B1 Preliminary - Reading Multiple Choice Exercise 7

My Phone Was Broken For Two Weeks!

Imagine the horror of having a phone break down out of the blue and having to survive two weeks without it! That's exactly what happened to me recently, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience.

The first day was the worst. I kept reaching for my phone, only to realise that it was broken. Not being able to scroll through social media or text my friends - I didn't know where I was! It was like a part of me was missing.

But then, something incredible happened. I started to see the world around me in a way I hadn't in a long time. With my head not buried in a screen, I noticed birds in the park, people smiling, and the beauty of a sunset. I had more time, too. Without spending hours scrolling through endless feeds, I finished reading a book that I had been putting off for months. I even picked up my old hobby of sketching, which was incredibly rewarding.

I also realised how much I had been relying on my phone for social interactions. Instead of texting my friends, I started calling them or even meeting them in person. Our conversations were deeper, and I felt more connected to them than ever before.

My sleeping patterns improved as well. Without the blue light of my phone disturbing me late at night, I was able to fall asleep faster and had a better quality of sleep.

By the end of the two weeks, I was surprised to find that I wasn't in a hurry to get my phone fixed. I had learned to appreciate the world around me and the value of real connections.

When I finally did get my phone back, I decided to set some boundaries. I no longer spend hours on social media and make an effort to meet my friends in person. I even keep my phone away from my bed at night.

My phone breaking down was a blessing in disguise. It taught me to unplug and experience life more fully. And though I'm glad to have it back, I'm equally glad for the lessons those two weeks without it taught me.