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Computer Terms
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Jasmine, "A terrible thing has
happened. My computer got a virus
and crashed, and now I can't get it
to boot up!" Do you know what
Jasmine is talking about? She is using a lot of computer terminology. She
is saying that her computer shut down, and she cannot get it to restart
because of a destructive computer program it acquired.
With the widespread use of computers today, it is
important to know computer-related vocabulary. This lesson will help you
become familiar with some computer terminology. Read the terms in the
Dictionary Box below.
| computer |
(n.) an electronic device that processes and stores
data (information) at high speeds according to programmed
instructions |
| disk drive |
(n.) a mechanism that holds, spins, reads, and writes
either magnetic or optical disks |
| e-mail |
(n.) short for electronic mail; a system for
transmitting messages and data from one computer to another using a
telephone connection and modems |
| hard drive |
(n.) a sealed component permanently mounted in a
computer shell that stores the major memory of the computer |
| hardware |
(n.) the physical parts of the computer that can be
touched (monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.) |
| memory |
(n.) the part of a computer in which data is
stored |
| network |
(n.) multiple computers linked together |
| program |
(n.) a list of instructions in a programming language
that tells a computer to perform a certain task |
| software |
(n.) computer programs that can be run on a computer
system; programmed instructions written in advance that tell the
computer what to do |
| virus |
(n.) a computer program with instructions that are
destructive to computers |
Fill in the blanks with the correct vocabulary word.
Use the Dictionary Box above to help you.
The library computer was
struck by a  called "Attack
of the Killer Alphabet." When a user begins to type in any program,
letters appear all over the screen in a random order.
Did you write "virus"? If so, that is correct. A
virus is a computer program that is harmful to the computer.
The only  on Maya's
computer that is in need of repair is her set of speakers that no longer
produce any sound.
Did you write "hardware"? Speakers are the
physical part of a computer that can be touched.
Roger wants someone to
write a  for him that
will enable him to balance his checkbook.
Did you write "program"? If so, you made the
correct choice. A program is a set of instructions that tells the computer
how to perform a task.
Poor Jasmine! Her computer will not work properly.
Read each of Jasmine's computer problems below. Then fill in each blank
with the correct vocabulary word.
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Jasmine cannot receive a message on her computer
from her cousin in France. Her  is not
working. |
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Because the main computer is not working,
Jasmine's computer will not work either. Jasmine is hooked up to a
 . |
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After opening an e-mail from an unfamiliar
sender, Jasmine is now unable to open any other programs on her
computer. There must have been a  in the
e-mail. |
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Jasmine keeps trying to save her document on the
computer, but instead she gets an error message. Apparently, she is
unable to save to the  . |
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Because she could not save to the hard drive,
Jasmine is attempting to save her work on a diskette. However, there
seems to be a problem with the  . |
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Jasmine cannot play the new games she bought for
her computer because the  is
incompatible with her system. |
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Jasmine is unable to save her work. Apparently
her computer is out of 
altogether. |
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Now Jasmine's monitor will not turn on, and she
cannot view what she has typed. She is having a problem with a piece
of  . |
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Jasmine has decided that she is just having too
many problems. She needs to buy a new  ! |
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