Episode 276
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Hi! I'm Georgiana. Thanks for joining me for another episode of the podcast. Also, thank you for the 30 million downloads!!!! 🎉 🎉 🎉
Today, I'll talk about my very first computer and compare it with modern tech.
Ok, let's get started!
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Have you ever thought about how computers have changed over the years? Well, I have, and I want to share my experiences with you.
I will start with the parts of the computer:
First, the "mouse." A mouse is a small device you move on your desk. It's like a digital pet that helps you control your computer. My mouse was big and had a ball underneath. It wasn't small and smooth like today's mice. It had a cord that often got tangled, but I liked it. I used it to click on things and move around on the screen.
Well, nowadays, we have some other ways to do the same thing:
Many laptops have a flat area below the keyboard called "touchpad" that you can use your finger to move the arrow around. It's like a tiny built-in mouse.
Some computers now let you touch the screen directly with your finger to control things. This is called a "touch screen." It's just like using your finger to tap or swipe on your phone.
You can also use a special pen on some computers to point and click, just like you used to do with the mouse.
Next, let's talk about the 'screen.' The screen is like a computer's TV. But the ones I used in the past were different from today's flat screens.
My old screen was big and not flat like modern screens. It looked more like a big, heavy box on my desk. The pictures and words on it didn't look very clear. They were a bit fuzzy, not sharp like today's screens. Nowadays, screens are much thinner and lighter, showing pictures and words much more clearly. So, things on the computer look better now.
Now, let's talk about the 'keyboard.' A keyboard is like a big board with many buttons you press. Each button has a letter, number, or symbol on it. It helps you type words and tell the computer what to do.
The keyboard I used back then had all the letters and keys you need, just like today's keyboards. But it looked bigger and the buttons were a bit farther apart. When you typed on them, they made a clicky sound, unlike today's quieter keyboards.
So, even though the old keyboard looked and sounded a bit different, it did the same job as the ones we have today, helping you type and control the computer.
Well done! You're getting really good at learning computer words in English. I will talk more about computer parts and new options in a future episode. So, keep listening if you like to learn about this topic.
Now, let’s practice.
Speaking Practice
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer each question out loud, then listen to the answer and respond quickly. Don’t worry about mistakes.
Speaking practice
Let’s Start!
When Georgie turned twelve, she got a special present: a computer.
Did Georgie get something ordinary or special?
Special. Georgie got a special present.
What did he get for her twelfth birthday?
A computer. She got a computer.
When did Georgie get the computer?
When she turned twelve. She got it when she turned twelve.
Who got a computer?
Georgie. She got a computer when she turned twelve.
Her computer, running Windows 95, made her really happy.
Did the computer make her sad?
No, the computer did not make her sad; it made her really happy.
What made her happy? Her dog?
No, no. Her computer made her happy. Not her dog.
Which operating system was the computer running?
Windows 95?
Yes. The computer was running Windows 95.
Was it a tablet that made her happy?
No, it wasn't a tablet; it was her computer that made her happy.
Georgie used the computer for schoolwork, saving her work on floppy disks.
Did Georgie use the computer to watch movies?
No, she used the computer for schoolwork.
What did Georgie save her work on? On a CD?
No, no. Georgie saved her work on floppy disks, not on a CD.
Did she save her work on a USB drive?
No, no. She saved her work on floppy disks.
Who used the computer for schoolwork?
Georgie. She used the computer for schoolwork.
Even as technology advanced, Georgie still loved her first computer with all its memories.
Did technology stay the same?
No, technology advanced.
Did she still love her first computer as technology advanced?
Yes. She still loved her first computer even as technology advanced.
Did Georgie stop loving her first computer when new technology came out?
No, no. She still loved her first computer when new technology came out.
Who loved their first computer? Georgie's family?
No. Georgie loved her first computer. Not her family.
Today, you've seen a small sample of how questions and answers can help you. If you are serious about learning English...
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary from This Episode
Review useful words and expressions before listening again.
01 mouse
a handheld device used to control the pointer on a computer.
02 keyboard
a set of keys used to type information.
03 cursor
the movable marker that shows where an action will occur.
04 touchpad
a flat touch-sensitive surface used instead of a mouse.
05 touchscreen
a screen controlled by touching it directly.
06 monitor
the screen that displays information from a computer.
07 device
a piece of electronic equipment designed for a purpose.
08 modern technology
recent electronic tools and systems.
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