Spanish language Q&A Forum

To all of the teaching and development staff of Kwziq and Lawless Spanish:
If it were possible, I would recommend you to a top spot in both the teaching software and general software halls of fame. You gals and guys are the very best the world has to offer!
I am hopelessly addicted and probably moving too fast. I just love watching my percentages rise and can't get enough of it.

I am interested in the learning process from a neuroscientific point of view and I am witnessing numerous additions to my long-term memory. As a young child would, by immersion in the Spanish language, I am also adding new listening and speaking abilities every day to Broca's and Wernicke's areas in my most important asset, my brain. What I have learned is that the most important thing in life is to continue learning.
¡Saludos y congratulaciones a todos!
James Gordon, age 67

Sample question: "Creo que yo estoy a punto de encontrar la solución." 

Is there a reason the "estoy" isn't subjunctive? If it were "espero que" instead of "creo que" would that matter? 

In the recording the speaker says the word "fuera." But that answer was counted wrong and the correct answer was given as "fuese."

In the first sentence, is it possible to omit the “de” ? ie, “escoger entre todas las fiestas” ?

If so, does the nuance of the meaning change at all?

I had never heard that before.So, I can retract my question.