Part 1 Questions
- Do you reply to messages as soon as you receive them?
- How often do you send text messages?
- Is sending messages popular in your country?
- Did you send more messages when you were younger?
Sample Response
How often do you send text messages?
I'd say quite a lot, actually - probably send about 30 or 40 messages a day? It's mostly just chatting with friends or family, you know, making plans or just checking in. Sometimes I think I text more than I actually talk!
Essential Vocabulary
Replying to messages
- shoot back a reply - respond quickly
- leave on read - see but don't respond
- instant response - reply immediately
- get back to someone - reply later
- seen notifications - know message was read
- give someone the silent treatment - ignore messages
- double texting - sending another message before reply
- message pending - waiting for response
- fire off a quick reply - send fast response
- radio silence - no communication
Message frequency
- constantly texting - messaging all the time
- blow up someone's phone - send many messages
- heavy texter - someone who texts a lot
- ping someone - send a message
- reach out - contact someone
- drop a line - send a message
- message back and forth - exchange messages
- chat throughout the day - text regularly
- spam someone - send too many messages
- group chat addict - loves group messaging
Messaging popularity
- primary means of communication - main way to communicate
- replaced phone calls - used instead of calling
- universal language - everyone understands it
- generation gap - difference between age groups
- digital natives - people who grew up with technology
- go-to method - preferred way
- instant messaging culture - society focused on quick messages
- social norm - expected behavior
- communication revolution - major change in how we talk
- bridge distances - connect people far apart
Past messaging habits
- old school texting - traditional SMS
- character limits - restricted message length
- pay per message - cost money for each text
- T9 texting - old phone keypad typing
- flip phone era - time of basic phones
- predictive text - phone guessing words
- shorthand - abbreviated writing (u, r, 2)
- text speak - informal messaging language
- button mashing - pressing keys multiple times
- expensive hobby - costly when charged per text
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "I'm guilty of..." admitting behavior
- "I can't help but..." unable to stop doing
- "It's become second nature" automatic habit
- "Back in the day..." comparing to past
- "These days everyone..." current trends
- "I'm constantly on my phone..." heavy usage
- "It's just so convenient..." explaining appeal
- "I feel lost without..." dependency
- "Times have really changed..." noting differences
- "You know how it is..." shared experience