Learning objectives

In this module, you will:

• describe input and output devices.

• identify the different keys on a keyboard and explain their functions.

• distinguish between facts and opinions in advertisements.

• learn how to understand the technical specs of digital cameras, printers and display devices.

• learn and use the superlative form of adjectives.

• practise recommending the most suitable display device for particular people.

• learn how to understand and give instructions and advice for the use of computers and monitors.

• compare different types of printer.

• learn and use discourse connectors.

• learn about what sort of input/output devices disabled people can use.

Interacting with your computer

Read the description of input devices and then label the pictures (1-8) with words from the text.

Input devices are the pieces of hardware which allow interact with a computer by using one of these: a light us to enter information into the computer. The most pen, a scanner, a trackball, a graphics tablet, a game common are the keyboard and the mouse. We can also controller or a microphone.

Describing input devices

aE Listen to a computer technician describing three input devices. Write which devices he's talking about.

1......................... 2.............................. 3..............................

В Bl Listen again and complete these extracts.

1 This device is___________ enter information into the computer.

2... it may also ____________ function keys and editing keys.................... special purposes.

3 This is a device___________ the cursor and selecting items on the screen.

4 It usually____________ two buttons and a wheel.

5... the user____________ activate icons or select items and text.

6 It----------- detecting light from the computer screen and is used by pointing it directly at

the screen display.

7 It----------- the user_____________ answer multiple-choice questions and...

Type, click and talk!

Describing functions

Describing functions and features

A Look at the HELP box and then use the notes below to write a description of the Sony PlayStation 3 controller.

Sony PlayStation 3 controller

Functions

• control video games

• hold it with both hands, use thumbs to handle directional sticks and face buttons

Features

• six-axis sensing system (capable of sensing motion in six directions: up, down, left, right, forwards and backwards)

• wireless controller (Bluetooth)

• USB mini port and cable for wired play and automatic battery charging

В In pairs, choose one of these input devices and describe its functions and features. Try to guess which device your partner is describing.

In the listening, the mouse was described using for + gerund:

This is a device for controlling the cursor and selecting items on the screen.

There are other ways of describing a device's function:

• used + to + infinitive It's used to control

• relative pronoun + verb

This is a device which controls...

• relative pronoun + used + to + infinitive This is a device which/that is used to control

• work by + gerund

It works by detecting light from the computer screen.

Describing features

We can describe features like this:

An optical mouse has an optical sensor instead of a ball underneath.

It usually features two buttons and a wheel.

You can connect it to a USB port.

Л wireless mouse works/operates without cables.

It allows the user to answer multiple-choice questions and...

Barcode reader

Touchpad on a portable PC

Webcam

Touch screen

The keyboard

A Label the picture of a standard keyboard with the groups of keys (1 -5).

1 Cursor control keys include arrow keys that move the insertion point up, down, right and left, and keys such as End, Home, Page Up and Page Down, which are used in word processing to move around a long document.

2 Alphanumeric keys represent letters and numbers, as arranged on a typewriter.

3 Function keys appear at the top of the keyboard and can be programmed to do special tasks.

4 Dedicated keys are used to issue commands or to produce alternative characters, e.g. the Ctrl key or the Alt key.

5 A numeric keypad appears to the right of the main keyboard. The Num Lock key is used to switch from numbers to editing keys.