A time I couldn’t use my mobile phone at a concert When it was I’d like to talk about an experience I had about a year ago when I attended a classical music concert in my city. It was a special event because it featured a world-famous orchestra, and I had been looking forward to it for weeks. Where it was The concert took place at the city’s main concert hall, which is a beautiful, historic building known for its excellent acoustics. The hall was packed with music lovers, and the atmosphere was quite formal and respectful. Why you were not allowed to use your mobile phone Before the performance began, the staff made an announcement reminding everyone to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to silent mode. They also specifically asked the audience not to use their phones during the concert, not even for taking photos or videos. The main reason for this rule was to avoid disturbing the musicians and other audience members. Even the smallest noise or the light from a phone screen could ruin the experience for others and distract the performers, who need to concentrate fully on their music. How you felt about it At first, I felt a bit uneasy because I’m so used to having my phone with me all the time, and I often take photos or record short videos at events to share with my friends. However, as the concert went on, I actually started to appreciate the rule. Without my phone, I was able to focus completely on the music and enjoy the performance without any distractions. It was a refreshing change, and I felt much more present in the moment. In fact, I think the experience was more memorable because I wasn’t constantly thinking about capturing it on my phone. Overall, although it was a little inconvenient at first, I ended up feeling grateful for the opportunity to disconnect and fully immerse myself in the concert. It made me realize that sometimes, putting our phones away can help us enjoy life’s special moments even more.

- **Complex Sentences and Subordination:** The answer demonstrates a strong command of complex sentence structures, using subordinate clauses to add detail and explanation. For example: “Before the performance began, the staff made an announcement reminding everyone to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to silent mode.” - **Accurate Use of Tenses:** The speaker consistently uses past simple and past perfect tenses to narrate the event (“I had been looking forward to it for weeks,” “I attended a classical music concert”), and present tense for general statements (“I’m so used to having my phone with me all the time”). - **Cohesive Devices:** The answer uses linking words and phrases such as “however,” “as the concert went on,” “in fact,” “overall,” and “although” to connect ideas smoothly and logically. - **Passive Voice:** Passive constructions are used appropriately, e.g., “the staff made an announcement reminding everyone to turn off their mobile phones.” - **Relative Clauses:** The use of relative clauses adds detail, e.g., “which is a beautiful, historic building known for its excellent acoustics.” - **Modal Verbs:** Modal verbs are used to express necessity and possibility, e.g., “could ruin the experience,” “can help us enjoy life’s special moments.”