IELTS Speaking Part-3 Mobile Phone

Mobile Phone Usage

When do you need a mobile phone the most?

From my personal experience, when people go to an unfamiliar place and can't navigate their way out of trouble, a mobile phone often comes in handy. I recall vividly, as if it were yesterday, the time when I left my cell phone at home during a backpacking trip. Unfortunately, I got lost and couldn’t contact my family back home. What I’m trying to say is that your life can even be put in danger without a phone in your pocket.

What are the differences between how young and old people use mobile phones?

There is a world of difference in the ways the two generations use their phones. Elderly people would rather go for phones with simple designs and use them mainly to communicate with their peers. By stark contrast, the youth are hooked on the latest models of smartphones with various functions besides communication, such as surfing the net and playing games. This means that you often see teenagers glued to their smartphone screens, reading witty comments on Facebook or chatting with their buddies via messenger applications.

Do you prefer face-to-face conversations or conversations by phone?

I prefer face-to-face conversations because I think it’s more personal. Nowadays, the telephone is becoming more and more popular. Sometimes, people spend hours on their phones but neglect the people who live with them. I think this is not a good phenomenon. We should treasure face-to-face talking opportunities and spend more time with our family members.

Would you say that cell phones are important in today’s society?

Yeah, definitely. A lot of people feel that they can’t live without cell phones. People use cell phones as a means of communication and entertainment. Many people give up wearing watches because their cell phones can tell them the time. However, it may not be good for people to depend on cell phones too much because a lot of our time is consumed by them without us being conscious of the fact.

Do you think cell phones ever cause problems for people?

Yes, of course. Some children bring cell phones to school, which really distracts them from their studies. Many schools now have strict rules forbidding students to bring cell phones to school. Additionally, there are concerns about the radiation problems of cell phones. Although we don't know exactly how serious it might be, it still makes us uncomfortable if we’re on the phone for a long time.

What’s the disadvantage of communicating through the phone?

There are some disadvantages to talking on the phone. When we use the phone, we usually can’t see each other’s facial expressions, which might lead to misunderstandings. Also, cell phones have radiation problems, and it's not good for our health if we talk on the phone for a very long time. Another issue is that when we talk on the phone, we're not actually facing other people, so if there are other distractions, we might be easily distracted compared to face-to-face conversations.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the cell phone?

The cell phone is one of the biggest inventions in the modern world. Because of the cell phone, we can communicate with others when we don't have the opportunity to talk to them face-to-face. We can chat with friends and family members who live far away from us, and when we have emergencies, we can always press the buttons to call for help. However, there are also some disadvantages. As we all know, the radiation problem of the cell phone is serious. Additionally, when we use cell phones, we literally don't have any privacy because people can find us no matter where we are.

Vocabulary:

• Navigate: To find one's way.

• Vividly: Clearly and in detail.

• Backpacking: Traveling or hiking carrying one's belongings in a backpack.

• By stark contrast: In complete opposition.

• Hooked on: Addicted to or obsessed with.

• Glued to: Completely focused on.

• Phenomenon: An observable fact or event.

• Consumed: Used up or absorbed.

• Radiation problems: Health issues caused by exposure to radiation.

• Misunderstandings: Failures to understand correctly.

• Face-to-face conversations: Interactions where people are physically present with each other.

• Privacy: The state of being free from public attention.

• Predicaments: Difficult or unpleasant situations.

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