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

Story Adaptation Techniques

Structure

• 1. Introduction: Set the scene or context.
  • Generic phrases:
  • It was a [description] day, and I felt [emotion].
  • I had no idea what was about to happen.
  • The moment I stepped off the plane, I knew this was going to be a special journey.
• 2. Development: Introduce the main problem or surprising situation.
  • Change the context and the details based on the topic.
  • Example: If the story is about an elephant from Africa that loses a tusk on a plane:
  • As the plane took off, [character] felt a strange sensation in his tusk.
• 3. Conclusion: End with a resolution or reflection.
  • Generic phrases:
  • In the end, I realized [reflection].
  • That day taught me something I’ll never forget.
  • Now, looking back, I understand why it happened.

Example

Original:

Verb To Be: Present Simple

The verb "to be" is fundamental in English. Here's its present simple form:

Adverbs of Frequency

These words describe how often something happens:

• 0%: Never
• 20%: Rarely
• 50%: Sometimes
• 70%: Often
• 90%: Usually
• 100%: Always

Family Members

Here are some common family words in English and Spanish:

• Aunt - Tía
• Brother - Hermano
• Children - Niño (Note: "Children" is plural. The singular is "Child")
• Cousin - Primo/a
• Daughter - Hija
• Father

Irregular English Verbs: Pronunciation & Spanish

This list presents irregular English verbs with pronunciation (IPA), past forms, past participles and Spanish meanings. All original entries have been corrected for spelling, punctuation and capitalization.

be /biː/

Past: was /wɒz/ ; were /wɜːr/ — Past participle: been /biːn/ — Spanish: ser, estar

beat /biːt/

Past: beat /biːt/ — Past participle: beaten /ˈbiːtən/ — Spanish: golpear

become /bɪˈkʌm/

Past: became /bɪˈkeɪm/ — Past participle: become /bɪˈkʌm/ — Spanish: llegar a ser

begin /bɪˈɡɪn/

Past: began /bɪˈɡæn/ — Past participle: begun /bɪˈɡʌn/ — Spanish: empezar

bend /bend/

Past: bent /bent/ — Past participle: bent /bent/ — Spanish: doblar(se)

bet

Relative Clauses

Defining vs. Non-Defining

• **Defining relative clauses** (no commas): Provide essential information to identify the noun.
• **Non-defining relative clauses** (commas): Add extra, non-essential information.

Types of Relative Clauses

• People: *who* and *that*
• Things: *which* and *that*
• Places: *where*
• Times: *when*
• Possession: *whose*

Formal vs. Informal Structure

• **Formal:** The preposition precedes the relative pronoun, and *whom* is used instead of *who*.
• **Informal:** The preposition follows the verb.

Connectors

• **Addition:** *also*, *in addition*, *as well as*, *besides*
• **Contrast:** *but*, *however*, *although*, *while*, *even though*
• **Others:** *in conclusion*, *it is important to*, *in my opinion*

Verb Tenses and Forms

• **Stative verbs**

Sustainable Waste Management: Reducing Pollution

Taking care of the environment is crucial for the future of the planet. A fundamental way to contribute is by managing the waste we produce more effectively. By reducing the amount of trash and handling it properly, we can prevent pollution and significantly improve our quality of life.

Encouraging Recycling and Reuse Strategies

Recycling and reusing are simple yet highly effective methods for waste reduction. Key strategies include:

• Governments and businesses should create robust programs to separate materials such as plastic, paper, and glass.
• Placing recycling bins in accessible locations.
• Offering incentives to encourage broader public participation.

Furthermore, reusing items like clothing or furniture... Continue reading "Essential Knowledge: Sustainability Practices and Human Anatomy" »

English Grammar & Vocabulary Essentials

Conditional Expressions and Modals

Conditional Conjunctions

• As long as / Providing that (Únicamente si; 1º y 2º condicional)
• Unless (A menos que)
• Even if (Aunque)
• If only (Ojalá)

Perfect Modal Verbs

• Might / May / Could have + Past Participle (Algo que era posible en el pasado)
• Could have + Past Participle (Alternativa posible en el pasado)
• Must have + Past Participle (Certeza o deducción lógica en el pasado)
• Can't have + Past Participle (Algo era imposible en el pasado)
• Should have + Past Participle (Opinión sobre el pasado, ahora es tarde)
• Shouldn't have + Past Participle (Arrepentimiento o crítica sobre el pasado)

Other Modal Structures

• Had better + Infinitive or Had better not + Infinitive (Amenaza)

Common

Vocabulary

• Accent - acento
• Citizenship - nacionalidad
• Demand - exigir, requerir
• Law - ley
• Citizens - ciudadano
• Force - obligar
• Government - gobierno
• Proposal - propuesta
• Prove - demostrar
• Typical - típico
• Trendy - de moda
• Quiet - tranquilo
• Noisy - ruidoso
• Appearance - aspecto físico
• Painful - doloroso
• Hardship - problema
• Aware - consciente
• Light-skinned - piel clara
• Tease - burlarse
• Lucky break - suerte
• Pretty curly - bonito rizado
• Good looking - guapo

Text Analysis

Redefining British Culture

True or False:

1. True (lines 1-2)
2. False (lines 5-6)
3. True (lines 8, 9, 10)
4. False (lines 11)
5. False (lines 14)

Inner Beauty: Can We Really See It?

1. People sometimes judge others based on their physical appearance.
2. 1. b
   2. a
3. 1. She experienced being judged.
   2. Because of how she looked.
   3. He is able to see

Essential Business & Marketing Terms (English-Spanish)

• Advertising Hype: despliegue publicitario
• Awareness: conciencia
• Challenger: competidor
• Endorsement: persona conocida (que apoya un producto)
• Launch: lanzamiento
• Leader: líder
• Placement: productos usados en películas (emplazamiento)
• Raise: elevar
• Range: gama
• Reliable: de confianza
• Segment: sector
• Share: cuota de mercado
• Stretching: extensión (de marca)
• Timeless: atemporal
• Upmarket: de lujo

Key Phrasal Verbs for Business Communication

• Be taken aback: sorprenderse
• Take off: crecer rápidamente
• Take on: emplear, asumir
• Take out: disponer, sacar
• Take over: tomar el control

Powerful Business Idioms & Their Meanings

• A level playing field: competencia leal
• A major player: persona importante, actor principal
• Ahead

Environmental Vocabulary

Smoke

Humo

Landfill

Vertedero

Toxic Waste

Residuos Tóxicos

Litter

Basura

Oil Spill

Chapapote

Exhaust Fumes

Tubos de Escape

Land Pollution

Tierra Contaminada

Pollutants

Contaminantes

Rubbish

Basura

Chemicals

Productos Químicos

Ecological Disaster

Desastre Ecológico

Deforestation

Deforestación

Damage

Dañar

Care About

Preocuparse

Harm

Dañar / Perjudicar

English Future Tenses

Future Simple

Affirmative

Subject + will + base form of the verb

Negative

Subject + will not / won't + base form of the verb

Interrogative

Will + subject + base form of the verb?

Uses

• To make predictions or announce future facts.
• To talk about a scheduled event.
• To express a sudden decision, something decided while speaking.

Be Going To

Affirmative

Subject + to be + going to + base form... Continue reading "Barcelona's Urban Dynamics: Language and Environmental Insights" »

Future Tenses in English Grammar

Understanding how to express future actions and predictions is crucial in English. Here's a breakdown of key future forms:

Future Continuous (Will be + -ing)

• Usage: Actions in progress at a specific time, duration, or interval in the future.
• Keywords: this time tomorrow, at 5 PM, for two hours, then.

Future Perfect (Will have + Past Participle)

• Usage: Actions completed before a specific moment in the future.
• Keywords: by this time, by then, by tomorrow, future adverb + perfect adverb.

Predictions and Certainty

Expressing predictions often involves specific verbs and adverbs:

• Verbs: think, believe, suppose, hope, know.
• Adverbs/Phrases: I'm sure, perhaps, probably, definitely.

Understanding English Modal Verbs

Modal verbs... Continue reading "English Grammar Essentials: Tenses, Modals, and Passive Voice" »