Two different things using like or as.
"Appalachian mountains" is incorrect since "Mountains" should be capitalized as well because it's a proper title. And "Ethiopian" should be capitalized as well since it is a location. "Uncle Pauly" and "TS Eliot Society" should be capitalized since they are proper names.
Indirect speech:
They said that we were going to school.
Civilization can help control our savage impulses.
