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

Common Types of Figurative Language

Figurative language allows speakers and writers to communicate meanings that differ in various ways from what they literally say. People speak figuratively for reasons of politeness, to avoid responsibility for the import of what is communicated, to express ideas that are difficult to communicate using literal language, and to express thoughts in a compact and vivid manner.

Figurative means that words are used in a way that is different from the usual meaning. That way, the description is more interesting or impressive. Figurative language creates a picture in your mind.

For example: "He is about to explode!"

We do not mean to say that the man will actually explode. We only want to say that he is extremely angry....

Job Interview Success: Dos and Don'ts

Securing a job involves successfully navigating the job interview process. There are essential rules regarding what is appropriate to say and what is not. Following these guidelines will help you conduct an excellent job interview.

What You Should Do (The Dos)

• Provide specific examples: Give detailed examples of achievements and responsibilities from your career.
• Highlight your strengths: Clearly articulate your key professional strengths.
• Develop detailed answers: Elaborate on your responses with sufficient details and explanations.
• Show genuine interest: Demonstrate enthusiasm for the company and the specific job position.
• Ask thoughtful questions: Prepare and ask relevant questions about the role or the company

Blog:

Short for weblog; a kind of diary on an internet website

Bottom-up processing:

When we try to understand a whole text, starting from finding the meaning of individual words and phrases (intentamos entender el texto completo buscando el significado de una palabra o frase)

Chants:

Rhythmic speaking (like a song without music) (cántico)

Chart:

A diagram with a lot of different information (gráfica, historial)

Cloze:

A text where text have blanks which have been chosen at random (aleatorio) (texto donde los espacios en blanco se han elegido aleatoriamente)

Collaborative writing:

When students work together to complete a writing

Communicative speaking activities:

An activity which makes students use speaking to communicate, rather than just practicing...

A News Report: Stormy Day in Villahermosa

On July 4th, 2015, my friend and I were in a park when suddenly the wind surprised us. We were on our way to a party at Voladero disco when the wind broke a large tree branch and some bottles. The local police in Villahermosa arrived to assess the damages.

However, my friends and I went to our houses with some dust on our clothes. Later, my friend Rosa and I went to the pub in the square, and after a while, more people started to arrive. People were a little scared at first, but as time passed, they calmed down.

In conclusion, the party ended at the same time that the storm finished.

Informal Email to Anna

Hi Anna,

It's been a long time since we've seen or spoken to each other. I hope you are doing well in...

Samuel Beckett: A Nobel Laureate with a Rebellious Spirit

Early Life and Education

Born into an Anglo-Irish upper-class family in Dublin, Samuel Beckett studied French at Trinity College. He also served as a teaching assistant in Paris, where he encountered literary giants like James Joyce.

Return to Dublin and Career Change

After returning to Dublin, Beckett became a professor. However, the discipline required for the job proved unsuited to his temperament, leading him to resign.

European Travels and Resistance

Beckett embarked on a journey across Europe, eventually settling in France. During World War II, he joined the French Resistance movement and later hid on a farm for safety.

Post-War Success and Nobel Prize

After the war, Beckett returned to...

The Life and Works of George Orwell

Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, was a renowned novelist, essayist, and critic. While best known for his iconic novels Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, he was a man of strong convictions who addressed the major political movements of his time, including imperialism, fascism, and communism.

Early Life and Education

Orwell was the second child of Richard Walmesley Blair and Ida Mabel Limouzin. His father worked as a civil servant, and his mother was the daughter of a tea merchant in Burma. In 1904, Orwell moved to England with his mother and sister, where he later attended Eton College. His first literary works were printed in college periodicals....

Act 1: The Bedroom

Set Design: Wendy's Room

Wendy: (Sleeps, hears a noise, and wakes up) What was that? (Surprised)

Peter: (Moves quickly to the side of Wendy) (Startles her) Hello.

Wendy: (Gets scared) Who are you? (Attempts to defend herself with a cushion)

Peter: I'm Peter Pan. I live in Neverland. (Shaking hands)

Wendy: Where? (Confused)

Peter: Neverland, not far away. Shall we? (Flees)

Wendy: (Gets scared) Are we flying? (Surprised)

Peter: Yes; if you come with me, you can do it too! (Excited)

Wendy: (Thinks) Okay, but I must be back soon.

(Wendy and Peter begin their journey)

Act 2: Arrival in Neverland

Set Design: Neverland

Peter: Welcome!

Wendy: It's wonderful! (Surprised, looking around)

Peter: I want to introduce you to my friends, come on! (Takes...

Infinitive Versus Verbs + ING

Infinitive (to + verb)

• To state the purpose of an action (e.g., "to accept").
• To explain why something exists (e.g., "to reduce").
• After the adverbs "too" and "enough".

Verbs + ING (Gerund)

• After any preposition.
• As the subject or object of a sentence.
• After verbs such as: admit, avoid, celebrate, delay, enjoy, finish, keep, miss, practise, regret, risk, stop, suggest.
• After expressions like: "It's no (good, worth, use)" or "It's a waste of time" (also includes "can't stand," "help").

Vocabulary: Ambition, Career, Experience, and Job

To achieve a certain ambition, one needs experience to build a career.

• Ambition: achieve, fulfil, realise.
• Career: build, make, pursue, start out on.
• Experience: gain, get, have, look for.
• Job: apply

Chapter 9: Historicism and Cultural Studies

New Historicism

• New Historicism: A literary theory based on the idea that literature should be studied and interpreted within the context of both the history of the author and the critic.

New Historicism is based on the literary criticism of Stephen Greenblatt. New historicists see literary studies through a lens ranging from New Criticism to Deconstruction. New Historicism acknowledges not only that a work of literature is influenced by its author's times and circumstances, but that the critic's response to that work is also influenced by their environment, beliefs, and prejudices. New historicists examine how the writer’s times affected the work and how the work reflects the writer’s times.

Comparing

• Martin is not as old as Peter/Jane.
• She liked everyone apart from her boss.
• My brother is always borrowing my things without asking.
• You can borrow my computer as long as you look after it.
• Phil knows how to get away with cheating at cards.
• "This car doesn’t belong to me," she said.
• I was absolutely amazed by the number of tourists I saw.
• Sue must have been pleased when she saw...
• There is someone at the door, but it can't be Kate because it’s too early.
• I am here on behalf of the government.
• He is so relaxed; he must have been on holiday.
• She has been working for this company since she was 18.
• Prague is a bit of an expensive city.
• The outdoor exhibition had to be called off because...
• Caroline couldn’t carry on working anymore because she was too