     .    
 


        ,      B1-B2.       ,       .     ,   ,               .





       

    



 



  , 2026



ISBN 978-5-0070-4268-0

     Ridero







         ,      B1.       ,            .



    ,        .     ,       : , ,  ,      .          .



         .     ,      ,     .           .



     ,     .         ,     ,    ,   ,      .       ,     .



          ,     .       ,               .



   ,            ,     ,     .                 .




When My Phone Became My Problem


It started like a normal school year. I had a new timetable, new teachers, and a lot of plans in my head. I also had a new phone. At first, it felt like something useful and exciting. I used it to text my friends, check homework, listen to music on the way to school, and sometimes watch short videos before sleeping. It seemed harmless.



But after a few weeks, I noticed something strange. I was checking my phone all the time. In the morning, I would grab it before even getting out of bed. During breakfast, I was scrolling through social media instead of talking to my family. On the bus, I wasnt looking out of the window anymore  I was just staring at the screen.



At school, it became worse. I kept thinking about messages or notifications, even when the teacher was explaining something important. I told myself, Just five more minutes, but those five minutes turned into twenty. Sometimes I didnt even realize how much time I was wasting. My homework started to get worse, and I felt more tired than usual.



One day, my friend asked me a simple question: Do you feel like you control your phone, or your phone controls you? I laughed at first, but later that question stayed in my head. That evening, I tried to study, but my phone kept lighting up. I felt nervous when I didnt check it, like I was missing something important, although nothing special was actually happening.



So I decided to try something different. I put my phone in another room while studying. At first, it was uncomfortable. I kept thinking about it, and I even stood up a few times just to check it. But slowly, I started to focus better. I finished my homework faster than usual, and I even had time to relax afterwards.



The next day, I tried the same thing again. I also turned off unnecessary notifications. It wasnt easy, because I was used to reacting to every sound and vibration. But I started noticing small changes. I was more present in conversations. I paid more attention in class. Even my mood felt calmer.



Still, I didnt want to completely give up my phone. Its part of life now  we use it for school, communication, and entertainment. The problem wasnt the phone itself, but how I was using it. I had to learn when to stop.



Sometimes, I still catch myself unlocking the screen without a reason. But now I notice it faster. I pause, put the phone away, and do something else instead. Its not perfect, but it feels like Im getting a bit more control back, one small moment at a time.



And strangely, the world around me feels a little louder and clearer when Im not always looking down.



Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

grab my phone   

scroll through social media   

waste time    

check notifications   

feel distracted    

lose focus   

stare at the screen    

turn off notifications   

stay in my head    

feel nervous   

miss something important   - 

put the phone away   

be used to something    -

pay attention   

react to every sound     

take control back   

feel calmer    

be present in the moment     

before sleeping   

check messages   



You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I started + V-ing    ()

I didnt realize how much     (), 

I decided to    ()

It was hard to but I tried   ,    ()

I felt like I was   ,  

Instead of V-ing, I started V-ing    ,   ()

I got used to V-ing    ()

It helped me to    



Now think about your own experience:



1. How often do you use your phone during the day?

I use my phone many times during the day, especially after school and before sleeping. It helps me stay in touch with friends and relax.



2. Have you ever felt distracted because of your phone?

Yes, sometimes I feel distracted when I study. I start checking messages and lose focus, so I try to put my phone away.



3. Do you think your phone controls your time sometimes?

Sometimes yes, especially when I scroll through social media. I dont notice time passing, so I try to set limits.



4. What do you usually do on your phone the most?

I mostly check messages and watch videos. It helps me relax, but I try not to spend too much time on it.



5. Have you tried to reduce phone use?

Yes, I turned off notifications and it helped me feel calmer. I also started studying without my phone nearby.



6. When do you feel you are more focused?

I feel more focused when my phone is not near me. I can finish tasks faster and make fewer mistakes.



Complete the sentences:

I often scroll through social media when I feel ______.

I decided to put my phone away because I was ______.

It is hard to lose focus when I keep checking ______.

Turning off notifications helped me feel more ______.

I try to be more present in the moment instead of ______.




The Message I Shouldnt Have Read


It was a normal evening, or at least it looked normal at first. I came home from school, threw my bag on the chair, and went straight to my phone. I was tired, a bit bored, and just wanted to relax. I opened social media, checked a few messages, and started scrolling without thinking too much.



Then I saw a notification that didnt look important. It was just a message preview from someone I knew. I wasnt planning to read it, but my finger clicked before my brain could stop me. That moment changed my mood completely.



It was a message about me. Not a nice one. A friend had written something personal in a group chat, and it wasnt kind. It wasnt a huge drama, but it still hurt. I read it once, then again, trying to understand if I misunderstood something. But the meaning was clear.



At first, I just stared at the screen. I felt my face get hot, and my thoughts became messy. I wanted to close the app and forget about it, but I couldnt. I kept reading the same lines again and again, like maybe they would change.



I didnt know what to do. Part of me wanted to reply immediately, but another part told me to wait. So I put my phone down and tried to distract myself. I went to the kitchen, drank some water, and tried to act normal. But inside, I was still thinking about that message.



Later that night, I couldnt focus on anything. Even watching videos didnt help. The message kept coming back into my mind. I started thinking about what I did wrong, or if I should talk to my friend. I felt confused, sad, and a bit angry at the same time.



The next day at school, I saw the person who wrote the message. We acted normal, like nothing happened, but I could feel tension between us. I didnt say anything because I wasnt sure what to say. I didnt want to make things worse, but staying silent also felt strange.



After school, I talked to another friend about it. That helped a little. She told me that sometimes messages online sound worse than they really are, because we dont hear tone or see expressions. She also said I should talk directly to the person instead of overthinking everything.



So I did something I wasnt comfortable with. I sent a message asking if we could talk. It wasnt easy to press send, because I didnt know what answer I would get. But I felt like I needed clarity.



We met the next day and talked in person. It turned out the message wasnt meant as seriously as I thought. It was a misunderstanding mixed with bad timing and jokes that didnt come across well in text. I still felt a bit hurt, but I also felt relieved.



After that, I started thinking more carefully about what I read online. Not every message is as serious as it looks, but at the same time, words can still affect people deeply. I also realized that reading something quickly doesnt always mean understanding it correctly.



Now, whenever I see a message that feels emotional or confusing, I pause before reacting. Sometimes I even wait a few minutes or talk to someone first. It doesnt remove all problems, but it helps me avoid jumping to conclusions too fast.



And even now, I still remember that moment when one small message changed my whole evening.



Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

scroll without thinking    

message preview    

change my mood   

feel confused   

stare at the screen    

over and over again    

take a break   

distract myself   

act normal    

feel tension   

overthink everything    

send a message   

press send   

talk in person   

bad timing   

jump to conclusions    

affect deeply   

think carefully   

feel relieved   

come across (in text)   ( )



You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

I didnt mean to     ()

I ended up V-ing    

It made me feel     

I wasnt sure what to do     (),  

Instead of reacting, I    

I tried to distract myself by    () 

It turned out that  , 

I felt like I needed to   ,   



Now think about your own experience:



1. Have you ever misunderstood a message online?

Yes, sometimes I misunderstand messages because I dont see the tone. Later I realize it wasnt as serious as I thought.



2. How do you usually react to emotional messages?

I usually try to wait before reacting. If I reply immediately, I might say something I regret.



3. Do you prefer talking in person or online?

I prefer talking in person because it is easier to understand feelings. Online messages can be confusing sometimes.



4. What do you do when you feel upset after reading something?

I try to distract myself by doing something else, like listening to music or walking. It helps me calm down.



5. Have you ever had a misunderstanding with a friend?

Yes, I had a misunderstanding with a friend because of a message. We talked later and solved the problem.



6. Do you think people react too fast to messages today?

Yes, I think many people react too quickly. They dont always think carefully before responding.



Complete the sentences:

I didnt want to react immediately, so I decided to ______.

The message made me feel confused and ______.

Instead of replying, I tried to ______ myself.

Later, I realized it was just bad ______.

Now I always try to think carefully before I ______ a message.




A Comment That Hurt Me More Than I Expected


It started like any other normal school day. I woke up a bit tired, rushed through breakfast, and checked my phone on the way to school. Nothing unusual was happening, and I didnt expect anything special from that day. At school, we had the usual lessons, homework, and small conversations during breaks. Everything felt predictable and a little boring, like most weekdays.



After school, I finally had time to relax. I sat on my bed, opened social media, and started scrolling without really thinking. I had posted a photo earlier that day  just a simple picture with friends in the school corridor. We were laughing, nothing serious, just a small moment from everyday life. I didnt expect much attention, maybe a few likes and friendly comments.



At first, everything looked normal. People reacted with emojis, short positive messages, and casual words like nice or cool. I didnt pay much attention to it. It felt like background noise  something pleasant but not important.



Then I saw one comment that made me stop.



It was short. Just one sentence. No emojis, no explanation, nothing that could soften the meaning. It was from someone I knew from school. At first, I thought I misunderstood it, so I read it again. And again. But the meaning didnt change.



It was a comment about how I looked in the photo. Not in a kind or friendly way. It wasnt extremely rude, but it was enough to make me feel uncomfortable. It was like a small stone suddenly dropped into a calm lake  not huge, but impossible to ignore.



I remember staring at the screen and not moving for a few seconds. My thoughts slowed down. I didnt know whether to ignore it or respond. Part of me wanted to reply immediately, but another part told me to wait. So I just sat there, holding my phone and feeling confused.



I tried to tell myself, Its just a comment, dont take it seriously. But it didnt work very well. I kept thinking about it, even when I wasnt looking at my phone. I started noticing things I usually dont care about  my appearance, the photo, even small details I had never thought about before.



After a while, I decided to close the app and do something else. I went to the kitchen, got some water, and tried to distract myself. I even put on music and walked around my room. But the comment still stayed in my head, like it had its own space there.



Later that evening, I talked to a friend. I didnt explain everything at first, just said that something online bothered me. My friend listened and then said something simple but helpful: sometimes people write things quickly without thinking, and it doesnt always reflect reality.



That didnt erase what I felt, but it made me think differently. Maybe the problem wasnt only the comment itself, but the importance I gave it. Still, its not easy to switch off emotions just by understanding them logically.



The next day at school, I saw the person who wrote the comment. We acted normal, like nothing had happened. That felt a bit strange, because inside I still remembered everything, but on the outside, life just continued as usual.



Over time, the feeling became less strong. I didnt forget it, but it stopped affecting me the same way. I started realizing that online comments can be random, careless, or exaggerated. Not everything deserves deep attention.



Now, when I see comments online, I still read them, but I dont let them decide how I feel about myself. Sometimes I even pause before reacting, especially if something feels negative. It helps me step back for a moment and not get stuck in one sentence.



And even now, I still remember how surprising it is that something so small  just a few words on a screen  can stay in your mind much longer than you expect.



Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

scroll without thinking    

check my phone   

simple picture   

get attention   

feel uncomfortable    

read again and again     

take it seriously   

stay in my head    

distract myself   

put on music   

act normal    

switch off emotions   

give importance to something   

calm down  

think differently   -

reflect reality   

pay attention   

step back    

affect me    

let it go  



You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

It started like a normal day      

I didnt expect anything special     ()  

I kept thinking about it    ()   

I tried to distract myself by    () 

It didnt work very well     

I told myself that    () , 

Over time, I realized that      (), 

It was hard not to think about it       



Now think about your own experience:



1. Have you ever received a comment online that affected your mood?

Yes, sometimes I read comments that feel a bit negative. At first, they affect my mood, but later I try to ignore them.



2. How do you usually react to negative opinions online?

I usually try not to react immediately. I think for a while and decide if it is worth responding.



3. Do you think online comments are always honest?

No, I dont think so. People often write quickly without thinking about how it sounds.



4. What helps you feel better after something upsetting online?

I usually talk to friends or listen to music. It helps me calm down and stop overthinking.



5. Do you post things online often?

Yes, sometimes I post photos or updates, but I dont expect too much attention.



6. Have you ever changed your opinion about something after thinking more carefully?

Yes, sometimes I realize that my first reaction was too emotional, so I try to see things more calmly later.



Complete the sentences:

I didnt expect anything special, but I saw a ______ comment.

I kept reading it again and again because I felt ______.

I tried to distract myself by ______ music and walking around.

Over time, I realized I should not take it too ______.

Now I try to think carefully before I ______ to online comments.




The Day I Deleted All My Social Media


It wasnt planned. I didnt wake up thinking, Today I will delete everything and change my life. It happened on a quiet evening after school, when nothing special was going on, but my head felt unusually full.



I remember sitting on my bed with my phone in my hand, switching between apps without even noticing. Open one app, scroll a bit, close it, open another. The same cycle again and again. It felt automatic, like I wasnt really choosing anything anymore.



That day had been normal, but also strangely exhausting. At school I was half-listening to lessons, half-thinking about messages I hadnt replied to. During breaks I checked my phone even when I had nothing to check. I wasnt really present anywhere  not in class, not with friends, not even alone.



When I got home, I felt a bit irritated for no clear reason. My phone kept buzzing, lighting up, pulling my attention every few minutes. Even when I wasnt using it, I was thinking about it. It was like there was always something waiting for me inside the screen.



At some point, I opened social media again and just stared at it. Not even scrolling properly. Just looking. And I had a strange thought: Why am I doing this right now?



It wasnt a dramatic moment, no big emotional breakdown. It was more like a quiet realization. I noticed how often I checked my phone without a reason. How quickly I got distracted. How hard it was to focus on anything for more than a few minutes.



So I did something impulsive. I opened settings and started deleting apps. One by one. First the easiest ones. Then the ones I used every day. My finger hesitated a few times, especially over the apps I used to talk to friends, but I still pressed delete.



After a few minutes, my phone looked strangely empty. No colorful icons, no constant notifications, no quick escape into scrolling. Just the basic apps left. I locked the screen and put the phone on my desk.



At first, it felt uncomfortable. Like I had lost something important. I kept reaching for my phone out of habit, even when I knew there was nothing there to check. It was surprising how automatic that movement had become.



That evening felt different. Quieter. I didnt know what to do with myself at first. I walked around my room, looked out of the window, even cleaned my desk just to stay busy. There were moments when I felt bored in a way I hadnt felt for a long time.



But after a while, something changed. The silence didnt feel so strange anymore. I started thinking more clearly. My mind wasnt jumping from one notification to another. I could actually finish one thought without interruption.



The next day at school was even more interesting. I noticed small things I usually missed  conversations, expressions, details in lessons. I was less distracted, even when I didnt try hard to focus. It felt like my attention had more space.



Of course, it wasnt perfect. I still felt the urge to check my phone. I also worried a bit about missing messages or being out of touch with friends. That part wasnt easy, especially in the beginning.



Later, I decided to reinstall only one messaging app, just to stay connected. But I didnt bring everything back. I kept the rest deleted. It felt like a balance  not completely disconnected, but also not constantly online.



Over the next few days, I started noticing something else. I wasnt as anxious for no reason. I didnt feel that constant pressure to respond instantly or check what others were doing. My time felt more like mine again, even if just a little.



Now I dont think deleting everything was a permanent solution, but it was a turning point. It showed me how automatic my habits had become, and how quickly I could change them if I really stopped and paid attention.



And sometimes I still remember that moment of hesitation before pressing delete, like standing at a small door I didnt realize I needed to open.



Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

scroll without thinking    

check my phone   

feel irritated   

constant notifications   

pull attention   

be present     

automatic habit   

open settings   

delete apps   

press delete   

feel uncomfortable   

out of habit   

lose something important   - 

quiet realization   

jump from one thing to another      

focus on something    -

feel bored   

stay connected    

bring something back   - 

turning point   



You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

It wasnt planned     

I didnt realize how much     (), 

I started doing something impulsively    ()  - 

At first, it felt     

It became easier over time     

I kept reaching for my phone    ()   

I started noticing that    () , 

It felt like I had more time  ,     



Now think about your own experience:



1. Have you ever tried to reduce your phone or social media use?

Yes, sometimes I try to reduce my phone use, especially when I feel distracted. It helps me focus better on schoolwork.



2. How do you feel when you are offline for a long time?

At first I feel a bit uncomfortable, but later I start to feel calmer. I notice I have more time to think.



3. What apps do you use the most every day?

I usually use messaging apps and social media. They help me stay connected with friends.



4. Do you think you can spend a full day without social media?

It would be difficult at first, but probably possible. I think I would feel bored in the beginning.



5. What helps you focus when you study?

I study better when my phone is away from me. I also turn off notifications.



6. Do you think people depend too much on their phones today?

Yes, I think many people are very dependent on phones. It has become a habit for almost everything.



Complete the sentences:

I didnt expect to delete my apps, but I suddenly felt ______.

At first, it felt uncomfortable and a bit ______.

I kept reaching for my phone out of ______.

Over time, I started noticing that I could ______ better.

It felt like I had more control over my ______.




Online Popularity vs Real Life


Its funny how two versions of your life can exist at the same time. One happens in real life  at school, at home, in conversations with friends. The other happens online, where everything is measured in likes, views, comments, and followers. For a long time, I didnt really think about the difference. It all felt like one big world.



At school, things are simple in a way. You talk to people face to face, you see their reactions, you understand if they are joking or serious. Friendships grow slowly. You dont count them, you feel them. Some days you laugh a lot, other days are quiet, but it feels real, even when its not perfect.



Online, everything is different. A post can suddenly get attention from people you dont even know. A photo can be seen by hundreds of strangers in a few minutes. At first, that felt exciting. I remember checking my phone again and again, waiting for new likes or comments. It gave a small rush, like something important was happening.



But that feeling didnt always last.



Sometimes I noticed that a post I thought was really good didnt get much attention. Other times, something I didnt even think about suddenly became popular. It started to feel random, like I had no real control over it. That made me think: what does popularity online actually mean?



At school, I had friends I could talk to every day. We shared real moments  sitting together, joking, helping each other with homework. But online, popularity felt more distant. It was numbers and notifications, not real conversations. Someone could like your post but never talk to you in real life.



I started noticing a strange difference in how I felt. When something went well online, I felt briefly happy. But when I had a good day in real life  a funny conversation, a walk home with friends  the feeling stayed much longer. It was quieter, but deeper.



Still, I wont say online popularity is completely meaningless. It can feel nice to be seen, to get positive feedback, to feel that people notice you. But I started realizing that it doesnt always reflect who you really are. Its more like a small highlight, not the full story.



One day, I remember sitting with my friends after school, laughing about something completely random. Nobody was filming it, nobody was posting it. There were no likes or comments. But later that day, I thought about that moment more than anything I saw online.



Thats when it became clearer to me. Real life doesnt need an audience. It doesnt need numbers. It just happens, and youre part of it.



Online life, on the other hand, sometimes feels like you are always being watched or measured. You start thinking about how things look instead of how they feel. You wonder if something is good enough to post, instead of just enjoying it.



I still use social media, of course. Its part of everyday life now. But I try not to confuse attention with value. A post can get many likes and still mean very little. And a quiet moment with one friend can mean much more than hundreds of reactions.



Sometimes I catch myself checking my phone too often again, especially after posting something. But now I notice it faster. I remind myself that real life is still happening while Im staring at a screen.



And maybe the biggest difference is this: online popularity disappears quickly, but real moments stay with you in a way that no number can really measure.



Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

face to face    

real life   

online popularity  -

get attention   

check my phone   

social media post    

new likes and comments     

feel a rush    

lose control over something     -

real conversation   

spend time together    

random result   

feel distant   

positive feedback    

mean a lot   

stay with you    

real moment   

be part of something    -

get used to something    -

confuse attention with value     



You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

At first, I thought that     (), 

It started to feel like   , 

I started noticing that    () , 

It didnt last very long    

I realized that    (), 

It made me think about      

I try not to confuse with      

It means more than    , 



Now think about your own experience:



1. Do you think online popularity is important?

I think it can feel important sometimes, but it is not the most important thing. Real relationships matter more in the long term.



2. How do you feel when your post gets many likes?

I feel happy for a short time, but the feeling doesnt last long. It is nice, but not very deep.



3. What do you value more: online attention or real friendships?

I value real friendships more. They are more stable and meaningful than online reactions.



4. Do you compare yourself to others online?

Sometimes I do, but I try not to. It can make me feel stressed or unhappy.



5. What moments in real life make you happiest?

I feel happiest when I spend time with friends or family. Simple moments often feel the most real.



6. Do you think social media shows real life?

Not completely. It usually shows only highlights, not everyday reality.



Complete the sentences:

Online popularity often depends on ______ and comments.

Real life moments usually feel more ______ and meaningful.

I try not to confuse attention with ______.

A post can get many likes but still feel ______.

Real friendships are more important than online ______.




A Fake Account That Changed Everything


It started as a normal week, the kind that doesnt feel special at all. School, homework, chatting with friends, scrolling through my phone in the evening  everything was predictable. Nothing suggested that something strange was about to happen.



I first noticed it on social media. A new account started following me. It had no clear photo, no real information, just a random username and a few posts that didnt say much. At first, I didnt think anything of it. Fake accounts appear all the time, so I ignored it.



But then it didnt stop there.



A few days later, I got a message from that account. It was short and casual, like someone trying to start a normal conversation. It said something like, Hey, I think we go to the same school. That made me pause. I wasnt sure who it was, but I still replied politely.



The conversation continued. At first, it felt harmless. Just small talk about school, teachers, and everyday things. The person seemed friendly, maybe even a bit shy. I started thinking it might be someone I actually knew but didnt recognize online.



But something felt slightly off.



They knew small details, but not everything. Sometimes they asked questions that felt a bit too careful, like they were trying to get information instead of just talking. I didnt want to overthink it, so I kept replying normally. I told myself it was probably nothing.



Then things changed.



One evening, the messages became more personal. The account started mentioning people I knew and things happening at school that werent public. That made me uncomfortable. I felt that strange feeling when something is both familiar and wrong at the same time.



I stopped replying for a while, but the messages kept coming. More questions. More comments. Some of them didnt feel harmless anymore. It felt like someone was watching from too close.



I started feeling nervous every time my phone lit up. Even simple notifications made me uncomfortable. I showed the account to a friend, and that was the first time I said it out loud: I think this might be a fake account.



My friend agreed. We compared information, thought about it, and slowly realized it wasnt just a random stranger. It looked like someone pretending to be someone else  maybe even someone from school.



That thought changed everything.



Suddenly, normal school life didnt feel completely normal anymore. I started looking at people differently. Every time I saw someone checking their phone or laughing quietly, I wondered if it could be connected. It wasnt a nice feeling.



We decided to report the account. At first, I hesitated, because I didnt want to create drama or accuse the wrong person. But the situation felt too strange to ignore. So I blocked it and reported it, and my friend did the same.



After that, there was silence.



No more messages. No more strange notifications. Just nothing. At first, it felt like relief. But a part of me still kept thinking about who it was and why it happened. That question didnt disappear quickly.



At school, nothing obvious changed. People acted normal, like always. But I noticed myself paying more attention to small details  who knew what, who talked to whom, who seemed too interested in online gossip. I didnt trust everything as easily anymore.



Over time, I understood something important. Online spaces can feel safe and distant, but they can also hide things you dont expect. A fake account isnt just a joke or a prank when it crosses personal boundaries. It can affect real emotions in real life.



Still, I didnt want to become paranoid. I kept using social media, but more carefully. I started thinking before replying, before sharing, before trusting too quickly.



And even now, sometimes I remember that feeling  opening a message and not knowing who is really on the other side of the screen.



Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

fake account   

start following   

small talk   

feel harmless   

something feels off  -  

overthink something    

personal information   

feel uncomfortable   

message keeps coming    

strange feeling   

check my phone   

report an account    

block someone   -

create drama   

pay attention   

trust someone   -

real emotions   

cross boundaries   

online space  -

think carefully   



You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

It started as a normal week      

At first, I didnt think much of it      ()  

Something felt off  -  

I didnt want to overthink it     ()    

It made me feel uncomfortable      

I started to realize that    () , 

We decided to report it    

It changed the way I see      



Now think about your own experience:



1. Do you think fake accounts are common on social media?

Yes, I think they are quite common. Sometimes it is hard to know who is real and who is not.



2. How would you react if a stranger messaged you online?

I would be careful and not share personal information. I would probably ignore or block them.



3. Have you ever felt uncomfortable online?

Yes, sometimes I feel uncomfortable when messages seem strange or too personal.



4. What do you think is the danger of fake accounts?

They can trick people and collect personal information. They can also create confusion and stress.



5. Do you think people are careful enough online?

Not always. Some people trust too quickly without checking who they are talking to.



6. What would you do if you suspected a fake account?

I would stop replying, block it, and report it to the platform.



Complete the sentences:

At first, I thought the account was ______ and normal.

Something started to feel ______ after a few messages.

I didnt want to overthink it, so I kept ______.

We decided to ______ the account and block it.

Now I always think carefully before I ______ someone online.




When I Got Addicted to Scrolling


It didnt happen suddenly. I didnt wake up one morning and think, Im addicted to scrolling now. It was much quieter than that. It started with just a few minutes here and there  during breakfast, on the bus, before sleeping. At first, it felt like a harmless way to relax.



I remember thinking it was actually useful. Short videos, funny posts, news, messages  everything was in one place. If I had a free moment, I would just open my phone and scroll a little. It didnt feel like a big deal.



But slowly, it became something I did without thinking.



I started scrolling in situations where I didnt even need my phone. Waiting for a friend? Scroll. Walking slowly? Scroll. Sitting quietly at home? Scroll. It wasnt even about interest anymore. It was just a habit  automatic, like breathing.



One morning, I noticed something strange. I had been scrolling for almost half an hour without remembering what I actually saw. I couldnt even describe the last five videos I watched. That was the first time I felt a bit uncomfortable, but I still didnt stop.



At school, it got worse. During breaks, instead of talking to people, I often stayed on my phone. Sometimes even during lessons, I would secretly check it under the desk. I told myself it was just a quick look, but quick slowly turned into longer and longer moments.



The worst part was the feeling that I couldnt stop easily. Even when I didnt enjoy it, I still opened apps automatically. It was like my hand moved before my brain made a decision.



At night, it became a problem too. I would lie in bed and tell myself, just five minutes. But five minutes turned into twenty, then thirty, and suddenly it was much later than I planned. I felt tired in the morning, but I still repeated the same pattern.



One day, I missed an important message from a friend because I was scrolling and didnt hear my notification. Thats when I really noticed something was wrong. It wasnt just a habit anymore  it was affecting real life.



I decided to try something simple first. I placed my phone across the room while studying. At first, it felt almost impossible. I kept thinking about it, and I even stood up a few times without realizing why. But slowly, I started focusing better.



Another small change was turning off notifications. It was strange how much quieter my phone became. At first, I kept checking it out of habit anyway, but after a while, I started feeling less pulled toward it.



The hardest part was the boredom. When I wasnt scrolling, I didnt know what to do with short empty moments. I realized I had replaced almost every pause in my day with my phone. Waiting, thinking, resting  everything had become scrolling time.



So I tried replacing it with small things: listening to music without looking at the screen, walking without my phone, even just sitting and thinking. It felt unusual at first, almost uncomfortable, like I was missing something. But slowly, that feeling changed.



I also started noticing things I used to ignore  conversations, sounds, small details around me. My attention felt more stable, even if not perfect. I wasnt constantly jumping from one thing to another anymore.



Im not going to say I completely stopped scrolling. I didnt. I still use my phone, and I still get distracted sometimes. But now I notice it faster. I catch myself earlier and decide more consciously whether I want to continue or not.



Its strange how something so simple can slowly take so much time without you realizing it. And even now, sometimes I open my phone just for a minute, and I still have to remind myself to stop before that minute disappears.



Here are some useful expressions you might have noticed:

get addicted to something   /    -

scroll without thinking    

harmless habit   

free moment   

automatic habit   

lose track of time    

secretly check   

under the desk   

lie in bed    

notification  

feel uncomfortable   

miss an important message    

affect real life     

turn off notifications   

out of habit   

short empty moments    

replace something with something   - -

feel pulled toward something    -

pay attention   

catch myself doing something     -



You can use patterns like these in your own speech:

It didnt happen suddenly     

I didnt realize how much     (), 

I started doing something without thinking    ()  -  

It became a habit    

I told myself that    () , 

I decided to try something simple    ()  - 

It felt impossible at first     

I started noticing that    () , 



Now think about your own experience:



1. How often do you scroll on your phone during the day?

I scroll on my phone quite often, especially in free moments. Sometimes I dont even notice how much time I spend on it.



2. Do you think scrolling can become addictive?

Yes, I think it can become addictive because it is very easy and always available. It is hard to stop once you start.



3. What do you usually do when you feel bored?

I usually open my phone and scroll or watch videos. It is my default reaction to boredom.



4. Have you ever lost track of time while using your phone?

Yes, many times. I planned to use it for a few minutes, but it turned into much longer.



5. What helps you reduce phone use?

Turning off notifications and keeping my phone away helps me focus better. It reduces the temptation to check it.



6. Do you think people use phones too much today?

Yes, I think many people use phones too much without realizing it. It has become part of everyday life.



Complete the sentences:

I didnt realize how often I was ______ without thinking.

At first, it felt like a harmless ______.

I started losing ______ of time while scrolling.

I decided to turn off ______ to focus better.

Now I try to catch myself when I open my phone out of ______.




  .


   .

   ,     (https://www.litres.ru/book/tom-storiz/istorii-na-angliyskom-dlya-sredney-i-starshey-shkoly-kak-govori-74234924/)  .

      Visa, MasterCard, Maestro,    ,   ,     ,  PayPal, WebMoney, ., QIWI ,       .


