Computers and tablets

Exercise 1

Match the meanings

Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.

so important that you cannot manage without it

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

stop working (of a computer or network)

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

separated from other people or information

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

easy for people to use

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

touch or adjust something repeatedly

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

need something very much

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

learn how to do something

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

become slow so that it does not respond quickly

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

light and easy to carry

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

need something in order to do what you want

Choose…indispensablefiddle withrely onuser-friendlylaggo downportablecan't do withoutcut offget the hang of

Exercise 2

Gap fill: use the right form

Complete the answers with phrases from the box. You may need to change the form (e.g. drag on → dragged on, struggle with → struggling with).

Do you prefer to use a computer or a tablet?

It depends on what I'm doing. For anything serious, like writing essays, I much prefer a computer because it has a proper keyboard. A tablet is lighter and more , though, so it's great when I want to read or watch videos in bed.

When was the first time you used a computer or a tablet?

I think I was about seven, when my father brought home an old desktop computer from his office. It took me a while to the mouse, but after that I was hooked on the simple games that he'd installed for me.

When is it difficult for you to use a computer or a tablet?

When the internet , it's almost impossible, because nearly everything I use is online. Old devices that are frustrating too, and so are programs that aren't very , where you end up the settings for ages.

Exercise 4

Choose the right phrase

Which phrase completes each sentence?

1. A tablet is lighter and more ______, though, so it's great when I want to read or watch videos in bed.
   user-friendly get the hang of portable
2. I use my laptop for pretty much all my coursework, since I ______ it for research and typing.
   rely on fiddling with portable
3. It took me a while to ______ the mouse, but after that I was hooked on the simple games that he'd installed for me.
   portable get the hang of user-friendly
4. Honestly, I'd feel completely ______ from my friends and my studies, because almost everything happens online now.
   cut off can't do without fiddling with
5. Computers have become ______ for students, and I really can't do without mine, since all my assignments have to be submitted electronically.
   indispensable cut off goes down
6. When the internet ______, it's almost impossible, because nearly everything I use is online.
   lag fiddling with goes down

Exercise 5

Crossword

Write the phrases without spaces or hyphens. The numbers in brackets show the length of each word, e.g. kill time (4,4) → KILLTIME.