Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Spanish for Baccalaureate

Mastering Reported Speech in English

When transforming direct speech into reported (indirect) speech, several changes occur, primarily affecting verb tenses, pronouns, and time/place expressions. Here's a breakdown of common transformations:

Verb Tense Changes

• Present Simple: like → liked
• Present Continuous: am living → was living
• Past Simple: bought → had bought
• Past Continuous: was walking → had been walking
• Present Perfect: haven't seen → hadn't seen
• Past Perfect: had taken → had taken (no change)
• Future Simple (will): will → would
• Conditional (would): would → would (no change)
• Modal (can): can → could
• Modal (could): could → could (no change)
• Modal (shall): shall → would
• Modal (should): should → should (no change)
• Modal (may / might)

English Grammar Essentials

Verb Tenses

Present and Past Tenses

• Present Simple (Past Simple)
• Present Continuous (Past Continuous)
• Present Perfect (Past Perfect)
• Past Simple (Past Perfect)
• Past Continuous (Past Perfect Continuous)

Future Tenses and Modals

• Be Going To (Was/Were Going To)
• Will (Would)
• Would (Would)
• Can (Could)
• Could (Could)
• May (Might)
• Might (Might)
• Must (Had To)
• Mustn't (Mustn't)
• Should/Ought to (Should/Ought to)

Adverbs of Time

• Now (Then)
• Today (That Day)
• Tonight (That Night)
• Yesterday (The Previous Day)
• Tomorrow (The Next Day)
• Next Week (The Following Week)
• Last Week (The Previous Week)
• A Week Ago (The Week Before)
• This (That)
• These (Those)
• Here (There)

Reported Speech

Statements

Use verbs like "say" or "tell." Look for time shifts. Example: Simon said, "David...

Modal Verbs for Speculation

When you are sure something is true:

• Ex: He must be rich. He drives a Ferrari.
• He hasn't come to class. He must have fallen asleep.
• He must be sleeping.

When you are not sure something is true (50-50):

• Ex: He hasn't come to class. He might/may/could be ill.
• He hasn't passed the exam. He may/might not have studied very much (do not use 'could' in negatives).

When you are sure something is not true:

• Ex: He can't be Spanish. He only speaks English.
• He got a 0 in the exam. He can't/couldn't have studied very much.

'Should' for Expectations:

• Ex: The classes aren't complicated this year. The exam SHOULD BE quite easy.

Inversion

• Not only is my brother lazy, but he's also very selfish.
• Not until you can behave like an adult will we treat

Common English Irregular Verbs

This table provides a reference for frequently used irregular verbs in English, including their base form, past simple, and past participle.

Dominando Verbos Frasales Esenciales

Los verbos frasales son combinaciones de un verbo y una preposición o adverbio, que juntos adquieren un significado diferente al de sus palabras individuales. Aquí tienes una lista de verbos frasales comunes con su significado en español:

• Break up: Romper con alguien
• Fall out: Caerse (o discutir con alguien)
• Get on with: Llevarse bien con alguien
• Get over: Recuperarse de un bache o superar algo
• Get together: Reunirse
• Make up: Maquillarse (o reconciliarse)
• Stand up: Levantarse
• Take after: Parecerse (mentalmente o en personalidad)
• Dress up: Disfrazarse o vestirse elegantemente
• Pay for: Pagar por algo
• Put on: Ponerse (ropa, etc.)
• Take off: Quitarse (ropa, etc.)
• Try on: Probarse (ropa)
• Break into: Entrar a la fuerza
• Log

Infinitives and Gerunds: Usage Rules

The Infinitive (to + Verb)

The infinitive form (to + verb) is typically used:

• After certain adjectives.
• To express purpose or explanation (e.g., to pay attention).
• With certain verbs.

The Gerund (Verb + -ing)

The gerund form (verb + -ing) is typically used:

• After prepositions.
• As the subject of a sentence.
• In fixed phrases.
• After the following verbs:

Verbs followed by the Gerund:

admit, avoid, can't help, can't stand, consider, delay, deny, detest, don't mind, enjoy, feel like, finish, give up, imagine, mention, mind, miss, practise, resent, resist, suggest, understand.

Modal Verbs: Expressing Ability, Obligation, and Possibility

Ability and Possibility

• Can: I can play the piano. (Ability)
• Be able to: Is he able to find

Modal Verbs: Can, Will, and Shall

The Modal Verb "Can" (Ability and Possibility)

Se utiliza para expresar cosas que podemos o no podemos hacer (habilidad o posibilidad):

• Affirmative (AF): I can play the piano.
• Negative (NG): I can't play the guitar.
• Interrogative (INT): Can I play football?

Common Expressions with "Can"

Can you make it? (¿Puedes quedar?)

Used to ask if someone can attend an appointment or meeting.

Example: Can you make it at nine o'clock on Thursday?

Why can't you make it? (¿Por qué no puedes quedar?)

Can you tell the difference between...? (¿Distingues cuándo...?)

Example: Can you tell the difference between a mosquito bite and a flea bite?

Can you tell when someone...? (¿Distingues cuándo alguien...?)

Example: Can you tell when...

Essential English Vocabulary

Topic 1: Clothing & Accessories

Bracelet, cardigan, earrings, flip-flops, hair band, high heels, leggings, make-up, necklace, ring, sandals, sunglasses, tracksuit bottoms, tracksuit top, trainers, watch.

Topic 2: Places & Adjectives

Block of flats, bridge, building, car park, cottage, factory, farm, field, hill, housing estate, lake, motorway, pavement, river, village, wood.

Funny - hilarious / sad - miserable / hungry - starving / bad - awful / interesting - fascinating / frightening - terrifying / small - tiny / surprised - astonished / ugly - hideous.

Topic 3: Everyday Items

Bedroom, waiting room, credit card, Christmas card, desktop, laptop, headache, headphones, sun cream, sunglasses, wedding dress, wedding...

Reported Speech: Direct vs. Indirect Style

Direct Style (enclosed in quotation marks) vs. Indirect Style (reported by us at a later time).

Verb Tense Changes in Reported Speech

• Direct: “I write a letter” (Present Simple)
  Indirect: He said he wrote a letter (Past Simple)
• Direct: “I am writing a letter” (Present Continuous)
  Indirect: She said she was writing a letter (Past Continuous)
• Direct: “I have written a letter” (Present Perfect)
  Indirect: He said he had written a letter (Past Perfect)
• Direct: “I wrote a letter” (Past Simple)
  Indirect: She said she had written a letter (Past Perfect)
• Direct: “I was writing a letter” (Past Continuous)
  Indirect: He said he had been writing a letter (Past Perfect Continuous)
• Direct: “I’ll write

Key Facts About Peter, Antonio, and Elaine

Character Backgrounds and Relationships

1. Peter's Father and Hell's Kitchen

   Question: Who grew up in New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood? What is his relationship with Antonio?

   Answer: Peter's father.

2. Antonio's Summer Visits

   Question: Why does Antonio come back to New York?

   Answer: In summer to visit friends.

3. Peter's Studies and Elaine's Career

   • Who is studying New York history? Peter.
   • Who works as a sports journalist? Elaine.

4. Antonio's Thanksgiving Celebration

   Question: How does Antonio celebrate the Thanksgiving festival?

   Answer: With a traditional meal (turkey, mashed potatoes, etc.).

5. The Aspiring Actor

   Question: Who wanted to be a professional actor?

   Answer: Antonio Banderas.

New York City Activities and Culture

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