Contextual reference

Transitional markers are words used to link ideas together so that the text is easier to read. When pronouns such as it, they, them. I he, she, which, who, whose, that, such, one, and demonstrative adjectives such as this, that, these and those, are used as transitional markers, they refer to a word, or words, mentioned earlier in the sentence or paragraph. Their function is to take your thoughts back to something that has already been mentioned. Other words which are often used to refer backwards are the former, the latter, the first, second, etc., the last

Sample paragraph:

A j computerj ^l ike any other machine, is used becausejjt/loes certain jobs better and more efficiently than humans.ut)can receive more

information

and procesaiyfaster than any human. The speed at which a

computer works means it can repla ce weeks or even months of pencil-a nd-

paper work. Therefore ] computers [a re used when jthe time saved offsets cost^whic^is one of the many reason^the^kre used so much in

industry, and research.

Exercise 1

Using the sample paragraph as a model, draw a rectangle around the word, or words, that the circled words refer to. Then join "the О and the □ with arrows.

Modern accounting firms use spreadsheet software to do complicated calculation (They)can provide their clients with an up-to-date report whenever it is needed(This) software has many functions and can be integrated with other software. The spreadsheet's basic component is a ceH(Xhi&biay contain a formula(which)performs a mathematical operation.iltjcould also contain a label or data.([he formeg)describes the information on the worksheet. vThe lattecis the information itself.

The worksheet is the basic work area of a spreadsheet program. (lt)is made up of cells arranged in rows and columns. The number of^heseVaries depending on the software you are using. You can change the width and format of cells. (§udb parameters are usually quite easy to change with just a few keystrokes.

Exercise 2 Using the line reference given, look back at the reading passage in Unit 1, page
6, and find the reference for the words in italics.

1 anyone can make them (line 25)

2 the ideas that they put (line 34)

3 This was a graphical interface (line 3 7)

4 it became the standard machine (line 44)

5 these are operating systems (line 50)

6 it has become a minor player (line 68)

7 this could be upgraded (line 76)

Portable computers

'This is the smallest, most powerful computer in the world.'

'Those? Those are the batteries.'

Taski

Start-up

Discuss the following questions:

1 How small do you think computers can usefully become?

2 To what exterit does the size of a computer iiiiluence what it can be used for?
Think of examples to illustrate your answer.

Listening

Task 2

Listen to the following extract from a rad ₀ talk show called Computcrworks in which the host talks with Sandra Cavancf-_{]f a wr}iter with a computer magazine. As you listen, fill in the missing information about the various portable computers.

Portable

Power: Weight: Screen size: Input device:

Prison.

between 15 and_____

^about ten inches diagonally keyboard

Power: Weight: Screen size: Input device:

^can operate on

** than 11_

small

batteries

Task3

Task 4

Reading

Before reading the text, match these words with their definitions:

surface on which pictures or data are shown

electrical force

pattern used as a guide for creating letters or characters

individual dot on a computer screen

network of lines crossing at right angles

pointed implement for drawing or writing

portable board with a clip at the top for holding papers

Read the text and decide why the author chose the title Delete Keys. Can you suggest a better title?

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