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.

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Take the reading test.

Page 1 of 7

1Gap 1  

A.This can cause a lot of emotional pain and long-term damage to the victims.

B.For example, a deepfake might show a party leader lying, insulting others, or supporting a policy they don’t actually support.

C.With AI tools, people can make someone appear to say or do something they never actually did.

D.Some websites are using AI to detect and take down deepfakes before they spread.

E.In the past, creating a deepfake required special skills and expensive tools.

F.Anyone should find it easy to identify deepfakes due to their poor quality.

G.Deepfakes can also be used during elections to spread false information.

H.The first system improves its work until it can make the second system believe the fake content is real.

11111

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

“You Said She Was Bald!” | Friends

 

 https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/c1-reading/state-world 

 

15.05

  

 

Mind Control: How Apps Use Design Tricks To Hook You

The ubiquity of apps has revolutionized how we interact with technology, embedding them seamlessly into our daily routines. However, beneath their seemingly benign interface lies a realm of cunning design tactics employed by apps.

Photo by Daria Nepriakhina 🇺🇦 on Unsplash

In the digital era, where technology intertwines seamlessly with daily life, the allure of applications lies not only in their functionality but also in their ability to engage and retain users. Behind the interface lies a labyrinth of design strategies meticulously crafted to captivate our attention and, in some cases, cultivate addictive behaviors. This article delves into the intricate tactics employed by apps, exploring the ways they subtly influence user behavior and delve into what’s coined as “mind control” in the digital realm.

The Psychology of User Engagement

Apps wield an array of psychological techniques to ensure prolonged user engagement. Understanding these strategies unveils the psychology behind user behavior and the art of keeping individuals immersed in the app ecosystem.

Variable Rewards and Dopamine Triggers

At the core of many apps’ engagement strategies lies the concept of variable rewards. By employing intermittent reinforcement, apps provide unpredictable rewards, triggering the release of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This tantalizing unpredictability keeps users hooked, fostering habitual app usage akin to a slot machine addiction.

The Persuasive Power of Design Elements

From vibrant colors to intuitive user interfaces, design elements play a pivotal role in shaping user behavior. Techniques such as persuasive design and nudging subtly steer users towards desired actions, influencing decision-making processes without explicit coercion.

Part 1: Comprehension (Open-ended & Multiple Choice)

 1. What is the main idea of the article?

(Open-ended)

 2. Which of the following best summarizes the function of “variable rewards” in app design?

A. They make apps more visually appealing.

B. They ensure that users receive regular updates.

C. They exploit unpredictability to increase user engagement.

D. They remove addictive features from the app.

 3. What does the comparison to a slot machine imply about app usage?

(Open-ended)

 4. According to the article, how do design elements influence users without forcing them?

(Open-ended)

 5. Which statement is true according to the article?

A. All apps aim to reduce screen time.

B. Vibrant colors in app design are used primarily for aesthetics.

C. Nudging is a direct way to control user actions.

D. Apps can use design to subtly influence user behavior.

⸻

Part 2: Vocabulary & Synonyms

 6. Find a synonym for the word “ubiquity” in the context of the article.

(Open-ended)

 7. What does “intermittent reinforcement” mean in simple terms?

A. Giving rewards on a set schedule

B. Giving no rewards at all

C. Giving rewards at unpredictable intervals

D. Giving increasingly large rewards

 8. What is the meaning of “cultivate” in the phrase “cultivate addictive behaviors”?

A. To reject

B. To eliminate

C. To encourage or grow

D. To observe

Part 4: Paraphrasing

 11. Paraphrase the following sentence:

“Apps wield an array of psychological techniques to ensure prolonged user engagement.”

(Open-ended)

 12. Rephrase using simpler vocabulary:

“This tantalizing unpredictability keeps users hooked.”

(Open-ended) 

 Do you think the phrase “mind control” is an exaggeration in the context of the article? Justify your answer.

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-video-lessons

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/c1-reading/state-world

13.05.2025

 

  

   

Subject: Notice of Immediate Suspension

Dear Ms. Verner,

This email serves as formal notification that you are being suspended with immediate effect from your role as Regulatory Compliance Liaison at Halberton Legal Consultancy.

This action follows the emergence of credible evidence suggesting your involvement in the unauthorized modification of compliance audit records submitted to the Financial Standards Review Board during the last quarterly disclosure. While the facts are still being verified, the nature of the allegations is sufficiently serious to warrant immediate precautionary measures.

Effective as of today, you are relieved of all professional duties for an initial period of fourteen calendar days. During this suspension, you are not permitted to access internal systems, communicate with clients, or represent the company in any capacity.

Please be advised that this measure does not constitute disciplinary action nor imply any assumption of guilt. It is intended solely to ensure that the internal investigation can proceed unimpeded and without the risk of influence or data contamination.

You retain the right to submit a written statement in response to this suspension, or to request a formal hearing through our Professional Conduct Office.

We appreciate your cooperation and trust that you will respect the confidentiality of this process.

Sincerely,

Mira Chen

Director of Corporate Integrity

Halberton Legal Consultancy  

1. Reading Comprehension (Advanced Inference & Logic)

1.1 What is the tone of this message?

a) Aggressive and accusatory

b) Neutral and precautionary

c) Sympathetic and personal

d) Dismissive and final

1.2 What can be inferred about the company’s priority?

a) They want to avoid media attention.

b) They aim to support Ms. Verner emotionally.

c) They prioritize the protection of internal processes.

d) They are preparing to terminate the employee.

1.3 What is the role of the “Professional Conduct Office” in this context?

a) A legal court

b) A mediation service

c) An HR-adjacent body for internal appeals

d) A customer-facing compliance board

3. Synonym/Paraphrase Recognition (Multiple Choice)

3.1 What best replaces “suspended with immediate effect” in a formal context?

a) Asked to leave

b) Temporarily removed from duty

c) Fired suddenly

d) Moved to another department

3.2 Select the best paraphrase of:

”…unauthorized modification of compliance audit records…”

a) Editing files without permission

b) Losing legal data

c) Archiving reviewed documents

d) Failing to fill in standard forms

3.3 “To ensure the investigation can proceed unimpeded” most nearly means:

a) To let the inquiry start with confidence

b) To guarantee there’s no interference in the process

c) To accuse the employee of obstruction

d) To postpone the investigation until calm is restored

1

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/c1-reading/state-world

06,05,2025

I speak, therefore I am

I consider myself native-fluent in both English and French. In theory, I have the grammar and vocabulary to say the exact same thing in either language. 

But I don’t, and a big part of the reason is that I learned the languages very differently. This is what I refer to as the formative influence. 

I learned English first as a child, then stopped speaking it on a daily basis between ages 10 and 21. My conversation partners went straight from pre-teens to grad students. In between, during some of my most important developmental years, I improved my English through TV series (thank you West Wing), stand up comedy and online games. 

French was the opposite. I spoke it on a daily basis for over a decade with other teenagers and young adults, then again for three years at the beginning of my career, and that was it. Nowadays, I only use it in writing. There was much more entertainment available in English, so during that time I didn’t watch much TV in French. I would always read books in their original language, and since I’m a huge sci-fi fan and the English-language repertoire is far broader, I’ve read a lot more in English. 

Humans are creatures of imitation. We see what others are doing around us, pick up traits we value and adopt them ourselves. Since those traits are expressed through language, even if we aim to build a similar personality, the catalogue from which we choose differs. 

For example, in both languages, I want to be funny (I promise, someday I’ll prove it to you in my writing). In English, I like the dry, dark, witty humor I learned from comedians. In French, I like what they call “second-degree” sarcastic humor, which I picked up from other sassy teens. 

Since my source material in English was largely scripted, I sound more polished, but also more generic. In French, my speech has more texture. As a result, I’m relatable but sloppy in French, and elaborate but distant in English. No wonder I would fail all my French writing assignments in high school, but get praised and encouraged to write more in English.

Also, learning French as a socially-awkward teenager means I’m a bit more awkward when speaking it. Even now as a supposed well-rounded adult, it’s easier for me to approach someone new and start up a conversation in English. Although to be fair, at my core, I don’t like doing it in either language. 

Keep in mind that these are mostly minor nuances. Moving abroad won’t change you from a logic-loving emotionally distant grinch to a highly sensitive empathetic social butterfly. But these formative influences are there, deep down, and take lots of work on the self to change. It’s hard enough having to grow up in one language, let alone several.  

Replace the underlined words with more elevated or nuanced synonyms. Explain the tone shift, if any.

“Since my source material in English was largely scripted, I sound more polished, but also more generic.”

   Task:

Replace:

 • scripted → e.g. ____

 • polished → e.g. ____

 • generic → e.g. ____

Rewrite this paragraph using more complex syntactic structures (e.g., participial clauses, inversion, nominalization).

Original:

“I like the dry, dark, witty humor I learned from comedians. In French, I like what they call ‘second-degree’ sarcastic humor, which I picked up from other sassy teens.”

rewrite the final paragraph in their own words, keeping the same meaning but expressing it with their personal style.

Original:

“Moving abroad won’t change you from a logic-loving emotionally distant grinch to a highly sensitive empathetic social butterfly. But these formative influences are there, deep down, and take lots of work on the self to change.”

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/c1-reading/state-world