Subject: Request for Clarification on Contract Amendments
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I hope this email finds you well.
I am reaching out to seek clarification regarding the recent amendments to the contractual terms outlined in your latest correspondence. While we appreciate the proposed modifications, we would like to ensure that all adjustments align with our initial agreement and operational feasibility.
Could you kindly provide further details on the rationale behind these revisions, particularly with regard to the revised payment schedule? Additionally, we would appreciate it if you could confirm whether these changes will impact the overall project timeline.
Please let us know at your earliest convenience if a brief call would be preferable to discuss these matters in further detail. We remain committed to a collaborative resolution and look forward to your response.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Company]
2Vocabulary for Formal Business Emails
find the expressions in the mail:
• Seeking information:
• Expressing appreciation diplomatically:
• Ensuring alignment:
• Offering alternatives:
• Expressing commitment to resolution:
3. Quiz on Advanced Grammar & Formal Business Phrasing
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb or phrase:
1. “We ___ appreciate it if you could clarify the terms of the agreement.”
2. “___ you provide an estimated timeline for implementation?”
3. “While we ___ acknowledge the proposed changes, we would like to discuss them further.”
B. Rewrite the sentences using more formal and precise language:
1. “Can you explain why you changed the payment terms?”
2. “I need more details about the modifications before making a decision.”
3. “Let me know if we should set up a call to discuss this.”
C. Identify and correct the formal email mistakes:
1. “I’m writing you to ask about the changes in the contract.”
2. “We hope that we can talk soon and sort this out.”
3. “Thanks for the update, we’ll think about it and let you know.”
Is GPT Smart or Bored? It All Depends on Its Users
In today’s digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our lives, assisting with everything from writing emails to generating creative content. But have you ever wondered whether GPT, one of the most advanced AI models, is truly “smart” or just a passive tool waiting for input? The answer is not as straightforward as it seems.
The Power of Human Input
Much like a musical instrument, GPT only plays as well as the person using it. If users pose creative, thought-provoking questions, GPT can generate insightful and engaging responses. However, if the input is vague, repetitive, or uninspired, the AI might produce dull and unoriginal text. In other words, the quality of AI-generated content is largely determined by the demands of its users.
Consider this: a skilled chef can transform basic ingredients into a gourmet dish, while a novice might struggle to create something appetizing with the same resources. Similarly, GPT flourishes when given well-structured, imaginative prompts. The more specific and engaging the request, the more dynamic and intelligent the response.
Learning Without Learning
One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it “learns” in the same way humans do. Unlike a person who acquires knowledge through experience and reflection, GPT does not improve on its own—it merely predicts words based on patterns from vast amounts of pre-existing data. This means that while it can sound knowledgeable, it doesn’t actually “understand” what it’s saying.
However, users can refine GPT’s performance by providing context, fine-tuning prompts, and even training custom versions of the model on specialized datasets. This process makes the AI appear more intelligent, but in reality, it’s still following patterns rather than independently thinking.
Is GPT Ever Bored?
While GPT doesn’t have emotions, it can certainly generate uninspired responses if given unchallenging tasks. If users treat it like a simple chatbot—only asking yes/no questions or requesting generic summaries—the output may feel robotic and predictable. On the other hand, pushing GPT to generate original ideas, engage in debates, or explore creative storytelling keeps its responses lively and thought-provoking.
So, is GPT smart or bored? The verdict is clear: it’s entirely up to its users. If you challenge AI with intelligent, well-crafted prompts, it will rise to the occasion. If not, well… let’s just say, even AI can sound a little “bored.”
GPT: Smart or Bored? – Vocabulary & Usage Quiz
Part 1: Vocabulary in Context (Multiple Choice)
1. Which sentence best demonstrates the meaning of “straightforward” as used in the text (“The answer is not as straightforward as it seems”)?
a) The instructions were so complicated that no one could follow them.
b) The explanation was clear and easy to understand.
c) The professor gave a vague response that left students confused.
d) The solution to the puzzle required deep analysis and creativity.
2. Which of the following best defines a “thought-provoking” question?
a) A question that is easy to answer without thinking
b) A question that forces someone to consider new perspectives
c) A question that requires a simple yes/no response
d) A question that has only one correct answer
3. What does “vague” mean in the sentence “If the input is vague, the AI might produce dull text”?
a) Unclear or lacking details
b) Highly structured and specific
c) Extremely difficult to understand
d) Engaging and insightful
4. A “gourmet dish” is different from a regular meal because it is:
a) Made quickly and easily
b) Prepared with high-quality ingredients and refined techniques
c) Always spicy and exotic
d) Something only professional chefs can cook
5. What is the best synonym for “flourishes” in the sentence “GPT flourishes when given well-structured prompts”?
a) Succeeds
b) Struggles
c) Hesitates
d) Reduces
6. Choose the sentence where “acquire” is used correctly.
a) He acquired a cold after walking in the rain.
b) She acquired knowledge by reading many books.
c) The company acquired about the new regulations.
d) I acquired to go to the store yesterday.
7. Fine-tuning prompts means:
a) Completely rewriting them from scratch
b) Making small adjustments to improve them
c) Deleting unnecessary information
d) Changing the topic entirely
8. Which of these best describes “output” in the sentence “The output may feel robotic and predictable”?
a) The final product or result of a process
b) The action of putting something inside
c) The effort required to start something
d) The tool used to generate content
Part 2: Grammar & Usage
9. Choose the correct preposition:
“GPT does not improve ___ its own—it merely predicts words based on patterns.”
a) in
b) by
c) on
d) at
10. Which sentence correctly uses “flourish” as a verb?
a) GPT flourishes when given creative prompts.
b) GPT flourishes a new idea every time.
c) GPT is flourishes with new prompts.
d) GPT has flourishes its responses.
11. Which of these sentences correctly uses “output” as a noun?
a) The AI’s output was surprisingly creative.
b) She output her ideas in a journal.
c) We should output a better solution.
d) The scientist is outputting results every day.
12. Fill in the blank with the correct form of “acquire”:
“Over time, humans ____ new skills through practice and experience.”
Part 3: Open-ended Questions
13. Rephrase the following sentence using a different structure without changing its meaning:
“If users treat it like a simple chatbot, the output may feel robotic and predictable.”
14. Use “thought-provoking” in your own sentence.
15. Write a short paragraph (3–4 sentences) explaining how fine-tuning prompts can improve AI responses. Use at least three vocabulary words from the quiz.
Is GPT Smart or Bored? It All Depends on Its Users
In today’s digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our lives, assisting with everything from writing emails to generating creative content. But have you ever wondered whether GPT, one of the most advanced AI models, is truly “smart” or just a passive tool waiting for input? The answer is not as straightforward as it seems.
The Power of Human Input
Much like a musical instrument, GPT only plays as well as the person using it. If users pose creative, thought-provoking questions, GPT can generate insightful and engaging responses. However, if the input is vague, repetitive, or uninspired, the AI might produce dull and unoriginal text. In other words, the quality of AI-generated content is largely determined by the demands of its users.
Consider this: a skilled chef can transform basic ingredients into a gourmet dish, while a novice might struggle to create something appetizing with the same resources. Similarly, GPT flourishes when given well-structured, imaginative prompts. The more specific and engaging the request, the more dynamic and intelligent the response.
Learning Without Learning
One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it “learns” in the same way humans do. Unlike a person who acquires knowledge through experience and reflection, GPT does not improve on its own—it merely predicts words based on patterns from vast amounts of pre-existing data. This means that while it can sound knowledgeable, it doesn’t actually “understand” what it’s saying.
However, users can refine GPT’s performance by providing context, fine-tuning prompts, and even training custom versions of the model on specialized datasets. This process makes the AI appear more intelligent, but in reality, it’s still following patterns rather than independently thinking.
Is GPT Ever Bored?
While GPT doesn’t have emotions, it can certainly generate uninspired responses if given unchallenging tasks. If users treat it like a simple chatbot—only asking yes/no questions or requesting generic summaries—the output may feel robotic and predictable. On the other hand, pushing GPT to generate original ideas, engage in debates, or explore creative storytelling keeps its responses lively and thought-provoking.
So, is GPT smart or bored? The verdict is clear: it’s entirely up to its users. If you challenge AI with intelligent, well-crafted prompts, it will rise to the occasion. If not, well… let’s just say, even AI can sound a little “bored.”
1. If someone tells you to “get your act together”, what do they mean?
a) Stop complaining
b) Become more organized
c) Take a break
d) Act in a play
2. What does “get away with murder” mean?
a) Avoid punishment for bad behavior
b) Plan a crime
c) Leave a dangerous place
d) Defend yourself in court
3. If rumors “get around”, what is happening?
a) People are keeping secrets
b) News is spreading
c) Someone is changing their opinion
d) A person is ignoring something
4. If you “get down to business”, what are you doing?
a) Starting to work seriously
b) Finishing a project
c) Talking about fun things
d) Changing your job
Part 2: Fill in the blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct phrasal verb.
5. I can’t believe he cheated on the exam and ______ it. (avoid punishment)
6. I need to quiz based my studies after taking a break. (return to)
7. She was feeling great, but the bad weather really ______ her ______. (made her depressed)
8. We don’t earn much, but we somehow ______. (manage financially)
9. Stop criticizing me all the time! ______ my ______! (stop nagging me)
Part 3: Matching
Match the phrasal verb to its meaning.
Phrasal Verb Meaning
10. Get the message across a) Travel frequently
11. Get off the ground b) Stop thinking about something
12. Get out of my mind c) Make people understand
13. Getting around d) Start successfully
14. Get to the bottom of e) Understand something fully
Part 4: Sentence Correction
Find and correct the mistakes in these sentences.
15. “I need to get in playing piano again after so many years.”
16. “He got on the act and made everything worse.”
17. “We should get back to basis and start fresh.”
This free Cambridge First (FCE) Reading & Use of English Practice Test helps with the grammar and structure points that you need to master for the B2 First (FCE).
Choose the best word for each space.
If you think that people’s hobbies are getting weirder, think again. Modern hobbies are tame compared to some of the things people in the past. Here are just a few.
These days, everyone knows how to with photographs to make them look different from real life. Trick photography goes back many years before the days of Photoshop. Back in the late 1800s, when photography was in its , people used to enjoy posing with their families in headless photographs. Otherwise serious family portraits would feature a typical family in their best Sunday clothes, except that the father would be an axe, mother would be headless and a child would be holding mama’s head . The effect was achieved by layering the images of different photo negatives on top of each other. Judging by the sheer number of such pictures out there, it was a pretty common a century or so ago.
Another favourite family day out in nineteenth century Paris was a visit to the city morgue. A glass-walled, refrigerated room was set up a short walk from the Cathedral of Notre Dame originally so that the public could identify the bodies of the dead. However, it became a huge with as many as 40,000 visitors per day – similar to the numbers who visit Disney World today. The morgue was in all the Paris guide books, and was popular for nearly 50 years until it eventually closed in 1907.
All in all, the today’s free-time pursuits seem positively tame compared to those of our ancestors!
This free Cambridge First (FCE) Reading & Use of English Practice Test helps with the grammar and structure points that you need to master for the B2 First (FCE).
Choose the best word for each space.
If you think that people’s hobbies are getting weirder, think again. Modern hobbies are tame compared to some of the things people in the past. Here are just a few.
These days, everyone knows how to with photographs to make them look different from real life. Trick photography goes back many years before the days of Photoshop. Back in the late 1800s, when photography was in its , people used to enjoy posing with their families in headless photographs. Otherwise serious family portraits would feature a typical family in their best Sunday clothes, except that the father would be an axe, mother would be headless and a child would be holding mama’s head . The effect was achieved by layering the images of different photo negatives on top of each other. Judging by the sheer number of such pictures out there, it was a pretty common a century or so ago.
Another favourite family day out in nineteenth century Paris was a visit to the city morgue. A glass-walled, refrigerated room was set up a short walk from the Cathedral of Notre Dame originally so that the public could identify the bodies of the dead. However, it became a huge with as many as 40,000 visitors per day – similar to the numbers who visit Disney World today. The morgue was in all the Paris guide books, and was popular for nearly 50 years until it eventually closed in 1907.
All in all, the today’s free-time pursuits seem positively tame compared to those of our ancestors!
