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

The Sophists: Masters of Rhetoric and Philosophy in Antiquity

The Sophists in Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire

The Sophists were a specific type of teacher in both Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Many Sophists specialized in using the tools of philosophy and rhetoric, although other Sophists taught subjects such as music, athletics, and mathematics. In general, they claimed to teach areté ("excellence" or "virtue"), predominantly to young statesmen and nobility.

The early Sophists' practice of charging money for education and providing wisdom only to those who could pay led to condemnations, notably by Socrates. Despite these criticisms, many Sophists flourished in later periods, especially during the era of Roman history known as the... Continue reading "Sophists: Teachers of Ancient Greece and Rome" »

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

VOCABULARY:

accomplishment (14): èxit

background (11): orígens, experiència

defeat (6): derrota

draw (4): dibuixar

gift (4): tenir un don

guidance (8): direcció

move (4): moviment

referee (7): àrbitre 

self-esteem (4-6): autoestima

sportsmanship (13): esportivitat

stamina (7): resistència

teammate (8): company d'equip

willpower (9): força de voluntat

beat (4): batre

catch up with (5-2-4): posar-se al dia amb

devote (oneself) (6): dedicar-se

enhance (7): millorar

excel (5)/excel at (5-2): ser molt bo en

flee (4): fugir

go in for (2-2-3): anar per

let down (3-4): deixar tirat

sit out (3-3): seure

tell apart (4-5): diferenciar

try out for (3-3-3): provar per

stunning (8): fantàstic

a bad loser (1-3-5): mal perdedor 

(be) a good sport ((2)1-

English Language Essentials

Key Vocabulary for Global Issues

• War (guerra)
• Peace (paz)
• Terrorism (terrorismo)
• Immigration (inmigración)
• Famine (hambruna)
• Malnutrition (malnutrición)
• Poverty (pobreza)
• Racism (racismo)
• Pollution (contaminación)
• The environment (el medio ambiente)
• Disease (enfermedad)
• Illiteracy (analfabetismo)

Mastering the Verb 'Get'

• Get fatter: become
• Get home: arrive
• Get presents: receive
• Get a medal: obtain
• Get a sandwich: buy
• Get someone a glass of water: bring

Useful Expressions for English Dialogue

• So do I/Neither do I (Yo también/yo tampoco)
• I suppose so (Supongo que sí)
• Do you think so? (Usted cree?)
• I agree/I don't agree (Estoy de acuerdo/No estoy de acuerdo)
• I'm not sure. Maybe you're right. (No estoy seguro, quizás tengas razón).

Core

Gramática: Verbos modales

• Can: se puede traducir como "poder" en español y expresa habilidad o posibilidad. Por ejemplo: I can speak English fluently. También se usa para pedir permiso o preguntar si algo es posible: Can I have some sugar in my tea, please?
• Could: es la forma en pasado de can. También se puede usar para preguntas con el mismo significado que can, pero es más formal. Could you please help me with my English pronunciation?
• Will: se usa para formar el futuro, ya que no existe un tiempo verbal específico para hacer esto en inglés. También sirve para pedir favores o información: Will they cover your travel expenses on the trip? Una versión más formal de will es shall.
• Should: similar al castellano "deber", se usa para expresar

Understanding Service Sectors

Types of Services

• By Provider: Services can be public or private.
• By Function: Services can relate to business, transport, or tourism.
• By Technology Use:
  • Traditional Services: Do not use new technologies.
  • Advanced Services: Utilize new technologies.

Where Services Are Located

The location of services is influenced by several factors:

• Government commitment to providing basic social services.
• High income levels of inhabitants.
• Low employment in agricultural and industrial sectors.
• Tertiarization of industries (shift towards service-based economies).

Why Outsourcing Occurs

Developed countries often transfer some of these services to less developed countries where labor is cheaper, leading to outsourcing.

Key Service Sectors

Transport

Conditionals

Understanding and correctly using conditional sentences is crucial for clear communication in English. Here's a breakdown:

• Zero Conditional: If + present simple, present simple. (Used for general truths or facts)
• First Conditional: If + present simple, will + infinitive. (Used for real or likely future possibilities)
• Second Conditional: If + past simple, would + infinitive. (Used for hypothetical or unlikely situations)
• Third Conditional: If + past perfect, would have + past participle. (Used for unreal past situations and their hypothetical results)

Mixed Conditionals (less common, combining different types):

• If + past perfect, would + infinitive (Example: If I had studied harder, I would be a doctor now.)
• If + past simple, would have

Verbs Followed by 'to' + Infinitive

Certain verbs are commonly followed by the infinitive form with "to." These include:

• Afford
• Expect
• Intend (plan)
• Refuse
• Agree
• Fail
• Learn
• Prepare
• Seem
• Appear
• Forget
• Manage
• Pretend
• Want
• Attempt
• Help
• Need
• Promise
• Wish
• Decide
• Hope
• Offer
• Propose
• Would like

Verbs Followed by Object + Infinitive

Some verbs require an object before the infinitive. Examples are:

• Advise
• Allow
• Ask
• Expect
• Encourage
• Forbid
• Force
• Invite
• Persuade
• Prefer
• Order
• Help
• Remind
• Recommend
• Teach
• Tell
• Want
• Warn
• Would like

For instance, "I asked them to come."

After Adjectives and Adverbs

Infinitives are used after adjectives and adverbs, especially with "too" (too much) or "enough" (sufficient).

For example, "It's easy to learn." or "She is too young to get married."

After "is/was + adjective + of

Past Simple

• Affirmative: 2nd column of irregular verbs.
• Negative: didn't + infinitive.
• Interrogative: Did + subject + infinitive?

Present Perfect Simple

Structure: have/has + 3rd column (past participle).

Used for actions or situations from the past that have an effect on the present, or actions that started in the past and continue to the present. Keywords: already, ever, for, just, never, since, yet.

Past Perfect Simple

Structure: had + 3rd column.

Used for actions that happened before another past action, or actions developed prior to a specific moment in the past. Keywords: for, since, already, by, before.

Future Tenses

Will

Structure: will/won't + infinitive. Used for predictions, opinions about the future, and spontaneous decisions.

Going to

Structure:... Continue reading "English Verb Tenses and Grammar Structures Explained" »

Verb Tenses

PASSIVE (3 columns): Delivers- is/are delivered. Delivered- were/was delivered. Will deliver- will be delivered. Is/are delivering-is/are being delivered. Was/were delivered-Was/were being delivered. Is going to deliver-is/are going to be delivered. Has/have delivered-have/has been delivered. Had delivered-had been delivered. Has to deliver-have to be delivered. Must deliver- must be delivered. +BY Y LA PERSONA +FOR TOMORROW (EL TIEMPO VA EL ULTIMO) Causatives: HAVE/GET +OBJECT+PAST PARTICIPLE (Sheila had her hair dyed or SUBJECT+HAVE+PERSON+INFINITIVE. REPORTED: Stays-stayed. Is staying- was staying. Stayed-had stayed. Was staying-had been staying. Has stayed-Had stayed. Has been staying-Had been staying. Had stayed- had stayed.... Continue reading "English Grammar Rules and Examples for Beginners" »