54 Computers
webcam screen
printer
A The computer
microphone
CD-ROM
escape key
spacebar
mouse mat mouse memory stick
keyboard
B Using a computer
A!er you have switched on [turned on] your computer, you may need to log in/on (opp log out/o!)
with your username and enter your password [put a special word into the computer that only you know].
If you then double-click on an icon [a small picture on the screen], you can open an application [email,
Internet browser, etc.].
Computers can store [keep] large amounts of information, but when you’re working it is important to
back up the files you are working on [make an extra copy of the files; syn make a backup], so you don’t
lose the files if something goes wrong.
open a new open an save the print cut copy paste
document existing data in this
document document
To create [make or start] a new document, select new from the File menu.
You can copy and paste information from one file into another.
If you save the document, you can print it out later (OR you can get a hard copy / a printout later). It
is also important to save the document in case the computer crashes [suddenly stops working]. Press
the Escape key to exit [stop using an application].
C FAQs* about computers
example question explanation
• Do you have a PC or a laptop? PC is short for personal computer; a laptop is a
small computer that you can carry around.
• What hard drive do you have? the part inside the computer that stores large
amounts of information (also hard disk)
• What operating system are you using? computer so!ware, e.g. Windows or Mac OS, that
controls how the computer works
• Have you installed any new software? put new programs onto your computer
• What so!ware applications are you running? What so!ware applications are you using?
• Do you have anti-virus software? A virus is a program put on a computer to destroy
or steal the information on it. Anti-virus so!ware is
a program to stop a virus entering your computer.
*frequently asked questions
114 English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate
Exercises
54.1 Match the words on the left with the words on the right.
1 CD- e a system
2 memory b on
3 operating c key
4 hard d so!ware
5 log e ROM
6 anti-virus f mat
7 mouse g copy
8 escape h stick
54.2 Complete these words.
1 so! ware 3 key 5 user
2 lap 4 space 6 pass
54.3 Test your knowledge. Can you remember what these icons mean without looking at the
opposite page?
1 open a new 3 5 7
document
2 4 6
54.4 Complete the definitions.
1 Computer so!ware that controls how different parts work together is the operating system .
2 The part inside the computer that stores large amounts of information is the .
3 A program secretly put on a computer to destroy the information on it is a .
4 A small computer that you can carry round with you is a .
5 The special word you type into your computer that only you know is your .
54.5 Complete the dialogues.
1 A: What do I do when I finish?
B: You can press the escape key to exit .
2 A: How o!en do you your files?
B: At the end of every day if I can remember.
3 A: Is the data on the hard disk?
B: Yes, but I always make a .
4 A: Did you the so!ware yourself?
B: No, I don’t understand anything about computers. My wife did it for me.
5 A: How do I a new document?
B: Just select new from the File .
6 A: There was a warning on the news this morning about a new computer .
B: Well, I should be OK. I’ve got so!ware.
54.6 Over to you
Do you have a computer? If so, can you answer all the questions in section C on the opposite page?
English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate 115
55 Email and the Internet
A Using email
Think about the way you use email.
• How o!en do you check your email [look to see if you have any messages]?
• How many emails do you send a week? Are they all essential [important/necessary]?
• How many emails do you get every week? Do you read them immediately [without waiting]?
• How quickly do you reply to [answer] the emails you receive?
• Do you delete emails regularly [remove them from your computer o!en]?
• Do you get much spam [emails that you do not want, usually adverts; also called junk mail]?
• Have you got anti-virus software [a program that stops a virus entering your computer]?
• How o!en do you send or receive attachments?
Language help
In English an email address may be written as pd@[Link], but we say it like
this: pd at freeserve dot co dot uk.
B Getting started on the Internet
To go on the Internet, you need an ISP (Internet service provider) that will connect [join or link] your
computer to the Internet and give you access to [the ability to use] email and other services. When you
go online [use the Internet], you can then send and receive emails, or you can browse the Internet
[look at websites]; you do this using a browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Many websites
also have links: if you click on a link, it will take you to a different website, or move you from one
part of the website to another.
C Using the Internet
Many people now have Internet access and Internet use
is changing all the time. These are common uses.
• Students search the Internet [look for information on
the Internet; also do an Internet search] to help with
their studies.
• People download [copy onto their computer; opp
upload] information, pictures, music, video clips
[small parts of a video recording], etc.
• People buy books, clothes and food online, book
their holidays online, take out insurance online, etc.
People go to a website, select the item [product, e.g.
a book] they want and click add to basket/bag. When they have finished shopping they go to
checkout and pay for their items, usually with a credit card.
• Some people have a personal website to provide news about a particular subject, or just write
about events in their life. These are called blogs, and people who write them are bloggers.
• Some people just like to spend hours surfing the web [looking at different websites].
• Some people spend a lot of time on social networking sites [places on the Internet where you can
have a discussion with other people, e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.]. On these sites people post comments
[leave messages] to their friends.
• Some people do a lot of instant messaging [send and receive messages in real time].
116 English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate
Exercises
55.1 Match the words on the left with the words on the right.
1 go b a the web
2 do b online
3 surf c emails
4 delete d on a link
5 download e an Internet search
6 click f music
55.2 Answer the questions.
1 What can you do when you
go online? Send emails and use the Internet
2 What does ISP stand for?
3 What does an ISP give you?
4 What are Safari, Internet Explorer and Firefox?
5 What do bloggers write about?
6 What is spam?
7 How do you say this: Zac@[Link]?
8 What do people do on social networking sites?
55.3 Complete the dialogues. The first letter of each answer has been given to help you.
1 A: A friend of mine has got his own b log .
B: Oh yeah. What does he write about?
2 A: Do you always reply to emails i ?
B: Yes. I think it’s rude if you don’t reply as soon as you receive an email. Don’t you do that?
A: No. I don’t reply at once unless it’s really e .
3 A: How can I view information about the computers they sell?
B: Just c on that l , and it will take you to the website which has
the details.
4 A: Do you have Internet a at your school?
B: We do in school hours, but not before or a!er school.
5 A: I sent you an email earlier with an a . Did you get it?
B: Oh, I’m afraid I haven’t c my email today yet. I’ll do it now.
6 A: Do you d much stuff from the Internet?
B: Well, music naturally, and I also d a few video c .
7 A: I keep getting viruses on my computer.
B: Ah, you will need to get some a -v so!ware.
8 A: Do you delete emails r ?
B: Yes, every day. I have to, because I receive so many, and most of them aren’t important.
55.4 Over to you
Answer the questions. If possible, ask someone else the same questions.
1 Do you go on the Internet? If so, what are your favourite websites?
2 Do you have a blog or read other people’s? Whose blog do you read?
3 Do you download material from the Internet? What do you download?
4 Do you watch video clips on the Internet? What video clips do you watch?
5 Do you use social networking sites or instant messaging? Which websites do you use?
Who do you talk to?
English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate 117