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

Diary of Marta Vaquero

Monday, May 17th

Today is the first day I write in my new diary. The day was very boring because at school we had to copy a lot, and my friend Esther was absent. After eating at home, I went to Celia's house to borrow a dress. Then, I went home to study math, and after dinner, I watched Física o Química on TV.

Tuesday, May 18th

Today was a very special day because my parents gave me a beautiful white dog. His name is Balú and he is three months old. My grandmother came to see him with my aunt, and I am very happy. Today, Lorena told me she hurt her foot. I really enjoyed this day.

Wednesday, May 19th

Today I went on a school excursion to Aranjuez. I had a great time because we visited a palace and saw the wedding dress of

Essential English Irregular Verbs

This list provides common irregular verbs in English, including their base form, past simple, past participle, and Spanish translation. Mastering these forms is crucial for fluency.

• lend - lent - lent - prestar
• let - let - let - permitir
• lie - lay - lain - tumbarse
• lie - lied - lied - mentir
• light - lit - lit - encender
• lose - lost - lost - perder
• make - made - made - hacer
• mean - meant - meant - significar
• meet - met - met - conocer
• overcome - overcame - overcome - superar
• pay - paid - paid - pagar
• put - put - put - poner
• quit - quit - quit - dejar
• read - read - read - leer
• ride - rode - ridden - montar
• ring - rang - rung - llamar
• rise - rose - risen - elevarse
• run - ran - run - correr
• say - said - said - decir
• see - saw - seen

Mercè Rodoreda: Psychological Depth and Symbolism

Mercè Rodoreda's work is characterized by a detailed analysis of character psychology, the use of symbols, and reflections on the passage of time. Her literary career is divided into three distinct stages:

Youth

In 1937, she won the Crexells Prize with Aloma, which tells the story of a teenager experiencing unfortunate relationships. Aloma is the first in a series of Rodoreda's heroines characterized by pain, disappointment, and loneliness.

Maturity

The war caused a hiatus in her literary production until 1958, when she won the Víctor Català Prize for Twenty-Two Stories. With The Diamond Square, Rodoreda consolidated her status as a writer of international stature. Other notable works include...

The Magic Fiddle's True Power

Once upon a time, there was a boy with a magic fiddle that made everyone who heard it powerless to resist dancing.

The story begins the day when this boy realized that he could do whatever he wanted with this powerful instrument. From that moment on, he used the fiddle to make people feel better. Whenever he saw someone sad, he would suddenly start playing it so that everyone danced until they forgot all their worries.

However, he eventually decided to take advantage of the situation and began to manipulate people around him. But something strange happened: the fiddle lost its magic power.

Finally, he discovered that the instrument only worked if it was used for good. So, he started using it properly to undo the damage...

Describing Personality Traits

Positive and Neutral Traits

Methodical

Systematic and careful. (Spanish: cuidadoso)

Conscientious

Wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.

Sensitive

Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences; easily affected emotionally. (Spanish: sensible)

Obliging

Ready to help; willing to do a service or kindness.

Gallant

Brave, heroic, or giving special attention and respect to women.

Sagacious

Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise. (Spanish: sabio)

Diligent

Hard-working and conscientious. (Spanish: trabajador)

Placid

Calm and peaceful; not easily excited or angered. The opposite of quick-tempered.

Witty

Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor. (Spanish:

Present Perfect

Sujeto + has/have + participio + complemento

"Has" se usa para he, she, it

"Have" se usa para I, you, we, they

Participio

Yet:

Phrasal Verbs

Exercise 1: Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete each sentence.

1. I want to ask her out on a date.
2. I can't put up with this anymore.
3. We need to come up with a solution.
4. Let's meet up with friends for dinner.

Exercise 2: Match the phrasal verbs to their meanings.

1. Researchers are trying to come up with a cure for cancer. 2. replacement
2. The company had to resend the package because it was 3. misplaced.
3. Be careful not to overeat at the buffet. 4. eat too much
4. Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of medicine. 1. finding something new

Reported Speech

Exercise 1: Transform the sentences into reported speech.

1. Jack said that the previous week he had attended a demonstration.
2. He told me the demonstration was against racism.