MOBILE ADDICTION

QUESTIONS


Which situation is more common in young people these days?
In what way has modern technology changed the way we communicate today?
Which image feels closer to your way of hanging around with friends?

EXAMPLE’


I think both situations are a common sight today. It is not true that young people don’t know how to have face-to-face communications, we talk a lot about the things that interest us. However, it is true that we use our mobile phones a lot, even when we’re with friends. We check Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat, and, of course, send texts.

Modern technology certainly influences the way we communicate. The flow of information is faster, you are expected to give quick responses, and no one likes waiting for a day to get a text reply. In the past, they mainly communicated through words, today it’s easy to send images, too.

I think I don’t use my mobile much when I hang out with my friends, but I do check it if I hear the text alert ringtone.

PARAGRAPH 1


Mobiles make the world go round

Do you know anybody who doesn’t own a mobile phone? Probably not. Can you think of a place where you have never seen people using it? Probably not. It is crystal clear why everyone uses them everywhere. Mobile phones have become our loyal companions because of a long list of features they offer to the user. People use mobiles for business and pleasure, they are excellent for texting, taking pictures, listening to music, playing games, swapping videos, accessing social networks, and, of course, making calls.

PARAGRAPH 2

Mobile phones have primarily been invented for people to make phone calls, but if you ask teenagers, their preferred method of communication is texting. "I don't actually phone anyone, except maybe my mum and dad," says seventeen-year-old Lucy. "Calls cost too much and you can’t make them everywhere you’d like. Nobody makes a call during lessons, but everyone secretly texts under the table during boring classes."

PARAGRAPH 3

Some teens send more than 100 texts a day, for which they expect rapid responses. As a result, they are liable to use improper grammar and slang, for such a style of communication encourages single sentence thoughts. Everything you type in your text is acceptable if understood by the recipient. But, in the long run, people who communicate in such a manner develop poorer writing skills and have difficulties changing their language depending on who they talk to. Another downside of the texting language is that one is easily misinterpreted. Sometimes it is difficult to place the text you get in the whole context, and due to limited space and the absence of the body language (especially the facial movement and the tone of voice), the message might sound different than one would want.

PARAGRAPH 4

Some say mobile phones replaced face-to-face communication. They like to point at young people who don’t consider it rude to text or write on someone’s FB wall, even when they are in the company of their friends. Yet, others claim mobile phones are more of an enrichment of communication because they only opened another door to faster communication. We should hold on to common sense when it comes to modern ways of contacting people and conveying news. Observe your habits connected with the use of your mobile phone. If you don’t twitch at the sound your phone makes, and if you can spend an afternoon without checking the screen of your phone, then you’ve got nothing to worry about.

GRAMMAR LOG

Some, any, every, no, and its compounds

Some, any, every, and no can be used with one, body, thing, and where. Together they form compound pronouns or adverbs.

Compound pronouns with body and one have the same meaning.

Somebody has stolen my bag.
There’s nothing further to discuss.
I haven’t seen him anywhere

Pronouns and adverbs starting with some are used in positive sentences or in questions when we are offering something.

I have something to tell you. Would you like something to drink?

Pronouns and adverbs starting with any are used in negative sentences and questions.

He didn’t ask anyone for permission.
Did you buy me anything?    

If we use pronouns and adverbs starting with any in positive sentences, we want to say it doesn’t matter which person, thing or place.

I would do anything for you.
We can go anywhere you want.

Pronouns and adverbs starting with no express a negative idea in a positive sentence.

Nobody told me it was his birthday.
There is nothing to do here.

WORDS TO REMEMBER

rapid = (adj.) fast, quick
liable = (adj.) likely to experience something
improper = (adj.) not in accordance with accepted rules, inappropriate,
modify = (v.) make small changes
twitch = (v.) give a sudden short movement

ACTIVITY

Ask yourself:

Is the language you used gramatically correct?
Would a stranger understand what you were conveying?
What would you like to change and why or why not?
To what extent do you agree with what the article says?