rhyming words

 

Simple Past

simple past 

Stream of consciousness

 

Robinson Crusoe - mind maps

 

In a shop-conversation

 

General Shopping Terms:

• Store/Shop: (noun) The place where you buy clothes.
• Department: (noun) A section within a store.
• Boutique: (noun) A small, stylish shop.
• Clothing/Clothes: (noun) Items worn to cover the body.
• Apparel: (noun) Formal term for clothing.
• Garment: (noun) An item of clothing.
• Outfit: (noun) A set of clothes worn together.
• Fashion: (noun) Current style.
• Style: (noun) A particular design, form, or method.
• Trend: (noun) A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
• Sale: (noun) A period during which goods are sold at reduced prices.
• Discount: (noun) A reduction in the usual price.
• Price: (noun) The amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something.
• Cost: (noun) The amount that something costs.
• Budget: (noun) An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time.
• Receipt: (noun) A written acknowledgment of having received a specified amount of money.
• Return: (noun) To bring an item back to the store.
• Refund: (noun) To give back money received.

Verbs:

• Browse: To look through items for sale.
• Look: To direct one's gaze toward something.
• See: To perceive with the eyes.
• Try on: To put on clothes to see if they fit.
• Fit: To be of the right size or shape.
• Wear: To have on one's body as clothing.
• Buy/Purchase: To acquire something by paying for it.
• Pay: To give money in return for goods or services.
• Order: To request something to be made or supplied.
• Exchange: To give something and receive something else in return.
• Return: To give something back.
• Refund: To give back money.
• Check out: To pay for items at a register.
• Recommend: To suggest or advise.
• Suggest: To put forward an idea or plan for consideration.
• Choose: To pick out.
• Select: To carefully choose.
• Decide: to make a choice.

Expressions:

• "Do you have this in a different size/color?"
• "Where are the fitting rooms?"
• "How much does this cost?"
• "Is this on sale?"
• "I'm just browsing."
• "I'm looking for..."
• "Does this come in other colors?"
• "Does this fit me well?"
• "I'll take it."
• "I'd like to return this."
• "Can I get a refund?"
• "Do you have any recommendations?"
• "What size do you recommend?"
• "That looks good on you."
• "This is too (big/small/tight/loose)."
• "This is perfect."
• "What kind of material is this?"
• "Do you have this in stock?"
• "Where is the register (the checkout counter or till?"
• "Can I pay with a card?"
• "Do you have a loyalty program?"
• "What is your return policy?"
• "It's a good deal."
• "That's a bit pricey."
• "I'm on a budget."
• "It fits perfectly."
• "It doesn't suit me."
• "I'm looking for something casual/formal/trendy."

Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson

Dear March - Come in

Dear March - Come in -    

How glad I am -

I hoped for you before -

Put down your Hat -           

You must have walked -

How out of Breath you are -             

Dear March, how are you, and the Rest -

Did you leave Nature well -              

Oh March, Come right upstairs with me -

I have so much to tell -

I got your Letter, and the Birds -     

The Maples never knew that you were coming -

I declare - how Red their Faces grew -                  

But March, forgive me -    

And all those Hills you left for me to Hue -    

There was no Purple suitable -         

You took it all with you -            

 

Who knocks? That April -

Lock the Door -

I will not be pursued -

He stayed away a Year to call           

When I am occupied -               

But trifles look so trivial     

As soon as you have come

              

That blame is just as dear as Praise

And Praise as mere as Blame.

Emily Dickinson 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZlRrdj840w

Emily Dickinson - "The Soul Has Bandaged Moments"

The Soul has Bandaged moments, 1862

The Soul has Bandaged moments - When too appalled to stir - She feels some ghastly Fright come up And stop to look at her - Salute her, with long fingers - Caress her freezing hair - Sip, Goblin, from the very lips The Lover - hovered - o'er - Unworthy, that a thought so mean Accost a Theme - so - fair - The soul has moments of Escape - When bursting all the doors - She dances like a Bomb, abroad, And swings upon the Hours, As do the Bee - delirious borne - Long Dungeoned from his Rose - Touch Liberty - then know no more, But Noon, and Paradise - The Soul's retaken moments - When, Felon led along, With shackles on the plumed feet, And staples, in the Song, The Horror welcomes her, again, These, are not brayed of Tongue -

L'Anima ha momenti Bendati - Quando troppo atterrita per muoversi - Sente arrivare un qualche spaventoso Terrore Che si ferma a guardarla - E la saluta, con le lunghe dita - Le accarezza i capelli agghiacciati - Deliba, Spettrale, dalle stesse labbra Su cui - l'Amante - indugiò - Indegno, che un'attenzione così vile Si accosti a un Soggetto - così - bello - L'anima ha momenti di Fuga - Quando sfonda ogni porta - Danza come una Bomba, là fuori, E oscilla sulle Ore, Come fa l'Ape - spinta al delirio - A lungo Separata dalla sua Rosa - Che tocca la Libertà - poi non capisce più niente, Tranne il Mezzogiorno, e il Paradiso - Momenti in cui l'Anima viene riacciuffata - Quando, condotta innanzi come un Criminale, Con catene ai piedi piumati, E chiavistelli, al suo Canto, L'Orrore le dà il benvenuto, di nuovo, Questi, non sono clangori di Lingua -

Emily Dickinson - "The Soul Has Bandaged Moments"

Emily Dickinson's "The Soul has Bandaged Moments" deals with the theme of internal suffering and emotional restraint. The poem is about moments of intense psychological or emotional pain that constrain the soul, comparing the soul to a bandaged or wounded entity. These "bandaged moments" refer to times when the soul is restricted, trapped, or unable to express its true nature because of grief or psychological turmoil.

Key themes in this poem include:

• Suffering and Restraint: Dickinson reflects on the limitations that emotional pain can place on an individual. The soul's freedom is tied to moments of pain and constriction.
• The Internal Struggle: The soul is portrayed as being in a battle within itself, where emotions are conflicting and struggle to emerge.
• Tragic Quietness: There is a quiet suffering, where the soul is bandaged in silence, and no outward expression of the pain is allowed to show.

*Giovanni Pascoli - "La Cavallina Storna" (The Little Horse)

Giovanni Pascoli's "La Cavallina Storna" (1897) is one of his most famous poems and is often considered a work that explores themes of innocence, loss, and childhood trauma, with a focus on the relationship between man and nature. Pascoli often depicts nature as both a source of solace and a reminder of painful experiences.

The poem centers on a dying little horse, which is symbolic of loss, innocence, and the cycle of life. The speaker observes the horse’s suffering, blending personal grief with the image of the animal’s slow death.

Key themes in this poem include:

• Innocence and Loss: The little horse represents the fragile, innocent aspects of life, which are doomed to suffer and die.
• Suffering of Nature: The horse's death is described with tenderness and quiet sorrow, emphasizing the gentle and natural suffering in the world.
• The Cycle of Life: The poem contemplates mortality and the inevitable end of all things, using the death of the horse as a metaphor for the passage of time and the loss of innocence.

Comparing the Two Poems

1. Theme of Suffering:

   • Both poems address suffering, but in different contexts. Dickinson’s "The Soul has Bandaged Moments" focuses on internal, psychological suffering. The soul is trapped in its own turmoil, restricted and unable to fully express itself. It conveys emotional suffering in a more abstract and universal sense.
   • Pascoli’s "La Cavallina Storna" presents a more physical, tangible form of suffering—the dying of a horse. This suffering is directly tied to the natural world, and it represents the loss of innocence, much like Dickinson's soul but more externalized.

2. Nature and the Human Condition:

   • In Dickinson's poem, nature plays less of a role, as the focus is on the soul’s inner conflict. However, Dickinson often uses metaphorical elements that evoke nature, but it is more about the human experience.
   • Pascoli, on the other hand, directly intertwines nature with human experience. The horse is not only a symbol of innocence but is also a natural being whose death is woven into the fabric of life. Nature in Pascoli’s work acts as both a reflection and an extension of human emotions.

3. Imagery and Symbolism:

   • Dickinson uses vivid metaphors such as "bandaged moments" to represent emotional wounds, focusing on the internal state of the soul. Her symbolism is more psychological, drawing on abstract concepts to communicate inner experiences.
   • Pascoli’s imagery is concrete, using the image of a dying horse to evoke feelings of sadness, loss, and mortality. The natural world here symbolizes the fragility of life, but it is less abstract than Dickinson’s exploration of the soul.

4. Tone and Mood:

   • Dickinson’s tone is one of restrained sorrow, as she speaks of the soul’s suffering in quiet, almost secret terms. The mood is somber and introspective, suggesting a sense of quiet desperation.
   • Pascoli’s tone in "La Cavallina Storna" is equally somber but also tender. There is a sense of melancholy, but also compassion for the little horse. The mood is one of sorrow mixed with a deep reflection on the natural world’s inevitable suffering.

5. Philosophical Outlook:

   • Dickinson’s poem seems to reflect a more internal, psychological view of suffering—suggesting that internal wounds are just as impactful, if not more so, than physical suffering. It hints at the universality of human pain.
   • Pascoli’s work, while also philosophical, takes a more existential stance, contemplating life and death as part of a natural cycle. There is an emphasis on the innocence lost in this process, and the poem can be seen as a meditation on the inevitability of loss.

Conclusion

While both Dickinson and Pascoli explore the theme of suffering, they do so in very different ways. Dickinson’s "The Soul has Bandaged Moments" focuses on the inner emotional and psychological struggles of the soul, whereas Pascoli’s "La Cavallina Storna" frames suffering within the context of nature and the natural cycle of life. Dickinson's approach is more abstract, internal, and individualistic, while Pascoli’s is rooted in the tangible world, exploring the connection between humans, nature, and loss. Both, however, share a melancholic tone and a reflection on the pain and fragility inherent in the human and natural experience.

 Complete the sentences using the present perfect simple and the appropriate adverb (already, just, ever, never, still, almost, nearly, always, often, rarely, seldom).

1. I ____________ (see) that movie.(GIA')
2. She ____________ (finish) her homework. (APPENA)
3. They ____________ (be) to Paris. (MAI)
4. He ____________ (arrive).(QUASI)
5. I____________ (study) a lot (SEMPRE)
6. It ____________ (rain) this week.(RARAMENTE)
7. I ____________ (try) sushi.(MAI)
8. She ____________ (visit) her grandparents.(SPESSO)
9. They ____________ (complete) the project.(QUASI)
10. I ____________ (meet) such a kind person.(RARAMENTE)

Here are the answers:

1. I have already seen that movie.
2. She has just finished her homework.
3. They have never been to Paris.
4. He has almost/nearly arrived. (Both work here)
5. We have always known each other for years.
6. It has rarely/seldom rained this week. (Both work here)
7. I have never tried sushi.
8. She has often visited her grandparents.
9. They have nearly/almost completed the project. (Both work here)
10. I have rarely/seldom met such a kind person. (Both work here)

Exercise: Complete the sentences using the present perfect simple and the appropriate adverb (yet, so far, up to now, recently, lately, in the last few days, before, once, twice, three times).

1. I ____________ (not see) him ____________.(ANCORA)
2. She ____________ (visit) that museum ____________.(DUE VOLTE)
3. They ____________ (not finish) the project ____________.(FINO AD ORA)
4. We ____________ (eat) at that restaurant ____________.(UNA VOLTA)
5. He ____________ (not call) me ____________.(RECENTEMENTE)
6. ____________ you ____________ (travel) abroad ____________?(PRIMA)
7. I ____________ (read) three books ____________.(NEGLI ULTIMI GIORNI)
8. She ____________ (change) her mind ____________.(RECENTEMENTE)
9. They ____________ (not make) any progress ____________.(FINO AD ORA)
10. I ____________ (meet) her ____________.(UNA VOLTA)
11. We ____________ (have) a lot of rain ____________.(NEGLI ULTIMI GIORNI)
12. He ____________ (not write) to me ____________.(ANCORA)
13. You ____________ (see) that movie ____________?(PRIMA)
14. She ____________ (be) to that city ____________.(TRE VOLTE)
15. I ____________ (finish) cleaning ____________.(ANCORA)

Here are the answers:

1. I haven't seen him yet.
2. She has visited that museum twice.
3. They haven't finished the project so far/up to now. (Both work here)
4. We have eaten at that restaurant once.
5. He hasn't called me lately/recently/in the last few days. (All work here)
6. Have you ever traveled abroad before?
7. I have read three books in the last few days.
8. She has changed her mind recently/lately. (Both work here)
9. They haven't made any progress so far/up to now. (Both work here)
10. I have met her once.
11. We have had a lot of rain lately/recently/in the last few days. (All work here)
12. He hasn't written to me yet.
13. Have you seen that movie before?
14. She has been to that city three times.
15. I haven't finished cleaning yet.

Exercise: Complete the sentences using "have been" or "have gone."

1. She ____________ to Paris, but she's back now.
2. They ____________ to the store; they'll be back in an hour.
3. I ____________ to that restaurant many times.
4. He ____________ to the library; he's studying for exams.
5. We ____________ to the beach, and we're very sunburned.

TRANSLATE THE SENTENCES 

1. Ho già mangiato la pizza. 
2. Non ho mai visitato Roma. 
3. Sei mai stato in Italia?
4. Abbiamo appena finito di guardare il film. 
5. Loro hanno visto quel film due volte. 
6. Non ho ancora letto quel libro. 
7. Lei ha vissuto qui per cinque anni. 
8. Abbiamo fatto molta strada finora. 
9. Recentemente, ho imparato a suonare la chitarra.
10. Quante volte hai incontrato quel attore? 

Exercise - Sentences designed to test the difference between the Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses:

1. I (saw/have seen) that movie last night.
2. (Did you eat/Have you eaten) lunch yet?
3. She (lived/has lived) in Paris for five years before moving to Rome.
4. They (went/have gone) to the beach yesterday.
5. (Did he finish/Has he finished) his homework?
6. We (visited/have visited) the museum in 2018.
7. I (lost/have lost) my keys, I can't find them anywhere.
8. She (wrote/has written) three novels so far.
9. They (bought/have bought) a new car last week.
10. (Did you ever travel/Have you ever traveled) to Japan?
11. He (broke/has broken) his leg while skiing.
12. I (didn't see/haven't seen) him yet
13. She (just cooked/has just cooked) dinner, it smells delicious.
14. We (went/have gone) to Spain last summer.
15. (Did you meet/Have you met) the new teacher lately?

EXERCISE  10 sentences to be completed with the verbs you provided, ensuring they make sense in the context of human relationships:make friends, break up, cheat on, get along, get on well, split up, quarrel, be best friends, be fair, argue, be close , have a row, make up, get on well, be best friends

1. They used to ____________ but now they're barely speaking.
2. It's important to ____________ with everyone in your team.
3. After a terrible fight, they decided to ____________.
4. She was devastated when she found out he ____________ her.
5. They've been ____________ since childhood.
6. It's not ____________ to blame only one person for the problem.
7. We used to ____________ all the time, but now we're more mature.
8. They ____________ easily with new people.
9. After a heated ____________, they decided to forgive each other and ____________.
10. It's difficult to ____________ in a new city if you're shy.

Here are the answers:

1. They used to be best friends but now they're barely speaking.
2. It's important to get along/get on well with everyone in your team. (Both work here)
3. After a terrible fight, they decided to split up/break up. (Both work here)
4. She was devastated when she found out he cheated on her.
5. They've been close since childhood.
6. It's not fair to blame only one person for the problem.
7. We used to quarrel/argue/have a row all the time, but now we're more mature. (All work here)
8. They make friends easily with new people.
9. After a heated argument/row, they decided to forgive each other and make up. (Both work here)
10. It's difficult to make friends in a new city if you're shy.

Exercise - Sentences designed to test the difference between the Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses:

1. I (saw/have seen) that movie last night.
2. (Did you eat/Have you eaten) lunch yet?
3. She (lived/has lived) in Paris for five years before moving to Rome.
4. They (went/have gone) to the beach yesterday.
5. (Did he finish/Has he finished) his homework?
6. We (visited/have visited) the museum in 2018.
7. I (lost/have lost) my keys, I can't find them anywhere.
8. She (wrote/has written) three novels so far.
9. They (bought/have bought) a new car last week.
10. (Did you ever travel/Have you ever traveled) to Japan?
11. He (broke/has broken) his leg while skiing.
12. I (didn't see/haven't seen) him yet
13. She (just cooked/has just cooked) dinner, it smells delicious.
14. We (went/have gone) to Spain last summer.
15. (Did you meet/Have you met) the new teacher lately?

Exercises- Frasi da tradurre 

Ho visto quel film l'anno scorso. (I saw that movie last year.)

Avete mai incontrato un regista famoso? (Have you ever met a famous director?)

Il nuovo film di Nolan è uscito la settimana scorsa. (Nolan's new film was released last week.)

Hanno vinto l'Oscar nel 2018. (They won the Oscar in 2018.)

Non ho ancora visto l'ultimo film di Tarantino. (I haven't seen Tarantino's latest film yet.)

Quante volte sei andato al cinema questo mese? (How many times have you been to the cinema this month?)

Hanno girato quel film in Italia nel 1960. (They shot that film in Italy in 1960.)

Non ho mai recitato in un film. (I have never acted in a movie.)

Quando hai visto quel documentario? (When did you see that documentary?)

Hanno appena annunciato i vincitori del festival. (They have just announced the festival winners.)

MUST vs HAVE TO

 Must vs. Have To

Generally, "must" and "have to" express obligation. However, there are subtle differences:

• Must: "Must" usually expresses an internal obligation or a strong recommendation from the speaker. It often reflects the speaker's own feeling about what is necessary. It can also indicate a rule or law, particularly when the speaker is the source of that rule.

• Example (Internal Obligation): "I must call my mother. It's her birthday, and I promised I would." (The speaker feels this obligation).

• Example (Strong Recommendation): "You must try this restaurant! The food is amazing." (The speaker strongly recommends it).

• Example (Speaker-Originated Rule): "You must finish your homework before you can play video games." (A parent setting a rule).

• Have To: "Have to" usually expresses an external obligation – something imposed by an external source, like a rule, law, or circumstance.

• Example (External Rule/Law): "Drivers have to stop at red lights." (A traffic law).

• Example (Circumstance): "I have to work late tonight to finish this project." (The situation demands it).

• Example (Habit/Routine): "I have to get up early for work." (A regular obligation).

Key Difference Summarized: "Must" is often more subjective (the speaker's feeling), while "have to" is often more objective (an external requirement).

Mustn't vs. Don't Have To

Now, let's look at the negative forms, which are where people often get confused:

• Mustn't: "Mustn't" expresses prohibition – something that is not allowed. It's a strong "no."

• Example: "You mustn't smoke in this building." (It's prohibited).

• Example: "You mustn't tell anyone my secret." (It's forbidden).

• Don't Have To: "Don't have to" expresses lack of obligation – something that is not necessary.

• Example: "You don't have to come to the party if you're tired." (It's optional).

• Example: "We don't have to buy milk. We have plenty in the fridge." (It's not needed).

Key Difference Summarized: "Mustn't" means "it is prohibited," while "don't have to" means "it is not required."

Common Mistakes and Clarifications:

• "Must" in the past: "Must" doesn't have a past form in the same way as other verbs. To express obligation in the past, we usually use "had to." For example, "I had to work late last night."

• "Have got to": "Have got to" is often used interchangeably with "have to," especially in spoken English. It carries the same meaning of external obligation. For example, "I've got to go now."

• "Will have to": This is used to express future obligation. For example, "I will have to finish this report by Friday."

In Short:

• Must: Speaker's obligation, strong recommendation, speaker-originated rule.

• Have to: External obligation, rule, law, circumstance.

• Mustn't: Prohibition (not allowed).

• Don't have to: Lack of obligation (not necessary).

By understanding these distinctions, you can use "must," "have to," "mustn't," and "don't have to" correctly and confidently.

Okay, here are 10 sentences for you to complete, using "must," "mustn't," "have to," or "don't have to":

Exercise: Complete the sentences with "must," "mustn't," "have to," or "don't have to."

1. You ____________ forget to bring your passport when you travel abroad.
2. I ____________ finish this report by tomorrow morning.
3. Children ____________ play in the street; it's dangerous.
4. We ____________ buy tickets in advance; we can get them at the door.
5. She ____________ wear a uniform at her new school.
6. You ____________ tell anyone my secret.
7. They ____________ arrive before 8 a.m. for the flight.
8. I ____________ go to the supermarket today; we have plenty of food.
9. Everyone ____________ respect the rules of the library.
10. You ____________ drive on the left in this country.

Here are the answers:

1. You mustn't forget to bring your passport when you travel abroad.
2. I have to finish this report by tomorrow morning.
3. Children mustn't play in the street; it's dangerous.
4. We don't have to buy tickets in advance; we can get them at the door.
5. She has to wear a uniform at her new school.
6. You mustn't tell anyone my secret.
7. They have to arrive before 8 a.m. for the flight.
8. I don't have to go to the supermarket today; we have plenty of food.
9. Everyone must respect the rules of the library.
10. You must drive on the left in this country.

Exercise: Complete the sentences with "must," "mustn't," "have to," "don't have to," or "don't need to."

1. You ____________ eat all the cake; just have a slice if you're hungry.
2. We ____________ be late for the meeting; the boss is very strict.
3. She ____________ buy a new phone; her old one still works perfectly.
4. You ____________ touch the paintings in the museum.
5. I ____________ go to the bank today; I can do it online.
6. They ____________ wear formal clothes to the party; it's a casual gathering.
7. He ____________ study every night; he's already very knowledgeable.
8. You ____________ tell me everything, but I'd appreciate honesty.
9. We ____________ submit the application before the deadline.
10. You ____________ worry; everything will be alright.

Here are the answers:

1. You don't have to / don't need to eat all the cake; just have a slice if you're hungry. (Both work here)
2. We mustn't be late for the meeting; the boss is very strict.
3. She doesn't need to buy a new phone; her old one still works perfectly.
4. You mustn't touch the paintings in the museum.
5. I don't have to / don't need to go to the bank today; I can do it online. (Both work here)
6. They don't have to wear formal clothes to the party; it's a casual gathering.
7. He doesn't need to study every night; he's already very knowledgeable.
8. You don't have to tell me everything, but I'd appreciate honesty.
9. We have to submit the application before the deadline.
10. You don't have to / don't need to worry; everything will be alright. (Both work here)