Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Spanish

The 1980s: Culture, Trends, and Historical Context

The 1980s were a vibrant era, often remembered for its distinctive culture and significant global events. It was a time of unique fashion, groundbreaking music, and notable historical shifts.

Fashion and Lifestyle in the Eighties

People embraced a bold and colorful aesthetic. Fashion often featured very wide t-shirts, trousers, and skirts, alongside clothing in bright hues like red, blue, and pink. This period was characterized by a sense of fun and experimentation in personal style.

Music Icons and Genres

In the world of music, Hip Hop, Rap, and especially Rock were immensely popular. Michael Jackson stood out as the most popular singer of the decade, leaving an indelible mark on music history... Continue reading "1980s Culture & Essential English Grammar Review" »

English Conditionals

• Zero Conditional (General Truths): If + present simple, present simple. Example: If you heat water, it boils.
• First Conditional (Future Consequences): If + present simple, future simple. Example: If you study, you will pass.
• Second Conditional (Hypothetical): If + past simple, would + infinitive. Example: If I were rich, I would not work.
• Third Conditional (Past Regrets): If + past perfect, would have + past participle. Example: If you had studied, you would have passed the exam.

Conditional Practice Exercises

• If Liam doesn't shave off his beard, Sharon won’t go out with him.
• Would you take me with you if you went to the beach?
• If Kelly had invited me to the party, I would have gone.
• The man will hurt himself if he jumps from

Essential Vocabulary: Relationships & Emotions

• ask out: Invitar a salir
• over the hill: Ir cuesta abajo
• attach: Poner, colocar
• bend over backwards: Hacer lo imposible
• breath: Aliento
• breathe: Respirar
• breathless: Sin aliento
• forgive: Perdonar
• cheer up: Levantar el ánimo a
• come between: Interponerse entre
• commit: Comprometerse
• couple: Pareja
• deserve: Merecer
• drift apart: Distanciarse
• drive away: Asustar
• envious: Envidioso
• drop by: Pasar por
• fall out: Enfadarse
• fate: Destino
• go mad over: Perder la cabeza por
• get it over with: Quitarse algo de encima
• gossip: Chismorreo
• hang out: Pasar el rato (Nota: 'Colgar el teléfono' es 'hang up')
• head over heels: Locamente enamorado
• hear from: Tener noticias de
• hear out: Escuchar (hasta el final)
• help out: Ayudar
• hold a grudge:

English Connectors and Transition Words

1. Addition

• In addition to / Besides / Moreover / Furthermore / What's more = ademas de
• As well as = asi como
• Apart from = aparte de
• Except = excepto

2. Contrast

• In spite of / Despite = a pesar de
• Although / Even though = aunque / incluso aunque
• Even if = incluso si
• While / Whereas = mientras
• However / Nevertheless = sin embargo / de todas formas
• On the contrary = por el contrario
• On one hand / On the other hand = por un lado / por otro lado

3. Cause and Reason

• Because of / Due to / Owing to = debido a
• Thanks to = gracias a
• As a result of = como consecuencia de
• Because (Becuase) / Since / As / Seeing that = pq / puesto que, ya que

4. Result

• As a result / Consequently / As a consequence = por ello / como consecuencia
• Therefore

Reported Speech: Tense Transformations

Understanding how tenses change when converting direct speech to reported speech is crucial for accurate and effective communication. This document provides a clear breakdown of these transformations.

Essential English Vocabulary: Clothes and Accessories

• Cardigan: chaqueta fina
• Skirt: falda
• Boots: botas
• Coat: abrigo
• Suit: traje
• Flip-flops: chanclas
• Dress: vestido
• Sweater: jersey
• Sandals: sandalias
• Jacket: chaqueta
• Top: camiseta / top
• Shoes: zapatos
• Jeans: vaqueros
• Tracksuit: chándal
• Trainers: bambas / zapatillas
• Shirt: camisa
• Trousers: pantalones
• Belt: cinturón
• Shorts: pantalones cortos
• T-shirt: camiseta
• Cap: gorra
• Hat: gorro / sombrero
• Leggings: leggings
• Gloves: guantes
• Scarf: bufanda
• Socks: calcetines
• Tie: corbata
• Tights: medias
• Bracelet: pulsera
• Earrings: pendientes
• Necklace: collar
• Ring: anillo

Describing People and Actions

Physical Appearance

What do they look like? (Descripción física)

Example: She has curly, brown hair.

Clothing and Current Actions

What are they wearing?... Continue reading "English Vocabulary for Clothes and Basic Grammar" »

Essential English Irregular Verbs Reference

This comprehensive table provides the infinitive, past simple, and past participle forms for 60+ common irregular English verbs, along with their corresponding Spanish translations. Use this resource to improve your conjugation accuracy and vocabulary.

Irregular Verbs List (A-Z)

Was/Were Going To

Affirmative Sentences

To form the affirmative, use the correct form of 'to be' followed by 'going to' and a verb.

Subject + was/were + going to + verb + rest of the sentence.

Example: They were going to dance at a party.

Negative Sentences

To form the negative, negate the verb 'to be'.

Subject + wasn't/weren't + going to + verb + rest of the sentence.

Example: They weren't going to dance at a party.

Interrogative Sentences

To form a question, invert the verb 'to be' and the subject.

Was/were + subject + going to + verb + rest of the sentence?

Example: Were they going to dance at a party?

Hope and Wish

The word 'wish' is often used to talk about unreal situations.

Example: I wish I had more money. (I don't have much money)

'Hope' is used in... Continue reading "English Grammar Guide: Was/Were Going To, Hope/Wish, Adjectives, and Relative Clauses" »

Adjectives and Emotional States

• Asombroso: Amazing
• Molesto: Annoying
• Desconcertante: Confusing
• Embarazoso: Embarrassing
• Fascinante: Engrossing
• Terrorífico, aterrador: Frightening
• Intrigante: Intriguing
• Motivador: Motivating
• Alucinante: Stunning
• Asombrado: Amazed
• Molesto: Annoyed
• Desconcertado: Confused
• Avergonzado: Embarrassed
• Fascinado: Engrossed
• Asustado: Frightened
• Intrigado: Intrigued
• Motivado: Motivated
• Pasmado: Stunned

Verbs of Movement and Action

• Deambular: Wander
• Cojear: Limp
• Pasear: Stroll
• Arrastrarse, gatear: Crawl
• Darse prisa: Rush
• Pisar: Tread/Trod

Phrasal Verbs and Mystery Vocabulary

• Explicar: Account for
• Resolver: Clear up
• Rebuscado: Far-fetched
• Llegar al fondo de: Get to the bottom of
• Engaño, bulo: Hoax
• Raro: Odd
• Inquietante: Unsettling
• Extraño: Weird
• Descartar: