A blog to help secondary school students improve English. You can find mind maps, worksheets, videos and songs as well as some of the project works and activities done by the students.
Hello! My name's Liliana. I'm a teacher of English (Language and Literature) to Italian teenage stu
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Let's recap Frankenstein's themes in a simple and easy language
Main Themes in Frankenstein (Simple
Language)
1. The
dangers of playing God
Victor tries to create life like a god, but it leads to disaster. The story
warns us not to go too far with science and power.
2.
Loneliness and rejection
The Creature is kind at first but becomes angry because everyone fears and
hates him. He is alone
and wants love and friendship.
3. Responsibility
Victor brings the Creature to life but refuses to care for him. The novel shows
that people must take responsibility for what they create or cause.
4. The
search for knowledge
Victor wants to know the secrets of life, but his curiosity causes suffering.
The story shows that chasing too much knowledge can be dangerous.
5. Appearance
vs. reality
The Creature looks scary, so people think he is evil — but he just wants to be
accepted. The novel warns against judging others by how they look.
6. Revenge
and justice
The Creature takes revenge on Victor for making him suffer. The story shows how
revenge can cause a cycle of pain and destruction.
7. Family
and love
The Creature wants a family and love, just like other people. The story shows
how important it is to feel connected and cared for.
8. Isolation
Both Victor and the Creature spend much of the story alone. The book explores
how being isolated from others can lead to sadness and madness.
9. Nature
vs. science
Victor uses science to control nature, but nature pushes back. The novel
compares the peace of nature with the risks of too much scientific power.
10.The
role of women
Women in the story are kind and gentle, but they are often passive and have
little power. Most of them are harmed or killed. The novel shows how women were
expected to be quiet and supportive, not strong or independent — which reflects
the views of society at the time.
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Thursday, April 10, 2025
THE MOST COMMON PHRASAL VERBS
1. Get up
- Meaning: To rise from bed or to stand
up.
- Example: I usually get up at
7:00 a.m. for school.
2. Look after
- Meaning: To take care of someone or
something.
- Example: She looks after her
younger brother when their parents are at work.
3. Give up
- Meaning: To stop trying or to quit
something.
- Example: He didn’t give up on
his dreams, even though it was difficult.
4. Pick up
- Meaning: To lift something from the
ground or to collect someone.
- Example: Can you pick up the
books from the floor?
- Example: I will pick you up at 5
p.m. from your house.
5. Turn on
- Meaning: To start a machine or light.
- Example: Please turn on the TV;
I want to watch the news.
6. Turn off
- Meaning: To stop a machine or light.
- Example: Don’t forget to turn off
the lights when you leave the room.
7. Bring up
- Meaning: To mention or introduce a
topic in a conversation.
- Example: She brought up the idea
of traveling to Paris during dinner.
8. Take off
- Meaning: To remove something (like
clothes) or for a plane to leave the ground.
- Example: Please take off your
shoes before entering the house.
- Example: The plane will take off
in 10 minutes.
9. Look for
- Meaning: To search for something or
someone.
- Example: I’m looking for my
keys. Have you seen them?
10. Run into
- Meaning: To meet someone unexpectedly
or by chance.
- Example: I ran into an old
friend at the store today.
11. Put off
- Meaning: To delay or postpone
something.
- Example: I had to put off our
meeting because of an urgent task.
12. Set up
- Meaning: To arrange, organize, or
prepare something.
- Example: We need to set up the
tables before the party starts.
13. Go on
- Meaning: To continue or proceed.
- Example: The teacher told us to go
on with our homework after class.
14. Hang out
- Meaning: To spend time relaxing or
socializing with friends.
- Example: We usually hang out at
the mall on weekends.
15. Call off
- Meaning:
To cancel something.
- Example: They called off the
meeting because the manager was sick.
16. Take care of
- Meaning: To look after or be
responsible for someone or something.
- Example: I need to take care of
my dog while my family is on vacation.
17. Break down
- Meaning: To stop working or
malfunction.
- Example: My car broke down on
the way to work, so I had to call for help.
18. Come up with
- Meaning: To think of or create an idea
or solution.
- Example: He came up with a great
idea for the project.
19. Work out
- Meaning: To exercise or find a solution
to a problem.
- Example: I need to work out more
to stay healthy.
- Example: We worked out a
solution to the problem at the meeting.
20. Check out
- Meaning: To look at or examine
something, or to leave a place (like a hotel).
- Example: You should check out
that new movie; it’s really good.
- Example: We need to check out of
the hotel by noon.
EVELINE -SUMMARY and THEMES
Eveline
– Detailed Summary
"Eveline"
is a story about a young woman living in Dublin, trapped in a life of routine
and emotional turmoil. Eveline, the protagonist, is an 18-year-old girl who
lives with her father and her younger siblings. Her mother has passed away, and
Eveline has taken on the responsibility of running the household. Her father is
harsh, abusive, and drunk, which makes her life difficult and oppressive.
Despite these challenges, Eveline clings to the promise she made to her dying
mother to "keep the home together" and protect her family.
Throughout
the story, Eveline reflects on her life and her yearning for escape. She dreams
of a better future, one free from the hardship of her daily existence. This
opportunity seems to come in the form of Frank, a sailor she has been seeing
for a while. Frank is kind and treats her with affection, and he proposes that
they leave Dublin together and start a new life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The
thought of escaping to a new life, away from her father's control and the
oppressive atmosphere of her home, is incredibly appealing to Eveline.
However, as
she waits at the docks, ready to board the ship with Frank, Eveline becomes
paralyzed by conflicting emotions. She thinks about the responsibilities she
has at home, her promise to her mother, and the fear of the unknown. She begins
to feel an overwhelming sense of guilt and fear of change, wondering if she
could really leave her past behind and take the risk of starting anew.
At the last
moment, Eveline is unable to board the ship. She stands frozen on the dock,
watching Frank as he calls her name, but she is unable to respond. In the end,
Frank leaves without her, and Eveline stays behind, choosing the familiar
misery of her life over the uncertainty of escape.
The story
ends with Eveline's emotional paralysis. She remains in Dublin, bound by duty,
guilt, and fear, unable to break free from the life she has known.
Themes and Analysis:
- Paralysis: One of the central themes in
"Eveline" is paralysis, a recurring theme in Joyce's Dubliners.
Eveline’s inability to act, even when presented with an opportunity to
escape, reflects the theme of being stuck in one’s circumstances.
- Escape vs. Duty: Eveline’s internal struggle
between her desire to escape her oppressive life and her sense of duty to
her family highlights the conflict between personal freedom and
responsibility.
- Fear of Change: Eveline’s ultimate decision to
stay is influenced by her fear of the unknown and her deep-seated guilt,
even though she longs for freedom. Her attachment to her past and the
promises she made prevent her from taking a step into the future.
1.
Struggling with Responsibility and Independence:
In
"Eveline," the protagonist is burdened with the responsibility of
caring for her family after her mother's death. She’s been forced into a
caretaker role at a very young age, and this responsibility weighs heavily on
her. Today, many adolescents face similar pressures, either from family
expectations or societal norms that place adult-like responsibilities on them
before they’re emotionally ready. For example, some teens may have to care for
younger siblings or contribute to family income, leaving them with little room
for personal growth or exploration.
- Contemporary parallel: Many teenagers today might
feel like they have to choose between their own dreams or desires and the
responsibilities they have toward their family. The struggle between
wanting independence but feeling responsible for family members is a
common experience.
2. Fear
of Change and the Fear of the Unknown:
Eveline’s
decision to stay behind, despite the opportunity to leave Dublin and start
anew, shows how fear of change can hold back a young person. Adolescence is
a time when many are faced with the unknown—deciding on career paths,
navigating relationships, and learning how to live independently. Eveline’s
hesitation reflects the common fear of the unknown that many adolescents
feel when facing life-changing decisions.
- Contemporary parallel: Many young people today
experience anxiety when transitioning from high school to college or
adulthood, unsure of what lies ahead. There is a natural fear of leaving
behind familiar surroundings, friends, and the safety of home.
3. The
Struggle Between Personal Desires and Family Expectations:
Eveline is
torn between her personal desires (to leave Dublin with Frank) and her sense
of duty to her family. This inner conflict mirrors the struggles many
adolescents face when trying to balance personal ambitions with the
expectations placed on them by family or society. Eveline’s guilt at the
thought of abandoning her family is rooted in the promise she made to her dying
mother to keep the family together.
- Contemporary parallel: Many young people today feel
the pressure to follow family expectations—whether it’s pursuing a
particular career path, staying close to home, or caring for family
members—while also trying to pursue their own dreams and find their
identity. This can cause a lot of internal conflict and delay in
decision-making.
4.
Emotional and Psychological Paralysis:
Eveline’s
inability to act, even when presented with a clear opportunity to change her
life, is an example of emotional paralysis. She remains stuck in her
circumstances because of her internal fears, doubts, and guilt. Many
adolescents experience a sense of emotional paralysis in the face of
important decisions—feeling unable to move forward or make choices due to
anxiety or a lack of self-confidence.
- Contemporary parallel: Teenagers often struggle with
mental health issues like anxiety or depression, which can leave them
feeling stuck or unable to make decisions about their future. This
emotional paralysis can hinder their ability to take risks or make
life-changing decisions, much like Eveline.
5.
Attachment to the Past vs. Desire for the Future:
Eveline’s
attachment to the past, particularly to the promise she made to her mother,
prevents her from embracing the future. Adolescence is a time of transition
when many young people must let go of childhood and embrace the adult world.
However, the fear of losing one’s identity or leaving behind familiar comforts
can make this process challenging.
- Contemporary parallel: In the modern world,
adolescents may struggle with letting go of their childhood or facing the
pressures of growing up. The pull between holding on to the comfort of
their past and stepping into the responsibilities of the future is a
tension many face in adolescence.
PHRASAL VERBS
Human rights are the basic freedoms and rights that belong to
every person. Sadly, some people still put up with unfair treatment,
discrimination, or violence just because of where they come from or what they
believe in.
We must all stand up for each other and speak out against
injustice. When we come across people who are treated badly, we
shouldn't just turn away—we need to look out for one another.
Many organizations fight for human rights every day. They call
on governments to change unfair laws and to carry out promises to
protect everyone.
If we all join in, we can help make the world a safer, kinder
place where everyone is treated equally.
✅ Common Phrasal Verbs in the Text:
- put
up with
– tolerate
- stand
up for
– defend, support
- speak
out against
– publicly oppose
- come
across
– find by chance
- turn away – ignore, refuse to help
- look out for – protect, care for
- fight
for
– support a cause
- call on – ask someone to do something
- carry
out
– do, complete
- join
in
– take part
Phrasal Verbs with "Put" – Exercise
A. Match the phrasal verbs with their meanings.
Phrasal Verbs:
1. put
off
2. put
up with
3. put
out
4. put
on
5. put
away
6. put
up
Meanings:
A. tolerate or accept something unpleasant
B. return something to its proper place
C. wear (clothes or accessories)
D. delay or postpone
E. display or attach (a sign, poster, etc.)
F.
extinguish (a fire, light, etc.)
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb
(use the right form).
1.
I
can’t _______ the noise anymore! It’s too loud in here.
2.
Don’t
forget to _______ your shoes before going outside.
3.
The
meeting was _______ until next week because the manager was sick.
4.
After
you finish reading the book, please _______ it _______.
5.
The
firefighters _______ the fire quickly.
6.
Can
you help me _______ this poster for the school play?
TAKE?????
Give me 10
sentences with phrasal verbs with take!
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A multiple choice exercise
Choose the correct answer for each question based on a comparison of the British and Italian systems of government.
1. Who is the Head of State in the United Kingdom?
-
a) The Prime Minister
-
b) The President
-
c) The Monarch
-
d) The Speaker of the House of Commons
2. Who is the Head of State in Italy?
-
a) The Prime Minister
-
b) The President
-
c) The King
-
d) The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies
3. Which of the following best describes the UK’s form of government?
-
a) Parliamentary Republic
-
b) Presidential Republic
-
c) Constitutional Monarchy
-
d) Direct Democracy
4. Which of the following best describes Italy's form of government?
-
a) Parliamentary Monarchy
-
b) Parliamentary Republic
-
c) Absolute Monarchy
-
d) Federal Republic
5. How is the UK Parliament structured?
-
a) One house, the House of Lords
-
b) One house, the House of Commons
-
c) Two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords
-
d) Two houses: the House of Deputies and the Senate
6. How is the Italian Parliament structured?
-
a) One house, the House of Commons
-
b) Two houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate
-
c) One house, the Senate
-
d) One house, the Chamber of Deputies
7. How are members of the UK House of Commons elected?
-
a) By a proportional representation system
-
b) By a single transferable vote
-
c) By a first-past-the-post system in individual constituencies
-
d) By a regional list system
8. How are members of the Italian Chamber of Deputies elected?
-
a) By a first-past-the-post system
-
b) By a proportional representation system with a mixed-member system
-
c) By a single transferable vote
-
d) By regional elections
9. What is the role of the Prime Minister in the UK?
-
a) The head of the government, with executive powers
-
b) The ceremonial leader with no real political power
-
c) The head of the state
-
d) The leader of the opposition party
10. What is the role of the Prime Minister in Italy?
-
a) The head of the state
-
b) The head of the government, but with less power than in the UK
-
c) The ceremonial leader with no real political power
-
d) The leader of the opposition party
11. Which country has a written constitution?
-
a) The United Kingdom
-
b) Italy
-
c) Both the United Kingdom and Italy
-
d) Neither the United Kingdom nor Italy
12. How is the judiciary in the UK structured?
-
a) A strong, independent judiciary with no interference from the government
-
b) Part of the executive branch of government
-
c) The judiciary is subordinate to the monarch
-
d) The judiciary is part of the legislative branch
13. How is the judiciary in Italy structured?
-
a) A strong, independent judiciary with no interference from the government
-
b) The judiciary is appointed by the Prime Minister
-
c) The judiciary is subordinate to the President
-
d) The judiciary is part of the legislative branch
14. Which of the following is true about the UK’s relationship with the European Union?
-
a) The UK has never been a member of the European Union
-
b) The UK left the European Union in 2020, following the Brexit referendum
-
c) The UK has been part of the EU since 1957
-
d) The UK is currently in a customs union with the EU
15. Which of the following is true about Italy’s relationship with the European Union?
-
a) Italy is not a member of the European Union
-
b) Italy was a founding member of the European Union
-
c) Italy left the European Union in 2020, following the Brexit referendum
-
d) Italy is in a customs union with the UK
Answer Key:
-
c) The Monarch
-
b) The President
-
c) Constitutional Monarchy
-
b) Parliamentary Republic
-
c) Two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords
-
b) Two houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate
-
c) By a first-past-the-post system in individual constituencies
-
b) By a proportional representation system with a mixed-member system
-
a) The head of the government, with executive powers
-
b) The head of the government, but with less power than in the UK
-
b) Italy
-
a) A strong, independent judiciary with no interference from the government
-
a) A strong, independent judiciary with no interference from the government
-
b) The UK left the European Union in 2020, following the Brexit referendum
-
b) Italy was a founding member of the European Union
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
British system of government vs Italian system of government
Here’s a scheme
outlining the key differences between the British and Italian systems of
government:
Aspect |
British System |
Italian System |
Type of Government |
Constitutional
monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. |
Parliamentary republic. |
Head of State |
Monarch ( King Charles III) |
President of
the Republic (elected by Parliament, currently Sergio Mattarella) |
Head of Government |
Prime Minister
(leader of the largest party in the House of Commons) |
Prime Minister
(appointed by the President of the Republic) |
Executive Power |
Exercised by
the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Monarch's role is mostly ceremonial. |
Executive power
rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The President of the Republic has
a more ceremonial role. |
Parliament |
Bicameral:
House of Commons and House of Lords. |
Bicameral:
Chamber of Deputies and Senate. |
Upper House |
House of Lords
(members are appointed, hereditary, or bishops of the Church of England) |
Senate (members
are elected, some are appointed for life) |
Lower House |
House of
Commons (members are elected by the public) |
Chamber of
Deputies (members are elected by the public) |
Electoral System |
First-past-the-post
(FPTP) in general elections for the House of Commons. |
Mixed-member
proportional representation (MMP) system for both houses. |
Duration of Terms |
Fixed 5-year
term for the House of Commons, but the Prime Minister can call elections
earlier. |
5-year term for
the Chamber of Deputies, Senators serve 6 years (with half elected every 3
years). |
Formation of Government |
The leader of
the majority party in the House of Commons becomes Prime Minister. |
The President
appoints the Prime Minister based on parliamentary support. |
Political Parties |
Dominated by
two main parties: Conservative Party and Labour Party. |
Multi-party system with a range of
parties (e.g., Partito Democratico, Lega, Forza Italia). |
Judiciary |
Independent,
but no constitutional court; laws are interpreted by regular courts. |
Independent
judiciary with a Constitutional Court to interpret the constitution. |
Constitution |
Unwritten,
based on statutes, conventions, and judicial decisions. |
Written Constitution (Constitution of the Italian Republic, 1948) |
Key Differences:
- Monarchy vs.
Republic: The UK has a hereditary monarchy (symbolic head
of state), whereas Italy has a republic with an elected president.
- Parliamentary
vs. Presidential Role: The UK's monarchy
plays a ceremonial role, while in Italy, the president holds more
ceremonial powers, and the real executive power is in the hands of the
prime minister and the cabinet.
- Electoral
Systems: The UK uses a first-past-the-post system, while
Italy uses a mixed system that combines proportional representation and
majoritarian elements.
- Parliamentary
Structure: Both countries have bicameral legislatures, but
the UK’s upper house is unelected and hereditary (House of Lords), while
Italy's Senate is elected.
Similarities |
Both are parliamentary systems. |
Both have
ceremonial roles with limited executive powers. |
Both have a
Prime Minister as the head of government. |
Both countries
have a bicameral legislature. |
Both countries
have two legislative chambers. |
Both hold
regular elections for legislative bodies. |
Different legal
foundations, but both systems uphold rule of law. |
Both have
executives formed from the legislative body. |
Both have
foundational documents defining governance, though one is unwritten. |
Both have independent judiciaries. |
Both countries
have multi-party systems with various coalitions. |
Both countries
have devolution of powers to regional governments. |
Both have
official websites for public information. |
Both have
embraced digital platforms for governance transparency. |
Scheme: Similarities
Aspect |
British System (UK) |
Italian System (Italy) |
Similarities |
Form of Government |
Parliamentary Monarchy |
Parliamentary Republic |
Both are parliamentary systems. |
Head of State |
Monarch
(currently King Charles III) |
President of
the Republic (currently Sergio Mattarella) |
Both have
ceremonial roles with limited executive powers. |
Head of Government |
Prime Minister |
Prime Minister |
Both have a
Prime Minister as the head of government. |
Type of Parliament |
Bicameral
(House of Commons, House of Lords) |
Bicameral
(Chamber of Deputies, Senate) |
Both countries
have a bicameral legislature. |
Main Legislative Bodies |
House of
Commons (elected) and House of Lords (appointed/hereditary) |
Chamber of
Deputies (elected) and Senate (elected, but senators can also be appointed) |
Both countries
have two legislative chambers. |
Elections |
Members of the
House of Commons are elected (First-Past-The-Post) |
Members of both
the Chamber of Deputies and Senate are elected (Proportional Representation) |
Both hold
regular elections for legislative bodies. |
Legal System |
Common Law |
Civil Law |
Different legal
foundations, but both systems uphold rule of law. |
Executive Power |
Held by the
Prime Minister and Cabinet (members of Parliament) |
Held by the
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (appointed by the President) |
Both have
executives formed from the legislative body. |
Constitution |
No single
written constitution (but key documents like the Magna Carta, Acts of Union,
etc.) |
Written Constitution (Constitution of
1948) |
Both have
foundational documents defining governance, though one is unwritten. |
Judiciary |
Independent
judiciary, Supreme Court of the UK |
Independent judiciary, Constitutional
Court |
Both have independent judiciaries. |
Role of Political Parties |
Major parties:
Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats |
Major parties: Partito Democratico,
Lega, Movimento 5 Stelle |
Both countries
have multi-party systems with various coalitions. |
Devolution |
Devolved
governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland |
Regional
governments (21 regions with varying degrees of autonomy) |
Both countries
have devolution of powers to regional governments. |
Key Government Websites |
gov.it |
Both have
official websites for public information. |
|
Use of Technology |
Parliamentary
proceedings streamed, government services digitalized |
Parliament
sessions and services online |
Both have
embraced digital platforms for governance transparency. |