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

My Cousin, Christopher

My cousin, Christopher, is the son of my father's brother. He's three years younger than me and we didn't know each other very well as children because he and his family lived on the other side of the country at that time. Since then, he's married and moved closer so we meet quite often and I've got to know him much better. There's nothing very remarkable about Chris's appearance. He's of average height and medium build, and he's got curly mousy hair and a fair complexion. As he's quite short-sighted like me, he wears glasses. The clothes he likes are mostly casual: jeans or shorts and a tee-shirt. I don't think I've ever seen him in a suit. He's a very active person who loves the outdoor life. He's extremely practical... Continue reading "Getting to Know My Cousin and Sister" »

Fairness in Hiring: Beyond Handwriting Analysis

It isn't fair to decide whether a person should get a job based on their handwriting, because, in my opinion, these studies are rarely accurate. I believe a person cannot be judged by their handwriting. For instance, someone with large handwriting might still be a shy person.

Archaeological Sites: Rules and Consequences

I think it's acceptable that the Greek authorities take measures when someone picks up an artifact at an ancient site. However, it must also be recognized that the tour guides did not warn Madeline about this. Therefore, arresting her and putting her in jail seems like a harsh measure, especially since she was unaware of the rules. Ultimately, I neither agree with her actions nor... Continue reading "Reflections on Modern Life: Society, Technology, and Personal Choices" »

Mastering English Irregular Verbs: Past Simple Forms

This list provides common irregular verbs, their past simple forms, and Spanish translations to aid your English learning.

Verb Conjugation Reference

• Infinitive | Past Simple | Translation
• Be | was / were | ser / estar
• Become | became | convertirse / llegar a ser
• Begin | began | empezar / comenzar
• Bet | bet | apostar
• Break | broke | romper
• Bring | brought | traer
• Build | built | construir
• Burn | burnt / burned | quemar
• Buy | bought | comprar
• Catch | caught | atrapar
• Choose | chose | elegir
• Come | came | venir
• Cut | cut | cortar
• Do | did | hacer
• Draw | drew | dibujar
• Dream | dreamt / dreamed | soñar
• Drink | drank | beber
• Drive | drove | conducir
• Eat | ate | comer
• Fall | fell | caerse
• Feed | fed | alimentar
• Feel |

Diego Ventura was born in a bull-fighting family so he has always been passionate about horses and bulls.
His first contact wuth the bull world were when he was 6, due to his father and Peralta brothers supported him and as a result Ventura started his professional career as a mounted bullfighter.
Diego Ventura didn´t like going to school because he preferred to ride horses or to walk among bulls.
He trained every day and due to his determination he reached his objetive, to be a very good mounted bullfighter.
As a result of his sacrifice, he has obtained a lot os awards, throughout his career.
I admire Ventura because he is a great lover of the animals and the nature although people can think another thing

The boy in striped pyjamas is about the... Continue reading "Advantages of Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping" »

Henry VIII

Henry VIII

By 1525, Henry's wife, Catherine of Aragon, had borne only one child, a girl named Mary. Henry decided to have the marriage annulled, or declared invalid based on church laws.

The Pope would not give his consent for King Henry VIII to divorce Catherine of Aragon.

Therefore, in 1534 he broke with the Catholic Church and the Act of Supremacy was passed, under which he appointed himself head of the Church of England or Anglican Church.

In 1533, Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII were secretly married.

After Parliament had declared Henry's marriage to Catherine null and void, Anne gave birth to a girl, Elizabeth.

Religious division in Europe

Religious division in Europe

In 1520, Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther, or expelled him from the Church.

Present Perfect

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

• Present Simple to Past Simple: "I train every day." He said (that) he trained every day.
• Present Continuous to Past Continuous: "I'm having a shower." He said (that) he was having a shower.
• Present Perfect to Past Perfect: "We haven't seen it yet." They said (that) they hadn't seen it yet.
• Past Simple to Past Perfect: "I met her at 3 pm." He said (that) he had met her at 3 pm.
• Imperative to Infinitive: "Be quiet." He told us to be quiet.
• Can to Could: "I can't swim." He said (that) he couldn't swim.
• Will to Would: "I'll send you a postcard." He said (that) he'd send us a postcard.
• Must/Have to to Had to: "You must study harder." He said (that) we had to study harder.
• May to Might: "It may be true." He said (that) it

Vocabulary and Phrases

Provide Something for Free (giving away): ofrecer algo gratis. Remove (take something off): quitarse algo. Return (took them back): devolver. Wear Briefly to Decide Whether to Buy (tried on): provarse. Have/Get Something Done: (subject+have/get+object+past participle) Me corté el pelo la semana pasada---) I had/got my hair cut last week. She is painting her room---) she is having/getting her room painted. They will clean the apartment---) They will have/get the apartment cleaned. Mary has done her nails---) Mary has had/got her nails done. PASSIVE: 1. Someone was watching you---) you are being watched for something. 2. They had found the stolen items---) The stolen items have been found (by them). 3. They gave people... Continue reading "Vocabulary and Phrases for Free, Removing, Trying On, and Getting Things Done" »