Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems

Sharing Favorite Past Events

Alexis: Alright, let’s get started with sharing about our favorite past events. I think it’s a great way to practice our English. I’ll begin. Last summer, I went to my cousin's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. While the couple was exchanging their vows, the emotion in the air was palpable; some of the guests started crying.

Alexis: Definitely! After the ceremony, there was a reception under the stars. Everyone was dancing and celebrating. While the band played classic hits, the newlyweds had their first dance. It was like something out of a fairy tale. The whole event was not just about the couple but also about bringing two families together in joy.

Alexis: I agree, John. It’s those moments of connection... Continue reading "Cherished Memories: Sharing Favorite Past Events" »

Reported Speech Transformation Examples

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to communicate what someone else said without using their exact words. Below are several examples of how to transform direct speech into reported speech using various reporting verbs.

1. "No, I didn't break the window," Billy said.
   Billy denied breaking the window.
2. "I'm sorry I shouted at you," Mary told Peter.
   Mary apologised to Peter for shouting at him.
3. "It only works if you press the green button," he explained.
   He explained that it only worked if I pressed the green button.
4. "Let's go to the cinema this afternoon," Paul said.
   Paul suggested going to the cinema that afternoon.
5. "It's true. I took the bicycle," Saul said.
   Saul admitted taking the bicycle.
6. "No,

Expanding Language Proficiency: Beyond the Classroom

Practical Application and Real-World Interactions

Formal English instruction is undoubtedly beneficial, but practical application and real-world interactions are key to true language acquisition. To start, students should capitalize on opportunities outside the classroom.

Connecting with English Speakers

Connecting with English speakers significantly enhances language skills. Participating in language exchange programs or conversation clubs provides exposure to different accents and colloquial expressions, while also fostering cultural understanding and interpersonal connections.

Utilizing Digital Resources

Digital resources offer accessible platforms for language practice, regardless of location.... Continue reading "Boosting English Fluency: Tips & Techniques" »

Imagine you're standing at a crossroads, faced with a decision that could alter the course of your life. At that moment, who are you? Are you defined by your past experiences, your aspirations for the future, or something deeper, more fundamental?

The Philosophical Roots of Identity

This existential quandary has puzzled humanity for centuries, captivating the minds of philosophers from ancient Greece to the Enlightenment.

Aristotle's Soul and Identity

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, posited that the essence of identity lies within the soul—our innermost core that remains constant throughout our lives.

Descartes: Consciousness and Existence

Building upon Aristotle's ideas, René Descartes, the 17th-century French philosopher, famously... Continue reading "Human Identity Unveiled: Consciousness & Existence" »

Influence Lines and Structural Analysis

Influence lines (IL) and their use in structural analysis. Methods of IL construction.
Internal forces and bending moments caused by moving loads can be solved with the help of influence lines. Influence line S graphs the variation of a quantity S at a specific point x on a beam or truss caused by a unit load F=1 placed at any point u along the structure.
Methods for constructing the influence line:

• Analytical method (creating equations using equilibrium conditions)
• Kinematic method (Müller-Breslau Principle; using principal of virtual work)
• Combination of above-mentioned methods
• Numerically (based on definition, i.e. tabulation of the influence values for multiple points along the structure)

Virtual Work and

Improve your English grammar and rephrasing skills with these common sentence transformation examples. Each example demonstrates how to express the same idea using different grammatical structures.

1. Original:

   My aunt would spend hours watching the birds in the park.

   Transformed:

   My aunt used to spend hours watching the birds in the park.

2. Original:

   We had to deal with the matter carefully.

   Transformed:

   The matter had to be dealt with carefully.

3. Original:

   “Let’s go swimming!” she said.

   Transformed:

   She suggested going swimming.

4. Original:

   “Would you like a cup of tea?”

   Transformed:

   He offered me a cup of tea.

5. Original:

   Her house was broken into because she didn’t lock it.

   Transformed:

   If she had locked her house, it wouldn’t have been broken into.

6. Original:

Switzerland's poverty and inequality policies strive for an equitable society, focusing on tailored aid like social assistance and housing support. Despite a low official poverty rate, certain groups, like single-parent households and immigrants, face vulnerability due to high living costs and limited job prospects. To address these challenges, a multifaceted approach is crucial, encompassing better education access, economic growth, and reinforced social safety nets. Additionally, policymakers must confront systemic barriers and invest in affordable housing, healthcare, and education to foster inclusive development.

Social Safety Nets and Support Programs

Switzerland helps people who need support through different programs and guarantees. These... Continue reading "Poverty and Inequality Policies in Switzerland" »

• Spooky: Frightening and ghostly.

• Thought-provoking: Stimulating you to think about something, often something you haven't thought of before.

• Thrilling: Exciting, action-packed.

• Underrated: Much better than what people believe.

• Uplifting: Making you feel happy and cheerful.

• Multiplex: A cinema with many different screens so it can show many films at the same time.

• Premiere: The first showing of a film before it's available for people to see.

• To book the seats/tickets: To reserve tickets.

• To give thumbs up: To write positive reviews.

• Cast: All the actors/actresses in a film.

• To take your seats: To find your row and number and sit down.

• General release: Released in all cinemas and available for people to see or buy.

• The show must go on: Even if there was

Employment Law: Key Concepts

1. Contract Terms vs. Psychological Contract

   A written employment contract contains terms and conditions like salary, working hours, and benefits. The psychological contract is an implicit agreement between employee and employer based on mutual expectations and loyalty.

2. Benefits of a Contract

   For the employee, it provides security, legal protection, and clarity on obligations. For the employer, it offers stability and a legal framework for managing employment.

3. Standard Employment Contract Terms

   Salary, working hours, workplace location, probationary period, vacation policies, and dismissal procedures.

4. Implementing the Psychological Contract

   It is more challenging because it is based on unwritten expectations, values, and interpersonal

Mastering Post-Sale Customer Engagement

Achieving Repeat Sales

Repeat sales are earned by consistently demonstrating the ability to add value in diverse ways.

Responding to Post-Sale Customer Expectations

• Ensure your customer strategy is on target.
• Focus on diligent follow-through and follow-up activities.
• Regularly reexamine your product strategy.

Understanding Customer Attrition

Regaining a lost customer can be four to five times more expensive than retaining a current, satisfied customer.

Main Causes of Customer Attrition:

• Poor service
• Product dissatisfaction
• Price considerations

Key B2B Service Behaviors

1. Diligence: Persistence in service delivery.
2. Information Communication: Transparent and timely sharing of relevant updates.
3. Inducements: Offering incentives