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

[Enter HAMLET and HORATIO]

About the Author

Jerome K. Jerome was born in 1859 and grew up in east London. When he was fourteen, he took a job selling railway tickets and later became a teacher. He then became an actor.

But he did not become well-known until 1889, when he wrote Three Men in a Boat.

In 1892, Jerome and some friends began a magazine.

During the First World War, Jerome worked as an ambulance driver in France, and after the war, he continued writing. He died in 1927.

Characters in Three Men in a Boat

Montmorency

Good dog. Aggressive cats.

Harris

It does everything wrong, but with good intentions.

Jerome

Tells the story and intelligent.

George

It's good storytelling and very intelligent.

Chapter Summaries of Three Men in a Boat

Chapter VII (Angry Harris Gets Soaked)

In this... Continue reading "A Humorous Journey: Exploring the Life and Works of Jerome K. Jerome" »

Reported Speech

Indirect Style

He explained that he had found a flat that day.

He said to me that he had been waiting since the previous month.

She told me that she had taken it home with her the previous day.

She commented that Ann would be in Paris the following week.

He insisted that he would be using my car himself that night.

She pointed out to me that they had been going home when she had seen her the previous day.

She admitted that she would be 21 the following day.

He explained to me that he had seen her the previous day when she had been going home and she hadn't greeted him.

He assured me that they had seen him the previous week and they hadn't told him the truth.

Reporter Orders

He ordered me to bring him the book that day.

She warned me not... Continue reading "English Grammar Exercises" »

Nouns from Verbs

You can make nouns from some verbs by adding the suffix -ion:

• instruct → instruction
• inform → information

Study Nouns

• communication
• concentration
• correction
• distraction
• education
• imagination
• information
• instruction
• motivation
• participation
• presentation

Reported Commands and Requests

To report commands, use tell + object + (not) + to + verb:

“Don’t run.” → He told us not to run.

To report requests, use ask + object + (not) + to + verb:

“Could you go inside?” → Mrs. Evans asked us to go inside.

Giving Examples

My desk isn’t very neat. There are lots of things on it, such as sticky notes and notebooks.

I write information about my homework assignments in my notebook, including when the teacher told us to hand them in.

Writing Resolutions

In... Continue reading "Study Skills and Language Techniques" »

I am writing this email in order to complain about a product of your shop. I bought a mobile phone 2 weeks ago. It cost around six hundred euros and it has several failures.

Failures:

• It does not charge well.
• The screen seems to be damaged and sometimes turns black.
• The mobile phone does not always turn on.

For these reasons, I would like to find a solution. The mobile phone has a guarantee, so could you repair it? If it is not possible, could you give me my money back? I am looking forward to your answer as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

The Ashby Family

Characters

Jane and Ruth

Jane and Ruth are identical twins. Jane is elegant and modest, while Ruth is friendly and always dressed in old riding clothes.

Eleanor

Eleanor is the older sister. She is similar to Jane in character. Brat Farrar and Roger Clint are both in love with her.

Nora and Bill

Nora and Bill are the parents of the Ashby family. They die in an airplane crash, leaving their five children orphaned.

Simon and Patrick

Simon and Patrick are twins, with Patrick being born 20 minutes before Simon. Simon kills Patrick by throwing him off a cliff. He then writes a suicide note in Patrick's handwriting and places it on the cliff to make it appear that Patrick committed suicide.

Brat Farrar

Brat Farrar is a man who returns to England... Continue reading "The Ashby Family: A Tale of Twins, Tragedy, and Deception" »

Devastating Flood Strikes Errenteria

This month, Errenteria, a large town in Gipuzkoa, is suffering one of the worst floods ever recorded in the area. Sadly, 20 people have already died, and at least 150 are missing. The floodwaters have destroyed many buildings and severely damaged infrastructure.

Cause and Immediate Effects

The flooding began after heavy rainfall at the start of the month, brought on by several storms associated with a cyclone. The intense rain resulted in accumulations of 100 liters per square meter. Consequently, the lowest flats in buildings are inundated, causing residents to lose many personal objects, electronic devices, photos, and other belongings.

As a result of the flood, the town has descended into chaos:

• Roads are

Vocabulary Practice

3.1

1. Don't blame
2. Valerie is very dishonest
3. That is the final deadline
4. His behaviour is suspicious
5. I must warn
6. Your tennis will improve
7. Please speak up
8. If you try hard, you can achieve
9. All the workers attended
10. The fees

4.1

1. Mike had a great idea. He came up with it.
2. I can't carry on.
3. She was a drop out.
4. Dan invented the whole story. He made it up.
5. Please get in touch with us.

Grammar Practice

5.1

1. While I was talking to the shop assistant, my purse got stolen.
2. I haven't seen Andrew for a long time. I think I will call him.
3. If I had known you were in town the other day, I would have come to see you.
4. I won't tell Rachel your secret unless you give me permission.
5. I stayed in my house at the because it...

6.1

1. Oliver asked if Grace had already gone home.
2. Joe