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

Key Figures

Ken Robertson: Journalist and photographer at the Daily Dispatch.

Mamphela Ramphele: A 20-year-old black woman working at the Daily Dispatch.

Plot Summary

Preliminary Situation

Woods learned about the mistreatment of black people by white people, reported in the Daily Dispatch. Ramphele approached the editor about Biko. Biko was interested in Woods to publish his ideas.

Inciting Event

Woods visited Biko, who was under house arrest for inciting revolution. They visited a clinic in Zanempilo and a black township to show Woods the living conditions of black people.

Rising Action

Biko spoke at a stadium advocating for black rule, equal laws, and non-violence. He was arrested. Police attacked a church, reported in the newspaper despite risks.... Continue reading "Cry Freedom: Story of Struggle and Escape" »

My Love for Cinema

I like going to the cinema. Last week I went to see "El Ilusionista."
It was made in 2006 by Neil Burger. It is a dramatic film. It's a screen adaptation of the book The Illusionist, written by Steven Millhauser, who won the Pulitzer Prize.
It's an American film. The film is about a young magician who knows a beautiful young princess. It was around 1870 in Vienna. It has a happy end.
I like both American and European films. I think American films have more budget and effects than the Europeans.
In Spain, we have very famous directors and actors. Pedro Almodovar is one famous director who has won an Oscar, and Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas are two very good Spanish actors, even in Hollywood.

At the moment, something is becoming... Continue reading "Cinema, Film Preferences, and the Beauty of Doñana Natural Park" »

Vocabulary

Social Interactions

• Back up
• Fall out
• Finish with
• Friendship group
• Gossip about
• Hurt somebody's feelings
• Take an instant dislike to
• Let down
• Life and soul of the party
• Look out for
• Make up
• Rely on
• Talk behind somebody's back
• Split up
• Upset

Opinions and Attitudes

• Approve of
• Be ashamed of
• Attitude towards
• Be aware of
• Belong to
• Bias against
• Decrease in
• Depend on
• Different from
• Fearful of
• Prevent/protect from
• Puzzled by
• Result in
• Similar to
• Typical of

Phrasal Verbs

• Do away with
• Die out
• Take over
• Carry on
• Get on
• Talk someone into
• Get across

Time and Scheduling

• Ahead of schedule
• The last minute
• At times
• Catch up on
• Deadline
• From time to time
• Get behind
• In the nick of time
• In two weeks' time
• Keep somebody waiting
• Remember
• Retain
• Rush
• Slow down
• Take your time
• Time to spare
• Turn up

Emphasis and Specificity

• Specially
• Especially
• Particular
• Particularly

Additional

Enhance your understanding of common English words and phrases with this comprehensive list of terms and their clear definitions. Perfect for language learners and anyone looking to improve their vocabulary.

Plaster

A hard, white substance that protects broken bones.

Survey

A study.

Abroad

In a foreign country.

Actually

In fact.

Advertisements

Commercials.

Argue

Angrily telling someone you disagree.

Bargain

Something whose cost is significantly lower than its value.

Bargain Hunter

A person who looks for special offers to buy.

Be Aware Of

To know about something.

Blood Pressure

The pressure with which blood flows around the body.

Breaking News

The most recent news.

Broadcast

To send out a program on television or radio.

Broadsheet

Serious newspapers.

Browse

To look for

1. Complete these conditional sentences with the right form of the verbs. (5 p)

2. I won’t buy those jeans unless you lend (lend) me the money.

1. We wouldn’t have seen Joe if we hadn’t come (not come) to this shop.

2. Meet me outside as soon as you finish (finish).

3. I wouldn’t have complained (not complain) if the service had been better.

4. If they build a shopping centre here, the small shops will go (go) out of business.
   

1. Rewrite these sentences using conditional structures. (9 p)

1. I want to go to the party but I have to finish work early.

If I finish work early, I’ll go to the party.

2. I couldn’t post the letter because the post office was closed.

I would have posted the letter if the post office hadn’t been closed.

3. You should break up with that... Continue reading "English Grammar Exercises" »

Prepositional Verb Exercise

Instructions: Replace the verb in bold in each sentence with the correct form of the corresponding prepositional verb provided below it.

1. Anyone who doubts the power of the social web only needs to observe the activity on Twitter.
   Replace with: Look at
   Correction: Anyone who doubts the power of the social web only needs to look at the activity on Twitter.
2. How are you progressing at work?
   Replace with: Get over
   Correction: How are you getting over at work?
3. A free microblogging service that started a few years ago, Twitter resembles an on-screen bulletin.
   Replace with: Look like
   Correction: A free microblogging service that started a few years ago, Twitter looks like an on-screen bulletin.
4. An opportunity has arisen for a Twitter

English Verb Tenses

Present Simple

Verb (infinitive) Verb + -s/-es (3^rd person/singular)

Time Expressions: Every day / in the morning / once / twice / three times a week / always / usually / on Monday

Present Continuous

To be + Verb (am/is/are) + -ing

Actions happening at or around the moment of speaking. Temporary situations. Fixed arrangements (future use).

Time Expressions: Now / at the moment / at present / nowadays / today / still / always

Past Simple

Past forms: Regular verbs: -ed Irregular verbs (3^rd column)

Past actions (with a definite time expression). Past habit or state.

Time Expressions: Yesterday / last week / two days ago / when / in 1967 / then

Past Continuous

To be (past) + Verb (was/were) + -ing

Past action in progress, interrupted by another... Continue reading "English Verb Tenses: A Complete Guide" »

The Singer: Ramón Melendi Espina

Ramón Melendi Espina is from Asturias, Spain. He is a talented singer, tall with brown eyes and short, dark, straight hair. Although he is well-known, he is always recognized wherever he goes. He follows fashion and is very good-looking.

He sings various genres, including pop-rock, rock, metal, and punk. He has been described as big-headed and has sometimes had problems with the law, reportedly due to drug use. He also has a fear of flying, but nowadays, he is doing better. He recently got married and has three children. He is also a songwriter.

In 2015, Melendi performed on more than 100 stages around Spain. Despite being famous and having sold over five albums, he prefers not to be treated as a star.

A Scene

Tema 1: Email presentándote a una empresa

Hello everyone! My name is José. I am 19 years old and I live in Antequera. I am a friendly and hardworking person. I am the new administrative assistant. My previous job was at a commercial company near London, where I was the chief accountant. Another job I held was administrative assistant at Andiex, S.L., a company located in Malaga, for six months. I am looking forward to meeting you all and working with you at [factory/company]. Also, I have a lot of experience when it comes to dealing with customers who have complaints or concerns about our products. Best wishes, José Grillo.

Tema 2: Descripción de la oficina

Dear Ms. Keys, welcome to Amazing Clothes! We are pleased to have you join our company.... Continue reading "Collection of Business Emails" »

Mastering Irregular Verbs

Understanding Irregular Verbs in English

Irregular verbs are verbs that don't follow the standard rules for verb conjugation in the past simple and past participle forms. Mastering these verbs is crucial for fluency in English. This comprehensive list provides a quick reference for common irregular verbs.

• Be - Was/Were - Been (Ser/Estar)
• Become - Became - Become (Llegar a ser)
• Begin - Began - Begun (Empezar)
• Bite - Bit - Bitten (Morder)
• Blow - Blew - Blown (Soplar)
• Break - Broke - Broken (Romper)
• Bring - Brought - Brought (Llevar)
• Build - Built - Built (Construir)
• Buy - Bought - Bought (Comprar)
• Catch - Caught - Caught (Coger)
• Choose - Chose - Chosen (Elegir)
• Come - Came - Come (Venir)
• Cost - Cost - Cost (Costar)
• Cut - Cut - Cut (