29.07.2025

  

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DFaNUC7tfce/

https://test-english.com/reading/b2/second-hand-fashion-b2-english-reading-test/

05.08

   

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DFOAmsnNY08/  

  

Do we really need cash anymore?

When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, many banks took action. The Federal Reserve began to quarantine money, while in some regions of China, banknotes were taken away and disinfected. 1 __. The public responded positively. In the UK, the number of contactless payments increased by 36% between 2020 and 2021.

Today, many people are embracing the cashless economy. After all, it comes with many advantages. For a start, it’s safer, as cash is easily stolen. 2 __. Mobile payments are even more secure. As well as that, all your transactions are logged, making record-keeping far simpler. 3 __. Cashless transactions make it easier for them to collect data, identify economic trends and detect fraud.

However, it seems as if we are just not ready to say goodbye to cash for good. Recent data shows that cash has made a comeback since the cost of living started to rise steeply. 4 __. It was the case during USA’s Great Depression and in Iceland during the Credit Crunch of 2008. Using notes and coins helps people budget, whereas, with electronic payments, it’s harder to keep track of where your money is going.

Even if cash payments do not vanish entirely, our economies are transitioning to become far less reliant on cash than they once were. And while switching to electronic payments is simple and convenient for many people, this isn’t true for everyone. 5 __. An increasing number of stores have stopped accepting cash payments altogether, meaning that such people may become more marginalised. Moreover, alongside the decline in cash usage, the number of ATMs and local banks has dropped significantly. 6 __.

Despite the popularity of electronic transactions, it’s clear that they won’t become the sole transaction method, at least in the near future. And as companies rush towards finding ever more convenient transaction methods, it’s important not to abandon those who prefer to pay in the traditional way.

A.Credit and debit cards are too, but it’s possible to trace payments and cancel the cards.

B.At the same time, banks encouraged the public to avoid using cash and make electronic payments where possible.

C.This makes access to cash increasingly hard for those who depend on it.

D.Banks, businesses and governments are also keen to make the transition.

E.That’s not unusual since people tend to prefer having paper money at hand when times are hard.

F.The most cash-friendly societies in the world, China and Sweden, utilise innovative ways to make quick, simple payments.

G.There are concerns about those who rely on cash, such as the homeless, the undocumented or the elderly.

1 

 

 

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.

   

https://test-english.com/reading/b2/second-hand-fashion-b2-english-reading-test/

24.06.2025

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DEp2atPNDHs/  

https://test-english.com/reading/b2/the-most-sought-after-company-benefits-b2-english-reading-test/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBukCCXntzY&ab_channel=Kranok01

10.06.2025

 https://test-english.com/reading/b2/the-most-sought-after-company-benefits-b2-english-reading-test/  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DH3ujkVt9Vp/

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

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-video-lessons/listening-comprehension/deep-listening-focus-on-meaning/ability/psychiatric-labels/1151926

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.These brief interactions, which might be dismissed as trivial, actually infuse our daily lives with unexpected little moments of joy.

B.Weak ties serve as bridges to new information, opportunities, and perspectives.

C.Had you not shared any moments with others, you'd arrive home still burdened by the day's stress.

D.Feeling disconnected from everyone is, after all, one of the main reasons for unhappiness.

E.At first glance, they might seem as unremarkable as the grass underfoot, nothing worth noting.

F.Remember, every deep connection begins as a shallow one.

G.Then, you have a pleasant small chat with your neighbour about the weather and joke about when you'll see sunshine again.

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

 

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

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