Exercise 14. Find definitions in the text of these items

1. Menu 3. Window 5. Pointer

2. Interface 4. Active window 6. Icon

1. Most computers have a Graphical User Interface. The ___ is the connection between the user and the computer. The most common type of GUI uses a WIMP system, WIMP stands for Windows, icon, Menu (or Mouse), Pointer (or Pull-down/Pop-up menu).

2. A ___ is an area of the computer screen where you can see the contents of a folder, a file, or a program. Some systems allow several windows on the screen at the same time and windows can overlap each other. The window on the top is the one which is ‘active’, the one in use.

3. ___ are small pictures on the screen. They represent programs, folders, or files. For example, the Recycle Bin icon represents a program for deleting and restoring files. Most systems have a special area of the screen on which icons appear.

4. ___ give the user a list of choices. You operate the menu by pressing and releasing one or more buttons on the mouse.

5. ___ is the arrow you use to select icons or to choose options from a menu. You move the pointer across the screen with the mouse. Then you click a button on the mouse to use the object selected by the pointer.

Exercise 15. Work in pairs. Study these forms the cursor can take on your computer. Try to match each icon to one item from the list below.