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

A Retrieved Reformation Questions

1. Jimmy's Plans Clue

   Which of Jimmy’s actions gives a clue to his plans for continuing to crack safes?

   Answer: B. He goes to his room to pick up his burglar’s tools.

2. Jimmy's Character

   Jimmy wears fancy clothes, eats well, and robs banks for quick money. What does this tell you about him?

   Answer: B. He likes “the good life.”

3. Ben Price's Interest

   Why is Ben Price interested in Jimmy Valentine?

   Answer: B. Ben Price wants to arrest Jimmy.

4. Jimmy's Reaction Prediction

   What can you predict that Jimmy will do when he notices Annabel coming out of the bank?

   Answer: A. He will find a way to meet her.

5. Shoe Business Reason

   Why does Jimmy Valentine decide to go into the shoe business?

   Answer: A. He likes fancy clothes.

6. Plot Element

English Verb Tenses: Active and Passive Voice

Past Perfect

• Affirmative: Subject + had + past participle
• Negative: Subject + hadn't + past participle
• Interrogative: Had + subject + past participle + ?

Passive Voice

• Present Simple: writes ~ is written
• Past Simple: wrote ~ was written
• Future (will): will write ~ will be written
• Present Continuous: is writing ~ is being written
• Past Continuous: was writing ~ was being written
• Present Perfect: has written ~ has been written
• Past Perfect: had written ~ had been written
• Be going to: is going to write ~ is going to be written
• Modal Verbs: can write ~ can be written

Past Perfect

• Affirmative: Subject + had + past participle
• Negative: Subject + hadn't + past participle
• Interrogative: Had + subject + past participle + ?

Victor's Journey to Geneva and Encounter with the Monster

1. On his journey to Geneva, Victor spent the night in the village of Secheron, but he couldn't sleep.

Victor couldn't sleep, and he decided to go and find the place where William had been murdered. During the storm, he saw a figure standing beside some trees; it was the monster.

Justine's Trial and Conviction

2. Justine defended herself in court.

Justine was called to defend herself. Crying, she told them what she remembered.

But it did no good. The judge had reached his verdict, and Justine had been found guilty. She was sentenced to death and would be executed the next day.

The Monster's Plea and Victor's Reaction

3. The monster raised his hand and began to speak.

Victor was shocked.

The monster... Continue reading "Frankenstein: Key Plot Points and Analysis" »

The Luis Rubiales Case: Context and Controversy

Good morning, everyone.

We are… (insert names), and today, we will present the Luis Rubiales case. This case became highly relevant because he was the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) at the time it occurred, along with many other circumstances that will be discussed later.

We have chosen this case because of the relevance it had and still has in Spanish society. Before starting, we must point out that this case still has not been resolved by the Spanish justice system.

Pre-Tournament Controversy

The whole situation was complicated because, even before the incident took place, another controversial situation had been ongoing before the competition even started. Key issues... Continue reading "The Luis Rubiales Scandal: Non-Consensual Kiss and RFEF Fallout" »

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens wrote thirteen novels published in the year of his death. His first great success was The Pickwick Papers (1836-1837). Dickens soon moved forward from this old-fashioned view of England. In Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby, he writes of the social problems faced by young boys like Oliver and Nicholas. The sufferings of children were a main theme of Dickens's writing. He advocated for education for all children and showed his readers the kind of problems children faced in the cities, where poor people had no chance to share in the success of the nation. Dickens went on to write novels that criticized society in a more general way. David Copperfield is his most positive novel about growing up. This novel was based... Continue reading "The Impact of Charles Dickens on Literature and Society" »

The Crucial Role of English Proficiency Today

In past years, many people could build a career with only basic English knowledge. However, things have changed, and now a high level of English is often required for any career or job. For example, in Spain, to pursue a career, one must pass a selectividad exam, and English is one of the required subjects. Therefore, if you don't speak English, it will be very difficult to establish a career.

Also, in Spain, students can obtain Becas Erasmus (Erasmus scholarships) to travel to another country and study their chosen field for a year. Knowing English also allows you to study or work in English-speaking countries like England, which is a very interesting country. Furthermore, having a career path may... Continue reading "Essential Skills for Today: Language Proficiency and Technology Use" »

Characters of The Importance of Being Earnest

John "Jack" Worthing

Jack is the play's protagonist and most sympathetic character. He was found in a handbag on a railway line and feels less at home in aristocratic society than does Algernon. He lives in the country but has invented a wicked brother named "Ernest" whose scrapes require Jack's attendance in the city.

Algernon Moncrieff

Algernon, Jack's foil, is a hedonist who has created a friend named Bunbury. Bunbury's status as a permanent invalid allows Algernon to leave the city whenever he pleases. He believes this activity, Bunburying, is necessary, especially if one is going to get married—something he vows never to do.

Lady Bracknell

Lady Bracknell is the play's antagonist, blocking both... Continue reading "Oscar Wilde's Earnest: Character Insights" »

Choosing the Right Portable Hard Drive

When selecting a portable hard drive, it's essential to consider your specific storage needs. Here's a comparison of two popular models:

Available Portable Hard Drive Models

• Iomega eGO Portable Hard Drive: Offers a substantial 160 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity.
• Edge DiskGO Mini Portable Hard Drive: Provides 12 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity.

Comparing Iomega eGO and Edge DiskGO

The choice between these drives depends on your intended use:

• The Iomega eGO is ideal for mobile professionals, offering ample space to back up an entire PC.
• The Edge DiskGO is ultra-lightweight, making it perfect for easily transporting personal files such as photos, music, and data documents.

Portable Hard Drive Pricing

• Iomega

Socializing: Weekday vs. Weekend Friend Meetings

Meeting friends is enjoyable whether it’s on weekdays or weekends, and each has its own unique advantages.

Weekday Socializing Benefits

• Relaxation After Work: Meeting friends after a long workday can be a great way to unwind and relieve work stress.
• Quieter Venues: Public places like cafés and restaurants are often less crowded compared to weekends, providing a more peaceful environment.
• Part of the Daily Routine: Meeting friends during the week can become part of your regular routine, enhancing social bonds consistently.

Weekend Socializing Advantages

• More Time Available: You have more time to spend with friends without worrying about work the next day.
• Variety of Activities: You can plan bigger

Anne Frank's Early Life

Anne Frank was born on June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt, Germany, to a Jewish family. In 1933, her parents moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Fleeing Germany and Hiding

During World War II, the family hid to avoid the Nazis. They left their home and moved to a shelter in the offices of her father's company. It was not a comfortable place, but they had to adapt as it became their new home.

Anne's Life in Hiding

Age and Emotions

Anne was 13 years old. She wrote about the feelings of others, expressing her discomfort and eventual feelings of love.

Protecting from the Nazis

To protect themselves from the Nazis, Anne and her family hid in an apartment where they could not make any noise to avoid being caught.

Anne's Diary

Anne believed that... Continue reading "Anne Frank: Life, Diary, and the Holocaust" »