Question 1

Describe an occasion when you were not allowed to use a mobile phone.

Accepted Answer

The instance that immediately comes to mind is when I attended a chamber music concert performed by my favorite string quartet at our city’s central concert hall last October. Right before the performance started, the host announced that all audience members were strictly prohibited from using mobile phones during the entire show, as even a faint screen glow or an unexpected notification ping could disrupt the performers’ concentration and ruin the immersive experience for other attendees. I initially felt a twinge of restlessness, as I was prone to checking my phone every 10 minutes out of habit, and I was concerned I might miss urgent messages from my team regarding an ongoing school project. However, once the performance began, I found myself fully engrossed in the hauntingly beautiful melodies, and I ended up appreciating the no-phone policy greatly. It allowed me to enjoy the performance without any distractions, and it felt like a rare, refreshing digital detox for me.

immersive experience /ɪˈmɜːsɪv ɪkˈspɪəriəns/：沉浸式体验

strictly prohibited /ˈstrɪktli prəˈhɪbɪtɪd/：严格禁止的

string quartet /strɪŋ kwɔːˈtet/：弦乐四重奏

chamber music /ˈtʃeɪmbə(r) ˈmjuːzɪk/：室内乐

digital detox /ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈdiːtɒks/：数字排毒（指主动远离电子设备的时期）

engrossed in /ɪnˈɡrəʊst ɪn/：全神贯注于

Question 2

How do young and old people use mobile phones differently?

Accepted Answer

From my observation, the divergence in mobile use between age groups is quite noticeable. For digital-native young people, mobiles serve as an all-in-one productivity tool, entertainment hub and social connector—they often binge short-form videos, manage work tasks and interact with peers across platforms. For older demographics who are generally less tech-savvy, they mostly stick to core functional uses like contacting family and accessing local services, avoiding overly complicated features.

Question 3

What positive and negative impact do mobile phones have on friendship?

Accepted Answer

On the upside, mobile phones foster sustained connections with geographically distant friends, as we can send spontaneous life updates or coordinate plans at almost no cost, strengthening casual bonds that might otherwise fade. However, the downside is that pervasive phubbing during face-to-face gatherings erodes genuine rapport, as superficial digital interactions often displace meaningful unscripted conversations.

Question 4

ls it a waste of time to take pictures with mobile phones?

Accepted Answer

On balance, I wouldn’t say it’s inherently a waste of time. Mobile photography lets us spontaneously capture fleeting precious moments, like a toddler’s first steps or a stunning sunset on a hike, that we’d otherwise lose track of. That said, excessive photo-taking for the sake of curating a perfect social media feed, at the expense of being present, is absolutely unproductive.

Question 5

Do you think it is necessary to have laws on the use of mobile phones?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, such legislation is highly necessary. For one thing, improper use of mobile devices poses significant safety risks—distracted driving, for instance, is a leading cause of road casualties worldwide. For another, unauthorized phone use in quiet public spaces violates others' right to comfort. Clear legal boundaries with deterrent penalties can effectively reduce misuse and safeguard public order and safety.

Describe An occasion when you were not allowed to use a mobile phone

Describe an occasion when you were not allowed to use a mobile phone.

Part 3 Discussion