среда, 25 июня 2025 г.

26.06.2025

 




https://www.instagram.com/p/DFngey4tgNO/


Etymology and Origin:

 • 📜 It comes from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states:

“No person […] shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself…”

 • So when someone says “I plead the Fifth”, they’re invoking their constitutional right to not answer a question that might reveal their own guilt.








   


среда, 4 июня 2025 г.

05.06.2025

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ7NhjWNRLk/    

https://wordwall.net/resource/92786332/getting-dressed

Weak ties: The power of acquaintances

Picture your social world as a vibrant garden. Your close friends and family are the sturdy trees and colourful flowers that provide structure and beauty. But let’s consider another kind of plant in this garden analogy, perhaps the grass that blankets the ground. The grass represents what has been coined as your “weak ties”, that is, your casual acquaintances – the barista who knows your coffee order, the neighbour you greet in the morning, or the coworker from a different team you occasionally share a joke with. 1 __. Yet these casual connections harbour a surprising strength that can subtly enrich your life in ways you might not expect.

In our quest to nurture deep, meaningful relationships, we sometimes overlook the significance of the grass beneath our feet. 2 __. They boost our mood and enrich our day-to-day experience making us feel that we are part of something. By acknowledging the value of these casual connections, we can foster a richer, more diverse social garden that nourishes our well-being and strengthens our ties to the community around us. 3 __.

Imagine you’re stressed from work, and on your way home, you engage in a lively chat with your bartender about yesterday’s football match, exchanging a bit of banter that brings a genuine smile to your face. 4 __. These brief yet spirited exchanges momentarily lift you out of your worries, making you feel connected and lighter. When you finally get home, the residual stress from work feels diminished, replaced by a sense of community and shared joy. 5 __.

In the digital age, the significance of nurturing these casual face-to-face connections becomes even more pronounced. It’s a proven remedy for social isolation and the unhealthy habit of being in your head. It’s about appreciating those quick, light exchanges as much as we do the long, heartfelt conversations. 6 __. Thus, the next time you find yourself sharing a simple “Good morning” or a small talk about the weather with someone you don’t know well, think of it as tending to your garden of possibilities. Every person we meet, no matter how briefly, adds a thread to the intricate tapestry of our social lives. And every thread, regardless of its thickness, contributes to the strength and beauty of the whole.

Questions

Page 1 of 6

1Gap 1
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.


 https://test-english.com/use-of-english/b2/b2-english-test-4-multiple-choice-questions/

 

понедельник, 2 июня 2025 г.

03.06.2025

https://test-english.com/use-of-english/b2/b2-english-test-3-text-multiple-choice-gaps/ 


On June 1, Sunday, Swedish eco-activist Greta Thunberg, along with eleven other activists, set off by boat with humanitarian aid to Gaza, attempting to break the Israeli blockade. This information was confirmed by the AP agency.

The sailing vessel Madleen, owned by the non-governmental organization Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), departed from the port of Catania, located in southern Italy. The organizers emphasized their goal – to deliver humanitarian aid and draw the world’s attention to the critical situation in Gaza.

The activists plan to reach Gaza in about a week, if they are not stopped. Among the crew are actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role in the series “Game of Thrones,” and Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who is banned from entering Israel due to her stance on the conflict.

One of the initiative’s participants, Thiago Avila, noted that in June the activists plan to hold a Global March to Gaza – a march through the Egyptian checkpoint in Rafah demanding an end to hostilities and access to humanitarian aid.

This is not the first attempt to reach Gaza by sea. In May, another ship from the same group, “The Conscience,” was attacked, likely by drones, in international waters near Malta. The activists blame Israel for the attack.

According to United Nations data, despite the resumption of limited aid deliveries, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains the worst since the war between Israel and Hamas militants began 19 months ago.

On October 7, 2023, the Hamas group launched an attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, capturing several settlements and dozens of hostages. In response, Israel launched a counter-terrorism operation that led to a humanitarian crisis and numerous casualties.

On January 15, 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on January 19. However, on March 18, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces announced the resumption of hostilities in Gaza.

On May 17, the Israel Defense Forces announced a new offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas and freeing the hostages. The Palestinian side reported 146 deaths, and fighting continues.



Part 1: Multiple Choice (Choose the best answer)

 1. What was the main purpose of the activists’ voyage aboard the Madleen?

A. To evacuate civilians from Gaza

B. To deliver humanitarian aid and raise awareness

C. To engage in military support for Gaza

D. To protest climate change


 2. What risk do the activists face based on previous attempts to reach Gaza?

A. Engine failure due to outdated boats

B. Capture by Hamas forces

C. Attack in international waters

D. Harsh weather conditions


 3. Why is Rima Hassan mentioned specifically in the text?

A. She is the captain of the vessel

B. She is banned from entering Israel

C. She funded the humanitarian aid

D. She is leading the Egyptian march

 

 5. The word “emphasized” in “The organizers emphasized their goal…” is closest in meaning to:

A. Forgot

B. Ignored

C. Stressed

D. Criticized



Part 2: True or False

 6. ___ Greta Thunberg is the only public figure participating in the mission.

 7. ___ The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a governmental organization.

 8. ___ The humanitarian situation in Gaza has improved since January 2025.

 9. ___ The activists’ march is planned to go through the Israeli checkpoint in Rafah.

 10. ___ The ship “The Conscience” was reportedly attacked by drones near Malta.



Part 3: Short Answer (1–2 sentences)

 11. Why might the activists have chosen to sail from southern Italy specifically?

 12. What message might the activists be trying to send by risking their safety?

 13. How does the inclusion of a well-known actor and an MEP affect the public perception of the mission?

 14. Describe the current situation in Gaza based on the latest reports in the text.

 15. What does the activists’ mission suggest about civil society’s role in international conflicts?

11






https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-video-lessons/visual-comprehension/prediction-game/5-hilarious-news-bloopers/526002

понедельник, 26 мая 2025 г.

27.05.2025 (23.05.2025 cc)

  



















 https://test-english.com/use-of-english/b2/b2-english-test-2-multiple-choice-questions/  




Regulating deepfakes

What are deepfakes?

Deepfakes are videos, images, or audio that have been changed using artificial intelligence (AI) to make something look real, even though it’s not. 1 ___ Deepfakes can swap faces, change voices, and create fake content that looks real. While this technology can be fun in movies or art, it can also be dangerous when used to spread false information.

How do deepfakes work?

Deepfakes use AI technology called generative adversarial networks (GANs). GANs involve two systems: one creates fake content, and the other tries to detect if it’s real or not. 2 ___ By using a lot of video, photos, and audio of someone, AI can make deepfake videos that are very convincing, making people look and sound like someone they aren’t.

Why is it important to talk about deepfakes?

Deepfakes are becoming increasingly easier to make. 3 ___ Now, almost anyone with a computer and some basic software can create one. This makes it easier for people to spread fake content, which can be harmful. The more people are aware of the existence of deepfakes, the less likely they are to believe everything they see.

What’s the effect of deepfakes on politics?

Deepfakes can cause big problems in politics. People can create fake videos of politicians saying things they never said, or doing things they never did. 4 ___ These fake videos can quickly spread online, confusing people and damaging the politician’s reputation.

5 ___ Fake videos might be shared during election campaigns, and voters might not have enough time to check if they are real or not. As these videos spread on social media, millions of people might see them before the truth comes out, which can hurt political discussions and make it difficult to know what’s true.

What’s the impact of deepfakes on personal reputation?

Deepfakes don’t just affect politicians—they can harm anyone. People can make fake videos or audio to spread lies about someone’s personal life, making it look like they said or did something wrong. These fake videos can be shared online, ruining someone’s reputation, relationships, or career. For example, some people use deepfakes to create fake inappropriate videos of celebrities or private individuals without their consent. 6 ___ Once a deepfake is online, it’s very hard to remove it completely, so the harm can be permanent.

How can we fight deepfakes?

As deepfakes become more common, governments and tech companies are trying to find ways to stop them from being used to harm people. 7 ___ Governments are also discussing new laws to control the use of deepfake technology. At the same time, teaching the public about deepfakes is important, so people know how to spot them and avoid being tricked.


Take the reading test.

Page 1 of 7

1Gap 1  
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
11111





29.07.2025

     https://www.instagram.com/p/DFaNUC7tfce/ https://test-english.com/reading/b2/second-hand-fashion-b2-english-reading-test/