Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for English for Primary education

1. Can / Be Able To: Expressing Ability

• Gary has traveled extensively and can speak five languages.
• I haven't been able to sleep very well.
• Nicole can drive, but...
• I used to be able to stand on my head.
• I can't understand Mark. I've never been able to understand him.
• I can't see you on Friday, but I can meet you on Saturday.
• Ask Katherine about your problem. She might be able to help you.

2. Can, Can't, Could, Couldn't: Present & Past Ability

• I'm afraid I can't come to your party next week.
• When Dan was 16, he could run 100 meters.
• Are you in a hurry? No, I can wait.
• I was feeling sick yesterday. I couldn't eat anything.
• Can you speak a little louder? I can't hear you very well.
• You look tired. Yes, I couldn't sleep last night.

3. Could, Couldn't, or

Causative Exercises

Fill in the blanks with the correct causative form:

- Why can't we meet tomorrow morning?

I'm having my nails done at the beauty salon.

- What did Jane do with her dog when she was away?

She had her dog walked in the mornings.

- Why is Britney talking to checkout?

She wants to have the shopping delivered to her home.

- There's a virus on our computer.

We must have it repaired immediately.

- What did you do with that letter?

I had it translated by my friend.

- It's a beautiful photo. I'm going to have the photo enlarged.

- An artist... She is having her portrait painted.

- Bob's hair has just been cut. Bob has just had his hair cut.

- He paid a lorry... He had the car towed.

- His tooth hurts... Have his tooth checked.

- I don't clean the...

Jonathan Swift's Satirical Masterpieces

A Modest Proposal

First published anonymously by Jonathan Swift in 1729, A Modest Proposal is a powerful satirical essay. Swift provocatively suggests that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling their children as food for wealthy gentlemen and ladies. He argues, with both sharp economic reasoning and a moral stance, for a way to transform this dire problem into its own solution.

His shocking proposal involves fattening up undernourished children and feeding them to Ireland's rich landowners. Swift argues that children of the poor could be sold into a meat market at the age of one, thereby combating overpopulation and unemployment. This scheme would also spare families the expense...

Today people's thinking about racism has developed much more unlike a few years Ago. +But There is still a lot left for all people to realize that we are the same.

++A few years ago white people hated them for the fact That they saw them inferior, and especially black women much more, until they Reached the point where some places could not go or for example, black women Couldn’t go to women's toilets white.++At Least these very strong things have changed today, but there is still much to Change since racism hasn’t yet disappeared.+Since Many times I have seen the street as some people distanced themselves from Those people just because of their skin color.++ In Conclusion, today people still have a closed mind.People must realize that...

Request or Inquiry

Purpose

• I’m writing to ask about…
• I’d like to get more information regarding…
• I’m contacting you to find out if…

Context & Details

• I saw your announcement about…
• I heard from [Source] that…
• I wanted to check if there are any requirements for…

Request

• Could you please tell me…?
• Would it be possible to…?
• I was wondering whether you could provide…

Complaint or Problem Emails

Purpose

• I’m writing to let you know about a problem I’ve experienced with…
• I’d like to report an issue regarding…
• I’m contacting you because I recently experienced…

Context & Details

• The issue occurred when I…
• I noticed that…
• Unfortunately, the product or service did not work as expected.

Request

• Could you please look

Unit 4: Shopping and Consumerism Vocabulary

Key Terms: advertisement, bargain, brand, browse, designer label, eco-friendly, exploit, junk, make a purchase, material possession, online auction sites, purchase, sell off, splash out, treat someone to something, unethical, window-shopping.

Phrasal Verbs: catch on (become popular), do away with (get rid of), get across (communicate), stand out (be noticeable).

Money Matters: afford (permit luxury), borrow (pedir prestado), broke (arruinado), charge for (cobrar), have money to burn, be in debt, lend something (prestar), have money on, overcharge by, overdrawn (en números rojos), owe (deber), save up for, stingy (tacaño), waste money on, wealthy, be well off.

More Phrasal Verbs: club together, fork...

Roald Dahl (1916-1990)

British Author of Norwegian Descent

Roald Dahl was a British novelist and short story author of Norwegian descent. He achieved fame as a writer for both children and adults.

Early Life and Influences

Some of his most famous works include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches, and Kiss Kiss. In 1920, tragedy struck when his 7-year-old sister died from appendicitis, followed a month later by his father's death from pneumonia at the age of 57. Dahl attended several boarding schools, an experience he found unpleasant due to homesickness, leading him to write frequent letters to his mother. The inspiration for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came during his time studying in Derbyshire, where pupils tasted chocolates....

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages you find in homeworking

• Have you ever had a job? Describe your experience
• Do you think that the State should promote or forbid some kinds of food?
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being vegetarian
• Have you ever had a pet? Write about the experience
• There is no important difference between an animal and a human. Discuss.
• Describe what you can do at home and in your town to protect the environment.
• Spending money on saving animals. Give your opinion.

Have you ever seen a film or read a book about an animal that showed its feelings. Explain

• Do you think animals really have emotional lives like humans? Discuss
• What are your favourite TV programmes? Describe them and explain why you like them
• Do you think