CHAPTER 1 - Cell Phone Etiquette

Vocabulary Skill - Using Transition Words

A. Look at this chart of different relationships between ideas, and the transition words that show the relationships.

B. Complete the following sentences with the transition words from A. There may be more than one correct answer for each question.

1. That country has many unusual customs;, when people meet someone, they hit the person on the head.
2. I was so embarrassed that my picture appeared in the newspaper without my permission; I have written a letter to the newspaper asking them to apologize.
3. I always write in my travel journal when I am on vacation; , my sister has a notebook in which she writes down everything we do on vacation.
4. I spend all the money I earn very quickly and never save any; , my brother sticks ·to a budget and saves a lot of money every month.
5. I've borrowed more money than I can pay back. I owe $100 to Sergio, $50 to Simon, $75 to Ryoko, and $500 for the rent; I owe $700 in income taxes this year!
6. I've been wearing second-hand clothes all my life, and I'm tired of it. I'm going shopping for new clothes this weekend!
7. I'm naturally a curious person; , my mother is always asking questions and wants to know everything.

Cell Phone Etiquette

Dear Sunday Globe,

I am writing to you about your article in last Sunday's newspaper, "Cell Phones Make Life Easier." You did an excellent job explaining the good points of cell phones: they're convenient, we feel safer always being able to call someone; and they are very helpful in business. On the other hand, you didn't talk about their bad points at all. I hope you'll let me give your readers some advice on cell phone etiquette.

The first point I'd like to address is when not to use your phone. It's polite to switch off your phone or turn off the sound when you're in class or in a meeting. If you get an important call, you should ask for permission to leave the room and then don't talk for too long. Furthermore, for conversations that need more time, it is best to ask the person· to call back at amore convenient time. Cell phones ·can also cause you to neglect¹ the peoplEtyou are with. I find it really annoying when my friends constantly check their messages on their phone. In fact, I want to tell them to turn off the cell phone and enjoy my company!

Another point that needs to be made has to do with personal space. I think it is very impolite to make calls in small spaces .'or crowded rooms. This makes others uncomfortable and forces them to listen to your personal conversations. Additionally, it disturbs other face-to-face conversations; that's why I never use my cell phone within a few meters of other people except in emergencies

Lastly, I would like readers to pay attention to the dangers of using your phone while doing something else. For instance, driving and texting is a bad combination. Likewise, using your phone or texting when walking can make you careless. You don't want to get hit by a car. Pay attention to where you're going!

Sincerely,
AmberJala

¹ When you neglect someone or something, you don't notice or take care of them.