1st year / Prof.

Sol Toscano y García 1

Unit 1: computer components

What do you understand by computer components? Can you mention any?

In this unit, we are going to read a text taken from [Link] on

February 12, 2024. Your teacher has divided it in four parts for pedagogical
purposes.

input devices and cpu

Anticipation
1. Look at the picture that accompanies the following text. What can you see?

2. Read the titles and the subtitles. Pay attention to the organization of the
information. What are we going to read about?

3. Scan the text to identify transparent words. How many are there? Are there other
words you know?

Computer Parts or Components

1 Computer components are the essential building parts of developing a functional

computer system. The components that make up a computer are called computer
components. The processor (CPU), memory, and input/output devices are every
computer's three main building blocks. Initially computers were primarily used for
5 numerical computations because any information can be numerically encoded. The
ability of computers to interpret information for several purposes was quickly
recognized.

There are 5 main computer components that are given below:

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 2

Input devices
A computer system's input devices are important because they allow users to enter
10 commands and data. Keyboards, mice, scanners, and microphones are numerous
examples of input devices.

o The keyboard is the most commonly utilized input device for inserting text and
queries into a computer system.
o Mice are another common input tool used to move the cursor on a computer
15 screen.
o Scanners are used for inputting physical documents or images into a computer
system.
o Microphones are used to input audio data into a system for computing. They
can be used for various tasks, including recording audio for podcasts,
20 participating in video conferences, and creating voice memos for later use.

CPU
A computer machine's "brain" is its central processing unit (CPU). It executes the
calculations and commands required for functioning of the computer device. The CPU
comprises some components:

o The CPU's control unit is a crucial component. It is in charge of reading and

25 decoding instructions from memory. The right part of the CPU receives and
executes these instructions from the control unit.
o The ALU, often known as the arithmetic logic unit, is another crucial CPU part.
The ALU operates addition, subtraction, comparison calculations, and other
logical and mathematical processes. These operations are carried out using
30 binary logic, which limits operations to the 0 and 1 digits.
o Registers are compact, high-speed data and instruction storage spaces within
the CPU. They are utilized to store data that is being processed by the CPU
momentarily. Registers are used to accelerate data processing because they are
much faster than other forms of memory, such as RAM.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 3

35 o The CPU's clock speed is another crucial aspect that affects overall performance.
The clock speed, measured in GHz (gigahertz), controls what number of
commands the integral processing unit can process in a second.

Modern CPUs also have additional features like cache memory, virtualization
capability, and a couple of cores in addition to the abovementioned components. A
40 small, quick memory called a cache is used to store data and instructions that are
utilized frequently. A single CPU may run numerous operating systems thanks to
virtualization capability. The CPU can execute numerous tasks simultaneously thanks
to multiple cores, enhancing its performance and multitasking capabilities.

Text taken and adapted from [Link]

Verification
4. Read the text and answer these questions in Spanish.
a. What are the main components of the computer?
b. What was the main use of computers in the past?
c. Why are input devices important? Name the four input devices mentioned in the text.
d. What is the CPU and what is its importance?
e. What are the main components of the CPU?
f. What other characteristics do modern CPUs have?

5. REFERENCE. PRONOUNS are always used to refer to a noun that is previously

mentioned (anaphoric reference). Look at the highlighted words in the text and
find the referent for each one.
(see APPENDIX 1)
a. they (l.9)
b. they (l.18)
c. its (l.21)
d. it (l.24)
e. these operations (l.29)
f. they (l.33)
g. its (l.43)

Language analysis
6. TYPE OF WORDS. Classify the following words from the text (from l.1 to l.20)
according to their category.
are (l.1) - essential (l.1) – functional (l.1) – processor (l.3) - primarily (l.4) - interpret (l.6) -
quickly (l.6) - main (l.8) – below (l.8) – devices (l.9) – scanners (l.10) – numerous (l.10) –
is (l.12) – commonly (l.12) - common (l.14) – into (l.16) – input (l.18) – they (l.18) – for
(l.20)

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 4

PERSONAL NOUNS ADJECTIVES VERBS PREPOSITIONS ADVERBS

PRONOUNS

7. POSSESSIVE CASE

The possessive case shows a relationship of ownership, possession, a personal

relationship, or another kind of association. The possessive form is used with nouns
referring to people, groups of people, countries, places and animals.
To form the possessive, add apostrophe + s to the noun. If the noun is plural (ending
in –s), just add an apostrophe after the s.
The student’s computer (la computadora del estudiante)
These students’ computer (la computadora de estos estudiantes)
Although the rules specify that the possessive case cannot be used with inanimate
objects, in real life, even in formal contexts, it is used.

❖ Look at the examples from the text and translate them into Spanish:
a. computer's three main building blocks (l.4)
b. a computer system's input devices (l.9)
c. a computer machine's "brain" (l.21)
d. CPU’s control unit (l.24)
e. CPU’s clock speed (l.35)

8. PLURAL NOUNS. Study the rules in APPENDIX 2. Then, look at these words from
the text. Are they singular or plural? Provide the other form:
a. memory (l.3)
b. devices (l.9)
c. queries (l.13)
d. mice (l.14)
e. microphones (l.18)
f. processes (l.29)
g. capability (l.39)

9. TENSES. Pay attention to the following verbs taken from the text. What is the
tense? When is it used? Do you remember the rules? Is there more than one
rule?

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 5

are (l.1) -there are (l.8) is (l.21) – executes (l.21) – comprises (l.23) – receives (l.25) –
operates (l.28) – limits (l.30) – affects (l.35) – controls (l.36) – have (l.38)
(see APPENDIX 3)

10. CONNECTORS and LINKERS OF SEQUENCE are very important elements that
indicate cohesion and facilitate reading and writing as they establish a relation
between two ideas or concepts.
(see APPENDIX 4)
❖ Classify these connectors according to their function and translate them into
Spanish.
▪ initially (l.4)
▪ because (l.5/9/33)
▪ for (l.12/16)
▪ to (l.14/18/32/33)
▪ such as (l.34)
▪ also (l. 38)
▪ in addition to (l.39)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Primary and secondary Memory

Anticipation
1. What do you know about the topic? What is the difference between these types
of memories?

2. Look at these pictures. Can you name these objects? Are they examples of
primary or secondary memory?

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 6

3. Scan the following text paying attention to the organization of the information.
Skip the blanks. What is the function of the bullet points used? Can the bullet
points help you find the name of the memories in the pictures?

Primary Memory
1 The CPU has direct access to primary memory, which is sometimes called random
access memory (RAM). The data and instructions that are currently being processed
are kept in primary memory. The data and instructions are accessed by the CPU from
primary memory when a computer programme is running. The information is removed
5 from primary memory once the programme is completed.

Primary memory ……………………………………………. : random access memory (RAM) and

read-only memory (ROM).

o RAM is the most common form of primary memory and is used to store data
and instructions that the CPU wishes to access frequently. RAM is volatile, so
10 its contents are lost when the computer is turned off. But RAM can be
effortlessly and quickly written to and read from, making it a really perfect
storage medium for temporary data and instructions.
o ROM is used to store data and instructions that don't change. ROM is non-
volatile, which means that its contents aren't lost while the computer is turned
15 off. ROM is used to keep firmware and the laptop's basic input/output machine
(BIOS), which are required for the computer to boot up and
………………………………………………………

Other primary memory types, including cache memory, are sometimes used in
computer systems. (…)

Secondary Memory:
20 Secondary memory, …………………………………………………………………. , is a type of computer
memory that is used to store data and programs that aren't currently being utilized by
the CPU. In contrast to primary memory, secondary memory is non-volatile, which
means that its contents are not lost when the computer is turned off.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 7

There are several types of secondary memory devices, ……………………………………………

25 ……………………………… and USB flash drives. These devices have varying storage
capacities, read and write speeds, and different capabilities that make them
appropriate for different types of applications.

o Hard disc drives (HDD) are the most typical secondary memory tool in
computing devices and laptop computers. They come in various sizes and
30 speeds and keep data on magnetic discs. However, solid-state drives (SSD)
employ flash memory to store data and are typically quicker and more reliable
although they are more high-priced than HDDs.
o Optical discs are a secondary memory that reads and writes data to discs using
lasers. They are frequently used for data backup, distribution of software, and
35 other digital information. Small, portable storage devices known as USB flash
drives are connected to a computer's USB connection.

Users ………………………………………………………………….. secondary memory, which is useful

since it makes them accessible, fast and ready when needed. Users can also protect
crucial data from loss due to system crashes or other issues by using secondary
40 memory devices as backups.
Text taken and adapted from [Link]

Verification
4. Read the text linearly but skipping unknown words. Complete the blanks with
these phrases that have been removed from the original version.
a. also called auxiliary storage
b. can store a lot of data and programmes in
c. is classified into two types
d. such as hard disk drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), optical disks (including CDs
and DVDs)
e. and function well

5. Find synonyms/antonym in lines 1-19

a. The antonym of indirect
b. The synonym of extracted
c. The antonym of unusual
d. The antonym of turned on
e. The synonym of easily
f. The synonym of rapidly
g. The synonym of kinds
h. The synonym of switch on

6. Find the English equivalent of these words/phrases

in lines 20-29:
a. almacenar
b. actualmente
c. significa

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 8

d. varios
e. dispositivos
f. lectores
g. variadas
h. almacenamiento
i. tamaños

in lines 30-40:
j. velocidades
k. emplean/utilizan
l. confiable
m. rápidos
n. debido a
o. problemas

Language analysis
7. TYPE OF WORDS. Classify these words from the text (l.1-21) according to their
category.
has (l.1) – sometimes (l.1) - data (l2) - programme (l.4) – wishes (l.9) – frequently (l9) –
computer (l.10) – perfect (l.11) – for (l.12) – non-volatile (l.13-14) – keep (l.15) – basic (l.15)
– in (l.18) – currently (l.21) – of (l.24) – them (l.26)

PERSONAL NOUNS ADJECTIVES VERBS PREPOSITIONS ADVERBS

PRONOUNS

8. PRESENT SIMPLE. Pay attention to these verbs. Considering the rules you
have studied:
a. Why do some of them are in their infinitive form and others have “s” or “es”?

b. Are they all in affirmative form?

has (l.1) - wishes (l.9) – don’t change (l.13) - means (l.14/23) –– have (l.25) – make (l.26)
– come (l.29) – reads/writes (l.33)

c. Use some of these verbs in their correct form of present simple to complete these
sentences.
1) Computers ………………………. (have) a primary memory and a secondary
memory.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 9

2) The CPU ………………………… (have) an internal register that is activated during

the read operation to receive and store the data.
3) RAM …………………………………… (not mean) Random Active Memory but it
…………………………… (mean) Random Access memory.
4) People ……………………………………. (wish) to have more and more advanced
computers.
5) If all the icons on the desktop disappear, restarting the computer
…………………………………… (not change) anything.
6) Phase-change optical discs ……………………… (read) and
…………………………… (write) data to the disc using a laser.

9. PASSIVE VOICE. Now pay attention to these verb groups from the section
“Primary Memory”.
a. Do these verb groups have the same form that the ones from activity 8?
b. What is the tense?
c. What are the differences and similarities between the verbs listed below?
• is called (l.1)
• are kept (l.3)
• are accessed (l.3)
• is removed (l.4)
• is completed (l.5)
• is used (l.8/13/15)
• is turned off (l.10)
• aren’t lost (l.14)
• are used (l.18)
(see APPENDIX 5)
d. Reread the section “Secondary Memory”. Find five examples of passive verb
groups.
e. Now think about the use of the following verbs. What do you think about them?
Are they instances of active or passive voice? How do we know the tense?
• known (l.35)
• needed (l.38)

10. EXTRA ACTIVITY. The text “Computer Parts or Components” (pages 1,2,3) is
also plenty of examples of passive voice.
a. Look at these examples from the introduction and the section “Input devices”
and analyse them: What is the tense? Why do they have different auxiliary
verbs?
▪ are called (l.2)
▪ were used (l.4)
▪ can be encoded (l.5)
▪ was recognized (l.6-7)
▪ are given (l.8)
▪ are used (l.16/18)
▪ can be used (l.19)

b. Find more examples in the section “CPU”.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 10

c. Now think about the use of these verbs. What do you think about them? Are they
instances of active or passive voice? What is the tense?
▪ known (l.27)
▪ measured (l.36)
▪ called (l.40)

11. Say the function of these connectors from the text and translate them into
Spanish.
when (l.4) – once (l.5) – but (l.10) – while (l.14) – in contrast to (l.22) – however (l.30) –
although (l.32) – since (l. 38) – due to (l.39)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

output devices

Anticipation
1. Look at these pictures. What are the names of these output devices? Are they as
essential as other components?

2. Can you mention other output devices?

3. Scan the text paying attention to the bullet points. Are the devices named in the
text the same you have mentioned?

Output Devices:
1 Output devices are hardware components of a computer system that are used to show
or send data from the PC to the user or any other device. They enable customers to
view and engage with the information and applications the computer is processing.
Speakers, projectors, printers, and monitors are a few examples of output devices.

5 o Monitors ………………………….. (be) the most frequently output devices used to

show data on a computer machine. They may be used to show photos, videos,

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 11

and different forms of data and they …………………………. (exist) in various sizes
and resolutions.
o Printers …………………………… (be) another form of output device that
10 ……………………………. (use) to print hard copies of papers and other styles of data.
They ………………………… (include) inkjet and laser printers and are available in
various sizes and brands. While laser printers ……………………. (utilize) toner to
make speedy, high-volume prints, inkjet printers …………………………. (employ)
liquid ink to produce high-quality prints.
15 o Speakers …………………… (use) to output sound from a computer system. They
can be connected externally or incorporated into the computer system. They
…………………….. (enable) users to interact with other forms of multimedia
material, view videos, and listen to music.
o Projectors are output devices that ………………………….. (display) huge images and
20 videos on a screen or wall. They ………………………………. (frequently/utilize) in
presentations and other occasions that call for a sizable display.

Text taken and adapted from [Link]

Verification/ Language analysis

4. Read the first paragraph. What is its purpose? Explain in Spanish what you have
understood so far.

5. Reread this paragraph and identify the main verbs of each sentence. What is the
tense? Are they all in present simple? Are they passive or active?

6. Now read the rest of the text and write the correct form of the verbs between
brackets. You may need present simple in active or passive form. Remember the
subject will determine whether it is active or passive voice.

7. What is the referent of this personal pronoun?

a. they (l.2)
b. they (l.6/7)
c. they (l.11)
d. they (l.15)
e. they (l.19)

8. CONNECTORS. (see APPENDIX 4)

a. What is the function of these connectors from the text? Translate them into
Spanish.
✓ or (l.2/20)
✓ to (l.5)
✓ while (l.12)
✓ and (l.18)

b. Complete these sentences with the correct connector from the list above.
1) Projectors display images from a computer or DVD player on a screen
…………………… wall.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 12

2) Speakers are used ………………… play sound …………………………… a

microphone is used …………………… record sound.
3) Monitors, projectors …………………… speakers are all examples of output
devices.

9. PLURAL NOUNS. Are these singular or plural nouns? Provide the other form.
PC (l.2) - devices (l.4) - monitors (l.5) - photos (l.6) - copies (l.10) - styles (l.10) - sizes (l.12) -
screen (l.20)

Singular Plural

---------------------------------------------------------

Operations of computer components

Anticipation
1. These are the operations of computers components you are going to read about.
What do these words have in common? Are they verbs or nouns? Can you think
about their translation in Spanish?

STORING - CONTROLLING - PROCESSING – OUTPUTTING – INPUTTING

2. Scan the text quickly to see if you can predict its organization.

3. Scan the text again and complete the blanks with the operations of computer
components mentioned in activity 1. Transparent words and familiar words can
help you.

Operations of Computer Components

1 Computer components collaborate to carry out the numerous tasks necessary for a
computer system to run. The following are some of the major operations carried out
by computer components:

1. ……………………….. : It is the process of entering raw data, instructions and

5 information into the computer. Keyboards, mice, and scanners are used as
input devices to help with the process. These tools are used to enter

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 13

information and instructions into a computer system. Data is transferred to the

CPU for processing after inputting by an input device.

2. ……………………….. : It is the process of converting the raw data into useful

10 information. This process is performed by the CPU of the computer. It takes the
raw data from storage, processes it and then sends back the processed data to
storage. The CPU performs arithmetic computations, logical operations, and
data transport processes.

3. ……………………….. : The computer has primary memory and secondary storage

15 to store data and instructions. It stores the data before sending it to CPU for
processing and also stores the processed data before displaying it as output.
The primary memory, sometimes called RAM, is where the CPU processes the
data and instructions. Hard disc drives and solid-state drives, which serve as
secondary memory, offer long-term storage for data and programmes that are
20 not currently used.

4. ……………………….. : It is the process of presenting the processed data through

output devices like monitor, printer and speakers. These devices display or
produce the results of the processing performed by the CPU. The results are
sent to an output device for display or printing after the CPU has finished
25 processing the data and instructions.

5. Controlling: (…)

Text taken and adapted from [Link]

Verification
4. Read the text linearly and check if the operations are correctly placed.

5. Read these ideas and tick the ones that are correct considering the information
from the text.
a. Los componentes de una computadora llevan a cabo distintas tareas que son
esenciales para que el sistema se ejecute.
b. Las operaciones mencionadas en este texto son las mejores.
c. El teclado, el scanner y el mouse son herramientas usadas para ingresar
información e instrucciones en un sistema informático.
d. La información se transfiere al CPU para procesarla antes de que esta entre en el
sistema a través de un dispositivo de entrada.
e. El procesamiento es la operación por la cual el CPU convierte los datos sin
procesar en información útil.
f. RAM, las unidades de disco rígido y los discos de estado sólido son todos ejemplos
de memoria secundaria.
g. La operación de salida es un proceso de presentación de información procesada
a través de dispositivos de salida.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 14

6. Find the referents of these words. Most of them are anaphoric and only one is
cataphoric. Do you know the difference?

a. the following (l.2)

b. it (l.4)
c. these tools (l.6)
d. this process (l.10)
e. it (l.10)
f. it (l.11)
g. where (l.17)
h. which (l.18)
i. these devices (l.22)

Language Analysis
7. PRESENT SIMPLE.
a. Find in the text four instances of present simple (two active and two passive).

b. This is the last paragraph of the text given above. It explains the last operation
of the computer components, i.e.: controlling. Read it and complete the blanks
with the correct form of present simple (active or passive voice).

Controlling: This operation …………………………. (perform) by the control unit that is part
of CPU. The control unit ………………………………. (ensure) that all basic operations
……………………. (execute) in a right manner and sequence. The main circuit board
………………………. (connect) all the parts of the computer. It also …………………….
(regulate) the data flow between them, ensuring they ……………………… (function)
properly and connecting them all.

8. DEFINING AND NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

According to L. G. Alexander, there are two kinds of relative clauses in the written
language.
➢ Relative clauses without commas are called defining because they provide
essential information about the subject or object.
➢ Relative clauses with commas are called non-defining because they provide
additional information, which can be omitted.
We generally use relative pronouns such as which, who, whose, where, when, etc.
That is only possible in defining relative clauses so you can’t use it between commas.

(see APPENDIX 6)

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 15

Examples:

• The primary memory, sometimes called RAM, is where the CPU processes the data
and instructions.

(We have two clauses in this sentence. The first one is an abbreviated non-
defining relative clause: “which is sometimes called RAM”. The second one is a
defining relative clause of place. “where” is the relative pronoun that introduces
this second clause and refers to “primary memory”.)

• Hard disc drives and solid-state drives, which serve as secondary memory, offer long-
term storage for data and programmes that are not currently used.

(We have two clauses in this sentence. The first one is a non-defining relative
clause that characterizes the drives mentioned before. “Which” is the relative
pronoun that introduces this clause and it refers to “hard disc drives and solid-
state drives”. The second clause is a defining relative clause that characterizes
“programmes”. “That” is the relative pronoun that introduces this clause.)

• Output devices are hardware components of a computer system that are used to show
or send data from the PC to the user or any other device.

(We have a defining relative clause in this sentence. “that” is the relative pronoun
that introduces the clause, and it refers to “hardware components of a computer
system”.)

9. Combine these sentences to write one which contains a non-defining relative

clause. The clause is signalled with ().
a. Keyboards, mice, and scanners help with the process of inputting. (Keyboards,
mice, and scanners are used as input devices.)
b. Processing is performed by the CPU of the computer. (Processing is the action of
converting the raw data into useful information.)
c. Monitors are used to show data on a computer machine. (Monitors are the most
frequently output devices.)
d. Printers are used to print hard copies of papers and other styles of data. (Printers
are another form of output device.)
e. Speakers can be connected externally or incorporated into the computer system.
(Speakers are used to output sound.)
f. High speed memory saves information and instructions. (High speed memory is
called cache memory.)

10. Combine these sentences to write a sentence which contains a defining relative
clause.
a. Projectors are output devices. Projectors are frequently used in presentations and
other occasions.
b. Speakers are output devices. Speakers enable users to interact with other forms of
multimedia material, view videos, and listen to music.
c. ROM is a form of memory. ROM is used to store data and instructions that don’t
change.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 16

d. RAM is the most common form of primary memory. RAM is used to store data and
instructions that can be accessed frequently.
e. Cache memory is another type of primary memory. Cache memory is sometimes
used in computer systems.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 17

APPENDIX 1.
REFERENCE AND PRONOUNS

PERSONAL PRONOUNS OBJECT PRONOUNS POSSESSIVE

ADJECTIVES
used as subject of a used after verbs or used to express possession
sentence prepositions before a noun
I ME MY
YOU YOU YOUR
HE HIM HIS
SHE HER HER
IT IT ITS
WE US OUR
YOU YOU YOUR
THEY THEM THEIR

The four English DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS are this, that, these, and those. They are
used to highlight something that was previously mentioned or that is clear from the context.
Demonstrative pronouns “demonstrate” something; using them is the verbal equivalent of
pointing at something or someone. They draw attention to the thing or person you’re referring
to.
Demonstrative pronouns indicate number (singular or plural) and the relative distance of the
thing being referred to.
singular Plural
near THIS THESE
far THAT THOSE

RELATIVE PRONOUNS. We usually use a relative pronoun to start a defining relative clause:

• WHO refers to people (and sometimes pets).

• WHICH refers to animals and things.
• THAT can refer to people, animals and things.
• WHOSE has a possessive meaning, and it can refer to people and animals usually;
sometimes for things in formal situations.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 18

APPENDIX 2
PLURAL NOUNS. Study the rules:

• Most singular nouns are made plural by simply putting an –s at the end.
keyboard – keyboards
computer – computers

• If the singular noun ends in –s, –ss, –sh, –ch, –x, or –z, you usually add -es to the end
to make it plural.
tax – taxes
bus – buses

• For most nouns that end with –f or –ef, you add an –s to form the plural version. Be
aware of exceptions, however. For some nouns ending this way, you must change the
–f or –ef to –ves.
belief – beliefs
Exceptions:
wife – wives
life – lives

• If a singular noun ends in –y and the letter before the –y is a consonant, you usually
change the ending to –ies to make the noun plural.
city – cities
puppy – puppies

• If the singular noun ends in –o, you usually add –es to make it plural.
mosquito – mosquitoes
Exceptions:
photo – photos
piano – pianos

• If the singular noun ends in –us, the plural ending is frequently –i.
cactus – cacti
focus – foci

• If the singular noun ends in –is, the plural ending is –es.

analysis – analyses
ellipsis – ellipses

• If the singular noun ends in –on, the plural ending is usually –a.
phenomenon – phenomena

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 19

criterion – criteria

• Some nouns don’t change at all when they’re pluralized.

sheep – sheep
series – series
species – species
deer – deer

• Irregular nouns need to be memorized.

child – children
goose – geese
man – men
woman – women
tooth – teeth
foot – feet
mouse – mice
person – people

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 20

APPENDIX 3
PRESENT SIMPLE (active voice)
Uses
We use present simple to express:
➢ present facts
➢ Routines
➢ Opinions
➢ Likes and preferences
➢ Feelings

Rules
(Todos los verbos se conjugan igual excepto el verbo “be”. Tomemos como ejemplo el verbo
“use”)

SUBJECT AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

1st person singular I use I do not use Do I use?

2nd person You use You do not use Do you use?

singular
He uses He does not use Does he use?
3rd person singular
She uses She does not use Does she use?

It uses It does not use Does it use?

1st person plural We use We do not use Do we use?

2nd person plural You use You do not use Do you use?

3rd person plural They use They do not use Do they use?

Nota: existen abreviaturas para el auxiliar del negativo, pero se usan en la expresión oral o
escrita informal.

• do not: don’t
• does not: doesn’t

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 21

Verb “be” rules (ser – estar)

SUBJECT AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

1st person singular I am I am not Am I?

2nd person singular You are You are not Are you?

3rd person singular He is He is not Is he?

She is She is not Is she?

It is It is not Is it?

1st person plural We are We are not Are we?

2nd person plural You are You are not Are you?

3rd person plural They are They are not Are they?

Nota: existen abreviaturas para la forma afirmativa y negativa, pero se usan en la expresión
oral o escrita informal.

• am: ‘m
• is: ‘s
• Are: ‘re
• am not: ‘m not
• is not: isn’t
• are not: aren’t

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 22

APPENDIX 4
CONNECTORS AND LINKERS OF SEQUENCE

LINKERS OF SEQUENCE first, firstly, second, secondly, third, then, finally, at

the beginning, to begin with, lastly, eventually,
subsequently, at the end,

CONNECTORS
❖ addition and, furthermore, too, besides, moreover, as well,
further, again, equally, likewise,
also, in addition

❖ time when, while, since, meanwhile, after that, before that,

at the same time, as, now, then, in the meantime, in
the future, in the past, in the present, currently, soon,
early, late, lately, so far, previously

❖ contrast adversative: yet, however, instead, but rather

whereas, while, conversely, on the other hand,

concession: although, even though, except that, in

spite of, despite, nevertheless, nonetheless,
notwithstanding

❖ condition if, unless, on condition that, in case (that), provided

(that), as long as, if only, in case of

❖ alternative or, instead of, alternatively, if not…. Then

❖ purpose to+ infinitive, for + noun, in order that, in order to, so

that, so as to, for that purpose, with this in view, with
the object of.

❖ cause- consequence: therefore, thus, hence, so, that is why,

consequence for that reason, consequently, accordingly, then, as a
result
cause: for, because, since, as, due to, on the ground
that, owing to

❖ exemplification for example, for instance, such as, to illustrate

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 23

❖ explanation namely, thus, in other words, (i.e.) that is to say, by

this we mean, in fact, i mean to say, to put it another
way.

❖ emphasis indeed, notably, of course, in reality

❖ conclusion in short, in a word, to sum up, in all, briefly, all

together, more generally, in conclusion

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 24

APPENDIX 5
PASSIVE VOICE

SUBJECT + AUXILIARY VERB (BE) + PAST PARTICIPLE + (BY+ agent)

Present simple

SUBJECT AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

1st person singular I am told I am not told Am I told?
2nd person You are told You are not told Are you told?
singular
He is told He is not told Is he told?
rd
3 person singular She is told She is not told Is she told?
It is told It is not told Is it told?
1st person plural We are told We are not told Are we told?
2nd person plural You are told You are not told Are you told?
3rd person plural They are told They are not told Are they told?

Past simple

SUBJECT AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

1st person singular I was told I was not told Was I told?
2nd person You were told You were not told Were you told?
singular
He was told He was not told Was he told?
3rd person singular She was told She was not told Was she told?
It was told It was not told Was it told?
1st person plural We were told We were not told Were we told?
2nd person plural You were told You were not told Were you told?
3rd person plural They were told They were not told Were they told?

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 25

APPENDIX 6
RELATIVE CLAUSES
They give us information about the person or thing mentioned.

Defining relative clauses give us essential information – information that tells us who
or what we are talking about.

The woman who lives next door works in a bank.

These are the flights that were cancelled yesterday.

We usually use a relative pronoun or adverb to start a defining relative clause: who, which,
that, when, where or whose.

▪ who/that
We can use who or that to talk about people. that is more common and a bit more informal.
She's the woman who cuts my hair.
He's the man that I met at the conference.

▪ which/that
We can use which or that to talk about things. that is more common and a bit more informal.
There is a one-year guarantee which comes with the TV.
The laptop that I bought last week has started making a strange noise!

▪ Other pronouns
when can refer to a time.
Summer is the season when I'm happiest.

where can refer to a place.

That's the stadium where Real Madrid play.

whose refers to the person that something belongs to.

He's a musician whose albums have sold millions.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
1st year / Prof. Sol Toscano y García 26

▪ Omitting the relative pronoun

Sometimes we can leave out the relative pronoun. For example, we can usually leave out
who, which or that if it is followed by a subject.
The assistant [that] we met was really kind.
(we = subject, can omit that)
We can't usually leave it out if it is followed by a verb.
The assistant that helped us was really kind.
(helped = verb, can't omit that)

Non-defining relative clauses give us extra information about someone or something.

It isn't essential for understanding who or what we are talking about.

My grandfather, who's 87, goes swimming every day.

The house, which was built in 1883, has just been opened to the public.
The award was given to Sara, whose short story impressed the judges.

We always use a relative pronoun or adverb to start a non-defining relative clause: who,
which, whose, when or where (but not that). We also use commas to separate the clause
from the rest of the sentence.

▪ who, which and whose

We can use who to talk about people, which to talk about things and whose to refer to the
person or thing that something belongs to.
Yesterday I met my new boss, who was very nice.
The house, which is very big, is also very cold!
My next-door neighbour, whose children go to school with ours, has just bought a new car.

▪ when/where
December, when Christmas is celebrated, is a summer month for the southern hemisphere.
City Park, where we used to go, has been closed down.

Computer components © 2024-2025 by Desdémona Sol Toscano y García is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International