asic software

Unit page
1 3 The operating system (OS)

14 Word processing (WP)

15 Spreadsheets and databases 73

Sales presentation

In this module, you will:

learn about the function of the operating system.

learn about the features of a graphical user interface, or GUI.

practise using the correct determiners with countable and uncountable nouns.

learn how to summarize a written text.

learn about the basic features and applications of word processors,

learn how to give and follow instructions.

study the basic features and applications of spreadsheets and databases,

practise forming and pronouncing plurals.

GUI operating systems
The term user interface refers to the standard provides access to networks and allows multitasking,
procedures that the user follows in order to interact which means you can run several programs - and do
with a computer. In the late 1 970s and early 80s, various tasks - at the same time.
the way users accessed computer systems was very
35 The most popular operating systems are:
5 complex. They had to memorize and type a lot of
commands just to see the contents of a disk, to copy
The Windows family - designed by Microsoft
files was
or to respond to a single prompt. In fact, it
and used on most PCs. The most recent version is

only experts who used computers, so there was no Windows Vista.

need for a user-friendly interface. Mac OS - created by Apple and used on
40 Macintosh computers.
io In 1 984, Apple
produced the Macintosh, the first
computer with a mouse and a graphical user Unix - a multi-user system, found on mainframes
interface (GUI). Macs were designed with one clear and workstations in corporate installations.
aim: to facilitate interaction with the computer. A few
Linux - open-source software developed under
years later, Microsoft launched Windows, another
the GNU General Public License. This means
15 operating system based on graphics and intuitive
45 anybody can copy its source code, change it and
tools.Nowadays, computers are used by all kinds of
distribute it. It is used in computers, appliances
people, and as a result there is a growing emphasis "
and small devices.
on accessibility and user-friendly systems.
Windows Mobile - used on most PDAs and
A GUI makes use of a WIMP environment: windows,
smartphones (PDAs incorporating mobile
20 icons, menus and pointer. The background of the
so phones).
screen is called the desktop, which contains labelled
pictures called icons. These icons represent files or Palm OS - used on Palm handheld devices.

opens a window
folders. Double-clicking a folder RIM - used on BlackBerry communication
which contains programs, documents, or more devices. Developed by Research In Motion.
25 nested folders. When you are in a folder, you can
The Symbian OS - used by some phone makers,
launch a program or document by double-clicking
55 including Nokia and Siemens.
the icon, or you can drag it to another location. When
you run a program, your PC opens a window that lets These computer platforms differ in areas such
you work with different tools. All the programs have a as device installation, network connectivity or
30 high level of consistency, with similar toolbars, menu compatibility with application software.

bars, buttons and dialog boxes. A modern OS also

D Translate these terms and expressions into your own language. Use a
dictionary or the internet to help you.
1 user interface (line 1)

2 procedures (line 2)

3 commands (line 6)

4 tools (line 16)

5 desktop (line 21)

6 nested folders (line 25)

7 launch a program (line 26)

8 source code (line 45)

 Unit 13 te operating system (OS)

E Label the interface features (a-j) on the screenshot of Apple's Mac OS X

operating system with words in bold from this list.
• desktop: the background screen that displays icons and folders
• window: a scrollable viewing area on screen; it can contain files or folders

• icon: a picture representing an object; for example, a document, program, folder or hard
drive icon

• folder: a directory that holds data, programs and other folders

• menu bar: a row of words that open up menus when selected

• drop-down (pull-down) menu: a list of options that appears below a menu item when selected

• scroll bar: a horizontal or vertical bar that is clicked and dragged in the desired direction

• dock: set of icons at the bottom of the screen that give you access to the things you use most

F iw| Compare the Mac OS X user interface with a Windows or Linux interface.
What are the similarities and differences? Which features do you prefer from
each interface?

Windows Vista
L^, Listen to a podcast interview with Bill Thompson, a program developer,
and answer these questions.
1 Why is Windows so popular?
Give two reasons.

2 Which Windows Vista edition

is aimed at high-end PC users,

gamers and multimedia

professionals?

Windows Vista
 B Listen again and complete this fact file.
Windows Vista editions Other features Internet and security Windows programs
(1) is The user interface has been Internet Explorer is more The most popular is still

designed for users with basic redesigned with new icons reliable and secure. (8) ,

needs, such as email and and a new a suite that includes the
The Security Centre includes
internet access. (4) (9) ,

an (6)
Word; an email program; the
Home Premium is for program called Windows
Excel spreadsheet program;
advanced home computing It offers support for the latest Defender, and a firewall that
CI I IU LI It:
and (2) _ technologies, from DVD protects your computer from
(10)
creation to (7)
The Business edition is ideal program, PowerPoint.
(5)
for (3)

The Ultimate edition is the

most complete.

4 Language work: countable and uncountable nouns

A Look at the HELP box and decide if these nouns from the fact file in 3B are
countable, uncountable or either, depending on the context. Write C, U, or Cand U.

user, email computing

edition entertainment interface
icon technology security spy ware

Countable and uncountable nouns An icon is a small graphic.

The icons on the toolbar are used to ...
• Countable nouns are people or things that we can
count. They have a singular and a plural form (e.g. file, We don't use a/an with uncountable nouns.
program, system, application).
Not: a ro bo tics
• Uncountable nouns are things that we can't count.
We don't use the in generalizations with uncountable
They have no plural form (e.g. software, music,
nouns or plural countable nouns.
robotics, multimedia, networking, storage).
/ like music.
A lot of software these days is open-source.
Not: / like the music.
Not: A lot of softwares these days are open-source.
Computer programs are expensive.
• Some words are countable in many languages but Not: T-be computer programs are expensive.
uncountable and are used with a singular
in English,
Countable and uncountable nouns take different
verb (e.g. advice, damage, equipment, furniture,
determiners.
research, news, progress, homework).
Many, few, a few only go with countable nouns.
The advice he gave me was very useful.
There are many versions of Windows Vista.
• Countable nouns must have a determiner (a, the,
my, this, etc.) in the singular, although this is not Much, little, a little, a great deal of only go with
necessary in the plural. uncountable nouns.

/ deleted the file yesterday. / have a little time free this afternoon if you want to

I lost more than 300 files when my computer crashed. meet.

We use a before a consonant sound and an before a

vowel. The definite article the means you know which

one/ones mean. I
 Unit 13 operating system (OS)

B Complete this text with a, an, the or nothing.

< fi ) c

Linux is (1) operating system and it was initially created as

(2) hobby by a young student, Linus Torvalds, at the
University of Helsinki in Finland. Version 1 .0 of the Linux Kernel*
was released in 1994. (3) Kernel, at the heart of all Linux
systems, is developed and released under GNU General Public
License, and its source code is freely available to everyone.

Apart from the fact that it's freely distributed, (4) Linux's
functionality, adaptability and robustness has made it the main
alternative for proprietary Unix and Microsoft operating systems.
IBM, Hewlett-Packard and other giants of the computing world have
embraced Linux and support its ongoing development. More than
(5) decade after its initial release, Linux is being adopted
worldwide, primarily as (6) server platform. Its use as a
home and office desktop operating system is also on the rise.
The operating system can also be incorporated directly into
(7) microchips in a process called (8) embedding, and
it is increasingly being used this way in appliances and devices.

*The Kernel provides a way for software and other parts of the OS to
communicate with hardware.

Writing a summary
BUl Summarize the text on page 64 in 90-1 00 words. Follow these steps:
1 Read the text again.
2 Underline the relevant information in each paragraph.
3 Make notes about the main points. Leave out details such as examples.

4 Make sentences from the notes and link the sentences with connectors (and, but, because,

therefore, etc.).

5 Write your first draft.

6 Improve your first draft by reducing sentences. For example:

• Cut out unnecessary phrases
Macs were designed with one clear aim: to facilitate interaction with the computer.

• Omit qualifying words (adjectives or modifying adverbs)

very complex

• Transform relative clauses into -ing participle clauses

Double-clicking a folder opens a window which contains programs, documents or ...

Double-clicking a folder opens a window containing programs, documents or ...

7 Write the final version of your summary. Don't forget to check the spelling and grammar.
unit 14 Word processing (WP)
7 Word processing features
In pairs, discuss these questions.
1 What is a word processor?
2 What kind of tasks do people use word processors for?

3 How many different word processing programs can you name? Which do you think is the most
popular?

B Look at this screenshot from Microsoft Word and translate the labelled features
and functions into your own language.

Typeface Formatting Toolbar Menu Bar Increase Indent

look Tsbte JVnlow ttt> Type a question for help

Standard
Toolbar IT 100% - m -Read .
ftotwn .12- B / a {U« * i= •= *
Header
nserted
SunRise
Computers picture

7 Union Street
Glasgow G9 3TA

Dear Mr Jones,

Bold text We are pleased to inform you that an updated version of Top Project is now available.
To obtain your copy, simply call us and we'll send you, absolutely free, the latest
of the program.

We also enclose a catalogue with the new range of SunRise machines and the latest
software products. There are special offers for all our clients, including the book
The basics of budgeting and balancing your finances. To order by phone, call 01332
8430477. To order via the Internet, visit our website at:

http://www.sunrisecomps.com
Italic text
Yours sincerely,

Barry Stephens Mailings

Mi
Hyperlink Drawing tools Footer
Insert picture

C Complete these sentences with the correct features and functions above.
1 The Standard lists the icons to save or print a document, spell check, etc. The
Toolbar is the area for changing font, alignment, indentation, etc.

2 A font consists of three elements: ,

type style and type size. For example, Palatino
bold at 10 points.

3 Type style refers to a visual characteristic of a typeface, for example B for , / for

and U for underlined.

4 Ifyou need to change indentation - the space between the page margin and where the text
aligns - you can click the Increase or Decrease buttons.

5 The and commands allow you to specify customized texts at the

top and bottom of every page.

 processing (WP)

Word Sudoku
In pairs, read the instructions and complete the puzzle.
Instructions

This Word Sudoku on the normal Sudoku. Instead of using the numbers to
is a variation 1

9, we are using words and icons. There are nine WP functions and their eguivalent icons, so

we are playing with nine pairs. In order to complete the grid, you can use each function or
the equivalent icon only once in each row, each column, and in each of the 3x3 boxes. The
icons can only be used in the coloured boxes.

Word processing functions and icons

IF Align Left & Insert Hyperlink

a\ Print Preview ]j Columns

§§ Insert Table SSi • Undo

/jft* Drawing u.j Open

;=- Bullets

ui a w 1 1 iy Cn\ iimnc
Mil i 1 DU LLC Lb
tt

Align Insert
Ail ,
Left Table

Print
Undo
Preview

Print Insert

Preview Hyperlink

A Columns

Insert
Undo Open Drawing
Hyperlink

Open Bullets

ITIl'l Insert
1 1 I II
Columns
Mil) Hyperlink

Insert Insert
Drawing
) Table Hyperlink

69
 The Cut and Paste technique Redo Cut
Cut Pi
A E| Listen to two friends, Anna and Ben, talking Copy
about how to move text Word. How many steps
in
Paste
Clear
are involved in carrying out the Cut and Paste task?
Again

Undo Cut
Cut
Copy
Paste

E Listen again and complete the dialogue.

Anna: Ben, do you know how can move I this paragraph? I want to put it at the end of this page.

Ben: Er . . . I think so. (1 ) , use the mouse to select the text you want
to move. (2) choose the Cut command from the Edit menu.

Anna: (3) ?

Ben: Yes. The selected text disappears and goes onto the clipboard.
(4) you find where you want the text to appear and you click

to position the insertion point there.

Anna: Mm, OK. Is that (5) ?

Ben: Yes, if that's where you want it. (6) choose Paste from the Edit
menu, or hold down Ctrl and press V. (7) check that the text
,

has appeared in the right place.

Anna: OK, I've (8) Is that (9)

Ben: Yes, that's it. If you make a mistake, you can choose Undo from the Edit menu, which wil

reverse your last editing command.

Anna: Brilliant! Thanks a lot.

Ben: That's OK, it's my pleasure.

Moving text is a process of cutting and pasting,

as if you were using scissors and glue

How to
Paste
edit text
Cut
How to
edit text

document How to

in window
Clipboard document edit text
(temporary storage in window

inside computer)
 .

Unit 14 Word processing WP) (

4 Language work: giving and following instructions

A Look at the HELP box and then correct six mistakes in this dialogue.
A: Ineed a photo for my curriculum vitae. How do insert one into this Word document? I

B: Well, now choose Insert on the Menu bar.

A: As this?

B: Yes. From the menu, select Picture. As you can see, this displays a drop-down menu with
Insert
different options: Clip Art, From File, From Scanner, Chart, etc. Select From File and you'll get a
dialog box.
Feymat Window Hdp
A: OK. I've done that now. What last?
Insert 1
Toots Tabte

B: OK. Now navigate your hard drive's contents and find

Break...

Page Numbers...
1
4W 2j • *> J 1:3

go* *
I

B i u
the picture that you want to insert.

A: Right. I'd like to include this one. 1

Picture >| fJpAlt...
B: OK, good. Now click Insert and the photograph will be ***
Diagram... jj From Fie...
inserted into your document. Text Box
9 From Scanner or Camera. .

A: Here it is. Is that write? Ffe...

<> New Drawing

B: Yes. First, right-click with the mouse and select Format

Object...
® AutoShapes

Bookmark...
4 SprdArt...
Picture to adjust the size and other properties.
ft Hyperfc*... Ctrl+K Organization Chart

Brilliant, thanks! m Chart

Giving instructions Following instructions

• To give instructions, we use the imperative form of • If you want to check that you have understood
the verb and sequence words such as first, next, instructions, you can use expressions like:

then, after that, finally, etc. Like this?

Is that right?
First, use the mouse to select the text.
Then choose the Cut command from the Edit menu. • If you want to signal that you are ready to move on to
Next, choose Paste from the Edit menu. the next step, you can use expressions like:

Finally, check that the text has appeared in the right OK, I've done that now.
place. What next?
We can also use the present simple with you. • If you want to ask if the process is completed, you
can use expressions like:
Now you find where you want the text to appearand
Is that everything?
you click to position the insertion point.
Anything else?

B Complete these instructions for how to Copy and Paste in Word with verbs from
the box.

click ix.2) select position right-click drag

First, the text you wish to copy. To select text, the mouse over the
portion of the text that you want to copy. This part should then be highlighted.

Then on the Copy icon on the Standard Toolbar. This copies the selected text to an
invisible clipboard.

3 Next, the cursor where you want the text to appear.

4 Finally, the Paste icon. This inserts the content of the clipboard at the insertion
point. As well as the icons on the toolbar, you can use the keys Ctrl+Cfor Copy, and Ctrl +V for
Paste. These options also come up if you the selected text.

71
 .

•
oo Find and Replace

Find Replace Co To
C Write instructions for
f I

using Find and Replace based on Find what: computer programmer 2

this dialog box.
Replace with: software developer

Work in pairs. Student A: ( Replace All ) ( Replace ) ( Cancel @

Give your partner instructions
on Creating a document and
saving it on disk. Student B: Give
your partner instructions on How to insert a picture from the Web into a
Word document. Use words and expressions from the HELP box on page 71

WP tools
A Scan the descriptions of three WP tools (1-3) - a spell checker, an online
thesaurus and a grammar checker - and match them with the dialog boxes (a-c).

- • - Sp«U»Ttcj *nd C<*mm»i inglish (OKI

© e -
lefercnce. Toxxi

i
St.**** V«rt> Aflf MTxnt
Wont or Hv«e:

(51

C T

V«-!.-l S l. kiwi am
.4 yarfWir- C"C<Ac -\

( a**, )
C"aig«4 *t. •

•VHKKr
.-: It ;

!
r Vulval
i

*0,

drverte

ootn *p*n
Vke chalk ano c»Mse

Spell checkers can be used to Many word processors include an online

c |

kdia

Q
)

compare words in the program's thesaurus with which users can look up different ( Search yon )

dictionary to those used in the user's words to use instances. Their power
in similar

document. The spell checker points comes not from knowing every grammatical rule,
out any words it cannot match, but from guestioning the writer about certain
notifies the user, and allows them to parts of the text. Some even include information
make any changes; it even suggests about pronunciation and the history of a word.
possible correct spellings. Like a
conventional thesaurus, this database
of words contains definitions and
suggestions of words with similar and Grammar checkers are applications that attempt to check more than just
opposite meanings. A word may be They count words in sentences to flag possible run-on sentences.
spelling.
spelled correctly but still be wrong They look for words that show possible conflicts between verbs and
(too instead of two, for instance). subjects, and they offer advice about corrections. Grammar checkers are a
This good first step at proofing a
is a step beyond spell checkers, but they are still not a substitute for a human
document because it can find many editor. However, this does not mean that all the words in the document
common errors, but users will still They give the writer another chance to think about
are spelled correctly.
need to proofread documents to what he or she has written. The computer can alert writers to problems that
ensure complete accuracy. wouldn't be obvious to them otherwise.

B Read the descriptions more carefully. Find three sentences that have been
printed in the wrong text and decide where they should go.

C Correct the three mistakes in this sentence and decide if they would be found
by the spell checker or the grammar checker.

Mail merge combine a form leter with a database file to create customized copys of the letter.
unit 15 Spreadsheets an
m
databases
Spreadsheet programs
In pairs, discuss these questions.
1 What is a spreadsheet?

2 What are spreadsheets used for?

B Look at the worksheet and label a, b and c with column, row and cell.

Then answer these questions.

1 What types of data can be keyed into a cell?
\ /
2 What happens if you change the value of a C Microsoft Excel Bookl

cell? look Qata Kincxw Hsfc - 9 x

i
J _\ A JJ J 44 - •
)\ B
F4\'^^M * /

'A B / D E F
This worksheet shows the income and expenses 1 2007 / 2008
^2 Sales 982
of a company. Amounts are given in $millions. 3 Slocks Shares 487 760
4 Interest 182 324
The terms worksheet and spreadsheet are 5 Total Revenue 1559 2066
often used interchangeably. However, technically, S
7 Payroll 894 904
a worksheet is a collection of cells grouped on 8 Publicity 399 451

a single layer of theA spreadsheet refers to

file.
9 Services 438 372
10 Total Expenses 1731 1727
both the computer program that displays data in 11| ;
!

12 [TOTAL -172 339

rows and columns, and to the table which displays
H < M\sheetl/Sheet2/Sheet3/ l< >
numbers in rows and columns. I

Road/

Listen to Lucy Boyd giving a training course on basic Excel and check your
answers to A and B.

Listen again and decide whether these sentences are true or false. Correct
the false ones.
1 A spreadsheet displays information in the form of a table with a lot of columns and rows.
2 In a spreadsheet you can only enter numbers and formulae.

3 You cannot change the width of columns.

4 Spreadsheet programs can generate a variety of charts and graphs.

5 Spreadsheets cannot be used as databases.

E Look at the worksheet above and decide whether these sentences are true or
Correct the false ones.
false.

1 The value of the cell C12 is the result of applying the formula C5-C10.

2 The value of cell B5 is the result of adding the value in cells B2 and B3.

3 If you type the value 800 in C3, the value in cells C5 and C12 will be recalculated.

In pairs, discuss the advantages and

disadvantages of showing the information
above as a graph, rather than as a worksheet.
Graphic representation of the worksheet above
2 An invoice, a business letter and a fax
A Spreadsheets are also used to generate invoices. Complete the invoice below
with words from the box. If you have a spreadsheet program, try to produce a
similar invoice.

Quantity Description Price VAT (value added tax) Product Grand total Company

Name: Ruth Atkinson (1)

Address: 38 High Street, Galway Media Market
Telephone: 5 742 9165 Fax: 1 662 2367
Date: 16 May 2008

(2) (3) (4) (5)

Ulysses Classic 2GB of RAM, 1TB HD 4 850€ 3,400€

Flat LCD screen Colour 19" 4 170€ 680€
Portable Ulysses 2GB of RAM, 250GB HD 2 975€ 1,950€
D5 database DBMS, relational database 1 245€ 245€
Antidote JP Anti-virus, anti-spyware 6 60€ 360€
Laser printer CQ 2,400 dpi, PostScript 1 230€ 230€
Sub-total 6,865€
(6) (21%) 1,441€
(7) 8,306€

B Look at this letter which accompanies the invoice. Complete the letter with
phrases from the box.

Yours sincerely I am writing to Dear Ms Atkinson We would be grateful if you could

I am enclosing Please contact us

16 May 2008

Ruth Atkinson
38 High Street
Galway

(1) ,

(2) confirm that we have sent you four desktop PCs

plus screens, two laptops and a laser printer, along with a D5 database, and an anti-virus program
for each of the computers. Please allow two weeks for delivery.

(3) two copies of your invoice.

(4) make your payment by cheque or directly to our
bank account through the Internet.
We are also delighted to inform you that we are offering our clients an online course called

A paperless office, free of charge. (5) if you require

any further information.

(6)

Ian Pegg
 Unit 15 ireadsheets and databases

C ISA Imagine you are Ruth Atkinson. When you try to use the laser printer, it
gives continuous error messages. You are also having problems installing the
database. Write a fax to Media Market to complain. Ask for a new printer and an
upgraded version of the database. Look at the Useful language box to help you.

FAX MESSAGE

To: Media Market

Fax: 1 662 2367

From: Ruth Atkinson

Subject: Faulty products

Dear Mr Pegg,

Number of pages: 1

Please call if you experience any transmission problems.

Useful lanquaqe
/ am writing to complain ab out doesn't work 1 am unable to...

Databases
groups, make a list of as
In many possible applications
for databases as you can think of.

Example: Companies use databases to store information

about customers, suppliers and their own personnel.

B Look at the illustration,

which represents a
database file. Can you
identify a record and a field?

C Read the text on page 76

and check your answers to B.

A representation of a database file

Databases
A database is a collection of related data, and the records into numerical or alphabetical order very quickly.
software used in databases to store, organize and retrieve Modern databases are relational - that is, they are made
the data is called the database management system, up of related files: customers and orders, vendors and
orDBMS. However, we often use the word database to purchases, students and tutors, etc. Two database files

cover both meanings. A database can manage any type can be related as long as they have a common field. A file
of data, including text, numbers, images, sound, video of students, for example, could include a field called Tutor
and hyperlinks (links to websites). ID and another file with details of the tutors could include
the same field. This key field can be used to relate the two
Information is entered into the database via fields. Each
files. Databases like Oracle, DB2 and MySQL can manage
field holds a separate piece of information, and the fields
these relationships.
are grouped together in records. Therefore, a record
about an employee might consist of several fields which A database query function allows you to extract
give their name, address, phone number, date of birth, information according to certain conditions or criteria. For
salary and length of employment with the company. example, managing director wanted to know all the
if a
customers that spend more than €8,000 per month, the
Records are grouped together into files which hold large
program would search on the name field and the money
amounts of information. Files can easily be updated -
field simultaneously.
you can always change fields, add new records or delete
old ones. An electronic database is much faster to consult The best database packages also include network
and update than a card index system and occupies a lot facilities, which can make businesses more productive.

less space. With the right software, you can keep track of For example, managers of different departments can
stock, sales, market trends, orders and other information have direct access to a common database. Most aspects
that can help your company stay successful. of the program can be protected by user-defined
passwords and other security devices. For example, if
A database program lets you create an index - a list
you wanted to share an employee's personal details but
of records ordered according to the content
of certain
not their commission, you could protect the commission
fields. This helps you to search the database and sort
field.

D Complete these statements about databases using information from the text.
1 A database management system is used to
2 Information is entered into a database via

3 Each field holds

4 Updating a f\\e means

5 Some advantages of a database program over a manual filing system are:

6 Access to a common database over a network can be protected by using

E Solve the clues and complete the puzzle. 1 1

|
I

1 A collection of data stored in a PC in a systematic way. 2

2 A unit of a database file made up of related fields. 3

4
3 A single piece of information in a record.
5
4 A database maintains separate, related
files, but combines data elements from the files for e

queries and reports. 7

Some companies have

5
database over a
several computers sharing a s

'
1— —— ' 1 '

6 To look for specific information, for example the name of an employee.

7 To classify records into numerical or alphabetical order.

8 A tool that allows you to extract information that meets certain criteria.

v In pairs, discuss what fields you would include in a database for your
music collection.
 4 Language work: plurals
A Look at the HELP box and then write the plural of these words.
1 client 5 fax

2 key 6 salary

3 query 7 mouse
4 businessman 8 virus

•I«J

Plurals There are several irregular plural forms:

In most cases, we form the plural in English by man/woman — men/women

adding -s. child — children

— analysis— analyses
formula — formulae
record records
(or formulas)
If a word ends in -s, -sh, -x or -ch, we add -es. —
criterion criteria

address— addresses —
mouse *~mice

index — > indexes The -s is pronounced as:

If word ends in
a a consonant + y, the y becomes i /s/ after one of these sounds: /p/, A/, fkj, HI or /6/
and we add -es. (e.g. amounts, hyperlinks)

company — companies IylI after one of these sounds: /s/, /z/, /J/, /t|7 or

facility — facilities (e.g. businesses, devices, images)

However, if the y follows a vowel, we add only -s. Iz/ in most other cases (e.g. files, fields, customers,

birthday —> birthdays

columns)

B Put the plurals into the correct pronunciation column.

databases passwords /s/ Az/ Izl

laptops graphs
orders switches
taxes networks
tables packages
spreadsheets systems

5 Software at home and at work

out as much as you can
In pairs, find Useful language
about the software your partner uses at What kind of spreadsheet program do
home or at work. Ask about spreadsheet you use?
programs, databases, word processors,
What do you use it for?
videoconferencing, business accounting,
email, and web browsers. Look at the Useful Do you use it at home or at work?
language box to help you. What's your favourite ...?

What features do you like most about it?

I Now visit www.cambridge.org/elt/ict
How do you ...?
for an online task.

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