Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems

Origin of Life Hypotheses

The Oparin-Haldane hypothesis suggests that life arose gradually from inorganic molecules, with "building blocks" like amino acids forming first and then combining to make complex polymers.

The primitive atmosphere was reducing, containing water vapor and ammonia.

Both Oparin and Haldane proposed that the first life forms were heterotrophs.

Oparin's Work with Coacervates

Oparin's work with coacervates confirmed that enzymes fundamental for the biochemical reactions of metabolism functioned more efficiently when contained within membrane-bound spheres than when free in an aqueous solution.

Haldane's Primordial Soup Idea

Haldane's ideas about the origin of life were very similar to Oparin's. Haldane proposed that the primordial... Continue reading "Origin of Life: Oparin-Haldane & Miller-Urey" »

Dear Mr. Joan,

I am Marta Ferré Rodríguez, an excellent high school student at Institute In Castellbisbal, and I am writing this letter to you regarding the psychology course offered by your school. I have finished my graduation in 2021 with honors, and I have been the best student of the year. Here is the verification of my qualifications.

The psychology course conducted by your college is very popular in the most well-qualified hospitals in England. Ever since I was a child, I have imagined myself studying at your university, and I would be very excited to be able to do so.

Please check all my certificates and let me know if I can attend the interview conducted to be selected for the management course. My telephone number is 632136422. As... Continue reading "Application for Psychology Course at Your University" »

Economic Growth and Industrial Expansion (1870-1914)

This period witnessed the most significant increase in economic growth ever recorded in such a short time. The standard of living improved considerably in industrialized countries.

Expansion of Industrialization (1870-1914)

• Russia and Spain: Their factories were concentrated in specific regions, and their economies were not fully industrialized.
• Germany: Became the world's leading manufacturer of chemical products.
• United States: Became the leading industrial power thanks to its economic dynamism and the presence of great inventors.
• Japan: In 1868, it began to modernize intensively with the advice of European and North American technicians.

The Rise of Corporations

A characteristic of this period... Continue reading "Industrialization and Social Change: 1870-1914" »

WW1:

1. Causes: Militarism: Build-up of armed forces to prepare for war. Alliance: Agreement between countries to defend or fight together. Imperialism: Belief of a country in building up an empire and controlling less powerful countries. Nationalism: Pride in a country with people wanting to govern themselves or defend themselves.

2. Main Events:

-1914 28 June → Archduke’s Assassination (TRIGGER EVENT)

-1914 29 July → Russia mobilizes its troops to defend Serbia

-Germany declares war on Russia (1st August)

-France declares war on Germany to help Russia (2nd August)

-Germany declares war on France (3rd August)

19th January 1915: Germany begins an aerial campaign against Britain

15th September 1916: The first use of tanks. Used by the British.

6th

Vocabulary (Plus)

1

• fairy tales
• poems
• video
• novels
• myths
• play
• biographies
• short stories
• history
• translation

2

• character
• folk tales
• director
• plot
• ending
• acts
• author
• characters
• setting
• non-fiction

3

• shout out
• takes … back
• ’ll feed back
• go back
• has … moved on

4

• In the end, it doesn’t really matter what we do. / It doesn’t really matter what we do in the end.
• Have you seen any good films recently?
• We’re off on holiday in a week’s time. / In a week’s time, we’re off on holiday.
• The rehearsal will be starting at noon, so don’t be late.
• I’m currently working on a poem about my childhood. / Currently, I’m working on a poem about my childhood

5

• b
• a
• b
• c
• a
• c
• a
• b
• c
• a

6

• heart
• takes
• dumps
• sit
• plot
• character
• cabin
• unspoilt
• pollution
• log

Grammar (Plus)

1

• how he was
• he was doing great
• where he

Common Phrases

Dare: Be brave enough (atrevir-se)

Get Paid Peanuts: Get a small sum of money (guanyar poc)

Get Sacked: To be dismissed (fer fora de la feina)

Make a Living: Earn enough money to live (guanyar-se la vida)

Regardless: Without taking into account (sense tenir en compte)

Run an Errand: Make a short trip for a specific purpose (fer gestions)

Run Short Of: Not have much left (quedar-se sense/esgotar)

Sort: Order/tidy (ordenar)

Suburbs: Residential communities outside the city (Barris residencials)

Take for Granted: Fail to appreciate (no donar prou importància)

Take Your Time: Don’t rush (no tinguis pressa/pren-te el teu temps)

Background: Origin (origen)

Be in Someone’s Corner: Support someone (recolzar)

Be on the Ball: Be aware of/attentive... Continue reading "Essential English Phrases and Idioms" »

Spanish Political System

Types of Political Systems

Authoritarian System

Power is controlled by one person.

• Dictatorship: A single party.
• Theocracy: Religious authorities control the government.
• Republic: The president is a dictator.
• Monarchy: The monarch has absolute power.

Territory

Controls and has a border that marks its boundaries with other states.

Decentralized States

They are a combination between centralized and federal states; they have autonomy in these matters.

Unitary State

The executive power is exerted by a single and central government.

Federal State

Power is divided between the federal government and the states' governments.

Rule of Law and the Constitution

Rule of Law

The state is subject to laws and regulations, and any new law depends on... Continue reading "Spanish Political System: Structure and Institutions" »

English Vocabulary

Sentiments

• Amusing - divertit
• Upsetting - inquietant
• Embarrassing - incòmode
• Worrying - preocupant
• Inspiring - inspirador
• Frightening - espantós
• Annoying - molesta
• Confusing - confús
• Relaxing - relaxant
• Fascinating - fascinant
• Frustrating - frustrant

Tecnologia

• Browse - navegar
• Charge - carregar
• Download - descarregar
• Message - enviar un missatge
• Plug in - connectar
• Press - prémer
• Scroll - desplaçar-se
• Stream - transmetre
• Swipe - fer lliscar el dit
• Switch off - apagar
• Switch on - encendre
• Tap - tocar
• Unplug - desconnectar
• Update - actualitzar

Grammar Reference

Present Perfect and Past Simple

English Grammar Guide

Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds (Verb + -ing)

• After certain verbs: admit, advise, avoid, consider, deny, involve, recommend, risk, suggest, sing
• After prepositions (but not before): I drank a cup of coffee before leaving.
• As the subject or object of a sentence: Swimming is good exercise.
• After certain expressions: I can't help wondering.

Infinitives ('to' + Verb)

• After certain verbs: agree, decide, deserve, expect, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, promise, seem, wait, want
• After many adjectives: It's difficult to get up early.

Examples:

• I enjoy drawing.
• Yesterday, I decided to draw.

Live, Alive, Live

• Verb: We live in Valencia.
• Adjective: You're lucky to be alive.
• Adverb: They enjoy playing live.

Word Order

Subject + Verb + Object + How +... Continue reading "English Grammar Guide: Gerunds, Infinitives, and Modals" »