A Collection of Personal Stories and Reflections

Letter to a Friend

Dear Peter,

Thanks for your last letter. I’m sorry I haven’t written to you in ages, but I’ve been really busy. I hope you and your family are well.

I’m really very glad you’ll be visiting me next month, although you’ll only spend one week in my country. For this reason, there’s no time to lose.

The first two days we should visit Barcelona. I’m sure you will enjoy it a lot because, for me, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I want to share it with you.

After that,

Read More

The Turn of the Screw: A Chapter-by-Chapter Summary & Analysis

Prologue

1. According to Eleanor, what was especially frightening about the first ghost story?

The thing that was especially frightening about the first ghost story was the fact that the ghost appeared first to the small child.

2. How did Douglas know Catherine Blake, and when did they first meet?

Douglas knew Catherine Blake because she was his sister’s governess, and they first met one summer when Douglas came home from university.

3. What was the condition that came with the job of governess, and

Read More

Business Analyst Application – Recent Graduate with International Experience

Business Analyst Vacancy Application

Dear Ms. Roberts,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Business Analyst position advertised in The Guardian on Tuesday, April 30, 2007. Please find my CV enclosed for your review.

Academic Background and Skills

I am currently completing my final year of a BA (Hons) in Business Economics at City University, Bristol, with an expected graduation date of June 2007. I have consistently pursued a career focused on economics within a global context and have

Read More

English Vocabulary, Grammar, and Reading Exercises

1.1 Vocabulary

1

  • Dishonest
  • Increased
  • Access information
  • Care about
  • Determined
  • Tolerant
  • Journalist
  • Destroy
  • Train
  • Unique

2

  • Keep fit
  • Main character
  • Business trip
  • Hold a conversation
  • Air pollution

3

  • Presentation
  • Disappointed
  • Overpopulated
  • Impatient
  • Magical

4

  • Off
  • Through
  • Up
  • On
  • In

Grammar 1

1

  • Does … look
  • Was having
  • Have already spent
  • Was … stolen
  • Passes
  • Will help
  • Would have received

2

  • Have felt terrible about losing the match
  • Was being taken home
  • Have taken an umbrella if it had been raining
  • Whose mother teaches our class
  • Whether I had visited
Read More

English Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Reported Speech, Modals, and More

English Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises

Reported Speech

1. Convert to Reported Speech:

  1. “I’m sorry I lost your watch,” said Care -> Care apologized for losing my watch.
  2. “You ought to go on a diet,” Jaime told me -> Jaime advised me to go on a diet.
  3. “Wear a life jacket,” said Juan to the tourist -> Juan ordered the tourist to wear a life jacket.
  4. “Don’t spend any money,” said Philip -> Philip advised me not to spend any money.
  5. “I’ll buy you a ticket,” said Tom -> Tom offered to buy me a ticket.
Read More

Life Lessons and Reflections

Life’s Unexpected Turns

Moving House and Renovation Mistakes

They and their children were due to move house soon, but their new house was still far from finished. When it comes to restoring a house, you never know how much things will cost. I made several expensive mistakes that I now regret.

People only learn the hard way. I was advised to hire skilled workers, but I was only interested in saving as much money as possible.

Learning from Mistakes

I’d never realized how stupid it is to drink and drive

Read More