Classic Literary Analysis: Short Stories and Poetic Themes
Vanka’s Plight: A Christmas Eve Letter
Vanka, a nine-year-old orphan, was apprenticed to Alyakhin, a shoemaker. He had barely been in Moscow for three months when he arrived at the shoemaker’s house. The mistress, master Alyakhin, and other senior apprentices were cruel to him. Vanka longed for his grandfather, Konstantin Makarich, to come to his aid and save him from the master’s cruelty.
A Desperate Plea to Grandfather
He decided to write a secret letter to his grandfather, explaining his plight
Read MoreMastering Reported Speech: Direct to Indirect Transformations
Reported Questions Without Tense Change
- Do you know if I can park here?
- Can you tell me how long the film lasts?
- Do you know how often the buses run?
- Do you know if we are allowed to smoke?
- Could you tell me what time the flight is?
- Can you tell me how much a ticket costs?
- Could you tell me where the toilets are?
Reported Questions With Tense Change
Present Simple
Reported Question: She asked where I lived at that moment.
Present Continuous
Reported Question: He asked what I was doing that day.
Present Perfect
Reported
Read MoreEssential Knowledge: Vocabulary, Entertainment, and Global Events
Spanish-English Vocabulary Essentials
Enhance your language skills with this curated list of Spanish words and their English equivalents.
- ROBOT DE COCINA – Food Processor
- RESPLANDOR – Glow
- RESTANTE – Left
- RELLENO – Padding
- RECONSTRUIR – Rebuild
- REEMPLAZAR – Replace
- RECURSO – Resource
- RAQUETA DE NIEVE – Snowshoe
- RESTO – Trace
- SUMERGIR – Dip
- SUCIEDAD – Dirt
- SOÑAR CON – Dream of
- SECAR – Dry
- SENTIRSE AMADO – Feel Loved
- SABOR – Flavor
- SEGUIR – Follow
- SUPONER – Guess
- SOSTENER – Hold Up
- SÁBANA – Sheet
- SOBREVIVIR – Stay Alive
- SUMINISTRO
Personal Narratives: Family Bonds, Music Icons, and Life Aspirations
My Godfather: A Cherished Family Connection
My godfather’s name is Fuad. He was chosen to be my godfather long before I was born. My mother chose him because he is like a brother to her. His parents are my mom’s godparents too, so it carries on a family tradition, tying one generation to another.
Fuad lives in the Cordova area and works for a landscaping company. Whenever we visit each other, we have a great time and many laughs. He also guides me, teaches me things, and has been a great role model.
Read MoreExpand Your English Vocabulary: Words & Expressions
Clothes & Accessories Vocabulary
- accessory
- casual: informal
- chunky: grueso
- elegant
- fitted: ajustado
- high heels: tacones
- loose-fitting: holgado/suelto
- low-waisted: cintura baja
- patterned: estampado
- piercing
- plain: liso
- sportswear: deportivo
- striped: a rayas
- stylish: elegante
- tattoo
- trend: tendencia
- vintage
Common English Collocations
- do business: hacer negocios
- do damage
- do research
- do someone a favour
- give priority
- give someone a chance
- give something a go: intentar algo
- give the impression
- have a feeling: tener un presentimiento
- have
English Language Practice: Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading
Vocabulary Exercises
Phrasal Verbs and Expressions
- I sang my heart out at a karaoke club.
- It’s hard to fit in at a new school.
- Why did the band decide to break up?
- We had to sit through a boring concert.
- That old film came out in 1995.
- Billie Eilish hit the big time when she was only 15.
- The Oscars are a star-studded event.
- I was on the edge of my seat for the entire film!
- The magician’s tricks were out of this world.
- The tickets had been sold out by the time we arrived.
- Sorry, but we aren’t taking on any