner of a bioengineering business.

Chapter 3: A Midnight Encounter

That evening, Munro meets the lovely Riitta Koivisto, who seems rather too curious about him. At midnight, Koivisto visits him in his hotel room, and they spend the night together.... Continue reading "The Lahti File: A British Spy Thriller in Finland" »

Day 2 - Sunday

Via Ferrata "Teresina K4" - Early Morning

For climbing enthusiasts seeking a challenge, the Via Ferrata "Teresina K4" offers an unforgettable experience. This itinerary combines vertical and horizontal sections, equipped with diverse materials to safely navigate areas inaccessible to hikers or those unaccustomed to climbing.

A via ferrata in Montserrat is known for its difficulty, so preparation is key for this exciting activity. The "Teresina" is a classic in Montserrat, and it was the first Spanish via ferrata, opened in 1993.

This K4 ferrata is comprehensive, with the difficulty increasing in the second half of the route, culminating in a final chimney. The route is 8km long, with an estimated time of 2.5 hours and two return... Continue reading "Montserrat Adventure: Via Ferrata & Cave Exploration" »

ACCIDENT AT HOME

It was an ordinary summer morning, all the members of my family were still sleeping but my brother was finishing a Biology project in the attic. Anyway, something happened to me that day that I'll never be able to forget. I was rushing downstairs as I was late to my football match and my girlfriend had just arrived to pick me up. WHEN SUDDENLY I slipped, lost my balance, fell backwards, bumped my head against the ground, and lost consciousness for 10 minutes. AS SOON AS I REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS I realized that I was shocked and dizzy, unable to breathe properly as I had lost the feeling in my left knee. Besides, my left arm was swollen and dislocated. Luckily, I was able to take my cell phone out of my pocket, dial 112, and... Continue reading "Personal Stories of Accidents and Assaults: Lessons Learned" »