Speaking

1. Answer the following questions:

(a) Do you think that a mouse is very comfortable in working with a computer?

(b) How do you imagine first computers?

(c) How do you imagine the computer of the future?

(d) Do you think that in the future we can substitute a computer with other new modern fast device?

(e) What role does a computer play in your life?

2. Ask your partner questions about:

(a) Switch Mouse; (b) typical mouse; (c) wrist injuries; (d) users; (e) vulnerable wrist muscles; (f) mouse buttons; (g) V-shaped bracket; (h) mouse habits; (i) left- or right-handed users.

3. Retell the text.

4. How do you understand the joke? Discuss it with your partner.

An exasperated caller to Computer Tech Support couldn't get her new Computer to turn on. After ensuring the computer was plugged in, the technician asked her what happened when she pushed the power button. Her response, "I pushed and pushed on this foot pedal and nothing happened." The "foot pedal" turned out to be the mouse!

Grammar gerund/infinitive

Gerunds and infinitives are forms of verbs that act like nouns. They can follow adjectives and other verbs. Gerunds can also follow prepositions.

Gerund (often known as an -ing word) is a noun formed from a verb by adding -ing.

Note!

Not all words formed with -ing are gerunds.

Infinitive is to + the verb.

When a verb follows a verb it either takes the gerund or infinitive form.

Some verbs can take either the gerund or the infinitive with no loss of meaning.

For example:

With the verb start – "It started to rain." Or "It started raining." Both sentences have the same meaning.

Sometimes the use of the gerund or infinitive changes the meaning of the sentence.

For example:

With the verb remember – "I remembered to do my homework". Or "I remembered doing my homework."

In the first sentence (I remembered to do my homework), the person speaking remembered they had some homework first and then carried out the action and did it. In the second sentence (I remembered doing my homework.), the person speaking carried out the action (their homework) first and then remembered doing it.

Writing

1. Put in the verbs in brackets in the the gerund or the infinitive (а):

1) I can't imagine Peter (go) by bike.

2) He agreed (buy) a new car.

3) The question is easy (answer).

4) The man asked me how (get) to the airport.

5) I look forward to (see) you at the weekend.

6) Are you thinking of (visit) London?

7) We decided (run) through the forest.

8) The teacher expected Sarah (study) hard.

9) She doesn't mind (work) the night shift.

10) I learned (ride) the bike at the age of 5.

2. Put in the verbs in brackets in the gerund or the infinitive (b):

1) We decided (buy) a new car.

2) They've got some work (do).

3) Peter gave up (smoke) .

4) He'd like (fly) an aeroplane.

5) I enjoy (write) picture postcards.

6) Do you know what (do) if there's a fire in the shop?

7) Avoid (make) silly mistakes.

8) My parents wanted me (be) home at 11 o'clock.

9) I dream about (build) a big house.

10) I'm hoping (see) Lisa.

3. Complete the sentences with the gerund form:

She is good at (dance).

He is crazy about (sing).

I don't like (play) cards.

They are afraid of (swim) in the sea.

You should give up (smoke).

Sam dreams of (be) a pop star.

He is interested in (make) friends.

My uncle is afraid of (go) by plane.

We insist on (cook) the dinner ourselves.

4. Complete the sentences with the gerund form:

(cycle) is fun.

(Get) a good job is not easy.

(Find) a parking space is quite difficult in this area.

(drive) becomes more and more expensive.

No (smoke) in this area.

(work) overtime is quite common in this company.

(eat) fruits and vegetables is good for your health.

(make) fun of other people is not nice.

(learn) about other cultures makes people more tolerant.