Love-hate relationships Mobile phones

“I love my mobile. I didn’t get one for ages, but now I don’t think I could live without it. I hardly ever call people during the day because it’s quite expensive, but I text my friends all the time. My phone‘s also got a camera, but I haven’t taken many photos with it. Also I feel much safer with my mobile and never leave home without it, especially at night. The only problem is when the battery runs out or there’s no signal – that’s happened to me once or twice, usually when I trying to get home late at night and there are no taxis around. But I don’t have my mobile on all the time – when I’m not feeling very sociable or talkative I just switch it off”.

Amy Hansen, London

“I really hate mobile phones. None of my friends can understand why I haven’t got one, but no one thinks about how annoying mobiles are to other people. Everyone always talks very loudly when they’re on their mobiles and I can’t bear listening to other people’s conversations when I’m on the train. Also the ring tones really get on my nerves! Both of my brothers have got mobiles, but when we meet up, neither of them ever switches their phone off, which drives me crazy. Last time we went out for a drink together, their phones rang five times! I know I can’t stop other people having them, but I don’t think I’ll ever get one .”

Jeremy Fuller, Birmingham

Pre-writing task 5

Look at the survey report. Comment on its results writing out positive and negative points on how modern technology affects our lives.

Survey results

	Yes	No
Is modern technology turning us into “couch potatoes”?	55%	45%
Will books be replaced by the net?	32%	68%
Can working on the computer cause health problems?	57%	43%
Do you use the Internet every day?	66%	34%
Do you watch more than one hour of TV every day?	67%	33%
Do you spend less than an hour a day with your family?	71%	29%
Do you often use the internet to keep in touch with friends and relatives instead of real communication?	63%	37%

Iy. Perform the following writing task:

Write a discursive “for-and-against” essay based on the module and extra vocabulary. Learn the notes above how to write discursive “for-and-against” essays.

Module 9 Future society

WRITING

Part I. Write a discursive essay “Are YOU optimistic or pessimistic about the future?”

Learn the notes above how to write discursive essays.

Part 2. Write a letter to your friend how you could spend the lottery money.

Learn the notes below how to write informal letters.