Angelo’s English blog

  Prompt:    Share your personal tips for preparing for major exams. Include what works best for you—flashcards, study groups, practice tests, etc.—and why. When preparing for major exams, I find that using practice tests helps me the most. They give me a sense of what the real test will be like and show me which areas I need to review. Flashcards are also helpful for memorizing terms and definitions quickly. I never really study with a group because I am easily distracted, especially with friends . Overall, combining different methods keeps me engaged and helps me retain information more effectively.

  Prompt:  What do you think is the hardest part of writing an informational essay—brainstorming the topic, organizing your ideas, finding evidence, or something else? Write one paragraph about the part you struggle with most and how you might overcome it. The hardest part of writing an informational essay for me is organizing my ideas. Even when I have good points, putting them in a clear, understandable order can be challenging. Sometimes, my thoughts feel all over the place, which makes the essay harder to follow. To overcome this, I could use outlines or graphic organizers to arrange my main ideas and supporting details before I start writing. This would help me stay focused and keep my essay structured and easy to read.

  Prompt: Write a blog post exploring your thoughts on near-death experiences and what they might reveal about life after death. Do you think these experiences are real, spiritual, scientific, or something else? Refer to details from the article and connect them to your own ideas or beliefs. Near-death experiences (NDEs) are very very to me fascinating because they challenge what we know about life and death. Some people believe NDEs are spiritual, offering a glimpse of the afterlife, while others see them as scientific, caused by brain activity during trauma. The article mentions people regaining senses, which some interpret as signs of another realm. Personally, I think NDEs could be a mix of both a psychological response but with spiritual significance. Whether they're real or not, they reveal how deeply people wonder about what happens after death.

  Prompt: Discuss how mastering precise vocabulary can impact your daily communication and academic success. Mastering precise vocabulary can improve both daily communication and academic success. When you use specific and accurate words, you can express your thoughts clearly, which helps prevent misunderstandings. In school, having a strong vocabulary allows you to write more detailed essays and explain your ideas better, making your work stand out from your peers. It also makes it easier to understand texts and questions correctly. Overall, being able to choose the right words gives you confidence in both speaking and writing.

  Prompt: Tariffs are often designed to encourage people to buy American-made products. When you shop, do you check where products come from? Would you be willing to pay more for something made in the U.S.? Why or why not? No, I don’t usually check where products come from when I shop, and I wouldn’t be more willing to pay extra for something made in the U.S. My main priority is the price and quality of the product rather than its origin. While supporting local products is good in theory, I would rather save money and get the best value. As long as the product meets my needs, where it was made doesn’t affect my decision.

  Prompt: Write about a time when your failure was necessary for your growth.  Examples of failures could be failing a major exam, failure to make a team, failure in a relationship, etc. Failing in a relationship helped me put things into perspective and see the world more clearly. It made me realize that not every connection is meant to last, and sometimes, letting go is necessary for personal growth. The experience taught me to value my own boundaries and recognize unhealthy patterns, making me more mindful in future relationships. Though it was painful, it ultimately made me stronger and more self aware.

  Prompt: We discussed achieving your dream. Think of someone who has already achieved a similar dream. What lessons can you learn from their journey? One person who has achieved a similar dream is Dr. Dre, who built a successful music label and became a major producer. From his journey, I can learn the importance of persistence and adaptability, as he evolved from being an artist to a business. His attention to detail and commitment to high quality production also show that mastering technical skills is essential. Lastly, his ability to collaborate with talented artists highlights the value of building strong industry connections.

  Prompt: Choose a word from Vocabulary Lesson 12. In at least one paragraph, define the word in your own words and explain where you encountered it. Describe how understanding this word helps improve your communication or writing skills. The word macroscopic refers to objects large enough to be seen without a microscope. I first encountered it in a science class when learning about the difference between macroscopic and microscopic organisms. Knowing this word helps me describe size and visibility more accurately in writing. Instead of simply saying something is “large,” I can specify that it is macroscopic, making my descriptions clearer.

Prompt: Which time do you perfer the most and why, Daylight Savings Time or Standard Time?  I prefer Standard Time because it feels more natural. Mornings aren’t too dark, and evenings don’t feel too late. It’s easier to wake up and stick to a routine. I don’t like how Daylight Savings Time makes everything feel off.

Prompt: Who is the best cook in your family? Describe a meal that person has cooked for you.  The best cook in my family is my dad. He makes amazing sopes that are always delicious. The masa is thick and crispy, topped with beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, and salsa. Every bite is full of flavor, and it’s one of my favorite meals.

Prompt: What is the most disgusting food you have ever had?  Tell what it is, what was the occaison, and why it was not so good.  The most disgusting food I ever had was clam chowder at a diner. I ordered it on a cold day, hoping for something warm and tasty. Instead, it was watery, had a strange smell, and the clams were chewy and rubbery. I took a few bites and couldn’t eat any more.

  Prompt: As we think about Vocabulary Monday, tell me what is your favorite word RIGHT NOW? Why is it your favorite word and how often do you use it?  Right now, my favorite word would probably be “rambunctious” as well. It’s such a fun word to say, and I love how versatile it is. You can use it to describe anything from a rowdy group of friends to an energetic pet, and it always adds a bit of character to the description. I’d say I use it whenever I want to convey a lively or chaotic vibe it just brings a lot of energy to a conversation.

P rompt: How important is it for you to retain your cultural foods as you move forward in life? Explain the importance and which foods you cannot live without.  It’s very important for me to retain my cultural foods as I move forward in life. They are more than just meals they represent my heritage, family traditions, and the connection to my roots. Tacos dorados, sopes, and pozole are foods I cannot live without because they remind me of family gatherings, celebrations, and the comforting flavors that have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. These dishes hold sentimental value, and keeping them in my life ensures that my culture stays alive in my heart and in my everyday experiences.

  Prompt:    What is the most important aspect of your identity? Tell what it is and why.  The most important aspect of my identity is being Mexican and the pride I have in that. It shapes my values, culture, and perspective on life. My heritage connects me to a rich history, tradition, and a strong sense of community that has always guided me. Being proud of where I come from helps me stay grounded and motivated in everything I do. It’s a reminder of my roots and the strength that comes from embracing who I am

  Prompt:    How would you feel if your privacy was invaded online or on your phone? Do you think privacy is a basic civil liberty? If my privacy were invaded online or on my phone, I would feel extremely violated and uncomfortable. It’s unsettling to know that personal information could be accessed without my consent, and it would make me question the safety of my digital space. I absolutely think privacy is a basic civil liberty. Everyone deserves the right to control their personal information and feel secure in their own digital environment. It’s fundamental to maintaining freedom and dignity in the modern world.

  Prompt: Describe what you did over the winter break (use at least 5 words in your paragraph Idolatry,Impair,Imminent,Impale and Impecunious) Over winter break, I spent some time reflecting on the imminent changes in my life, knowing that the new semester would begin soon. I had some idolatry for a few role models who have inspired my career path, but I also realized how easy it could be to let that admiration impair my own sense of self. One evening, while walking outside, I saw a fallen tree branch that seemed ready to impale anyone who wasn’t careful. Despite my impecunious situation, I spent the rest of the break focusing on learning and preparing for my next steps in college.