about an (1) utter change to our lifestyles. But the problem with mobile phones is that theycan (2) distract you from doing your job. The businessman gives his mobile phone number to(3) practically everyone he knows. Without his mobile, he isn’t necessarily able to do thingsimpulsively. He (4) speculates that he could give up his mobile, but life would be rather (5) tedious and dull withoutit. The schoolgirl has to make social arrangements on thelandline at home in order to avoid having a

(6) solitary life for a few days. At firstthe working mother thinks it’s (7) risky not to have amobile phone, as her family might be in danger. Herfirst (8) impulse is to worry that they couldn’t contact her, although they think she’smaking a (9) fuss about not having a mobile. Finally she feels it is like (10) therapy when no one interruptsher.

Active reading 2

Dealing with unfamiliar words

4 Match the words in the box with theirdefinitions.

1 the distance from one side of an object to the other (breadth)

2 a hit or knock to a part of your body (bump)

3 slightly nervous, worried, or upset about something (uneasy)

4 strange and unusual, sometimes in a way that upsets you (weird)

5 thinking seriously about something (thoughtful)

6 a feeling that you do not understand something or cannot decide what todo (confusion)

7 the attitude of someone who is willing to accept someone else’s beliefs,way of life etc without

criticizing them even if they disagree with them (tolerance)

8 the ability to notice things (awareness)

9 to include something as a necessary part of an activity, event or

situation(involve)

5 Replace the underlined words with thecorrect form of the words in the box. When you meet people from other cultures, there will be many (1) timeswhen someone behaves in a way which you (2) notice as being unusual, but whichis (3) acceptable in their culture. If it (4) attracts

your (5) attention, it’s all right to (6) ask about cultural differences,because people are (7) usually happy to (8) reply. But don’t worry if you areunsure about what to do or what to say. Just remember that finding out aboutcultural differences should give you pleasure and not (9) unhappiness anddiscomfort.

Key: (1) occasions (2) perceive (3) conventional (4) arouses

(5) curiosity (6) inquire (7) generally (8) respond (9) misery

Language in use

it + passive voice

1 Rewrite the sentences using it + passivevoice.

1 Russell Crowe couldn’t get a call out to Australia. Someone said this. It was said that Russell Crowe couldn’t get a call out to Australia.