Describe an occasion when you were not allowed to use your mobile phone
- When it was
- Where it was
- Why you were not allowed to use your mobile phone
- And how you felt about it
Vocab and Idioms
- · Inseparable part – essential part
- · Outskirts of the city – outer area
- · Nick of time – just in time
- · Fish out of water – uncomfortable situation
- · Snail’s pace – very slow
- · Convenient – easy, suitable
- · Enthusiastic – very excited
Well, in this day and age, life without a smartphone is almost unimaginable because it has become an inseparable part of our daily routine. However, today I’d like to talk about an occasion when I was not allowed to use my mobile phone.
It happened a couple of years ago when I went to appear for a competitive examination. The exam centre was located on the outskirts of the city, and due to heavy traffic, I reached there just in the nick of time. I rushed straight into the examination hall and sat on my seat according to my roll number without carefully reading the instructions displayed outside.
After a few minutes, the invigilator entered the room with the question papers and asked if anyone was carrying a mobile phone. Without thinking twice, I honestly told her that I had one. To my surprise, she became a bit annoyed because it was clearly mentioned in the instructions that mobile phones had to be kept outside the examination hall. Feeling embarrassed, I immediately handed over my phone to her.
To be honest, I felt completely cut off from the world. Being without my phone for three long hours felt like a fish out of water. I kept thinking about my parents because I wanted to inform them about the exact location of the centre and that everything was going fine. However, rules are rules, and they had to be followed strictly.
Those three hours seemed to pass at a snail’s pace. I finally got my phone back after the exam and called my parents right away. That incident made me realise how dependent we have become on technology and how difficult it is to survive even a few hours without it.
Follow-ups
1. What is the impact of cell phones?
Mobile phones have dramatically transformed human life by making communication faster and more convenient. These devices allow people to stay connected across long distances, access information instantly, and manage daily tasks efficiently. However, excessive use can lead to addiction, reduced face-to-face interaction, and health issues such as eye strain and poor posture.
2. What is the smartphone used the most for?
In my opinion, smartphones are mainly used for communication and entertainment. People spend a large amount of time on social media, messaging apps, video calls, and watching videos. Apart from that, they are widely used for online learning, digital payments, and navigation.
3. What is your opinion about selfies?
I think selfies have become a popular trend among people of all age groups because these pictures give a sense of satisfaction and help capture memorable moments. However, young people, in particular, are more enthusiastic about taking selfies as they want their pictures to look attractive and perfect for social media.
4. How do young and old people use mobile phones differently?
Young people mainly use smartphones for social media, gaming, online shopping, and entertainment, whereas older people usually use them for basic communication such as calling, messaging, and occasionally watching news or religious content. The younger generation is more tech-savvy, while the elderly prefer simplicity.
5. What positive and negative impact do mobile phones have on friendship?
On the positive side, mobile phones help friends stay in touch regardless of distance through calls, messages, and video chats. On the negative side, overuse can reduce face-to-face interaction and sometimes create misunderstandings due to lack of emotional expression in text messages.
6. Is it a waste of time to take pictures with mobile phones?
I don’t think it is a complete waste of time because photos help preserve precious memories. However, constantly clicking pictures instead of enjoying the moment can be time-consuming and may prevent people from living in the present.
7. Do you think it is necessary to have laws on the use of mobile phones?
Yes, I strongly believe that laws are essential, especially to prevent the use of mobile phones while driving and to protect privacy. Such regulations ensure safety, reduce accidents, and promote responsible use of technology.
