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

Antibiotics: A 20th-Century Revolution

Antibiotics were one of the most significant inventions of the 20th century. They are used to cure many diseases that were once fatal, such as pneumonia and cholera. However, using antibiotics too often can cause problems. For example, bacteria can develop resistance to them, rendering them ineffective.

The Discovery and Impact of Antibiotics

Antibiotics were discovered by Louis Pasteur in France in 1887. Antibiotics are obtained from microorganisms and work by destroying other microorganisms. This therapeutic action has saved many lives.

Antibiotics are beneficial because they cure many diseases. The main disadvantage is that doctors should prescribe them only when absolutely necessary because bacteria may... Continue reading "Antibiotics, Washing Machines, and 'Castle' TV Series" »

A Memorable 40th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Last Saturday night, my grandparents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They had a big party for everyone in the ballroom of a local hotel. It was absolutely fantastic!

To begin with, the atmosphere was great. There was a band playing music from the 1970s, and when I walked in, almost everyone was dancing. The room was beautifully decorated with colorful flowers, enormous gold-colored balloons, and old photos of my grandparents. The crowd of over 200 guests was an interesting mix of young and old. Some people were wearing 1970s-style clothing and looked really cool.

While the dessert was being served, the band began to play my grandmother's favorite song, "Moon River". Suddenly, my grandparents... Continue reading "Life's Milestones: Celebrations, Choices, and Language Skills" »

Job Hunting and Communication Essentials

Job Search

Job hunting is a synonym for job search. When you pick up the phone and the speaker wants to talk to you, you say: "Speaking". In your cover letter, you explain why you are keen on that particular job and why you think you are a good candidate for it. The European model of CV is known as Europass.

Email Etiquette

Electronic mail, or email, is a quick way of sending messages to people using the internet. How do we read the symbol @ when we write an email address? At. Give a synonym for junk mail. Spam. The files, documents, photos, and attachments that you send in your email are called attachments. The subject line is where we give an idea of what the email is about. To forward is to send the email... Continue reading "Essential English for Job Hunting and Communication" »

English Grammar Exercises

-I've got some lannzas for kin

Use of 'How much-How many, some, any'

Common English Irregular Verbs

A reference list of common irregular verbs, including their infinitive, past simple, and past participle forms.

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

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

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" »