Listen to five different people talking about communication in the digital world. Match the ideas to the speakers. There are TWO EXTRA ideas that you do not need to use. Link: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening/advanced-c1-listening/living-online
Speaker 1 a. Has recently learned about some of the negative effects of excessive online
communication.
Speaker 2 b. Is suffering from the fear of missing out.
Speaker 3 c. Has witnessed great changes in the way we communicate over recent years.
Speaker 4 d. Thinks that the amount of time teens spend online is alarming.
Speaker 5 e. Is quite happy for any photos of themselves to be posted online.
f. Thinks limiting teenagers’ access to technology is unfair.
g. Wishes people would talk more in person.
Transcript:
Speaker 1: I think that even up until just a few years ago we could never have imagined how our behaviour would change about using mobiles and tablets. I know that I would find it incredibly difficult to live without my mobile. I’m constantly looking at my phone to see if I’ve got any new messages or updates, and checking my apps to see what’s new. I wouldn’t say that I post my life online, not like some people I know, but I do like to keep up with what people are up to – friends,family and even other people I know but maybe haven’t seen for years, like old school friends, and check out photos of what they look like now, ha ha ha (laughing)
Speaker 2: In a way, I think it’s quite funny that we’re always worrying about teenagers and young people becoming obsessed with online communication, but if you ask me we need to worry just as much about adults! At the office where I work, even when we have a break, nobody talks to each other unless they absolutely have to, which is a sorry state of affairs to say the least. Everyone’s too busy checking their social networks and sending messages to have time to communicate face-to-face! People spend their lunchtime glued to their screens or barely glance up from their phones. Even during meetings, people can’t resist subtly checking their phone, and what really irritates me is when you are trying to talk to someone and they’re more interested in looking at their phone than paying attention to what you’re saying, even though you're right in front of them! Phubbing, I think it’s called!
Speaker 3: I was listening to this discussion on the radio the other day talking about online communication and they were talking about FOMO or, what was it, Fear of Missing Out, which apparently is a kind of modern-day psychological syndrome which we’re affected by because of our obsession with online communication. Basically, they were saying that the reason why people feel that they have to be connected 24/7 and communicate everything they’re doing and keep up with everything that other people we know are doing is down to this fear of missing out. We’re worried that everyone is having more fun than us or doing
something more exciting than us. They also said that because we’re spending more time communicating in the online world, we’re losing the ability to enjoy the present.
Since young age, I have always wondered what the perfect place for living would be like. Now, I can say that I have a clear vision of the city of my dreams. First of all, it should be situated in a sunny part of our planet and have great weather conditions all year round. Secondly, there should be neither crime nor any violence there. Only good and kind people can reside in such city. Life can be much easier and nicer if everyone is loving and understanding. In the city of my dreams people will live in peace and quiet, without any worries and fears. This city will have excellent roads, cheap stores, many beautiful parks and playgrounds for kids, several entertainment centers and else. The population of the city will be neither too rich, nor poor. People will live equally well. Older people will be respected and taken care of. The streets will be clean and safe. There will be no homeless animals in the city of my dreams. Another important condition is to have a loyal government. People in the city of my dream will never be in a hurry and they will do only the jobs they like. However, I certainly understand that it’s just my dream, I really hope that at least some of the mentioned qualities will come true in the future.
2. Must he work hard today? How must he work today? He must work hard today, mustn't he?
3. Are we leaving for Moscow next week? When are we leaving for Moscow? We are leaving for Moscow next week, aren't we?
4. Were we reading the whole evening? What were we doing the whole evening? We were reading the whole evening, weren't we?
5. Don't they go to work on Sunday? When don't they go to work? They don't go to work on Sunday, do they?
6. Is it cold today? What's the weather like today? It is not cold today, is it?
7. Has Ann already begun to read a new book? Who has already begun to read a new book? Ann has already begun to read a new book, hasn't she?
8. Do you learn English at school? What do you learn at school? We learn English at school, don't we?
9. Will they show you how to get there? Who will show you how to get there? They will show you how to get there, won't they?