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

Robinson Crusoe: A Story of Survival

Robinson Crusoe, born into a merchant family, defies his father's wish for him to become a lawyer, choosing instead a life of adventure at sea. His voyages are fraught with peril, culminating in a shipwreck off the coast of the Orinoco River. As the sole survivor, Crusoe faces a dramatic shift in his life. Stranded and alone, he must learn to navigate the unfamiliar natural world to survive. Over twenty-eight years, Crusoe adapts and learns, eventually finding companionship in "Friday," whom he rescues from a cannibalistic tribe. Friday becomes invaluable, alleviating Crusoe's loneliness and teaching him the value of the island's resources. The novel recounts Crusoe's family history, his maritime adventures,... Continue reading "Robinson Crusoe: A Tale of Survival, Adventure, and Companionship" »

Future with Will

I/YOU/HE/SHE/IT/WE/THEY | WILL/WON’T | INFINITIVE

WILL | I/YOU/HE/SHE/IT/WE/THEY | INFINITIVE?

USE – To make opinions or predictions about the future.

To express decisions that you make as you’re speaking.

To make promises, offers or to give warnings.

Future with Going To

I/YOU/HE/SHE/IT/WE/THEY | AM (‘M NOT) /ARE (AREN’T) /IS (ISN’T) | GOING TO | INFINITIVE

AM/ARE/IS | I/YOU/HE/SHE/IT/WE/THEY | GOING TO | INFINITIVE?

USE – To make plans and intentions.

To make predictions when we have evidence.

Future Continuous

I/YOU/HE/SHE/IT/WE/THEY | WILL/WON’T | PRESENT PARTICIPLE

WILL | I/YOU/HE/SHE/IT/WE/THEY | PRESENT PARTICIPLE?

USE - To indicate an action that will be in progress at a point in the future.

To show an action that... Continue reading "Future Tenses in English Grammar" »

Medical Supplies

Vital signs (signos vitales), blood pressure (presión arterial), pulse (pulso), respiration rate (frecuencia respiratoria), stitch cutter (tijeras), sterile gloves (guante estéril), sterile waste bag (bolsa de basura estéril), sterile tray (bandeja estéril), sutures (suturas), cleansing solution (solución limpiadora), apron (delantal), tied back (atado atrás)

Synonyms

Remove/take out (eliminar), Stitches/sutures (puntadas), pull/tug (tirón), cut/snip (cortar), healed/joined up (curado), scissors/stitch cutter (tijeras), take off/pull off (quitarse), get better/heal (mejorar)

Facility Areas

Garden (jardín), TV room (sala de la TV), exercise program (programa de ejercicios), day trip (excursión), computer room (sala de ordenadores)... Continue reading "Medical Supplies, Synonyms, and Verbs for Emergency Situations" »

infinitive: past: past participle: meaning:

to cut cut cut cortarto clean cleaned cleaned limpiarto arrive arrived arrived llegarto bring brought brought traerto bet bet bet apuestato beat beat beaten golpearto love loved loved amorto end ended ended finto choose chose chosen escogerto drive drove driven manejarto build build build construirto feed fed fed alimentarto invent invented invented inventarto discover discovered discovered descubrirto count counted counted contarto break broke broken roturato fly flew flown volarto dream dreamt drawn sueñoto come came come vento have had had tenerto find found found encontrarto lie lay lain mentirato fail failed failed fallarto change changed changed cambiarto freeze froze frozen congelarto grow

Unir Frases

Joining Sentences

1. Scrooge was more afraid of the last of the spirits than he had been of the others.
2. The spirit showed him shadows of things which hadn't happened yet, but would happen in the future.
3. From the businessmen's conversations, Scrooge learned that nobody cared about the man who had died.
4. The three women sold Scrooge's clothes because he had paid them very badly when he was alive.
5. A young family had to pay some money to Scrooge, so they were happy to hear of his death.
6. When Scrooge wanted to see sadness at a death, the ghost showed him the Cratchits after Tiny Tim died.
7. In the churchyard, the ghost pointed at a grave which had Scrooge's name on the gravestone.

Descripción Personajes

Character Descriptions

• Bob Cratchit: A clerk with

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost, USA (1874 – 1963)

Literal Comprehension

This poem by Robert Frost presents the scene of the speaker returning home at dusk in his horse-drawn sleigh. He stops to enjoy the peace and solitude of the moment. The snow falls softly, and the woods are attractive. There is no one else to break the silence. However, the horse sees no reason for stopping. It is growing dark, there is no farmhouse near, and they have miles to go. Reflecting on his horse’s impatience, the speaker acknowledges he must move on to keep his promises before he can sleep.

Interpretation

This poem evokes feelings related to both life and death. The dark evening and the solitary place, far from any village, suggest a sense of... Continue reading "Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods: Analysis of Meaning & Themes" »

V-1

1 My job is seasonal because I only work during the summer. 2 You need to have the proper qualification for this job. 3 Jackie announced her resignation. We will miss her. 4 I can't trust Amy because she's not reliable. 5 Over a hundred people died of starvation due to lack of food.

2

1 The deadline is tomorrow, not a day later. 2 The perks include a company car. 3 He first started working here as a clerk. 4 That's nonsense. It's just not true. 5 She's been promoted to a new position. 6 I'm not a slave. I don't work for free. 7 This week I'm working the early shift. 8 I need help. This task requires teamwork.

3

1 A dead-end job offers you a no opportunities. 2 A worker who is burnt out may quit. 3 If you're out of work, you don't have a job.

My Friend Nerea

When I moved to my current town, I met my friend Nerea.

She is 16 and lives in Mollet del Vallés, Barcelona. Nerea is petite and thin, with long dark hair, brown eyes, and a small nose. She usually wears jeans and boots and almost never wears a skirt or dress. She is very pretty.

She loves going out with friends and talking to everyone. She enjoys shopping and trying on clothes, but she can never find the things she likes. I always argue with her because she spends a lot of time, and I hate it! She also hates watching football on television because she always gets angry with the players.

I like her because she is a little crazy, and she understands me very well.

Family Vacation

This holiday was great. My family traveled to the beach... Continue reading "My Friend Nerea, Family Vacation, English Study, and Letter to Joel" »

Charles Dickens: A Biography

Early Life and Family

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, to John and Elizabeth Dickens. He was the second of eight children, six of whom survived to adulthood. The family moved to London in 1822.

Childhood Struggles

At the age of twelve, Dickens began working at a blacking factory, labeling bottles for eleven hours a day. He also visited his father in prison every Sunday.

Journalistic Career and Literary Success

In 1827, Dickens began working as a solicitor's clerk. He launched his journalistic career in 1831, writing for newspapers by day and working on his own writing by night. His first piece of fiction was published in 1835.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1835, Dickens met Catherine Thompson. They fell in love... Continue reading "Charles Dickens: Life, Curiosities, and A Christmas Carol" »