A lot of people put off learning how to swim because they’re afraid of drowning.

【小题1】Follow these guidelines whenever you’re swimming,and the odds of drowning will decrease dramatically:

Don’t swim alone.【小题2】An area with a lifeguard is usually a best place to swim in groups.

【小题3】If you’re learning to swim in an ocean or river,you’ll need to be more aware of the motion of the water.If you must learn to swim this way,try to make sure you’re with someone who knows what he or she is doing,and be sure to read the steps about getting out of a rushing river.

Stay within a depth you can handle.When you’re first learning how to swim,don’t take the risk of diving into water that’s too deep for you to stand in.【小题4】

Avoid swimming during severe weather conditions.Swimming in a light rain shower should be fine.【小题5】This rule is to be followed regardless of how well you can swim.

It was a comfortable sunny Sunday. I was going to meet an old university friend I hadn't seen for years, and was really excited.

My train was running a little late, but that was no big problem - I could text him to say I would be delayed. He would understand. But… where was my mobile phone? I had that familiar sinking feeling. Yes, I'd left it at home.

No mobile phone. I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling anxious, on edge and worried when I don't have my phone with me. In fact, I know I'm not alone: two-thirds of us experience ‘nomophobia’ (无手机恐惧症), the fear of being out of mobile phone contact.

That's according to a study from 2012 which surveyed 1,000 people in the UK about their relationship with mobile phones.

It says we check our mobile phones 34 times a day, and that 18-24 year-olds, especially girls, are the most likely to suffer fear of being without their mobiles: 77% of them say they are unable to be apart from their phones for more than a few minutes.

Do you have nomophobia ?

• You never turn your phone off

• You frequently(频繁地) check for texts, missed calls and emails

• You always take your phone to the bathroom with you

• You never let the battery run out

It's funny to think that around 20 years ago the only people with mobile phones would be businessmen carrying their large, plastic ‘bricks’. Of course, these days, mobile phones are everywhere. A UN study from this year said there would be more mobile phones than people across the world by the end of 2020.

And when there are more phones than people in the world, maybe it's time to ask who really is in charge(主管)? Are you in control of your phone, or does your phone control you?

So, what happened with my university friend? When I arrived a few minutes late he just laughed and said: "You haven't changed at all – still always late!" And we had a great afternoon catching up, full of jokes and stories, with no desire(欲望) to check my phone.

Not having it with me felt strangely free. Maybe I'll leave it at home on purpose next time.