Review of English Grammar Rules and Vocabulary

Writing Exercise

John was a child in a Boston neighbourhood who had no friends at school. One year, at Christmas, his parents gave him a teddy bear. He made a wish on that special night, and the next day, his teddy bear came to life. Ted soon became famous and worked in many television programmes. Then, they grew up, and John found a girlfriend.

John was at a party with his girlfriend. He called his friend Ted, who had also come to the party, to play with Flash Gordon. John and Ted decided to go with Flash, and John's girlfriend got angry. Then, John got angry too and fought with Ted. Finally, Ted talked with John's girlfriend to ask her to give John another chance.

Vocabulary List

• Gorgeous: muy guapo
• Appearance: aspecto físico
• Unappealing: poco atractivo
• Figure: figura
• Flawless: perfecto
• Bald: calvo
• Bushy: poblado (e.g., eyebrows)
• Lips: labios
• Eyebrows: cejas
• Wrinkles: arrugas
• Forehead: frente
• Lose weight: adelgazar
• Gain weight: engordar
• Critic: crítico
• Genre: género
• Take over: apoderarse de
• Bloody: sangriento
• Haunted: encantado
• Conservative: conservador
• Fright: susto
• Get away from: escaparse de
• Wonder: preguntarse
• Hire: contratar
• Role: papel
• Waist: cintura
• Features: rasgos

Grammar Notes: Some/Any and Comparatives

Some: Used in affirmative sentences. Any: Used in interrogative and negative sentences.

Comparatives

• 1 or 2 syllables: Add -er. Example: Sue is taller than me.
• More than 2 syllables: Use more + adjective + than. Example: Maths is more difficult than Geography.
• Inferiority Comparative: Use less + adjective + than. Example: Running is less dangerous than snorkelling.

Superlatives

• Short Adjective: Use the + adjective + -est.
• Long Adjective: Use the most + adjective. Example: Paris is the most exciting place on Earth.

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

Additional Comparison Structures:

1. We use as + adjective + as to show equality.
2. We use too + adjective to show excess.
3. We use (not) + adjective + enough to show sufficiency or lack thereof.

Relative Pronouns

• Who: Refers only to people.
• Which: Used for things.
• That: Used for people and things.
• Where: Indicates place; cannot be replaced by that.
• When: Indicates time; can sometimes be replaced by that.

Verb Tenses Review

Present Perfect Continuous

Uses the third column (past participle) of irregular verbs for have/has been + present participle (-ing form).

Affirmative Example: I have been sending. He has been sending...

Short Answer Example: No, I haven't.

Present Perfect Simple

Uses the third column of irregular verbs.

Affirmative Example: I have written. He has written...

Short Answer Example: No, I haven't.

Gerunds (-ing form used as a noun)

• He likes going to the library.
• I can't stand touching insects.
• Playing football is my favourite hobby.
• She was interested in learning about reptiles.

Tense Usage Note

When using When and While:

• When often precedes the Past Simple.
• While often precedes the Past Continuous.