Devices and gadgets
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№ |
Term |
Definition |
Usage |
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Assist (v) |
help sb typically by doing a share of the work, providing money or information |
~ sb at/in/with sth; assistant (n), assistance (n); assistive(adj): ~ technology; syn. help, aid, give sb a hand ant. hinder sth, prevent sb from doing sth |
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Barcode (n) |
a set of printed lines on a product’s label that tells a computer information about it, such as its price |
~ reader/system/generator/program/ verifier; read/type/identify/print/ encode/scale the ~; barcode (v): ~ the product/item/goods |
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Braille (n) |
a system of printing and writing for the blind, in which characters are formed by patterns of raised dots which are felt with the fingertips |
~ equipment/display/embosser/ system/writer/information/trail/ label/font/alphabet/converter; use/read/touch/create/learn ~; written/labeled in ~; the ~ alphabet; brailled (v) |
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BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) |
the practice of allowing employees or students to bring their own computing devices to work, college, university etc. for work purposes |
implement/introduce/follow ~; the ~ policy |
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Camera (n) |
a device for recording visual images in the form of photographs, film, or video signals |
~ compartment/user/lens/rig/film/ shot/ track; a(n) optical/compact ~; furbish/upgrade/replace a ~; CCTV ~ (n) |
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Charge (v) |
store electrical energy (in a battery or battery-operated device); formally accuse sb of sth, especially of an offence under law; entrust sb with a duty or responsibility; demand (an amount) as a price for a service rendered or goods supplied |
~ the battery/gadget/device; keep the battery ~d; ~ sb with sth; be in ~ of sth; impose/levy/lay/bring/make/pay/ increase/reduce the ~s; free of ~; re/chargeable (adj): ~ battery; charger (n); syn. control, accusation, fee |
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Connect (v) |
join together so as to provide access and communication |
~ to a device/wire/network/router/printer /computer/gadget; connection (n): (dis)connection (n): have/break/sever/establish/find/make/see a ~; (dis)connected, (adj); (dis)connectedly (adv); connective (adj); connectivity (n) syn. link ant. disconnect |
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Device (n) |
a mechanism or piece of equipment designed to serve a purpose or perform a function |
~ contention/driver/ node; a(n) input/ output/ MIDI/warning/ reading/locking/surveillance/ household/recording ~; purchase/(dis)connect/upgrade a ~; syn. gizmo, gadget Cf: peripheral |
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Digital (adj) |
stored as numbers or electronic signals (about information) |
~ age/audio/camera/certificate/ computer/divide/film/signature/ detox; digit (n), digitize (v), digitizer (n), digitally (adv); syn. numeric; ant. analogue |
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Display (n) |
putting sth in a prominent place for it to be readily seen; the visual representation of the output of an electronic device |
plasma/panel/processor/case/screen/unit/ terminal ~; eye-catching/clear/wide ~; give/perform/put on/go on ~; displayer (n), display (v); syn. Show; ant. conceal |
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E- (prf) |
electronic, indicating the involvement of the Internet |
~ book/zine/pub/commerce/library; purchase/subscribe to a/n ~ book/zine/pub |
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Fax (facsimile machine) (n) |
an output device capable of fast and convenient transmission of photocopied information through a telephone line |
send/get/receive sth by ~ ; ~ modem/software/card/mode/call; fax (v): ~ a(n) document/file/agreement /memo |
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Flash memory (n) |
a type of non-volatile memory which does not need a constant source of electricity for it to retain the stored data |
~ card; compact ~; read/(re)format ~ |
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Gadget (n) |
a specialized mechanical or electronic device, usually small in size |
use/invent/create/buy a ~; a ~ freak a(n) musical/electrical/modern ~; suffer from a ~ fatigue; syn. gizmo |
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Gamepad (n) |
a handheld device used to control a computer game or a video game |
~ button/cord; USB ~; (dis)connect/play/operate/keep a ~ |
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Google Glass (n) |
a computer that is worn like eyeglasses, which has a tiny display within the field of vision, responds to voice commands and eye movements, and has a touchpad at the side |
~ application/frame/pad/rim/ earpiece /lens/nose pad/end piece; protect/upgrade/polish/wear ~ |
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Input (n) |
information that is put into a computer or a piece of electronic equipment using another machine or device such as a keyboard or microphone
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have/need/get/receive/provide/ process an ~; input (v): ~ (a) data/file/field/ form/ screen/device/ system; ant. output |
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Headset (n) |
a device that holds an earphone and a microphone in place on a person's head |
a high performance/cordless/ wireless/ radio/bluetooth ~; wear/upgrade/replace/take off/put on the ~ |
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Lens (n) |
a clear curved piece of glass or plastic that is used in eyeglasses, cameras, telescopes, etc., to make things look clearer, smaller, or bigger |
magnetic/telescopic/cap/coloured/ tinted/contact/optical/spectacle/ camera ~; reduce/change/wear/replace/take off the ~; lensed (adj); syn. glass |
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Monitor (n) |
a person who observes a process or activity to check that it is carried out fairly or correctly, especially in an official capacity; an output device that displays text and graphics onscreen |
colour/CCTV/video/computer/screen/high resolution ~; on a/the ~; keep/protect/replace the ~; ~ the performance/progress/ sale/change/procedure/application/ quality/situation; monitor (v), monitored (adj); monitoring (n), monitorial (adj) syn. screen |
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MP3 (n) |
a means of compressing a sound sequence to enable its digital storage and transmission |
~ file/player/format/ringtone/music; convert/download/transfer an ~ file |
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Netbook (n) |
a small, very light and inexpensive laptop computer with limited memory used primarily for accessing the Internet |
~ computer; high/low-end ~; upgrade/replace/repair a ~ |
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Output (n) |
the amount of sth produced by a person, machine, or industry; produced, delivered, or supplied data |
increase/decrease/provide some ~; a drop/fall/ growth/rise in ~; steady/low/aggregate/gross/ overall/total ~; output (v): an ~ data/file/form/screen/device; ant. input |
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Optical (adj) |
relating to sight, especially in relation to the action of light |
~ media/disk/zoom/scanner/storage/ fibre/memory/cable/drive/array/ lens; optics (n), optically (adv), optician (n) |
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Pixel (n) |
one of the individual dots that make up a graphical image |
~ bit/graphic/count/information/ data/ resolution/value; binary ~; pack/modify ~s; pixilation (n), pixilate (v), pixelated (adj): a ~ image |
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Plotter (n) |
an automated drawing tool that produces finely scaled drawings by moving a pen and/or paper in response to computer commands |
~ font/display; drum/flatbed/pen/chart /laser/ electrostatic/flat bed/colour ~; upgrade/use/configure a ~ |
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PTOYED (Please Turn Off Your Electronic Devices) |
slang for the airline, cinema or theater announcement to make the passengers or viewers turn off their electronic devices and gadgets |
implement/break/follow the ~ rule |
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Resolution (n) |
density of pixels, measured by the number of dots per inch |
high/screen/spatial/color ~; modify/adjust/configure ~ |
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Retina display (n) |
a device that works without a screen by drawing pixels directly on the user’s retina with a focused beam of light |
~ screen; provide/include/adjust ~ |
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Sensor (n) |
a device that enables digital machines to monitor the physical quantity of the analog world, such as temperature, humidity, or pressure, to provide data used in robotics, environmental climate control, and other applications |
~ data-fusion/unit/device; infrared/analog/image/ electromagnetic ~; sensory (adj); sensorily (adv); syn. detector |
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Second-hand (adj) |
having had a previous owner; not new |
a ~ device/gadget/accessory/book/ clothing/goods/car/computer/ knowledge; syn. pre-owned |
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Smart (adj) |
having or showing quick wit and intelligence; (of a device) programmed so as to be capable of some independent action |
~ watch/phone/board/house/TV/ application/interface; smartness (n), smartly (adv); syn. clever ant. dumb, stupid, imbecile |
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Speakers (n) |
the part of a radio, CD player, etc. which the sound comes out of |
high-quality/durable ~; upgrade/(dis)connect/configure the ~ |
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Swap (v) |
(coll.) give sth to sb in exchange for sth else |
~ gadgets/accessories/designation/ identity/deal/ideas; syn. trade, exchange |
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Tablet (n) |
a small, flat computer that is controlled by touching the screen or by using a special pen |
~ case/accessories/computer/PC/ pen/ phone; digitizer/graphic ~; upgrade/configure/furbish a ~; Cf: I-pod, I-pad |
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Touch (v) |
come into or be in contact with; recognize sth by pressure and movement of fingers on a screen |
~ pad/screen; multi ~; (un)touchable (adj), touchy (adj)
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Upgrade (v) |
improve a computer or another machine by using the most recent developments to make it more powerful or effective |
~ computer/gadget/skills/policy/ system /package/standard/security/ chassis/phone; upgrade (n): software/price/network ~; syn. improve Cf. update |
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Projector (n) |
a device used for displaying an image on a screen, as from a transparent slide or film |
overhead/cine/film/slide/video ~; switch off (on)/operate a ~ |
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Wearable (adj) |
a computer or other electronic device that is small or light enough to be worn or carried on one’s body |
(a) ~ computer/device/clothes/shades/ gadget; wear (v), wearability (n); ant. unwearable |
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Webcam (n) |
a device used for video input
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a ~ leans/image/software; a wireless ~; install/upgrade/replace a ~; webcamming (n) |
ACTIVITIES
Activity 1. Give synonyms:
1. upgrade |
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2. sensor |
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3. display |
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3. monitor |
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4. connect |
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5. swap |
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6. gadget |
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7. smart |
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Activity 2. Give antonyms:
1. conceal |
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2. wearable |
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3. input |
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4. clever |
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5. downgrade |
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6. assist |
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7. upgrade |
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Activity 3. Word family. Fill in the missing words of the same root where possible:
Noun |
Verb |
Adjective |
Adverb |
optician |
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digitized |
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wear |
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connectedly |
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monitor |
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assistance/ant |
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smart |
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Activity 4. Give prepositions:
1. Today, our lives are filled ___ all manner of gadgets, gizmos and convenience goods.
2. The company has no plans to move ___ the growing market of digital applications.
3. A new service enabling you to purchase/reserve your tickets ___ Facsimile.
4. In the United States, there is a discernable preference ___ products with the technological appeal of a ‘gadget’.
5. He was charged ___ murder.
6. Who is __ charge ___ the department?
7. I have not subscribed ___ this magazine.
Activity 5. Complete the table with words that form strong partnerships with the target vocabulary units:
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Target vocabulary unit |
Noun |
1. |
digital |
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2. |
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3. |
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4. |
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5. |
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Target vocabulary unit |
Noun |
1. |
second-hand |
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2. |
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3. |
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4. |
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5. |
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Target vocabulary unit |
Noun |
1. |
tablet |
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2. |
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3. |
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4. |
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5. |
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Verb |
Target vocabulary unit |
1. |
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speakers |
2. |
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3. |
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4. |
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5. |
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Activity 6. Match the given terms with their definitions:
1. upgrade |
A. a device that holds an earphone and a microphone in place on a person's head |
2. headset |
B. one of the individual dots that make up a graphical image |
3. tablet |
C. improve computer or other machine by using the most recent developments to make it more powerful or effective |
4. resolution |
D. stored as numbers or electronic signals |
5. digital |
E. a small, flat computer that is controlled by touching the screen or by using a special pen |
6. pixel |
F. owned or used by someone else before you |
7. second-hand |
G. density of pixels, measured by the number of dots per inch |
Activity 7. State the type of logical relations between the following concepts:
Concepts |
Logical relationship |
1. input – output |
A. general and specific |
2. MP3 – compression |
B. cause and effect |
3. label - barcode |
C. contrast |
4. gadget overuse – gadget fatigue |
D. equivalence |
5. smart - intelligent |
E. part and whole |
6. computer - netbook |
F. method and purpose |
7. alphabet – Braille system |
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Activity 8. Decode a famous saying about computer device and comment on it:
http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildCryptogram.asp
Activity 9. Say what the following is used for. Give examples:
1. barcode |
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2. Braille |
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3. facsimile machine |
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4. flash memory |
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5. headset |
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6. MP3 |
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7. Webcam |
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Activity 10. Say when and why the following is done:
1. digitization |
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2. faxing |
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3. refurbishment |
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4. charging |
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5. swapping |
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6. optimization |
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7. upgrading |
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Activity 11. Say what can be… and how:
1. archived |
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2. backed up |
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3. compressed |
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4. formatted |
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5. recovered |
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6. retrieved |
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7. upgraded |
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Activity 12. Explain the difference between the following concepts using the Venn diagram below:
1. compact disk– blue ray |
2. device – gadget |
3. library – archive |
4. restore – recover |
5. overwrite – format |
6. netbook – laptop |
7. resolution – pixel |
Activity 13. Write a short report about different devices and gadgets used by supermarkets and decide who benefits more from them: customers or supermarkets.
Activity 14. Create a survey of students’ favorite devices/gadgets. Make a graph that explains the results.
Activity 15. Discuss: Today young people are very eager to get the latest models of different gadgets. What do you think their reasons are? What are the dis/advantages of getting ahead with the most up-to-date technology?
TEST
1 |
What is the logical relationship between the concepts “gadget – smartphone”: a) cause and effect b) general and specific c) method and purpose d) part and whole |
2 |
One of the individual dots that make up a graphical image is known as (a) ___ . a) resolution b) retina display c) brightness d) pixel |
3 |
A device used for displaying an image on a screen, as from a transparent slide or film is known as a ___. a) hologram b) projector c) webcam d) monitor |
4 |
A mechanism or piece of equipment designed to serve a purpose or perform a function is known as a ___ . a) device b) transistor c) sensor d) gadget |
5 |
All of these are output devices EXCEPT FOR: a) speaker b) headset c) microphone d) Braille embosser |
6 |
All of these gadgets have rear cameras EXCEPT FOR: a) MP3, b) smartphone c) I-pad d) tablet |
7 |
All of these collocate with the adjective “digital” EXCEPT FOR: a) divide b) processor c) age d) certificate |
8 |
All of these collocate with the adjective “optical” EXCEPT FOR: a) cable b) media c) disk d) pixel |
9 |
What is the logical relationship between the concepts “show – conceal”: a) cause and effect b) general and specific c) contrast d) method and purpose |
10 |
What is the logical relationship between the concepts “webcam – input”: a) cause and effect b) general and specific c) contrast d) method and purpose |
11 |
Cartographic data consist of ___ maps, that is, maps converted to numerical form. a) digital b) digit c) digitized d) digitally |
12 |
Once again, many thanks for your ____ in this matter. a) assistant b) assistance c) assistive d) assist |
13 |
One can wear all of these EXCEPT FOR: a) lens b) glasses c) a dress d) camera |
14 |
A person who is obsessed with his electronic gadgets is called a gadget ____. a) freak b) monitor c) gizmo d) fatigue |
15 |
The part of a radio, CD player, etc. which the sound comes out of is known as a ___. a) speaker b) headset c) lens d) video card |
16 |
All of these are synonymous to the word “show” EXCEPT FOR: a) hide b) display c) expose d) reveal |
17 |
___ means to join together so as to provide access and communication. a) Connect b) Touch c) Swap d) Switch |
18 |
Mark the odd word: a) upgrade b) improve c) demote d) promote |
19 |
To get regular updates one has to subscribe ___ this publication. a) to b) for c) – d) in |
20 |
My visually impaired junior assistant helped the group get started on ____ the alphabet. a) Braille b) Brailled c) Brailling d) Brailles |
