Part 1
1. How often do you access the internet on your mobile phone? What do you usually do online on your phone?
2. Have you ever experienced a bad line or bad reception during an important call? How did you handle it?
3. How many contacts do you have saved in your phone? Are they mostly friends, family, or colleagues?
4. Do you think mobile phones are disruptive in school classes? Should mobiles be banned in schools?
5. What's your favourite feature on your current mobile phone? Why do you find it useful?
6. Do you usually buy a flagship model of mobile phone? Why/ why not?
7. When you have spare time, do you tend to flick through your social media or do you prefer other activities?
8. How has having a powerful device in the palm of your hand changed the way you interact with information and entertainment?
Part 2
9. Do you still have a landline at home, or do you solely rely on your mobile phone for communication? Why might people still keep a landline?
10. Does your phone last a long time on a single charge? Does it last a full day of normal usage?
11. Have you ever been somewhere with no reception at all, making it impossible to make a call? Where were you?
12. Which messaging application do you use the most? What do you like about it compared to others?
13. Are you looking forward to using a 5G mobile network in your area? What are the advantages compared to 4G?
14. How do you feel about notifications on your phone? Do they keep you updated or do they sometimes feel overwhelming?
15. In what situations do you find yourself most often using your phone while on the move?
16. Do you think it’s ever impolite to answer calls and messages when you’re meeting with someone? Would it be better to put the phone on silent mode and ignore it?
17. Have you ever experienced the frustration of running out of battery at an inconvenient time? What did you do?
VOCABULARY
Topic Vocabulary:
access the internet (verb phrase):
Definition: To connect to the internet and be able to use online services, applications, and websites.
Example: The hotel offers free Wi-Fi so guests can easily access the internet.
bad line (noun phrase):
Definition: A poor or unstable telephone connection.
Example: The call kept dropping because of the bad line.
bad reception (noun phrase):
Definition: Weak or unclear signal quality.
Example: I couldn't hear the speaker clearly due to bad reception.
contacts (noun [pl]):
Definition: A list of people's names and contact information stored on a device.
Example: I added her to my contacts so I can call her later.
disruptive (adjective):
Definition: Causing disruption or disturbance.
Example: The student's disruptive behaviour in class was making it difficult for other students to learn.
feature (noun [c]):
Definition: A distinctive or useful function or characteristic of a product or service.
Example: The camera's zoom feature lets you take close-up photos.
flagship model (noun phrase):
Definition: The top-of-the-line or highest-quality product in a company's lineup.
Example: I bought the flagship model because I want all the best and latest features.
flick through (phrasal verb):
Definition: To quickly browse or look through something, like a book or magazine.
Example: I'll just flick through the book to find the page I need.
landline (noun [c]):
Definition: A traditional, fixed-line telephone connected by wires to a network.
Example: We still have a landline at home for emergencies.
lasts a long time (verb phrase):
Definition: Something that continues to exist or function for a long time.
Example: This phone battery lasts a long time between charges.
make a call (verb phrase):
Definition: To call someone on the phone.
Example: I make a call to my parents every Thursday evening.
messaging application (noun phrase):
Definition: A software program for sending and receiving text or multimedia messages.
Example: WhatsApp is a popular messaging application.
mobile network (noun phrase):
Definition: A wireless telecommunications network that provides mobile phone service.
Example: I get great internet speed on my phone thanks to the 5G mobile network.
notification (noun [c]):
Definition: A message or alert from an app or device that informs the user of an event or update.
Example: I received a notification from my phone that my flight was delayed.
on the move (idiom):
Definition: Active and moving around, often while travelling or working.
Example: As a salesperson, I'm always on the move, visiting different clients and locations.
pick up (phrasal verb):
Definition: To answer a phone call.
Example: I couldn't pick up because I was in a meeting.
run out of battery (verb phrase):
Definition: When all the energy in the device's battery has been used so the device can no longer function.
Example: I forgot to bring my charger and now my phone has run out of battery.
silent mode (noun phrase):
Definition: A setting on electronic devices that disables all sound notifications.
Example: I put my phone on silent mode during meetings to avoid distractions.
social media feed (noun phrase):
Definition: A stream of posts and updates from users on a social media platform.
Example: I scrolled through my social media feed to see the latest updates.
the palm of your hand (noun phrase):
Definition: The area of your hand which your fingers are connected to.
Example: The smartphone fits in the palm of your hand.
Exercise 1: Noun Phrases
Make noun phrases by combining words from A with words from B.
A
bad
bad
flagship
mobile
silent
social
messaging
B
model
mode
line
media
application
reception
network
Exercise 2: Verb Phrases & Phrasal Verbs
Make verb phrases or phrasal verbs by combining the verb in A with a word or phrase in B.
A
flick
pick
access
last
make
run
B
out
the internet
a call
through
a long time
up
Exercise 3: Gap-fill Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or phrase from the list provided.
1. When you're ___________, it's important to have a reliable mobile network.
2. The ___________ of the latest smartphone includes an advanced camera and facial recognition.
3. I couldn't hear her clearly; there must be a ___________.
4. I always keep my phone in ___________ during meetings to avoid disruptions.
5. After a long day, my phone usually ___________ before I get home.
6. Don't forget to ___________ your phone when you hear it ring.
7. Mobile phones can be ___________ in the classroom.
8. The new app allows you to ___________ news articles with a simple swipe.
9. The ___________ on my phone keeps me informed about new messages and updates.
10. The phone is packed with features and fits easily ___________.
flagship model
in the palm of your hand
on the move
silent mode
bad line
disruptive
notifications
pick up
runs out of battery
Vocabulary Answer Key
Exercise 1: bad line, bad reception, flagship model, mobile network, silent mode, social media, messaging application
Exercise 2: flick through, pick up, access the internet, last a long time, make a call, run out
Exercise 3: 1. on the move, 2. flagship model, 3. bad line, 4. silent mode, 5. runs out of battery, 6. pick up, 7. disruptive, 8. flick through, 9. notifications, 10. in the palm of your hand
Advanced Discussion Questions
14. Mobiles
SPEAKING
