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

Active and Passive Voice Transformations

• Present Simple: I do → Is done
• Present Continuous: I'm doing → Is being done
• Present Perfect: Have done → Has been done
• Past Simple: Did → Was done
• Past Continuous: Was doing → Was being done
• Past Perfect: Had done → Had been done
• Future Simple: Will do → Will be done
• Future (be going to): I'm going to do → Is going to be done
• Modal (should): Should write → Should be written
• Modal (must): Must do → Must be done
• Modal Perfect: Should have done → Should have been done

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Are: Plural
• Is: Singular
• His: He
• Her: She
• He/She/It: Was

Direct and Reported Speech

Direct Speech Examples

• Present Simple: I go to school
• Present Continuous: They are studying
• Present Perfect: She has been in London
• Past

Choosing a Dog for Companionship

Dear Chris,

It was great to hear from you. I have been thinking for a few days about how things have been going since the last time we spoke!

I think that your grandmother has had a great idea of getting a pet to keep her company. Animals are always a good option to feel loved and accompanied.

If I were you, I’d go for a dog, as it’s a very good animal for such occasions, and it will make her have to move from home to take him out for a walk. There are several different varieties to choose from, but I think that the best option for your grandmother is a little dog like a Yorkshire, or a Bichon Maltes, or some mini dogs like this, just because they are very quiet.

The other good thing about dogs is that they are...

Essential English Irregular Verbs

Understanding irregular verbs is crucial for mastering English. Here's a list of common irregular verbs with their infinitive, past tense, past participle, and meaning:

Summary: Chapter 38

During a storm, Mr. and Mrs. Bumble travel to a sordid section of town near a swollen river to meet Monks in a decaying building. While Mr. Bumble shivers in fear, Mrs. Bumble coolly bargains with Monks. They settle on a price of twenty-five pounds for her information. Mrs. Bumble relates how Old Sally robbed Oliver’s mother. Mrs. Bumble says she discovered a ragged pawnbroker’s receipt in Old Sally’s dead hands and that she redeemed it for the gold locket, which she then hands to Monks. Inside, he finds a wedding ring and two locks of hair. The name “Agnes” is engraved on the ring, along with a blank for the surname. Monks ties the locket to a weight and drops it into the river.

Summary: Chapter 39

Bill Sikes is...

The story begins with a description of Hester, who has trouble loving her three children. Hester she feels unlucky because her family is running out of money, but she cares a great deal about appearing to be wealthy. The house seems to constantly whisper, “There must be more money!” and Paul (Hester’s young son) in particular becomes concerned about the family’s financial situation. When he asks his mother why they don’t have enough money, she explains to him they they are unlucky, and that luck is the reason people are rich. Paul claims that he is lucky, but his mother doesn’t believe him, so he becomes determined to prove his luck to her.

Paul obsessively and furiously starts riding his rocking-horse because he believes...

Important Quotations Explained in Death of a Salesman

1. "And when I saw that, I realized that selling was the greatest career a man could want. ’Cause what could be more satisfying than to be able to go, at the age of eighty-four, into twenty or thirty different cities, and pick up a phone, and be remembered and loved and helped by so many different people?"

Willy poses this question to Howard Wagner in Act II, in Howard’s office. He is discussing how he decided to become a salesman after meeting Dave Singleman, the mythic salesman who died the noble “death of a salesman” that Willy himself covets. His admiration of Singleman’s prolonged success illustrates his obsession with being well-liked. He fathoms having people “remember”...

The Viral Sensation of Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next'

Ariana Grande's hit song 'Thank U, Next' has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning numerous memes and trends across social media platforms. The song's lyrics, which detail Grande's experiences with past relationships and exes, struck a chord with listeners and sparked a wave of creativity.

'One Taught Me Love, One Taught Me Patience, and One Taught Me Pain'

One of the most popular memes emerged from the pre-chorus lyrics: 'One taught me love, one taught me patience, and one taught me pain.' Twitter users began sharing three images representing individuals or characters who taught them these valuable lessons, often using pop culture references for a humorous twist.

Examples and Variations

• The

Conditional Sentences

1. Take my advice and go to see the doctor soon. WERE

If I were you, I would take your advice and go to see the doctor soon.

13. I’m not good at languages, so I won’t take up Spanish. WERE

If I were good at languages, I would take up Spanish.

17. My advice is to do lots of revision. WERE

If I were you, I would do lots of revision.

Prepositions and Adverbs

2. We warmed up for half an hour and then went for a long run. AFTER

We went for a long run after warming up for half an hour.

6. We saw the film and then we had a meal at a good restaurant. AFTER

After we saw the film, we had a meal at a good restaurant.

Reported Speech

3. ‘Do you like dancing?’ asked Rose. IF

Rose asked me if I liked dancing.

Passive Voice

4. Someone is following...

Medieval Women

The Role of Women in Society

Women in the Middle Ages were often seen as property within marriage contracts, used for trade and economic gain. The Church viewed them with suspicion, portraying them as temptresses and untrustworthy figures.

However, women also held active roles in society, particularly as femmes soles. These were women who managed businesses, such as butchers, chandlers, net makers, and spinsters. They also participated in the economy through "bye-industries" like brewing ale, sewing, and selling clothes.

While guilds generally excluded women, widows and daughters of guildsmen were sometimes allowed to run businesses. A notable example is the Wife of Bath from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, an independent and sexually...