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Should people not be allowed to talk on their cell phones on public transportation?

Read the passage and underline the rnain ideas. ffi Track oz

Subway passengers in Japan who want to talk on their

phones are in for a big surprise. Talking on cell phones on
public transportation is forbidden in Japan. This is a denial
of people's personal freedom, but there is a good reason for
it. Having phone conversations on public transportation is an
inconsiderate activity that makes other people uncomfortable,
' so it must be prohibited.

Primarily, talking on the phone is rude. ln enclosed spaces such as buses and subways, other
passengers are forced to listen to people's phone conversations. Hearing these conversations
is intrusive and can annoy other people. A recent poll by the Associated Press found that
78 percent of Americans oppose talking on the phone during airplane flights because it is
irritating. The second reason to ban talking on phones is that people are more likely to have
inappropriate conversations in public. When people talk with their friends while taking public
transportation together; they are more likely to be aware of what they talk about. This is
not the case with cell phones. People who talk on cell phones often forget that other people
can hear their conversations. Thus, they are more likely to discuss personal topics that other
passengers do not want to hear. Third, most features of phones today do not require speaking
anyway. Rather than making phone calls, people can surf the lnternet, send text messages, and
play games in near silence.

A number of people insist that they should have the right to use their cell phones on public
transportation. For one, a ban on cell phone conversations is an excessive restriction of personal
freedom. lt is lawful for individuals to do whatever they please so long as they do not directly
harm other people. Talking on cell phones while taking public transportation is inconsiderate,
but it does not hurt others. Additionally, cell phones were designed to be used in public places.
When people are riding public transportation, it is logical for them to want to use their time
efficiently by contacting other people. For instance, people often use their cell phones to
confirm meeting times and locations with friends. Finally, other passengers can choose to move
to another seat or train car if they are annoyed by a nearby phone conversation. They can also
listen to music or play games on their own cell phones to block out the sound of the other
person's talking.

35
 oco lo Chec
Choose the correct word for each definition

denial inconsiderate irritating excessive conf irm

1 to check and make sure of something

2 the act of not allowing someone to have something
3 not thinking about the rights and feelings of others
4 going beyond what is usual or necessary
5 causing someone to feel annoyed or angry

Com rehension Questions

Check the correct answer for each question.

I What is true about taking the subway in Japan?

I Passengers cannot use their cell phones in any way.
n Riders are not allowed to talk on their cell phones.

2 Wfry does talking on a cell phone make people more likely to have inappropriate conversations
in public?
il Because they are less likely to be aware that they are in a public place
I Because they usually have conversations with their friends

3 How can people use cell phones in a way that does not irritate other people?
tr They can make phone calls while using their headphones.
lI They can play games or surf the lnternet almost silently.

& ln what way is disallowing people to talk on their cell phones an excessive control of personal
freedoms?

I Because cell phones were designed to be used in public places

X Because talking on cell phones does not directly hurt other people

36
 nro n Exom ES
Look at the opinion examples about the motion below and answer the questions.

Motion: People should not be allowed to talk on their cell phones on public transportation.

ffi rrack oa ffi' Track 09

To me, it makes perfect sense to ban I find it shocking that people actually
people from talking on their cell phones want to make it illegal to talk on cell
on public transportation. For one, public phones on public transportation. I think
transportation consists of enclosed spaces. this is a ridiculous idea for many reasons.
lf we meet somebody on the street talking First, there is nothing illegal about having
on his or her phone, we can walk away a conversation in public. Some other
from that person easily. But on public passengers may not like it, but talking does
transportation, people are forced to not harm other people. Therefore, there is
listen to other people's conversations. no precedent to make phone conversations
Furthermore, when people ride on public illegal. Banning people from calling on thier
transportation, they are often tired or cell phones on public transportation would
stressed out. They are usually commuting also be hugely inconvenient. The purpose
to or from work or school or have been of cell phones is to allow people to contact
shopping, so they probably want a chance others when they are out. [Vlaking it illegal
to rest. lf people talk on their phones, then to talk on phones would prevent people
other passengers will get more anxiety. from arranging meetings or multitasking
with their work.

tr Underline the main idea of each opinion.

2 Which opinion is for the topic? Which one is against it?

n FOR:

. AGAINST:

S What supporting ideas does each opinion give?

. Opinion A:
, Opinion B:

4 Create one more supporting idea for each argument.

. Opinion A:
n Opinion B:

3B
 I I

sforDe
Read and learn how to create logieal supporting reasons.

How Can You Create Logical Supporting Reasons?

Supporting reasons develop your arguments to make them more persuasive and easier to
understand. For each argument, you should make around two to five sentences of supporting
reasons. The key aspect of supporting reasons is that they are logical. Logical reasons explain
the details of your argument. These details allow you to draw conclu sions about the validity
of your assertion. To make your supporting reasons logical, you must be sure that they clearly
develop your ideas.

Pr qcticin Debote Ski

Read the following arguments and their supporting reasons. Give logical reasons to fill in the
missing details. Finally, rewrite the conclusions to make them more logical.

1 Argument: Having loud phone conversations on public transportation is disrespectful to other

passen9ers.

Details: When people are in public places, they should respect the feelings of other people.
However; by talking loudly on their phones, they

: Conclusion: As a result, people will be more likely to talk on their phones at home.
:l

t:
Rewrite: As a result,

2 Argument: People can still communicate on their phones without having to have spoken
conversations.
Details: Today's smartphones have many features that make it possible to communicate without
having to call other people. Some of these features include

Conclusion: Therefore, it should be illegal for people to carry their cell phones on public
transportation.
Rewrite: Therefore,

39
 Making Supporting Examples:
Personal experience is your experience related to the topic. Using personal experience can be
a good way to support your argument if you explain how your experience proves your point.
Howevel you should be careful because one person's experience might not be common. This can
actually weaken your argument. Below are some personal experiences related to the topic of
talking on cell phones on public transportation.

Additional Research
Before starting your argument, let's do some extra research on the topic. Read the personal
experiences about talking on cell phones on public transportation.

Joseph Moss, Businessman

I take the bus and subway to work each day To get all of my work done, talking on my cell phone is
essentiai, V\tile riding on public transportation, I use my phone to discuss work issues, to arrange
meetings, and to schedule appointments with my coworkers and clients. This means that when I arrive
at the offrce, I can concentrate on tasks that are more important and get more work done, If I couldn't
talk on nry cell phone on public transportation, then it would be much harder for me to finish a11of my
work on time. So, as far as I'm concerned, people should definitely be allowed to talk on their phones
on buses and subways.

Karen Coope[ Designer

Fortunately I don't have to ride on publib transportation too often. But when i do ride it, I'm always
annoyed when some passengers use their cell phones to call other people For one, people often
have loud, inappropriate conversations on their phones They talk about personal subjects that make
me and other passengers feel uncomiortable People's phones seem to make them forget that they're
in a public place Likewise, people cannot easily get away from others who are talking on their cell
phones. It's often difficult for people to move to another car or to get another seat, This means that
they are forced to listen to conversations that they don't want to hear.

Wcrk with a pertner and snswer the foli*winq qussti*ns" PhrasEs hav* been provided tc help you

1 What are the ways that Joseph uses his cell phone on public transportation?
:+ He mainly uses hrs cell phone to

2 How would Joseph's work be affected if he could not use his phone on public transportation?
+ His work would

3 According to Karen, why do people have inappropriate conversations on their cell phones?
* Karen believes that

4 Why are passengers often forced to listen to other people's conversations on public transportation?
* They are forced to listen because

15
 Your Research
Find an article about talking on cell phones on public transportation from a magazine, newspaper;
or academic website. Paste or tape the article in your workbook in the space below

or 1 oPe
Poste
Y our Resesrch
Artic\e
Here
F

Read your article and write four specific examples or pieces of evidence you can use for your
debate. Try to include different types of examples, including opinion polls, statistics, academic
studies, and general facts.

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