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

Part 2: Personal Interests and Background

Are you interested in X?

My mother (or my father) used to like sports (or do the cooking), and I loved watching (or helping) her (or him). I also love traveling, reading, or cooking, and I am really into trying new activities related to this.

Part 3: Detailed Experiences and Preferences

What type of X do you like?

I really enjoy trying to follow my family member's steps. He (or she) is a really interesting person. For example, she really loves traveling and visiting new places, or she is really good at cooking and loves making new recipes. Recently, I have also been trying new sub-activities within that field.

Is this the first time...?

This is the first time I have been to... It has been something that I... Continue reading "Perfecting English Exam Writing and Speaking Tasks" »

Currency: The Timeliness of the Information

• When was the information published or posted? (Identify the year of publication)
• Has the information been revised or updated? (Check if it has been revised or updated)
• Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic? (Note: Older information may be outdated; however, consider the context)
• Are the links functional? (Check the use of data and resources; normally present in both texts)

Relevance: The Importance of the Information for Your Needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? (Determine which topic is most relevant and which text explains it most clearly)
• Who is the intended audience? (Identify if it is aimed at professionals in the field or those with no prior knowledge;

Complete List of English Irregular Verbs

Irregular Verbs: Part 1 (A–F)

• be – was/were – been → ser / estar

• become – became – become → convertirse / llegar a ser

• begin – began – begun → empezar / comenzar

• bite – bit – bitten → morder

• blow – blew – blown → soplar

• break – broke – broken → romper

• bring – brought – brought → traer

• build – built – built → construir

• buy – bought – bought → comprar

• can – could – been able (to) → poder / ser capaz

• catch – caught – caught → atrapar / coger

• choose – chose – chosen → elegir

• come – came – come → venir

• cost – cost – cost → costar

• cut – cut – cut → cortar

• do – did – done → hacer

• dive – dived/dove – dived → bucear

• draw –

Common English Connectors and Their Meanings

Improve your writing and speaking flow by using these essential English connectors. This list includes their Spanish translations to help you understand their context and usage.

The Eight Stages of the Selling Process

1. Prospecting

   Searching for potential customers.

   Sources:

   • Direct: Networking, current customers.
   • Indirect: Trade shows, unsolicited inquiries.
   • Random: Cold calls, advertising.

2. Pre-approach

   Sales planning steps.

   Preparation Includes:

   • Initial contact.
   • Information gathering.
   • Problem assessment.
   • Strategy selection.

3. Approach

   Opening the interaction and identifying needs or problems.

   First Impressions Matter:

   • Professional appearance.
   • Appropriate behavior.
   • Active listening.

4. Presentation and Demonstration

   Highlighting product benefits and convincing the customer.

   Risk Reduction Strategies:

   • Reference selling.
   • Demonstrations.
   • Guarantees.
   • Trial orders.

5. Negotiation

   Defining terms (price, credit, delivery, quantities).

   Guidelines:

   • Start high but

UNIT 5 Extension

Vocabulario

Exercise: 2

1. Punctuality        4. Timing

2. Arrival        5. Promptness

3. Apologetic        6. Being

Exercise: 3

1. On time        6. Time is up        11. Deadline

2. Ages        7. Come up

3. Fed up        8. Call off

4. Gone off        9. Short notice

5. Sharp        10. In stages

Exercise: 4

1. Pull that off        4. Just right

2. Slip up sometimes

3. Due until tomorrow        5. Time of my life

Gramática

Exercise: 2

1. Should have brought        4. Must have rained

2. Had better not tell        5. Could/Help

3. Could have been        6. May not have seen

Exercise: 3

1. May have        4. Has not

2. Should        5.

Present Simple

Afirmativa: Subject + Verb (-(e)s)

Negativa: Subject + do/does not + Verb

Pregunta: Do/Does + Subject + Verb?

Time expressions: Every (day, morning, week...), in the morning / afternoon / evening, on Sundays / Mondays..., always / often / usually, once / twice a week, timetables (at 3 o'clock...).

Present Continuous

Afirmativa: Subject + am/is/are + Verb-ing

Negativa: Subject + am/is/are not + Verb-ing

Pregunta: Am/Is/Are + Subject + Verb-ing?

Time expressions: Now, right now, at the moment, at present, still, today / tonight, Look! / Listen!

Past Simple

Afirmativa: Subject + Verb (Past form / V2)

Negativa: Subject + did not + Verb

Pregunta: Did + Subject + Verb?

Time expressions: Last (day, week, year...), yesterday, the other day, ... ago,... Continue reading "English Verb Tenses and Conditionals Summary" »

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