Unit 13: English for Computers

Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to computers.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

• understanding computer hardware

The grammar focus of this unit is:

• Articles

Vocabulary

	adaptivo
	aplicación
	tecla flecha
	asistivo
	archivo adjunto
	copia de seguridad
	cartucho
	compatible
	CPU
	cursor
	datos
	base de datos
	dispositivo
	display
	bajar archivos
	correo electrónico
	tecla entrar
	disco duro
	hardware
	entrada de datos
	informática/TI
	tecla
	teclado
	teclado
	ordenador portátil
	memoria
	microprocesador
	ratón
	red
	sistema operativo
	salida de datos
	PC
	periféricos
	impresora
	programa
	escáner
	monitor
	hoja de cálculo
	almacenamiento
	conectar
	colgarse
	borrar
	imprimir
	guardar
	almacenar
	navegar
	actualizar
	actualizar
	virus
	procesador de textos

Exercises

Section 1: Vocabulary Practice

Fill in the correct translation for each of the terms below.

1. hoja de cálculo [?]
2. procesador de textos [?]
3. impresora [?]
4. tecla flecha [?]
5. teclado [?]
6. archivo adjunto [?]
7. actualizar [?]
8. guardar [?]
9. copia de seguridad [?]
10. sistema operativo [?]
11. CPU [?]
12. base de datos [?]
13. compatible [?]
14. entrada de datos [?]
15. monitor [?]
16. almacenamiento [?]
17. bajar archivos [?]
18. adaptivo [?]
19. PC [?]
20. salida de datos [?]
21. tecla entrar [?]
22. informática/TI [?]
23. tecla [?]
24. microprocesador [?]
25. dispositivo [?]
26. conectar [?]
27. red [?]
28. memoria [?]
29. aplicación [?]
30. navegar [?]
31. correo electrónico [?]
32. cartucho [?]
33. disco duro [?]
34. virus [?]
35. imprimir [?]
36. colgarse [?]
37. borrar [?]
38. hardware [?]
39. asistivo [?]
40. periféricos [?]
41. ratón [?]
42. cursor [?]
43. datos [?]
44. programa [?]
45. almacenar [?]
46. ordenador portátil [?]
47. escáner [?]
48. display [?]

Section 2: Listening Comprehension

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. The basic tasks of the microprocessor are:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Peripheral equipment is:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Information is stored:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Another word for information is:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. The mouse is connected to:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. The keyboard is:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Which is correct?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Which is correct?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Arrow keys allow the user to:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. Which is correct?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. What is assistive technology?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Assistive computer technology works with:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Which is correct?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Most blind people:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. A screen reader is:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
6. What is 'hard copy'?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. Jonathan has got:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. He's had it:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Which is correct?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Which is correct?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. Jonathan mentions:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Section 3: General Comprehension

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. The initials CPU stand for Central Processing Unit.

   
   
   

   [?]
2. Hardware cannot perform tasks without software.

   
   
   

   [?]
3. Data is often stored on a scanner.

   
   
   

   [?]
4. The numeric keypad is on the left of the keyboard.

   
   
   

   [?]
5. Arrow keys allow you to move around the screen.

   
   
   

   [?]
6. Devices exist for Braille input and output.

   
   
   

   [?]
7. Screen readers are people who read screens.

   
   
   

   [?]
8. A hard copy is a copy on a hard disk.

   
   
   

   [?]
9. The Microsoft Windows operating system never crashes.

   
   
   

   [?]
10. Adaptive technology is another expression for assistive technology.

    
    
    

    [?]

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Press Play to listen to the instructions:

Section 4: Grammar Practice

In this exercise let's practise changing from a sentence without the definitive article to a sentence with the definite article.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. Do you like fish? (the fish in this restaurant)
   B. [?]
2. A. Do you like Windows? (the latest version)
   B. [?]
3. A. Modern printers are very fast. (the printer in my office)
   B. [?]
4. A. Computers always crash. (the computers we use)
   B. [?]
5. A. Computer software is usually expensive. (the software we are developing)
   B. [?]

In this exercise, let's practise changing from `A' to `AN'.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. Have you got a computer? (old)
   B. [?]
2. A. It's a difficult problem. (interesting)
   B. [?]
3. A. It's a very good program. (expensive)
   B. [?]
4. A. It's a virus, isn't it? (email virus)
   B. [?]
5. A. Have you got a question? (important)
   B. [?]

Chose the correct answer.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
2. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
3. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
4. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
5. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
6. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
7. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
8. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
9. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
10. a. 
    b. 
    

    [?]

Section 5: Consolidation

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. It is essential in the modern world to know how to use a computer.

   
   
   

   [?]
2. Computers are destroying traditional jobs but creating new jobs.

   
   
   

   [?]
3. Modern cars and factory robots don't need microprocessors.

   
   
   

   [?]
4. IT means Information Technology.

   
   
   

   [?]
5. Technology isn't changing very fast.

   
   
   

   [?]
6. When you start work nowadays you need to continue learning.

   
   
   

   [?]
7. Teleworking means working from a distance.

   
   
   

   [?]

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the > key to listen to the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions, read the Exercise Help.

Recording: show transcript

[?]

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same words.

Recording:

Computers are also creating new technologies [?] are, in turn, creating new types of work [?] never existed before. What [?] this mean for you? You must expect to be able to work [?] a computer or run a computerised machine. You [?] find increasing work opportunities in fields such as computer repair and information technology. You will [?] to be constantly learning. Technology is changing [?] quickly that you'll have to continually upgrade your skills and be adaptable [?] as technology advances, your work will constantly change. Possibly you will [?] offered work that involves teleworking and you will work by computer [?] home or in a satellite office.

Choose the correct option to fill the gaps in the following sentences.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. A computer is ____ information processing machine.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Hardware cannot perform any tasks without instructions in the form of ____ program.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Hardware includes memory chips and other devices ____ a hard disk.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Instructions and data for the software are fed ____ the computer.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. The arrow keys are for moving the cursor ____ the screen.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
6. There are different keyboards depending on the ____ language.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
7. ____ have you had it?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
8. ____ of computer have you got?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
9. The initials CPU ____ for Central Processing Unit.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
10. It's ____ very old computer.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
11. Computers have found their ____ into every part of our lives.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
12. Computers are on our desks in the office, at school and ____ home,

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
13. Computers are creating new technologies ____ are creating new types of work.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
14. You must expect to ____ to work on a computer

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
15. You will find work opportunities in ____ such as computer repair.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
16. You will ____ by computer in a satellite office.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
17. It is essential to know ____ to use a computer.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
18. Computers run the robots ____ production lines.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
19. Computers are a ____ of modern life.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
20. Hardware cannot perform ____ without software.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should be able to:

• understand computer hardware

You should also have greater skill and confidence in the use of:

• Articles