Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Vocational training

Passive Voice: Structure and Usage

The passive voice is formed using be + past participle. It is used to emphasize the action rather than the person performing it.

Passive Voice Tense Transformations

• Present Continuous: is/are taking → is being taken
• Present Perfect: has/have taken → has/have been taken
• Past Simple: took → was/were taken
• Past Perfect: had taken → had been taken
• Future Simple: will take → will be taken
• Future (Going to): is/are going to take → is/are going to be taken
• Modals: can/must/should take → can/must/should be taken

Note: Intransitive verbs (such as die, sleep, or swim) do not have a passive form because they do not take an object.

Modal Verbs and Their Functions

Modal verbs generally have the same form for all persons,... Continue reading "English Grammar Essentials: Passive and Reported Speech" »

The Spiral of Silence

The phrase "spiral of silence" describes how people tend to remain silent when they believe their views are in the minority. This silence stems from a fear of social isolation. People understand which behaviors might lead to isolation and are hesitant to express minority opinions to avoid it. The closer a person perceives their opinion to be to the prevailing public opinion, the more willing they are to express it publicly. Conversely, if public sentiment shifts away from their view, they become less likely to voice it.

Polls vs. Surveys

While both gather information, polls and surveys differ in scope. A poll typically poses a single multiple-choice question, with predefined answers. Participants may select one or multiple... Continue reading "The Spiral of Silence and Public Opinion" »

Understanding how to form different types of questions is crucial for effective communication in English. This reference breaks down compound questions, questions with end prepositions, and indirect questions, providing clear examples and explanations.

Compound Questions: What, Which, Whose, How

Compound questions often use interrogative words like What, Which, Whose followed by a noun, or How followed by an adjective or adverb. These structures allow for more specific inquiries.

• Which café do you want to go to?
• How well do you know her?
• What/Which food are you going to take to the picnic?
• How surprised was he when he saw you at the station?
• Which/What airport are you flying into?
• How long have you known her?
• What time is it?
• Which/What sweater should

Social Vocabulary and Relationships

People and Social Events

• Acquaintances (ezagunak), strangers (extraños).
• Business associates (socio), clients, delegates (representatzailea).
• Attend a business meeting (reunión de negocios).
• Ex-classmates: Have or attend a school reunion.
• Friends: Have or attend a dinner party.
• Guests (gonbidatuak): Have or attend a celebration meal (una comida de celebración).
• Neighbours (bizilagunak): Have or attend a housewarming party.
• Relatives (familikoak): Have or attend a family get-together.
• Political leaders: Attend a summit (cumbre, presidenteak gelditzen dira).
• Attend a conference, make a conference call, or listen to speakers.
• People looking for a partner: Have or go on a blind date, go on or use a dating website.
• Use

TEMA9

participant: participar - schedule: organizar - confirm: confirmar - attend: asistir - convenient: libre - busy: ocupado - tied up: ocupado - previous committed: compromiso previo

1. check the calendar/attend the meeting
2. previous commitment
3. make arrangement
4. busy and convenient

1. we'll have a short break
2. sharp
3. light refreshments
4. equipment
5. projector
6. microphone

reschedule: reprogramar - arrange: organizar - postpone: posponer - suit: estar disponible - participate: participar

1. i can't make the meeting... b) reschedule
2. we don't need to meet... b) cancel
3. katie will... a) suit
4. i won't be able to... a) postpone

1. michael is on the phone... c)
2. david jones is held... e)
3. mr kelly had to... a)
4. greg came for... b)
5. we'll have to start... d)

cold: frío - earache: dolor de oídos... Continue reading "Effective Meeting Communication and Business Etiquette" »

Pros and Cons of Protectionism

• Pros: Creates a sense of patriotism; provides a foundation for the working class; naturally lowers unemployment rates.
• Cons: Limits local access to foreign goods; does not always enhance how people live; people will lose jobs.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Trade

• Advantages: Increased economic growth; more dynamic business climate; foreign direct investment; technology transfer; lower taxes and barriers.
• Disadvantages: Increased job outsourcing; poor working conditions; destruction of native cultures; degradation of natural resources; reduced tax revenue.

Marketing Travel Arrangements

Arrival, boarding pass, cancelled, check-in, delayed, departure, direct flight, driving licence, drop off, e-ticket, fully-booked,... Continue reading "Economic Systems, Business Vocabulary, and Grammar" »

Context

Context is understood as the extralinguistic circumstances that influence the linguistic form of an utterance. It is formed by all the ethnographic knowledge that is necessary to interpret the statement. It is something dynamic, and those who participate in a communicative exchange have to build it.

Dimensions

• Location
• Nonverbal behavior
• Language as context
• Extra-situational context

Levels

• Spatio-temporal: The environment in which the communication takes place.
• Situational: What happens around the speakers as they converse is also influential.
• Sociocultural: The social characteristics of the participants that determine the form and interpretation of a message.
• Cognitive: General knowledge of the world, as well as the intentions of a participant.

Digestive Phases

Cephalic Phase

The cephalic phase initiates digestion before food even reaches the stomach. Sensory cues like taste, smell, or even the thought of food trigger the central nervous system to stimulate gastric juice production.

Gastric Phase

Once food enters the stomach, receptors signal the brain, which in turn promotes further gastric juice secretion to break down the ingested food.

Intestinal Phase

As food moves into the duodenum, receptors detect its presence and signal the brain to increase the production of digestive juices for further processing.

Enterogastric Reflex

When the duodenum is full, the enterogastric reflex is activated, causing the pyloric sphincter to close and regulate the passage of chyme from the stomach to the... Continue reading "Digestive System Processes: A Comprehensive Guide" »

Vocabulary: Health and Feelings

Complete the exercise with one of the words given.

1. There are specific departments in hospitals to treat chronic illness.
2. My back pain is getting worse. I'll have to go to the doctor.
3. He hurt her feelings and she doesn't want to see him anymore.
4. She can hardly speak. She has a sore throat.
5. He loves eating hearty meals, but afterward, he often has stomach ache.
6. Mary is pregnant and she often feels sick in the mornings.
7. Mental disorders are quite dangerous for our health.

Grammar: Comparatives and Superlatives

Complete the following sentences using the comparative and superlative form of the adjectives in brackets.

1. This computer is newer than your computer.
2. Lucy is the youngest in the class.
3. This house is bigger than my house!

Supply Chain Roles and Definitions

• Buyer (comprador): Purchases raw materials or parts needed to make the product.
• Supplier (proveïdor): Sells raw materials, parts, or packaging to the manufacturer.
• Manufacturer (fabricant): Makes products in a factory.
• Forwarder (remitent): Delivers materials or products to the manufacturer or to the customer.
• Retailer (minorista): Sells products to customers in a shop or a store.
• Customer (client): Buys and uses the product.

Production and Logistics Processes

Assembly (reunió), packaging (paquet), purchasing (compra), shipment (envío), and testing (ensayo).

Product Lifecycle States

The product is or are: processed, tracked, designed, manufactured, distributed, used, repaired, and recycled.

Prepositions of Place

Above... Continue reading "Business English: Supply Chain and Career Vocabulary" »