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

Get Away: Escape of a Lifetime

That you may only experience once.

Hiking Trails: Paths to Walk Along

Unspoilt, natural, breathtaking scenery: beautiful natural landscapes on a tight budget (with little money to spend).

Seaside

Films and Television Program Genres

A list of common film and television program types:

• Action Film
• Animation
• Chat Show
• Comedy
• Documentary
• Fantasy Film
• Game Show
• Horror Film
• Musical
• News Bulletin
• Period Drama
• Reality Show
• Romantic Comedy
• Science Fiction Film
• Sitcom
• Soap Opera
• Talent Show
• Thriller
• War Film
• Western

Descriptive Adjectives for Media and Performance

Words used to describe experiences, films, or performances:

• Boring
• Confusing
• Convincing
• Embarrassing
• Exciting
• Funny
• Gripping
• Imaginative
• Interesting
• Moving
• Scary
• Spectacular
• Unrealistic
• Violent

Sports, Activities, and Related Terminology

This extensive list covers various sports, equipment, roles, and actions found in athletics.

Athletic Disciplines and Activities

• Aerobics
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Bicycle, Bicycling, Bike
• Boxing
• Crew

Summer Holidays in Olivella: An Invitation

Hello Sandy, thanks for your email. I am writing because I would like to invite you to my house during your holidays. My family is looking forward to seeing you again.

In summer, the weather in Olivella, my village, is wonderful! We can go to the pool or the beach. There are some nice places to visit around my house, including the beautiful Natural Garraf Park and the Buddhist Monastery. At night, we can go partying in Sitges. You'll love it!

The Spanish food is wonderful, and you know I cook well. Please give my regards to your family; they are lovely. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes and kisses,

Mamen

P.S. Please send me the photos of our last trip!

London Photography Course Inquiry

Dear Sir/... Continue reading "Personal Stories & Inquiries: Life, Travel, and Learning" »

Present Tenses

• Present Simple: 3rd person -s (canto; usually, always, every... daily actions)
• Present Continuous: to be + vb-ing (estoy cantando; now, tonight, tomorrow, at the moment... actions in progress)
• Present Perfect: have/has + 3rd column (he ido; already, yet, just, never, ever...)
• Present Perfect Continuous: have/has + been + vb-ing (he estado comiendo)

Past Tenses

• Past Simple: -ed, 2nd column (canté; last week, yesterday, ago...)
• Past Continuous: was/were + vb-ing (estuve cantando; yesterday)
• Past Perfect: had + 3rd column (había comido)
• Past Perfect Continuous: had + been + vb-ing (había estado comiendo)

Future Tenses

• Future Simple: will + vb infinitive (comeré; future predictions, spontaneous decisions, promises)
• Be Going To: be + going

Hello Maria!

How are you? It's been a long time since we met and I've come up with an idea. Would you like to come and spend a weekend at my house? We'll be alone, my parents leave and not be alone, that you seem to like, you probably say that if I know you too! We will spend a few good days, we can go to visit different places in Valladolid, such as:

• The Big Field

  It is a place of beautiful nature located in the center. You can see different species of birds, peacocks, and there is also a pond where you can ride in the boat and see the ducks.

• Beach of the Moreras

  There we could take photos that I know you like a lot. At sunset, it is a beautiful place, you'll see.

Well, I hope your answer soon, we do not have much time!

Summary: Chapter 38

During a storm, Mr. and Mrs. Bumble travel to a sordid section of town near a swollen river to meet Monks in a decaying building. While Mr. Bumble shivers in fear, Mrs. Bumble coolly bargains with Monks. They settle on a price of twenty-five pounds for her information. Mrs. Bumble relates how Old Sally robbed Oliver’s mother. Mrs. Bumble says she discovered a ragged pawnbroker’s receipt in Old Sally’s dead hands and that she redeemed it for the gold locket, which she then hands to Monks. Inside, he finds a wedding ring and two locks of hair. The name “Agnes” is engraved on the ring, along with a blank for the surname. Monks ties the locket to a weight and drops it into the river.

Summary: Chapter 39

Bill Sikes is... Continue reading "Oliver Twist: Chapters 38-45 Summary" »

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Past Tense

1. had hidden
2. found out
3. had written
4. searched
5. called
6. had happened
7. drove
8. had saved up

Exercise 2: Question Formation

1. Who did you see yesterday?
2. When did you last see Damion?
3. Where does your sister work?
4. Are you having a good time in London?
5. What are you going to do tomorrow?
6. How long have you been studying at university?

Exercise 3: Reported Speech

1. The boy denied that he had stolen the money.
2. Finn suggested checking online.
3. Mr. Harris recommended Sam to apologize immediately.
4. Clara reminded Lisa to buy some milk.
5. Manuel admitted to Sue that he had copied her answers in the text.
6. Oscar congratulated Alex on scoring the goal.

Exercise 4: Defining (D) and Non-defining (ND) Relative Clauses

1. ND - My old brother, who's at college in

Protecting the Environment

One of the things that worries people most nowadays is the environment. In the last few decades, humans have been polluting way too much, which has had a negative effect on the environment. For this reason, we must protect it from now on.

The 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

First, we ought to start paying attention to the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

By doing so, we will reduce the quantity of rubbish, we will not throw away so many things, and we will be able to recycle most of our waste.

Sustainable Transportation

Second, a very good idea is to stop using cars so much and start cycling or walking a little more. For example, instead of commuting by car, we can try to do it on foot or by bike.

Environmental Education

Finally,... Continue reading "Environmental Protection and Active Video Games for Fitness" »

Online Shopping: Benefits and Risks

Nowadays, most people prefer online shopping, while others stick to traditional methods. Whether we embrace it or not, understanding the benefits and limitations of online shopping is crucial.

The major advantage is convenience. Customers can shop from their homes or workplaces at their leisure. Transactions can be easily canceled, and the absence of queues makes online shopping quick and efficient.

On the other hand, online shopping carries risks such as hacking, identity theft, credit card scams, phishing, and other fraudulent activities.

In conclusion, online shopping has both advantages and disadvantages. However, if given a choice, I would opt for online shopping due to its convenience, speed, and ease of... Continue reading "A Comparative Review of Online Shopping, Titanic, and Harry Potter" »

Vocabulary for Relationships and Social Life

• Acquaintance: conocido
• Background: antecedentes
• Close friend: amigo cercano
• Couple / Date: pareja / cita
• Fiancé: prometido
• Relationship: relación
• Relative: pariente
• Values: valores

Actions and Dynamics

• Break up: dejar / romper
• Claim: reclamar
• Doubt: dudar
• Get along: llevarse bien
• Last: durar
• Grow apart: distanciarse
• Increase: incrementar
• Research: investigar
• Take after: parecerse a
• Work out: funcionar / resolver

Personality Adjectives and Appearance

• Adventurous: aventurero
• Cheerful: alegre
• Divorce: divorcio
• Energetic: energético
• Engaged: comprometido
• Generous / Selfish: egoísta
• Good-looking
• Married / Single
• Moody: temperamental
• Muscular / Slim: delgado
• Petite / Average height: altura media
• Shy: tímido / Outgoing: extrovertido
• Stubborn: