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

Essential English Vocabulary & Phrases

Key Language Proficiency Terms

• Medium - Medio
• Fluent - Fluido
• Make the most of - Hacen lo más que pueden
• Native speaker - Hablante nativo

Descriptive Adjectives

• Brief
• To the point
• Standard
• Commonly used

Common Collocations and Verb Phrases

• Have a chat - Tener un chat
• Make a speech - Dar un discurso
• Have a quarrel - Tener una pelea
• Pay a compliment - Hacer un cumplido
• Take a message - Tomar un mensaje
• Raise an issue - Sacar el tema

Verbs and Their Meanings

• Apologize - Say you're sorry
• Criticize - Say something isn't good
• Warn - Tell someone about a possible problem or danger
• Quote - Repeat the words someone said
• Deny - Say something is not true
• Blame - Say someone caused a bad thing to happen

Advanced Language Learning Terminology

• Widely

1. Modal Verbs

Original: Smoking is forbidden in most restaurants.

Transformation: You mustn't smoke in most restaurants.

2. Passive Voice

Original: The shop assistant didn't give us the ticket.

Transformation: We weren't given the ticket by the shop assistant.

3. Comparatives

Original: Al swims faster than Peter.

Transformation 1: Peter swims slower than Al.

Transformation 2: Peter doesn't swim as fast as Al.

4. Verbal Tenses

Original: I saw Frank two months ago.

Transformation: I haven't seen Frank for two months.

5. Gerund/Infinitive

Original: He forgot to phone his wife yesterday.

Transformation: He didn't remember phoning his wife yesterday.

6. Have sth. Done

Original: They are servicing my new car next week.

Transformation: I am having my new car serviced... Continue reading "English Grammar Transformation Exercises" »

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" »