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

Vocabulary Completion Exercise

Complete the sentences with the words below. There are more words than you need:

Shocking, personal trainer, swollen, breathe, sigh, reflection, relax, treatment

1. My personal trainer makes sure I do all the right exercises.
2. I asked the author to sign the book.
3. After I fell, my foot was swollen.
4. I think it's shocking the way some animals are mistreated.
5. What treatment did the doctor suggest for your rash?
6. I see my reflection in the window.

Sentence Rewriting Practice

Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning of the sentences:

1. In the past, trains were much slower. (used to)
   In the past, trains used to be much slower.
2. I don't know the girl. Her dog ate all your food. (whose)

Ivanhoe — Sir Walter Scott and Medieval Revival

Ivanhoe is a historical novel written by Sir Walter Scott. It was first published in 1820 in three volumes. It has proved to be one of the best-known and most influential of Scott's novels. Ivanhoe renewed interest in the Middle Ages, being the first of a series of historic and epic novels that followed.

Intention and Historical Critique

It is meant to please, not to instruct, and is more an act of imagination than one of research. However, Ivanhoe does make some historical points. The novel is occasionally quite critical of King Richard, who seems to love adventure more than he loves the well-being of his subjects. This criticism did not match the typical idealized, romantic view of Richard the...

1. What is an adjective?

Adjectives tell us something about a person or thing.

2. Where do you put the adjective?

They are typically placed after the subject or at the end of a sentence.

3. What is an adverb?

Adverbs tell us the way in which someone does something.

4. Where do you put the adverb?

They are typically placed after the subject or at the end of a sentence.

5. Types of adjectives

• Quality:
  • The racing car runs over the calm surface.
  • Cracked heels are very painful.
  • Rotten vegetables smell bad.
• Quantity:
  • He has many.
  • She is very poor.
  • He has enough money to start a business.
• Number:
  • Two children make a family perfect.
  • I have learnt three languages.
  • One hour has sixty minutes.
• Distributive:
  • Each of the participants received compensation.
  • Every participant was

The Rapid Pace of Technological Change

In recent years, technological breakthroughs have occurred so quickly that many adults have struggled to adapt. However, young people, especially the youngest ones, have rapidly grasped these new forms of communication.

Digital natives can spend hours on their computers, and even when away from home, they often walk down the street while typing on their phones. This rapid integration of technology can be seen as either amazing or concerning, depending on the beholder.

For them, it is fantastic how quickly they can connect with friends, stay constantly in touch, and receive the latest news instantaneously.

Communication Challenges for the Digital Generation

In my opinion, this generation seems to have lost the...

A Traditional Family Home in Baena, Córdoba

My house, located in Baena in the province of Córdoba, is a construction from forty years ago. It spans one hundred and thirty square meters and is surrounded by trees and a garden. The building consists of three floors:

• The Ground Floor: This basement level includes a courtyard, a laundry room, and the boiler room. It also features a swimming pool for the summer and a bathroom equipped with a shower, washbasin, and toilet.
• The First Floor: Here we find the hall, the lounge, and the living room. In winter, this is the coldest part of the house, resulting in high fuel expenses for heating. This floor also contains the kitchen, which is fully equipped with a sink, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator.

Professional Business Correspondence Examples

Apology for Delayed Order Delivery

Dear Mr. X,

Firstly, we are very sorry that the order placed on 28 August has not arrived yet; we understand your disappointment and the inconvenience this problem may have caused.

The reason for the delay in delivery is a lack of stock for the items ordered. However, today we received a consignment of these items, and we will send them to your provided address as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we could not answer your phone calls because my colleague in charge of the Customer Service Department was out of the office.

As an apology, we would like to offer you:

• A 35% discount on the cost of the order.
• A full refund of the shipping costs.

Finally, I guarantee that your...

Nouns: The Naming Words

A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

Examples: Daniel, London, table, dog, teacher, pen, city, happiness, hope.

Example sentences:

• Steve lives in Sydney.
• Mary uses a pen and paper to write letters.

Pronouns: Replacing Nouns

A pronoun is used in place of a noun or noun phrase to avoid repetition.

Examples: I, you, we, they, he, she, it, me, us, them, him, her, this, those.

Example sentences:

• Mary is tired. She wants to sleep.
• I want her to dance with me.

Adjectives: Describing Words

An adjective describes, modifies, or gives more information about a noun or pronoun.

Examples: big, happy, green, young, fun, crazy, three.

Example sentences:

• The little girl had a pink hat.

Verbs: Action and State Words

A verb shows an action...

I. Future Tense Practice

Complete the sentences with the Simple Future or Future Continuous:

1. Tom is arriving tomorrow. I am going to meet him at the airport. (I - meet)
2. I don't know how I will write the test without a pen. (I - write)
3. Do you think the government will reduce taxation next year? (The government - reduce)
4. What are those men doing? They are going to build a new bridge. (They - build)
5. Why do you have that "ON SALE" sign? Are you going to sell your house? (You - sell)
6. She sold her old car because she is going to buy a new one. (She - buy)
7. If you don't study hard, you won't get good marks in your tests. (You - not - get)
8. Why are you so sad? Because I am not going to have vacations next summer. (I - not - have)
9. We will probably get a good mark

Part 1: Future Tense Selection

Exercise 1

1. Next week I'm going to travel to California.
2. I'm going to ask you a very personal question.
3. She didn't have time in the morning, but she's going to call us at night.
4. I will marry her. I promise.
5. Why won't you come?
6. Steven Spielberg will direct a new Jurassic Park film.
7. I won't do it again.

Part 2: Future Tense Application

Exercise 2

1. My dad is buying a bouquet. My aunt is making something special for lunch, and my sisters are sweeping and mopping. They are going to celebrate Mother's Day.
2. It's ten o'clock on a Saturday night. Tyler and Mrs. Evans are standing near the front door. They're waiting for a friend of Tyler's who is going to pick him up. He is going to have fun tonight.
3. Austin is nervous. He is wearing