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

Introduction: hacer introducción general del tema, Ej: Some people claim/believe/say (algunas personas afirman/creen/dicen), It is sometimes said (a veces se dice) Arguments in favor: damos argumentos de lo que apoyemos (poner unos cuantos) Ej: Let me start by saying (déjame empezar diciendo), On the one hand (por un lado). Arguments against: si no es lo que defiendes poner pocos Ej: On the other hand...(por otra parte), Secondly (en segundo lugar) Conclusion: poner tu opinión Ej: In conclusión (en conclusion).EXPRESSIONS: However (sin embargo), still (todavia) though (aunque), that (que) while (mientras que) In fact (de hecho) actually (actualmente) owing to (debido a) bebidas (además). INTRODUCCIÓN: Las personas suelen estar acostumbradas

Descartes

Truth is only attained through doubt. Doubt everything that is not clear. This is the method.

• Sensation, dreams and illusion can deceive us. Reason, however, leads to certainty: since we doubt, we must think, and so the first truth is cogito, ergo sum (I think, therefore I am).
• A thinking being cannot prove the existence of the world on its own, because it has already placed everything in doubt. It is necessary to prove the existence of God. If God exists, He is infinitely good and would not want to deceive us about the existence of the world. If I am finite and I know that the infinite exists, that idea can only have been placed in me by God.
• If God exists, the third truth follows: the world exists.

The first truth establishes the thinking... Continue reading "Descartes, Marx, Aristotle and Plato: Core Philosophical Ideas Explained" »

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

Essential English Connectors and Linking Words

• Nevertheless (S): Sin embargo, no obstante
• Nor (PREP): Ni
• Not only (PREP): No sólo
• Not even (BOTH): Ni siquiera
• Not even if (S): Ni aún, ni aunque
• Now and then (S): De vez en cuando
• Nowadays (S): En la actualidad, actualmente, en el presente, hoy en día
• On behalf of (PREP): A nombre de / de parte de
• Only if (S): Solo si (strictly conditioned by)
• On the condition that: A condición de
• On purpose (AT THE END): A propósito
• On second thoughts (S): Al pensarlo de nuevo / pensándolo bien
• On the other hand (S): Por otro lado, por otra parte
• Once (S): Una vez que
• Otherwise (S): De lo contrario, de otro modo
• Owing to (PREP): Debido a
• Perhaps (BOTH): Quizás, tal vez
• Rather (PREP): Más bien
• Scarcely/barely/hardly (+verb)

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-

There Is, There Are, and Have Got / Has Got

Examples and Translations:

• There are two cats on the roof: Hay dos gatos en el tejado.
• You have got a beautiful apartment: Tú tienes un apartamento bonito.
• Hans has got two sisters: Hans tiene dos hermanas.
• There is some cake in the fridge: Hay algo de tarta en la nevera.
• It is very small: Es muy pequeña.
• Her sister has got a hamster: Su hermana tiene un hámster.
• There are two lamps in the bedroom: Hay dos lámparas en el dormitorio.
• There is a big bed in the bedroom: Hay una cama grande en el dormitorio.
• There are two cats on the roof: Hay dos gatos en el tejado.
• There are three boys in the sitting room: Hay tres chicos en el cuarto de estar.
• There are some books on the table: Hay algunos libros sobre la

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

Unit 1 - Time Out

Special occasions: nouns

• Diwali: Diwali (fiesta hindú)
• Easter: Semana Santa
• Eid ul-Adha: Eid ul-Adha (fiesta musulmana)
• Fireworks: fuegos artificiales

Special occasions: verbs

• Go out: salir (a cenar)
• Invite somebody round: invitar a alguien a casa
• Pray: rezar
• Put up: colgar
• Set off: encender, prender

Adjectives + prepositions

• Afraid of / be afraid of: tener miedo de
• Depressed about: deprimido por
• Disappointed with: decepcionado por
• Excited about: emocionado por
• Furious with: furioso con
• Good at: bueno en
• Interested in: interesado en
• Rude to / be rude to: tratar con mala educación
• Shocked by: escandalizado por
• Sorry for / be sorry for: compadecerse de
• Surprised by: sorprendido por
• Tired of: cansado de

Time expressions

• Already: ya
• Ever: siempre / alguna

Platón: esencia humana y principio de racionalidad

Platón sostiene que la parte más digna del ser humano es el principio de racionalidad, que pertenece al mundo de las ideas. Si el alma conoce la verdad, alcanza la inmortalidad.

Su concepción tripartita del alma se representa con la figura del "carro alado", compuesto por la parte racional, la irascible y la apetitiva. Habrá armonía en el individuo cuando el alma racional guíe y controle las otras dos partes y se centre en la actividad propia de cada una.

Aristóteles: principio de vida y forma del ser

Para Aristóteles, el principio de vida es la forma del ser, lo universal, inseparable del cuerpo (unión sustancial). Sus funciones son tres:

• Vegetativa: alimentación y procreación.
• Sensible: