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

to hit the hay_go to bed

it's brass monkeys_It's freezing cold

to rustle up_to make or find something quickly for somebody and without planning

to swing by_to visit a place or person for a short time

to lose your rag_get angry

a red herring_a false clue

endeavour_an attempt to do something, especially something new or difficult

monkey business_dishonest or silly behaviour

to be as nice as pie_very kind and friendly, especially when you are not expecting it

to feel giddy_dizzy

a handful_a person or an animal that is difficult to control

a skeleton in the cupboard_something shocking, embarrassing, etc. That has happened to you or your family in the past that you want to keep secret

let sleeping dogs lie_to avoid mentioning a subject or something that happened

ser/estar - be - was/were

comer - eat - ate

apostar - bet - bet

caer - fall - fell

romper - break - broke

sentir - feel - felt

traer - bring - brought

encontrar - find - found

construir - build - built

volar - fly - flew

comprar - buy - bought

olvidar - forget - forgot

poder/saber - can - could

conseguir - get - got

elegir - choose - chose

dar - give - gave

venir - come - came

ir - go - went

costar - cost - cost

colgar - hang - hung

cortar - cut - cut

tener - have - had

tratar - deal - dealt

oir - hear - heard

hacer - do - did

hit - hit - hit

dibujar - draw - drew

dolor - hurt - hurt

beber - drink - drank

conducir - drive - drove

guiar - lay - laid

enviar - send - sent

aprender - learn - learnt

colocar - set - set

salir - leave - left

enseñar - show - showed

prestar - lend -

How My Routine Has Changed

Good morning! Since the quarantine started, many things have changed in our daily routines. Schools are closed, we can't go out without a specific reason, and we can't meet our friends. This has completely changed our lives.

Before the coronavirus crisis, I used to get up early, go to school, do my homework, and go out with my friends. Now, I usually get up later and catch up with my homework. After lunch, I study and do my homework until six, when I go down for a snack. Then, I go for a walk with my friend Yago.

The Emotional Impact

This situation was complicated for me at the beginning because I wasn't completely aware of the problems this pandemic could cause. But as time passed, I realized how dangerous it was, and... Continue reading "Life in Quarantine: A Student's Perspective" »

BE GOING TO:

• I'm going to join a gym.
• She isn't going to join a gym.
• Are you going to join a gym?

FUTURE SIMPLE:

• I will meet you at the match.
• He won't meet you at the match.
• Will they meet you at the match?
• If we offer you the job, will you accept it?

FUTURE CONTINUOUS:

• I will be studying next week.
• She won't be studying next week.
• Will you be studying next week?

FUTURE PERFECT:

• They will have finished by eight.
• She won't have finished by eight.
• Will you have finished by eight?

First Conditional

If you come early, you might get a parking space.

They won't win unless they score again.

Second Conditional

If I had energy, I could go for a run with you.

I wouldn't be so late for work if I got up earlier.

If you knew his number, would you call him?

Third Conditional

If... Continue reading "Mastering Future Tenses and Conditionals in English" »

EDUCATION

Education was a lot stricter during my mum’s time and my day’s time. I did my primary school in a state-subsidized school and it was a single-sex, and I had many teachers of the old school. Later, when I went to secondary school and it was a state coed school.

I’ve never been expelled from my classroom but I’ve been played truant.

At school I learnt subjects by heart, I think nowadays, education is a lot more technology based. There are a lot more resources to provide practical experience and the internet has changed everything and the way of learn has changed.

When I was at school, I remember at secondary school they offered computer classes. So at school I would have to say my favourite subject was economics, so I ended up doing... Continue reading "Concept of education" »

Understanding "May" and "Might" for Possibility

Use may or might to show a possibility in the present or future.

Examples of "May" and "Might" in Use

• She may be at home.
• I might start a catering business.

Forming Negatives with "May" and "Might"

The negative form of may is may not, and for might, it is might not.

• They may not come to dinner.
• We might not eat out tonight.

Important Note: May and might do not add -s in the third person singular (e.g., "He may go," not "He mays go").

Mastering English Tag Questions

We often use tag questions after statements when we think we know the answer to a question.

Structure of Tag Questions

If the statement is affirmative, the tag is negative, and vice versa.

Example:

• You live in Winnipeg (statement), don’t you (tag

Appearance= sporty, cute, untidy, Slim, plain, sloppy, well-groomed, fit, exhausted, sporty, weak.

Clothes= professional, casual, smart, trendy, scruffy, unfashionable, elegant, sophisticated, fashion victim, trendsetter,

Personality= good natured, serious, ambitious, fun loving, self-conscious, reserved, outgoing, nice, a bit lost, full of himself, shadow of his former self, biased, adventurous, dull, conceited(creido), confident, impulsive, out-going, speechless, well-matched, unsteady, infantile, mature, reassuring

Blogs= Furious typers, coffee mornings, trollers, newbies, grunters, bores, diplomats, evil clowns, therapist, lurkers.

Adjectives= Annoying, chatty, even-handed, frustrating, harmless, nasty, disruptive, rambling, unsteady, critical,

The Importance of University Canteens

Canteens are integral to university life, providing spaces for students and faculty to connect over endless cups of coffee and half-eaten sandwiches. The memories created in these bustling hubs are unforgettable. However, many university canteens face challenges.

The Decline of Canteen Culture

University canteens were once vibrant spaces where students and teachers gathered for meals, fostering a sense of community. The rise of fast-food restaurants near campuses, offering lower prices and special deals, led to a decline in canteen attendance. This resulted in reduced revenue and a loss of the lively atmosphere that once characterized these spaces.

Revitalizing University Canteens

Several strategies can help... Continue reading "The Impact of the Internet on Modern Life" »

In our normal life, we need to talk with other people, whether we like them or not. Although we talk with them because we need to communicate different things at college, work, or the supermarket, it is important to be kind and create a good relationship. When you meet someone, you could use some compliments such as 'cool shirt' or 'I love your dress' to make them feel good. In other situations, if somebody pays you a compliment, respond friendly too. If you have had a good conversation, use the strategies of small talk to ask about their life, talk about the weather, the news, or some non-controversial topic to communicate with them. In conclusion, making small talk and giving compliments can help build good relationships and lead to a happier... Continue reading "The Power of Small Talk and Compliments in Building Relationships" »

Vocabulary

1. He tried to steal my bag, but I didn’t let him.

2. When is your dentist’s appointment?

3. I recognized him because of the scar on his face.

4. He was released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence.

5. I received a fine because I was driving above the speed limit.

6. The detective tried to prove to the people that their neighborhood was safe.

7. Everyone knew they were guilty, but they just couldn’t prove it.

Vocabulary 2

1. The shirt you bought me was too big, so I’m going to exchange it for a smaller one.

2. How much do we owe? We want to pay you now.

3. How much does your hairstylist charge for a haircut?

4. He hadn’t acted in years, but recently has made a comeback and has appeared in films.

5. The cost of living has risen,