Infotech: English for Computer Users
Module 1

Unit 2. Computer essentials

1. Computer hardware

Exercise A. Be able to ask and discuss these questions.

1. Have you got a computer at home, school or work? What kind is it?

2. How often do you use it? What do you use it for?

3. What are the main components and features of your computer system?

Exercise B. Label the elements of the computer system.

Answers: 1. CPU; 2. DVD drive; 3. USB port; 4. router; 5. keyboard; 6. mouse; 7. CDs/DVDs; 8. printer; 9. monitor; 10. webcam

Exercise C. Complete the exercise.

Answers: 1. mouse; 2. monitor; 3. DVD/hard drive; 4. CPU; 5. printer

Exercise D. Read the slogans in Exercise C and find the words with the meanings in this exercise.

Answers: 1. click; 2. sharp; 3. back up; 4. range; 5. displays

  1. to press the mouse button
  2. clear; easy to see
  3. to make an extra copy of something
  4. selection
  5. shows

2. What is a computer?

Exercise A. Read the text and explain Figure 1 in your own words. Memorize the meaning of the words in bold.

Exercise B. Match the words from the text with the correct meanings.

1. software a. the brain of the computer
2. peripherals b. physical parts that make up a computer system
3. main memory c. programs that can be used on a particular computer system
4. hard drive d. the information which is presented to the computer
5. hardware e. results produced by a computer
6. input f. input devices attached to the CPU
7. ports g. section that holds programsand data while they are executed or processed
8. outpu h. magnetic device used to store information
9. central processing unit (CPU) i. socket into which an external device may be connected

3. Different types of computer

Exercise A. Listen from an extract from an ICT class. As you listen, label the pictures with words from below.

laptop, desktop PC, PDA, mainframe, tablet PC

  1. a .
  2. b .
  3. c .
  4. d .
  5. e .

Exercise B. Listen to the recording from Exercise A again and determine if these sentences are TRUE or FALSE.

  1. A mainframe computer is less powerful than a PC.
  2. A mainframe is used by large organizations that ned to process enourmouse amounts of data.
  3. The most suitable computers for home use are desktop PCs.
  4. A laptop is not portable.
  5. Laptops are not as powerful as desktop PCs.
  6. Using a stylus, you can write directly onto the screen of a tablet PC
  7. A Persona Digital Assistant is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.
  8. A PDA does not allow you to surf the Web.

Exercise C. Listen to the recording from Exercise A again and answer these questions in your own words.

  1. On what basis are computers divided into variuous types?
  2. What is the basic configuration of a mainframe computer?
  3. For what purpose are mainframe computers used?
  4. How are PCs classified?
  5. For what purpose is a PC designed to be used?
  6. How is a laptop computer different from a PC?
  7. How is a tablet PC different from a notebook?
  8. How is the screen of a tablet PC different from that of a notebook?
  9. How is the screen of a tablet PC different from that of other computer screens?

Complete this online exercise on comparing computers.

4. Language work: classifying

Exercise A. Look at the HELP boxand then use suitable classifying expressionsto complete these sentences.

1. A computer hardware and software.
2. Periferals three types: input, output and storage devices.
3. A word processign program software which lets users create and edit texts.
4. of network architecture: peer-to-peer, where all computers have the same capabiolities, and client-serve, where servers store and distribute data , and clients accees data.

Exerecise B. Describe the digram using expressions from the HELP box.

5. Benefits of laptops and tablet PCs

Compltet the exercise by writing the benefits of laptops and tablet PCs.

Complete Workbook 2.

Copyright ©. George Goce Mitrevski. mitrevski@pelister.org