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

Essential English Grammar & Vocabulary

Relative Pronouns Explained

• Who: people
• Which: things
• When: time
• Where: place
• Whose: possession
• That: people/things

Key Vocabulary & Expressions (English-Catalan)

• To date: a dia d'avui
• In turn: per torns
• Nod: assentir
• Lack of: falta de
• Distressing: angoixant
• Relieves: alleuja, calma
• Afford: permetre's
• Take pleasure in: gaudir
• In appreciation of: dir alguna cosa a favor de
• Beyond my reach: fer alguna cosa més enllà de les teves possibilitats
• Owe: deure
• Inherited: heretar
• Poverty: pobresa
• Bargain: xollo

Descriptive Adjectives & Verbs (English-Catalan)

• Reliable: de confiança
• Awesome: increïble
• Daft: ximple, tonto
• Outstanding: excel·lent, destacat
• Weird: estrany, raro
• Sneaky: furtiu, poc fiable
• Easy-going: fàcil de tractar
• Infamous:

Ballad Basics

·Ballads are newspaper like compositions written to remember Important people, events or places.

Format

·abcb rhyme scheme

·8,6,8,6 syllabic count

·4 line stanza

·Refrains

·Narrative storyline

Types

·Traditional (Oral)

·Literary (Written)

Topics

·Love lost due to moving

·Moving/ settling

·Working (train, railroad, etc)

·War and battle

Enablers (Positive reasons for them being oral)

·Events written about are well known

·Follows a typical story narrative

·Typical melodic sounds are used

·Made of short simple lines

·It is entertaining which is motivational

Limits (Negative reasons that led them to be oral)

·Low or no time to formally compose

·Low or no access to paper and pen

·Low or no level of literacy

What happens When ballads travel

·Name

The Scarlet Letter's Shifting Meanings

Repentance and Redemption: Learning from the 'A'

For Hester Prynne, wearing the letter “A” can have, despite its negative connotations, some positive aspects as well. Not only does it remind her of her fall, but it also teaches her not to return to her sin. Hawthorne shows this when Hester is defending her right to keep Pearl. She responds to the governor’s claim that she does not deserve to keep Pearl, stating that she will learn from the letter. This defense by Hester demonstrates that she has learned from the shame of the scarlet letter. The committee was worried that the sin represented by the letter would make teaching Pearl impossible, but Hester claims the exact opposite. She asserts that the... Continue reading "The Scarlet Letter: Symbolism and Hester Prynne's Journey" »

Benefits of Following News in English

Nowadays, many things can be said about this topic. In fact, there are many different opinions, and it is a very common discussion. People don’t agree easily, but you cannot deny that it is an interesting topic.

Reading the newspaper and watching news programs in English are excellent ways to build vocabulary and be aware of public opinion in other countries. Reading articles about your own country in English newspapers can leave you very surprised because the perspective is often very different. On the Internet, you can easily access news sources in English.

Staying abreast of current affairs is also a great source of conversation topics, both in meetings with friends and chats over the Internet with friends... Continue reading "Current Affairs: English News, Beyoncé, Olympics, Rosetta" »

Characters:

Montresor: He is the protagonist of the story, an intelligent, serious, and very sensitive man. A man a bit negative but who does everything he wants. A man who decides to take revenge for an unfortunate situation that he could not control.

Fortunato: He is a dominant man and always sure of himself. He likes to laugh and make fun of Montresor and that will bring him great problems. Another minor character is Luchresi, who is a wine professional. The character refuses to accompany Montresor to carry out his macabre plans.

Stories:

The story I like the most is The Werewolf, written by Angela Carter, because I knew the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood and I really liked the feminist vision of the protagonist of the story, a... Continue reading "The Cask of Amontillado: Edgar Allan Poe's Revenge Story" »

Why Troy Remains My Favorite Film

Rarely do I have time to watch a film. However, if I were to choose my favorite movie, Troy would undoubtedly be my pick. Its appeal stems not only from the historical relevance of its storyline but also from the breathtaking scenery and the stellar performances of its main actors.

An Unforgettable Cinematic Experience

The film boasts an all-star cast whose witty dialogues left an unforgettable impression on me. Despite depicting a well-known historical event, its plot is far from hackneyed. The narrative centers on Paris and Hector, brothers and princes of Troy, who must defend their city against Greek forces after Paris falls in love with Helen, the Spartan king's wife.

Spartan and Greek kings recruit Achilles,... Continue reading "My Cherished Selections: A Classic Film & Indispensable Device" »

Passives