Cue Card

Describe a time you heard a stranger talking on the phone in a public place

You should say:

• Where you were
• When it was
• What the stranger was talking about
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Why do some people talk loudly on public transportation?
2. Should people be allowed to talk loudly in public places?
3. Is it bad to talk on the phone in public places?
4. Why do some people always break rules in public places?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was on my morning commute, squished between a guy who hadn't showered in days and a mom trying to corral her three rambunctious kids. The train was delayed, and we were all stuck in this metal tube, going nowhere fast. That's when I heard her. A woman, probably in her mid-30s, talking on her phone in a voice that was just a little too loud. At first, I thought she was just another annoying commuter, but then I started listening to what she was saying.

She was talking to someone about her job, about how she was feeling suffocated by the monotony of it all. She was saying things like 'I just feel like I'm going through the motions' and 'I'm so tired of being a cog in the machine.' I was surprised by how much I related to what she was saying. I mean, who hasn't felt that way at some point, right? But what really struck me was the way she was talking about it. She was so... honest. So raw. It was like she was having this deep, profound conversation with her friend, but really, she was just talking to herself.

As I listened to her, I started to feel this weird sense of connection to her. Like, we were strangers, but in that moment, we were connected. We were both just trying to make sense of this crazy thing called life. And I think that's what I love about eavesdropping on strangers' conversations. It's like, for a brief moment, you get to be a part of their world. You get to see the world through their eyes, and it's a really powerful thing.

Of course, the train finally started moving, and we all had to get off at our respective stops. But I never forgot that woman and her conversation. It's funny, because now, whenever I'm on public transportation, I find myself listening in on other people's conversations. Not in a creepy way, but in a 'I'm-just-trying-to-understand-the-human-experience' kind of way. And you know what? It's amazing what you can learn about people when they think no one is listening.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

going through the motions

to do something without enthusiasm or interest, just to get it done

I feel like I'm just going through the motions at work.

She's been going through the motions in her relationship for years.

cog in the machine

a small but essential part of a larger system or organization

I feel like I'm just a cog in the machine at my corporate job.

The new employee felt like a cog in the machine, just doing tasks without any sense of purpose.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Why do some people talk loudly on public transportation? I think some people talk loudly on public transportation because they're not aware of their surroundings. They might be so caught up in their conversation that they forget they're not in a private space. I've noticed this a lot on buses and trains, where people will be talking on their phone or to a friend, and they'll just keep going without realizing how loud they're being. It's like they're in their own little bubble, and they don't realize that everyone around them can hear what they're saying. It's not necessarily that they're trying to be rude or disrupt others, they're just not paying attention to the fact that they're in a shared space.

Should people be allowed to talk loudly in public places? I don't think people should be allowed to talk loudly in public places, at least not to the point where they're disturbing others. Public spaces are meant to be shared, and when someone is talking loudly, it can be really disruptive to others who are trying to relax or focus on their own thing. I've been on buses where someone is having a loud conversation on their phone, and it's hard to tune it out. It's not fair to the other people around them who are just trying to get from point A to point B. I think people should be mindful of their volume and try to keep it down, especially in enclosed spaces like public transportation.

Is it bad to talk on the phone in public places? I don't think it's inherently bad to talk on the phone in public places, but it depends on the context. If you're in a quiet coffee shop or library, it's probably not a good idea to take a call. But if you're in a busy street or park, it's probably not a big deal. The key is to be aware of your surroundings and be considerate of others. If you do need to take a call in a public place, try to keep your voice down and be brief. And if you're going to be on the phone for a while, it's probably better to step outside or find a quiet spot. It's all about being respectful of the people around you.

Why do some people always break rules in public places? I think some people break rules in public places because they feel like they're above the law, or that the rules don't apply to them. Maybe they're having a bad day and they just don't care, or maybe they're just not thinking about how their actions might affect others. I've seen people littering or playing music loudly in public spaces, and it's like they're not even thinking about the impact they're having on the people around them. It's frustrating, because it's not that hard to follow the rules and be considerate of others. I think it's just a matter of being aware of your surroundings and taking responsibility for your actions.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

in their own little bubble

completely absorbed in one's own thoughts or activities, unaware of the surroundings