Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for English for University

Analyzing the Jane Eyre and Rochester Relationship

Jane Eyre is a seminal Victorian novel centered on the complex relationship between the protagonist, Jane Eyre, and the mysterious Edward Rochester. This analysis examines the dynamics between these two characters, focusing specifically on the significant obstacles they faced before their eventual marriage.

The Foundation of a Kindred Connection

Jane Eyre, having endured a difficult childhood, seeks happiness, affection, security, and love. She initially finds employment at Thornfield Hall, but her feelings of restlessness and anxiety persist until the arrival of Mr. Rochester. Following a period of initial shyness, they begin spending many hours in conversation. During these discussions, Jane...

Harriet Noble's 1824 Migration Account

As told to Elizabeth F. Ellet (1856)

Author: Harriet Noble | Date of Migration: 1824

The Reality of Pioneer Migration

In 1856, Elizabeth F. Ellet published the book Pioneer Women of the West, a compilation of histories of pioneer women, including the account of Harriet Noble, who emigrated from New York to Michigan in 1824. Like the majority of women undertaking overland migration at that time, Noble had little choice about whether to go or not; her husband made the decision for her.

During the journey, men generally drove the wagons while women and children walked behind in a cloud of dust. Noble expressed that her feet were already so swollen she could not walk anymore. Finally, the family arrived in the...

Allegories in Rasselas

An allegory is a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; a figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. This analysis points out allegories found in Samuel Johnson's The History of Rasselas: Prince of Abyssinia.

The Figure of Imlac

The figure of Imlac in the story is very important, but it's not immediately clear who he is, or at least what he stands for. We know that he is a philosopher who has travelled extensively around the world and is now in the Happy Valley, but is that all?

If we analyze what he says and the role he represents for the protagonist, Rasselas, we realize that he is more than just a philosopher.

He acts as a guide for Rasselas on his journey,...

Reading into writing

Understanding Sentence Structure

A sentence is a group of words arranged coherently to convey a complete meaning. For example: "A group of 200 black plane pilots protested yesterday."

Basic Parts of a Sentence

The fundamental components of a sentence include:

• Subject: The agent performing the action.
• Verb: The action itself.
• Object: The element affected by the action.
• Adverb: Modifies the verb, describing how the action is performed.
• Place: Indicates where the action occurs.

Types of Sentences

Declarative Sentences

Used to express an opinion, fact, information, idea, or statement.

Interrogative Sentences

Used to obtain information or to seek specific details. These often involve:

1. Subject-Verb Inversion (SVI): Occurs when the verb "to be" precedes the subject.

Etymology

The origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning:

Example: ‘the etymology of the word ‘devil’’

Coinage

Coinage is the word formation process in which a new word is created either deliberately or accidentally.

Examples: Kleenex, Aspirin, Xerox

Borrowing

Process by which a word from one language is adapted for use in another.

Examples: croissant (French), yogurt (Turkish), piano (Italian)

Blending

Join two words together by taking parts of both words and combining them into a new whole.

Examples: Breakfast + lunch = brunch, Smoke + fog = smog, Motor + hotel = motel

Clipping

The process of cutting the beginning or the end of a word, or both, leaving a part to stand for the whole.

Examples: Prof (professor), Photo (photograph)...

Shopping Vocabulary

• Afford: to have enough money to buy something
• Auction: a public sale where items are sold to the highest bidder
• Bargain: a good deal or a lower price
• Boutique: a small shop that sells fashionable clothes or accessories
• Brand: a particular company's product or line of products
• Browse: to look at items in a shop without buying anything
• Cashier: a person who handles payments and receipts in a shop
• Changing Room: a room in a shop where customers can try on clothes
• Charity Shop: a shop that sells second-hand items to raise money for charity
• Customer: a person who buys goods or services from a shop
• Deliver: to bring goods or services to a person's location
• Department Store: a large shop that sells a wide variety of products
• Exchange: to give

Present simple or the present continuous

Beth often goes (go) to the cinema

We are learning (learn) the present simple the week

My father likes classical music but he doesn't like (not like) pop music

John and Chris are doing (do) their homework now

Tom's mother isn't working (not work) at the moment

My best friend has got (have got) two brothers and one sister

I can help you with the cooking. I am not studying (not study) today

Robert often visits (visit) his grandparents

Past simple – past continuous

We did (do) our homework at 6.30 p.m. yesterday

They met (meet) while they were studying (study) at the university

I didn't listen (not listen) when the teacher explained (explain) the problem

We saw (see) when we played (play) in the park

When I got up...

Simple Present

Once a week, Tom cleans the house.

Once a week, the house is cleaned by Tom.

Present Continuous

Right now, Sarah is writing the letter

Right now, the letter is being written by Sarah.

Simple Past

Sam repaired the car.

The car was repaired by Sam.

Past Continuous

The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store.

The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store

Present Perfect

Many tourists have visited that castle.

That castle has been visited by many tourists.

Present Perfect Continuous

Recently, John has been doing the work

Recently, the work has been being done by John.

Past Perfect

George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license

Many cars had been repaired by George...