Reading Comprehension/ Social StudiesNam...

By Admin • May 21, 2021 • 1,524 views

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Introduction & History

Since the dawn of time, people have found ways to communicate with one another.

Smoke signals and tribal drums were some of the earliest forms of communication.

Letters, carried by birds or by humans on foot or on horseback, made it possible for

people to communicate larger amounts of information between two places. The

telegraph and telephone set the stage for more modern means of communication.

With the invention of the cellular phone, communication itself has become mobile.

For you, a cell phone is probably just a device that you or your friends use --to keep

in touch with family and friends, take pictures, play games, or send text messages.

The definition of a cell phone is more specific: it is a hand-held wireless

communication device that sends and receives signals by way of small special

areas called cells.

Walkie-talkies, telephones, and cell phones are duplex communication devices:

they make it possible for two people to talk to each other. Cell phones and walkietalkies are different from regular phones, because they can be used in many

different locations. A walkie-talkie is sometimes called a half-duplex communication

device, because only one person can talk at a time. A cell phone is a full-duplex

device because it uses both frequencies at the same time. A walkie-talkie has only

one channel. A cell phone has more than a thousand channels. A walkie-talkie can

transmit and receive signals across a distance of about a mile. A cell phone can

transmit and receive signals over hundreds of miles.

In 1973, an electronic company called Motorola hired Martin Cooper to work on

wireless communication. Motorola and Bell Laboratories (now AT&T) were in a race

to invent the first portable communication device. Martin Cooper won the race and

became the inventor of the cell phone. On April 3, 1973, Cooper made the first cell

phone call to his opponent at AT&T while walking down the streets of New York

City. People on the sidewalks gazed at Cooper in amazement as he walked down

the street talking on his cellular phone. Cooper’s phone was called a Motorola

Dyna-Tac. It weighed a whopping 2 ½ pounds (as compared to today’s cell phones

that weigh as little as 3 or 4 ounces).

After the invention of his cell phone, Cooper began thinking of ways to make the

cell phone available to the general public. After ten years, Motorola introduced the

first cell phones for commercial use. The early cell phone and its service were both

very expensive. The cell phone itself cost about $3,500.

In 1977, AT&T constructed a cell phone system and tried it out in Chicago with over

2,000 customers. In 1981, a second cellular phone system was started in the

Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area. It took nearly 37 years for cell phones to

become available for general public use. Today there are more than sixty million

cell phone customers with cell phones producing over thirty billion dollars per year.

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Answer the questions from the text INTRODUCTION & HISTORY

1. What is a cell phone?

______________________________________________________________

2. How did the cell phone get its name?

______________________________________________________________

3. What are two of the differences between a walkie-talkie and a cell phone?

______________________________________________________________

4. Who invented the cell phone, and for what company did he work?

______________________________________________________________

5. In what year was the cell phone invented? ____________________________

6. How did people react to Martin Cooper as he talked on his cell phone while

walking down the streets of New York City?

______________________________________________________________

7. How does the size of the first cell phone compare with the size of cell phones

today?

______________________________________________________________

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Parts of a Cell Phone

A cell phone is not as complicated as you might think. Most cell phones have only

seven major parts: a circuit board, an antenna, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a

keypad, a microphone, a speaker, and a battery.

Thirty years ago, these parts would have filled the entire floor of an office building.

Today they fit into a package small enough to rest in the palm of your hand.

The circuit board is the most important part of a cell phone because it contains the

computer chip. One section of the chip performs high-speed calculations. Another

section of the chip has a microprocessor that handles the commands that you give

the cell phone when you press keys on the keypad.

Cell phones have tiny speakers and microphones that are very powerful. As the

size of the cell phone decreased, so did the size of the cell phone battery.

How Cell Phones Work

When you speak into a cell phone, it picks up your voice and changes the sound

waves in your voice into radio waves. The radio waves then travel through the air to

a receiver at a station or tower. The tower sends your call through a series of

networks or cells until it reaches the person that you are calling,

When you receive a call on your cell phone, the message travels through a cellular

network until it reaches a tower or base station near your cell phone. The base

station then sends out radio waves that are picked up by a receiver in your cell

phone. The radio waves are then changed back to the sound of a voice. A cell

phone can transmit and send signals over hundreds of miles. A cell phone operates

within cells, so that as you move from one place to another, the signal is passed

from one cell to another. This is how someone using a cell phone can drive

hundreds of miles and hold a conversation during the entire trip.

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Answer the questions from the text PARTS OF A CELL PHONE

8. How many major parts do most cell phones have?

______________________________________________________________

9. Why is the circuit board an important part of a cell phone?

______________________________________________________________

10. What does the microprocessor portion of the computer chip do?

______________________________________________________________

Answer the questions from the text HOW CELL PHONES WORK

11. What happens when you speak into a cell phone?

______________________________________________________________

12. Explain how someone using a cell phone can drive hundreds of miles and hold

a conversation during the entire trip.

______________________________________________________________

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Advantages and Disadvantages

Anyone who uses a cell phone can tell you how convenient it is to have one. They

are especially useful when you are on the road traveling. If you need emergency

road service or if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, a cell phone can be

your best friend.

Cell phones are an effective way to keep in touch with family and friends. Cell

phones are small and easy to carry around, and calls can be made anytime from

any place.

However, cell phones do have some disadvantages. One of the biggest

disadvantages of using cell phones is that people are tempted to use them while

driving. This causes a situation called “inattention blindness.” Studies have shown

that drivers who use cell phones while driving were “blind” (because they did not

pay attention) to roadside billboards, signs and other sources of important

information around them.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any given

moment of the day over 500,000 drivers are talking on cell phones while driving.

This means that there are a large number of people who are not giving their full

attention to driving. Everyone knows that in today’s traffic there should be as few

distractions as possible.

Many people feel that there should be laws against using cell phones while driving.

Nearly two dozen countries around the world, including Australia, Germany, Great

Britain, South Africa, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Italy, Israel and Russia all have laws

restricting cell phone use while driving.

The Automobile Association (AAA) recommends that cell phones not be used while

driving. But if there is an emergency reason for using a cell phone, the following

safety tips are recommended:

• Position your cell phone within easy reach

• Pull off the road and park in a safe place to make calls.

• Ask a passenger to make a call for you

• Keep the phone conversation short and get off the phone as soon as possible

• Use phone only when necessary

A driver who is injured in an automobile accident caused by a person who was

using a cell phone has the right to sue the person for careless and negligent

operation of his vehicle.

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Advantages and Disadvantages, part 2

In addition to problems related to driving, there are other disadvantages to cell

phones. Cell phones can be disruptive in places such as churches, theaters, and

other places where quietness is needed. It is thought that ringing cell phones cause

distractions in classes. Many school districts have banned cell phones use in the

schools.

Some restaurant owners across the country are asking their customers to turn off

the ringers on their cell phones when they enter the restaurant. Most cell phones

have a vibrating feature that causes the phone to vibrate instead of ringing, and

some have voice mail where messages can be stored so that they can be retrieved

at more appropriate times. This makes it possible for cell phone users to continue to

use their phones without disturbing the people around them.

On any occasion, good manners are always the best way to go. It is important to be

considerate of others and use good common sense all the time, including when

using cell phones. According to USA Today, millions of cell phones in use in the

United States ring in theaters, libraries, churches and other inappropriate places.

Cell phone users are encouraged to turn off cell phones in places where quietness

is needed. If for some reason the user cannot or will not turn off the phone, they

should use the vibrating feature to alert them to incoming calls without disturbing

others.

Cell phone users should also consider the following rules of courtesy:

• If there is a rule against cell phones, respect it.

• Respect the personal space of those around you. Take your calls away from

others.

• When speaking on the phone, speak as quietly as possible.

• Do not interrupt a face-to-face conversation to take a cell phone call.

• If you must take a call while with others, keep the call brief.

• Whenever possible, let voice mail take your calls.

• Keep your ring tones turned to a low volume.

Perhaps more serious than damage to social relations, cell phones may have

effects on the health of their users. It has been found that cell phones give off

radiation. Radiation can damage the cells in the body. Scientists believe that this

radiation can cause changes in brain cells which can cause nausea, dizziness,

depression, early memory loss, and brain tumors.

There is no certain connection between cell phone use and health problems.

However, until further studies are done, most scientists suggest that people should

limit the length of time spent talking on cell phones.

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Answer the questions from the text ADVANTAGES AND

DISADVANTAGES

13. What are some ways that cell phone can be beneficial?

______________________________________________________________

14. What is “attention blindness”?

______________________________________________________________

15. List some countries that have banned the use of cell phone driving.

______________________________________________________________

16. List some safety tips for using cell phones while driving.

______________________________________________________________

17. What are some disadvantages of using cell phones?

______________________________________________________________

18. How can radiation from cell phone phones affect the body?

______________________________________________________________

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Cell Phones of the Future

To make cell phone use and driving safer, cell phone companies are coming up

with numerous safety features. Some companies are providing headsets,

speakerphones, and voice-activated dialing where telephone numbers are spoken

instead of being dialed by hand.

One new technology that promises to make driving safer for cell phone users is a

piece of equipment that allows you to have make and receive calls while your

phone is anywhere in your car --even in the trunk! The car is wired so that calls

come through the car’s speaker and you can speak through the car’s microphone.

This way, calls are made and received without having to touch any buttons, dials or

even the phone itself.

If you think that cell phones are cool now just wait a few more years. Scientists and

engineers predict that cell phones called “smart phones” will interact with other

appliances in the home to turn appliances such as dishwashers on and off even

while you are not at home.

One university research group is developing “context aware” cell phones. These

phones will sense where the user is and act accordingly. For example, these

phones will not ring while you are having a face-to-face conversation with someone.

They will remind you of the best time to return an important phone call. They will

remember to ring if they are lying on the desktop and vibrate if they are in your

pocket or purse. They will ring loudly where there is lots of noise and softly if you

are in a quiet place.

In the next few years, it is predicted that cell phones will have a small computer that

can scan anything in a store. Then with the push of a button, the desired store

products can be purchased.

Cell phone users can also look forward to having disposable phones. These cell

phones will be made of paper, and will be extremely small and lightweight. They will

cost about $20 and will include 60 prepaid minutes. When the battery dies and the

minutes are used up, the phone can be tossed away or it may be recycled.

Another predicted cell phone of the future is sensor phones. These phones will

contain a sensor device that lets you know if someone is tampering with your

luggage or breaking into your house.

Fitness phones will help to keep you in shape. They connect to a treadmill. If you

run faster on the treadmill the music plays faster. If you slow down, the music slows

down too.

“Torture-proof” cell phones will withstand water, dust, and will be shockproof. If

dropped down a flight of stairs, the phone will continue to operate as usual.

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Answer the questions from the text CELL PHONES OF THE FUTURE

19. What new technology promises to make driving safer for cell phone users?

______________________________________________________________

20. What are “smart phones”?

______________________________________________________________

21. Explain how “context aware” cell phones will work. Give some examples.

______________________________________________________________

22. Describe the disposable cell phone of the future.

______________________________________________________________

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Creative Thinking Activities

• Suppose that an alien came to earth from another planet and it was your job

to explain what a cell phone is, how it works and how to use it. Write what

you would say.

• Write an imaginary story about how your cell phone was used to save your

life or the life of someone in your family.

• Design an award and a certificate to present to Martin Cooper for inventing

the cell phone.

• Make posters for display throughout your school about the dangers of driving

while using cell phones.

• Make a presentation to an elementary class on the subject of cell phones.

• Who uses cell phones the most? Conduct a survey or research the topic and

report your findings.

• How many students in your class own cell phones? How many in your grade

own cell phones? How many in your school own cell phones? How can you

gather this information from the students?

• Imagine that people could use cell phones to communicate with animals. Act

out a cell phone conversation between you and a pet.

• The Month of July is National Cell phone month. Make a poster reminding

people to practice good cell phone manners.

• Design your own unique cell phone. Tell what your cell phone will do that no

other cell phone can do. Be creative. Draw a version of your telephone.

• Create a timeline to show the progress of communication, from smoke

signals to cell phones. Be sure that your timeline is clear and accurate.

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

Answers

1. What is a cell phone? A cell phone is a wireless communication device that sends

and receives signals by way of small special area called cells.

2. How did the cell phone get its name? The cell phone gets its name from the small

special areas called cells where signals are sent and received.

3. What are two differences between walkie-talkies and cell phones? (any two of the

following) A walkie-talkie is sometimes called a half-duplex communication

device, because only one person can talk at a time. A cell phone is a full-duplex

device because it uses both frequencies at the same time. A walkie-talkie has

only one channel. A cell phone has more than a thousand channels. A walkietalkie can transmit and receive signals across a distance of about a mile. A cell

phone can transmit and receive signals over hundreds of miles.

4. Who invented the cell phone and for what company did he work? Martin Cooper

invented the cell phone while working for Motorola.

5. In what year was the cell phone invented? The cell phone was invented in 1973.

6. How did people react to Martin Cooper as he talked on his cell phone while

walking down the streets of New York? People gazed at Martin Cooper in

amazement as he walked down the streets of New York City talking on his cell phone.

7. How does the size of the first cell phone compare with the size of today’s cell

phones? Martin Cooper’s cell phone weighed a whopping 2 ½ pounds, while today’s

cell phone weigh as little as three ounces.

8. How many major parts do most cell phones have? Most cell phones have a circuit

board, an antennae, a liquid crystal display (LCD) (the screen), a keypad, a

microphone, a speaker, and a battery.

9. Why is the circuit board an important part of the cell phone? The circuit board is a

most important part of the cell phone because it contains the computer chip

10. What is the function of the microprocessor portion of the computer chip? The

microprocessor handle commands that you give the cell phone when you press keys

on the keyboard.

11. What happens when you speak into a cell phone? When you speak into a cell

phone, it picks up your voice and changes the sound waves into radio waves. The radio

waves then travel through the air to a receiver at a station or tower. The tower sends

your call through a series of networks or cells until it reaches the person that you are

calling.

12. Explain how someone using a cell phone can drive hundreds of miles and hold a

conversation during the entire trip. A cell phone operates within cells so that as you

move from one place to another, the signal is passed from one cell to another.

Reading Comprehension/ Social Studies

Name _________________________________ Date __________________________

Can You Hear Me Now? A Study Unit on Cell Phones

13. What are some ways that cell phone can be beneficial? When traveling, if you need

directions or emergency services, or if you are in a dangerous situation, a cell phone

can be your best friend. Cell phones are an effective way to keep in touch with family

and friends.

14. What is “inattention blindness”? Inattention blindness is a situation in which drivers

who use cell phones while driving were blind to (did not pay attention) to roadside

billboards, signs and other sources of important information around them.

15. List some countries that have banned cell phone use while driving. Some

countries that have banned cell phone use while driving are: Australia, Germany, Great

Britain, South Africa, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Italy, Israel, and Russia.

16. List some safety tips for drivers who have to use cell phones while driving. Some

safety tips for those drivers who have to use their cell phones while driving are:

• Position your phone within easy reach

• Pull off the road and park in a safe location to make calls

• Ask a passenger to make the call for you

• Keep the phone conversation short

• Use phone only when necessary

17. What are some disadvantages of using cell phones? Cell phones can be disruptive

in places such as churches, schools, and other places where quietness is needed; they

can be dangerous while driving.

18. How can radiation from cell phones affect the body? Radiation from cell phones

can cause changes in brain cells which can cause nausea, dizziness, depression,

memory loss and brain tumors.

19. What new technology promises to make driving safer for cell phone users? One

piece of equipment that allows you to have make and receive calls while your

phone is anywhere in your car --even in the trunk! The car is wired so that calls

come through the car’s speaker and you can speak through the car’s

microphone. This way, calls are made and received without having to touch any

buttons, dials or even the phone itself..

20. What are “smart phones”? Smart phones will interact with other appliances in the

home turning appliances off or on even while you are away from home.

21. Explain how “context aware” cell phones will work. Give examples. Context aware

phones will sense where the user is and ring accordingly. For example, these phones

will not ring and interrupt a face-to-face conversation. They will remember to ring if they

are on a desk and vibrate if they are in a pocket or purse. They will ring loudly if there is

noise and softly in a quiet place.

22. Describe the disposable cell phone of the future. The disposable cell phone will be

extremely small and lightweight. They will cost about $20 and will include 60 pre-paid

minutes. They can be discarded when all minutes are used up or recycled.

Share with Classmates & Study Groups: Help fellow students

Share on WhatsApp Share to Facebook

5.0 / 5.0

Found this study material helpful?

Rate our website service and free notes repository on Google Reviews!

Review Our Service

Discussion & Study Inquiries (0)

Ask questions, request missing past papers, or share revision tips

💬

No comments yet. Be the first student to start the discussion or request past papers!

Reading Comprehension/ Social StudiesNam...

Found this study material helpful?

Discussion & Study Inquiries (0)

You May Also Like

HND in English Selection Test Past Papers & Model Exam Guide

English Acronyms & Meaning Guide: What Does CEO, SOP & Medical Terms Mean in English?

English to Hindi Translation & Daily Vocabulary Guide

Search This Blog

HNDE Community

HNDE Video Lessons

Facebook Community

Popular Posts

HND in English Selection Test Past Papers & Model Exam Guide

English Acronyms & Meaning Guide: What Does CEO, SOP & Medical Terms Mean in English?

Celebrity English FAQs: Does Messi Speak English? Does Bad Bunny Speak English?

Marking Scheme | Past Paper - 2018 | Sri Lankan Literature ( 2nd Yr - 2nd Sem )

What are Some Must know English Grammar Facts and Tricks?

Labels

Rate Our Website Service

Recommended Topics & Resources