Hooking Up My Computer
The dialogue below contains a lot of computer jargon. Here is a vocabulary list of the most important related vocabulary, most of which you will find in the dialogue.
Computer Related Equipment
computer
printer
cable modem
hard drive
monitor
keyboard
mouse
SD card
memory reader
cable
Ethernet
Computer Related Verbs
to update
to turn off / on
to switch off / on
to plug in
to unplug
to install
to hook up
to connect
to disconnect
to boot up
to cut
to paste
to copy
to surf
to browse
to fix
Hooking Up My Computer
Peter: Hi Jack. Can you give me a hand?
Jack:Sure. what's up?
Peter: I've just bought a new computer and I'm having some problems hooking everything up.
Jack:... and I'm a geek. Yeah, I know. I'd be happy to help.
Peter: Thanks! I've connected all the cables from my monitor, mouse and keyboard, and I've plugged it in.
Jack: Have you installed the software yet?
Peter: No, I haven't. Do I need to?
Jack: Not always, but it's best to install drivers for your keyboard and mouse, as well as your printer.
Peter: Will the computer boot up without those?
Jack: Of course. Boot up the computer and then we can update the drives.
Peter: OK. What's that thing (points to a computer component)
Jack: Oh, that's a memory reader. You can insert things like SD cards from your camera and mp3 players into it.
Peter: That's handy.
Jack: You've bought a nice system. How big is the hard drive?
Peter: I think it's 750 gigabyte.
Jack: Good... The computer's booted up. Let's install those drivers.
Peter: Before we do that, can I get online?
Jack: Do you have a modem?
Peter: Yes, I do. I think I have a cable modem.
Jack: hmmm... yes you do. Is the Ethernet cable plugged in?
Peter: What's that?
Jack: It's the cable that connects your modem to your computer.
Peter: Let's surf the internet!
Jack: Just a moment... first we need to launch the browser.
Peter: The browser?
Jack: It's the program that allows you to surf the internet.
Peter: oh ... I've got a lot to learn.
Jack: Yes, you do. I can see I'm going to be here all day ...
Check your understanding with this multiple choice comprehension quiz.
Name:……………………………………………………………………………
Q: What's Peter having problems with?
Hooking up his new computer
Unplugging his new computer
Installing his new computer
Q: Why does he ask Jack for help?
He knows Jack is friendly.
He knows Jack is a geek.
He knows Jack can't say no
Q: Which piece of hardware does Peter not mention hooking up?
Mouse
Keyboard
Printer
Q: What does Jack suggest Peter install?
Drivers for the keyboard, mouse and printer
A new browser
A new hard drive
Q: Which statement is true according to Jack?
The computer won't boot up without the new drivers.
The computer will boot up and new drivers won't help.
The computer will boot up, but new drivers will help
Q: Which component does Peter not recognize?
The printer
The memory reader
The cable modem
Q: What does Jack think of the system?
He thinks it's too small.
He thinks it's nice.
He thinks it's cheap
Q: Which hardware is required to get online?
A cable modem and Ethernet cable
A cable modem and printer
A cable modem and SD card
Q: Which software do they need to surf the internet?
A word processor
A browser
An SD card
Q: What does Jack understand in the end?
That Peter is an expert as using computers
That he's going to need to stay a long time to help Peter
That he should be done soon
ONLY for TEACHERS
Answers
1.- a 2.- b 3.- c 4.- a 5.- c 6.- b 7.-b 8.- a 9.- b 10.- b