Module 4. Hardware

№

Term

Definition

Usage

Battery (n)

a hardware component that supplies power to a device, enabling it to work without a power cord

~ case/life/level/capacity/pack; portable/external ~ pack; be powered by/run on/use/put/work on ~;

syn. power unit, power supply

Board (n)

a piece of fiberglass or other material upon which an array of computer chips is mounted

memory/mother/system/circuit ~;

replace/dust/upgrade the ~;

boardable (adj), board-like (adj),

board (v)

Break (v)

disconnect or interrupt; stop working, through wear or damage, make or become inoperative:

~ the circuit/silence/a habit/a record; break (n): ~ time/point; make/have/give/take a ~;

breakage (n), (un/non)breakable (adj), breakably (adv);

Cf. downtime, uptime

Card (n)

a piece of thick, stiff paper or thin pasteboard, used for writing or printing on; a circuit board that can be inserted in a computer to add extra facilities or memory

~ cage/reader; binary/SD/ punched/graphic/sound/video ~; install/upgrade/pay by/put sth on/use a ~; carder (n)

Chip (n)

a small piece of silicon or other semi-conductive material on which circuits can be placed

~ set/density/card/socket; memory ~;

install/upgrade/replace a ~; chipper (n), chipping (n), chipped (adj), (un)chippable (adj)

Bluetooth (n)

a standard for a short-range wireless interconnection of mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices

~ connection/speaker/headphones/ headsets/adapter;

transfer/connect/send via ~

Convert (v)

change into sth of a different form or property

~ (a/n) number/audio/format/graphics/

video/data/document/input;

converter (n) ~ cable/box/software, AD ~; convertible (adj): ~ data/file/image/audio/video;

syn. transform, change

Computer (n)

an electronic device designed for performing operations on data at a high speed

~ animation/architecture/fraud/

graphics/games; run/use/switch on/off/log onto/off/boot up/start up/shut down/reboot/restart a ~; super/mini/mainframe/micro-~computerized (adj):

~ system/information/facility/tool/ database/journal/record

CPU (abbr)

Central processing unit

the part of a computer in which operations are controlled and executed

the ~ cooler/fan/slot/technology/ system; upgrade/(un)install the ~

Configuration (n)

an arrangement of parts or elements in a particular form, figure, or combination; the particular choice and interconnection of hardware items that make up a particular computer system

~ standard/panel/processor/chip;

(re/mis)configure (v): ~ a system/hardware/software;

configurational (adj), configurative (adj), configurationally (adv)

Component (n)

a part or element of a larger whole, especially a part of a machine or vehicle, software or hardware

architecture/basic/important/major/

essential/principal/engine/electronic/ key/software/system ~;

subcomponent (n), componential (adj);

syn. element, part, piece, bit, constituent, ingredient

Crash (n)

(of a machine, a business, etc.) a sudden drop in value or failure; the sudden and complete failure of a disk drive

market/public/financial ~;

major/serious/system ~; cause a ~;

crasher (n);

syn. break down

Cycle (n)

a single set of hardware operations, especially that by which memory is accessed and an item is transferred to or from it, to the point at which the memory may be accessed again

~ stealing/time/path; machine ~;

go through/complete/repeat a ~;

(re)cycle (v), cyclic (adj),

recycling (n)

Decoder (n)

a device capable of converting audio or video signals into a different form, for example from digital to analogue

~ chip/circuit/box/apparatus/board;

audio/video/satellite/binary ~;

decode (v): ~ a message/signal/ command/ language/symbol/text

ant. encode(r)

Downtime (n)

the period of time when sth is not in operation, especially as a result of a malfunction

minimize/schedule/eliminate/reduce ~;

syn. dead time

ant. uptime

Drive (n)

an electromechanical device that reads from and writes to disks

CD-ROM/disk/DVD/SSD/HDD/ floppy/hard/zip/optical/magnetic/ hybrid ~; driver (n): CD-ROM/software/printer ~; (non)drivable (adj), drive (v); driving (adj): a ~ force

Expand (v)

become or make larger or more extensive

~ from/to; expandability (n),expandable (adj), expansion (n): ~ slot;

syn. extend, enlarge

ant. shrink

Fault (n)

a defect in a hardware device or component

detection/diagnosis/tree analysis ~;

have/diagnose/overlook/discover/find/identify/locate a ~; faulty (adj): ~ wire/picture/perception/content/brake/ program/device

syn. defect, flaw, imperfection

Joystick (n)

a manual control or cursor device, as one attached to a computer or a video game

~ port/button; analog ~;

(dis)connect/upgrade/replace a ~

Key (n)

a manually activated mechanism on a keyboard used for entering a character or command into a computer system; a field in a record which is used to identify that record uniquely

~board/pad/stroke; alt/arrow/backspace/control/ delete/escape/function/return/shift ~;

hit/hold down/press/touch a(the) ~; keyed (v), keying (v)

Laser (n)

a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation

~ head/pen/surgery/storage devices/technology/lens/disk/printer/beam/ treatment/gun/light;

a powerful ~; use a ~; burn a disc with a ~

Maintain (v)

cause or enable (a condition or situation) to continue; correct or prevent faults in hardware

~ (a) process/stability/balance/ standard; be difficult/easy to ~;

maintenance (n): preventative/ regular/need/proper ~;~ costs/services; maintainable (adj)

syn. keep (in a working order)

Memory (n)

the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information; the part of a computer in which data or program instructions can be stored for retrieval

have ~ for sth; (non)volatile/poor/bad/ excellent/visual/dynamic/static/ cache/computer/short-term/long-term/random-access ~; be stored in ~; evoke/revive/bring back/impair/ enhance the ~ of sth; commit to/recite from ~; come with 512Mb ~; if my ~ serves me right; memorable (adj), memorial (n); immemorial (adj): from time ~; memorize (v);

syn. recall, retention

Cf. RAM, ROM

Modem (n)

modulator and demodulator

a piece of equipment that is used to send information from a computer through a telephone line, cable or other link

connect via (a/the) ~; an external/internal/dial-up ~;

use/provide a ~

Monitor (n)

a device used for observing, checking, or keeping a continuous record of sth; a screen which displays an image generated by a computer

colour/CCTV/computer ~; display sth on a/the ~;

monitor (v): ~ a process/compliance with sth; monitoring (n)

Mouse (n)

a cursor control device consisting of a hand-held control box used as a locator

click/double click/move/use a(the) ~; ~ button/click/cursor/pointer/pad

Operate (v)

function in a proper or a particular way

~ a computer/procedure/system/ device; be able to ~; operation (n): computer/logic/machine ~ ; ~ table/ register/code; operational (adj), operationally (adv), operator (n);

syn. run

Periphery (n)

the outer limits or edge of an area or object

peripheral (adj): ~ device/processor/ vision/system/feature/card/detail/ expansion; peripherality (n); peripheralize (v); peripherally (adv);

syn. outer edge, margin

ant. center

Platform (n)

a raised level surface on which people or things can stand; a group of computers that are compatible with each other and can run the same software

microcomputer/mobile computing ~;

mount sth/appear/stand on a ~;

platformer (n);

syn. stage

Port (n)

a connection in a computer to which an outside (peripheral) device can be attached

serial/parallel/USB/firewire/ thunderbolt/ethernet power ~; portable (adj): a ~ television/device/computer/ cassette/player

Printer (n)

an output device for printing text or images, especially the one linked to a computer

a(the) ~ cable/port/ribbon/driver/icon;

photo/laser/inkjet/impact/multifunction ~; control/drive/connect a(the) ~;

(re)print (v): ~ a document/photo /certificate/publication; printout (n)

Process (v)

an instance of a program being executed in a multitasking operating system, typically running in an environment that protects it from other processes

~ information/code/data/oil;

process (n): the update/boot/accelerate/launch a ~;

processor (n): data/audio/graphics/word/multicore ~; processable (adj);

syn. procedure

Remove (v)

move sth from where it is; lift, push, transfer, or carry away, or from one place to another

~ a(n) scratch/virus/program/ application/disc;

removable (adj): a ~ disk;

removability (n);

syn. displace

Repair (v)

restore sth to a good condition after damage

~ (a) hardware/damage/gadget/device;

be in need of/need/require/undergo ~; repairer (n); non/repairable (adj); irreparable (adj): ~ damage/loss;

syn. fix;

ant. damage

Repeat (v)

do sth again or more than once

~ a(n) command/syntax/entry;

repetition (n), repetitive (adj), repeater (n), repeatable (adj), repeatability (n);

Cf. redo

Rotate (v)

move or cause to move in a circle round an axis or a centre

allow sth to ~; ~ in a(n) anti-/clockwise direction; rotation (n), rotative (adj): ~ engine/motion; rotating (adj), rotary (adj),

rotatory (adj)

Scan (v)

look quickly but not very thoroughly through (a document or other text) in order to identify relevant information; convert into digital form for storage or processing on a computer

~ a(n) picture/document/pattern/page/ error; ~ sth into a computer;

have/give sb/take a ~;

scannable (adj), scanner (n): film/fingerprint ~

Sector (n)

an area or portion that is distinct from others; a subdivision of a track on a magnetic disk

~ configuration; divide sth into ~s; major/public/private/informal/ formal/administration/rural/urban ~; sectoral (adj)

syn. area, locality

Server (n)

a computer that provides services to another computer

~ program/software/page;

computer/file/web/client/disk ~;

manage/control/protect/maintain/keep (on)/provide a ~

Unit (n)

a device that has a specified function, especially one forming part of a complex mechanism; a single manufactured item

a control/execution/functional/logic/ processing ~;

break sth down into/divide sth into ~s; (un)install/(dis)assemble a ~

1. break down

2. remove

3. decoder

4. repair

5. convert

6. defect

7. battery

1. configure

2. damage

3. periphery

4. master

5. encode

6. uptime

7. shrink

Noun

Verb

Adjective

Adverb

irreparably

operate

repetition

breakably

processable

configure

expandable

Verb

Target vocabulary unit

a joystick

Verb

Target vocabulary unit

a laser

Target vocabulary unit

Noun

operate a

Target vocabulary unit

Noun

process

1. expand

A. a circuit board that can be inserted in a computer to give extra facilities or memory

2. repair

B. become or make larger or more extensive

3. card

C. a computer that provides services to another computer

4. server

D. restore sth to a good condition after damage

5. fault

E. a defect in a hardware device or component

6. sector

F. the controlling unit in a pair of linked machines

7. master

G. an area or portion that is distinct from others

Concepts

Type of logical relations

1. maintain – destroy

A. general and specific

2. printer – output

B. cause and effect

3. CPU – motherboard

C. contrast

4. computer - minicomputer

D. method and purpose

5. gadget - joystick

E. part and whole

6. operate – run

F. equivalence

7. overuse – crash

1. CPU – motherboard

2. card – flash drive

3. Bluetooth – Wifi

4. convert – configure

5. fault – crash

6. gamepad – joystick

7. modem – router

1. converted

2. expanded

3. processed

4. repaired

5. scanned

6. repeated

7. maintained

1. card

2. chip

3. Bluetooth

4. CPU

5. joystick

6. modem

7. port

1. breakdown

2. conversion

3. downtime

4. cycle

5. maintenance

6. operation

7. configuration

1

What is the logical relationship between the concepts “fix - damage”:

a) general and specific b) cause and effect c) method and purpose d) contrast

2

What is the logical relationship between “output device” and “printer”:

a) general – specific b) method – purpose c) part – whole d) equivalence

3

What is the logical relationship between “CPU” and “mother board”:

a) general – specific b) method – purpose c) part – whole d) equivalence

4

The information was held ___ computer for regular operations.

a) into b) in c) on d) to

5

A piece of fiberglass or other material upon which an array of computer chips is mounted is known as a ___ . a) mother board b) transistor c) card d) board

6

All of these are input devices EXCEPT FOR: a) webcamb) keyboard c) printer d) mouse

7

All of these are output devices EXCEPT FOR:

a) video card b) projector c) sound card d) webcam

8

Mark the odd word: a) break-up b) break off c) breakdown d) break in

9

All of these collocate with the word “process” EXCEPT FOR:

a) information b) password c) data d) output

10

The period of time when sth is not in operation, especially as a result of a malfunction is called ___time. a) up b) on c) down d) over

11

Volatile memory, contrary to ____-volatile memory requires power to maintain the stored information. a) non-b) un c) im d) in

12

All of these are synonymous to the word “maintain” EXCEPT FOR:

a) keep b) regain c) sustain d) preserve

13

All of these can follow the noun “printer” EXCEPT FOR:

a) cable b) port c) ribbon d) board

14

The decoder at the other end converts the sequence of beeps back ___ a code which identifies the caller. a) to b) in c) on d) into

15

The manufacturing ___ is relatively simple

a) procedures b) proceeding c) process d) proceedings

16

Mark the odd word:

a) rotary b) rotative c) rotatory d) rotation

17

The broken machine needs ____.

a) despair b) compare c) repair d) impair

18

That accident involved a truck with ____ brakes.

a) fault b) faultless c) faulty d) faultness

19

The company claims to have reduced machine ___.

a) downtime b) time c) uptime d) time out

20

The part of a computer in which operations are controlled and executed is known as (a)___. a) Bluetooth b) Wi-Fi c) CPU d) server