Essential English Idioms and Advanced Vocabulary for Professionals
Idioms and Character Descriptions
- Couch Potato: Persona que no hace nada.
- Early Bird: Madrugador.
- Fair-Weather Friend: Falsos amigos.
- Jack of All Trades: Maestro de todos los palos (todoterreno).
- Night Owl: Persona nocturna.
- Crybaby: Llorón.
- As Old as the Hills: De los tiempos antiguos.
- Pain in the Neck: Mosca cojonera (persona molesta).
- As Good as Gold: Muy bueno/a.
- Chatterbox: Charlatán.
- Fat Cat: Pez gordo.
- Black Sheep: Oveja negra.
- Copycat: Copión.
- Armchair Critic: No tiene idea de nada.
- Big Cheese: Persona
Advanced English Grammar & Vocabulary: Conditionals, Sustainability, and Off-Grid Life
Section A: Environmental Challenges (Listening Exercise)
Addressing Plastic Waste and Sustainable Clothing
Match the statements regarding environmental solutions and manufacturing processes (6 points).
- A – Ways to eliminate plastic waste already in the environment
- B – Natural organisms cannot destroy plastic fast enough
- C – We should return to using packaging materials from the past
- B – They can be manufactured from natural substances
- A – The processes used to make clothes are harmful
- B –
Mastering Essential English Grammar Structures
1. Conditionals (Condicionales)
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Conditional | If + present simple, present simple | If you heat water, it boils. |
| First Conditional | If + present simple, will + base verb | If you study, you will pass the exam. |
| Second Conditional | If + past simple, would + base verb | If I had more money, I would travel the world. |
| Third Conditional | If + past perfect, would have + past participle | If you had studied, you would have passed. |
| Mixed Conditional | If + past perfect, would + base verb (or vice versa) | If I |
Essential English Modal Verbs: Functions and Examples
Understanding the Core Functions of English Modal Verbs
Modal verbs modify the main verb to express ability, possibility, permission, obligation, or advice. Below is a detailed breakdown of their primary uses and corresponding examples.
CAN: Ability, Permission, and Impossibility
- Ability: I can speak English. / He can find any street in London.
- Permission (Informal Request): Can I go to the toilet?
- Suggestion: You can take a taxi.
- Request: Can you take me to Victoria Station?
- Probability (0% / Certain
Personal Anecdotes: Anxiety, Adventure, and Unexpected Laughter
Overcoming Shyness: My Worst First Day of College
I have been a very shy person for as long as I remember, and my toughest moments are when I am surrounded by people I do not know. It is not until some time has passed and I get to know the other people a bit more that I can truly be myself. Moments like these occurred when I started an activity in a group I did not know, such as French classes in high school or joining a sports team. However, I will never forget my first day of college.
I was beginning
Read MoreMastering Essential English Vocabulary and Modal Verbs
Mastering Essential English Vocabulary and Grammar Points
Vocabulary for Describing People and Activities
Relationships and Family
- Acquaintance
- Best/Close friend
- Boss
- Colleague
- Classmate
- (Ex-) girlfriend/boyfriend
- Flatmate
- Neighbour
- Parent
- Step-sister/brother
- Relative
- Cousins
- Nephew/Niece
- Uncle/Aunt
- Grandparents
- Granddaughter/Grandson
Appearance and Physical Description
- Auburn (castaño)
- Casual
- Clean-shaven
- Good-looking (atractivo)
- Medium-built
- Medium height
- Scruffy (desarreglado)
- Shoulder-length (hair) (media melena)
- Skinny