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

Romance of the Moon, Moon: Luna and Death

The poem explores the concept of death through the imagery of the moon, a sky without wind, and a dreamlike atmosphere. It features a gypsy child in a metal forge. The narrative shifts between the past (preterite) and the future, utilizing a dramatic dialogue between the child and the moon, who acts as a deadly dancer. The sky is described as holding the moon with a child's hand. When the gypsies arrive, the child is already dead, emphasized by rhythmic repetition.

Beautiful and Air: Satire and Metaphor

In this piece, the niña (girl) represents beauty, while the wind is associated with San Cristobaleans. The poem uses satire and amphibian metaphors. Preciosa, playing her tambourine, encounters a satyr...

Core Concepts of Communication and Language

Key Linguistic Definitions

• Language Skills: The ability to establish communication. This process is often described in three phases:
  • Symptoms: The need to attract attention by making sounds.
  • Manifestation: The need to demonstrate meaning.
  • Code: Establishing conventions (calling things one way).
• Language (Langue): The demonstration of a system of signs, where all elements depend on each other. Language is available to all members of a community.
• Speech (Parole): The individual act or job that every individual makes of language.
• Sign: A material object representing another concept. It is formed by two components:
  • Signifier: The word (the acoustic image).
  • Signified: The mental image (the concept).

Classification

Lazarillo de Tormes

This work inaugurates a new subgenre: the picaresque novel. It takes the form of a pseudo-autobiographical story of a character from a miserable home who leaves his family and serves several masters. The protagonist is a roguish character with a desire to thrive. These picaresque tales attempt to explain a final state of disgrace, whether accepted or overcome.

Date and Authorship

The earliest preserved editions are dated 1554. None are the source of the other editions, and all suffer from losses.

Possible authors proposed include Alfonso Valdés, Cervantes de Salazar, and Fray Juan de Ortega.

Sources

Possible sources include The Golden Ass, the Fourth Book of the Valiant Knight Rinaldo of Montalban, Process of Love Letters, and...

An Informal Letter: Advice on a Difficult Dilemma

To: MILLS, Angela

From: SOLÀ, Ana

Hi Angela!

How are things? I hope all is great. I haven’t seen you for ages! I’m sorry I haven’t written for a while – I have been busy studying for final exams.

Addressing Your Relationship Dilemma

I see you have a big problem, a dilemma, and you really need tips to clarify your doubts. Personally, if I were in your situation, the first thing I would do is talk to your friend, Maria. The most important thing here is ensuring you don't break your friendship with her.

This is certainly a somewhat embarrassing situation for both parties. Let's look at the complexities:

• For Maria: She is your best friend, and you, Angela, like her ex-boyfriend, James. This could

Journalist's Urgent Warning to Mrs. Torbay

Dear Mrs. Torbay,

I hope you are well. I am writing to inform you about some recent reports regarding your husband, Ronald Torbay. As a journalist, I have been following his actions closely, and I must say that I am concerned. Many people have reported that Ronald has been acting in a strange and aggressive manner lately.

Some witnesses claim that he has made threats and behaved violently in public. These reports are worrying, and I feel it is important that you are aware of the situation.

If you need further information or would like to discuss this matter more, please do not hesitate to contact me. I recommend that you take the necessary steps to ensure your safety.

I hope this letter helps you understand...

Vocabulary

Hire: alquilar

Unlikely: improbable

Hardest: vallas

Degree: carrera universitaria

Career: carrera profesional

Enjoyable: divertido

Helpful: que ayuda

Appreciative: agradecido

Anxious: ansioso

Unfair: injusto

Honest: honesto

Hurtful: dañino

Offensive

Thankful: agradecido

Valuable: valioso

Cheerful: alegre

Likeable: agradable

Lazy: gandulo

Basement: sótano

Fence: valla de la casa

Attic: planta de arriba de la casa

Aerial: antena casa

Types of Homes

Detached House: casa normal

Semi-Detached Houses: casa adosada

terraced houses: tres casas juntas

blok of lets: piso

Adjective Subordinate Clauses

Adjective subordinate clauses perform the same function as an adjective in relation to a noun; specifically, they act as a complement within a noun phrase. These clauses are always introduced by a relative pronoun or relative adverb.

Dual Role of Relative Clauses

These clauses play a dual role: they act as the introducer of the subordinate clause while simultaneously performing a function within that clause, such as acting as a noun or an adverb.

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns that introduce adjectival subordinate clauses include: that, who, whom, whose, and which.

Types of Adjectival Subordinate Clauses

• Specified Adjectival Subordinate Clauses: These define the meaning of the noun antecedent by sectioning it within

1. What city did Anne Frank live in?

   Amsterdam.

2. How old was she and when did she start writing her diary?

-At 13 years old on June 12, 1942.

3. When and where did she die?

-Anne Frank died in March 1945 in Bergen-Belsen, a concentration camp.

4. How many people was she hiding with?

-With 7 people, her family, and 4 other Jews.

5. What was she fighting with Mr. Dussel about?

-Because he always said to her that she was wasting her time writing in that diary.

6. Why did she prefer her father over her mother?

-Because her father understood her more, he listened to her and gave her support to keep fighting for her dreams. With her mother, she was more distant because the mother was more closed, giving support to her.

7. Where did they hide?

-The Secret Annex.

8. What concealed

English Grammar & Vocabulary Essentials

Vocabulary Practice

Vocabulary List 1

• cost
• volunteer
• get on with (phrasal verb)
• inappropriate
• take off (phrasal verb)
• hilly
• qualifications
• plot
• slim

Vocabulary List 2 (Incomplete)

This section contains incomplete words, with interpretations provided where possible:

• Exciting
• d___d
• haggling (original: hagging an)
• vulgar (original: bulgar)
• ________
• ____
• carrier bag (original: garrier ug)
• reminded

Vocabulary List 3

• request (verb/noun)
• update (verb/noun)
• block
• turn away (phrasal verb)
• privacy settings
• embarrassing
• criticize (or criticise)

Grammar Concepts

Relative Clauses: Examples 1

• She came from a lovely Spanish city called Seville, which is very cold.
• That is the town where KP was born.
• That is the man whose brother was on TV last week.

Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana of Wales:

She was a British aristocrat, the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, with whom she had two sons, William and Henry. She was recognized for her participation in favor of the care and social integration of AIDS patients and her campaign for the elimination of landmines.

AIDS Advocacy and Public Impact

Diana shook hands with a sick man; thanks to this she changed the world’s perception of AIDS and HIV at a time when people who suffered from this condition were rejected by society and separated.

Landmine Campaign and HALO Trust

She was also a supporter of the HALO Trust. In January 1997, pictures of Diana touring a minefield wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest were seen around the world. During her campaign,...