Computer software
Speaking W o r k i n s m a l l g r o u p s . Make a list of a l l t h e c o m p u t e r software y o u use i n y o u r
w o r k o r study. T h i n k a b o u t :
• application software
• p r o g r a m m i n g software
• s y s t e m software
2 Make a list of t h e c o m p u t e r s o f t w a r e y o u r non-IT colleagues use.
Language
Superlatives
We use superlative adjectives to compare a person or thing with a number of other people or things.
The new monitor was the biggest in
big biggest
the room.
For short adjectives we add
Your version of the software is
the + -est. Be careful of spelling. fast fastest
the fastest.
easy easiest It's the easiest to use.
This version is the most difficult
difficult the most/least difficult
to use.
For long adjectives we use
expensive the most/least expensive His computer is the least expensive.
trie most/the least.
1 think you should buy that. It is the
reliable the most/least reliable
most reliable.
That is the worst software I've
bad the worst
ever used!
Some superlatives are irregular.
1 really like this website. It's the best
good the best
I've seen.
Speaking 3 W o r k i n s m a l l g r o u p s . Talk a b o u t t h e s o f t w a r e y o u a n d y o u r non-IT colleagues
use. A n s w e r these q u e s t i o n s .
1 W h a t are t h e differences b e t w e e n t h e IT a n d non-IT software y o u have listed?
2 W h i c h is t h e cheapest?
3 W h i c h is t h e m o s t expensive?
4 W h i c h is t h e most/least reliable?
5 W h i c h is t h e m o s t difficult/easiest t o use?
6 W h i c h is t h e best/worst?
7 W h i c h is t h e most/least user-friendly?
14 2 Computer systems
Listening 4 B L i s t e n t o t w o colleagues d i s c u s s i n g s o f t w a r e a n d c o m p l e t e
t h i s dialogue.
Tim: W h a t d o y o u t h i n k a b o u t these t h r e e p h o t o i m a g i n g
packages?
Simone: It's a difficult c h o i c e . A l l t h r e e are v e r y g o o d b u t t h e y
have different s t r e n g t h s .
I agree.
Serif Image Plus has (1) image (2)
OK.
But Magic E x t r e m e has t h e (3)
p r o c e s s i n g of images.
You're r i g h t . A l s o , Serif has (4) special
(5) B u t w h a t a b o u t Snap Pro?
Well, i t has t h e ( 6 ) . dubbing options.
A n d Snap Pro is t h e best for (7) photos.
I ' m n o t sure. Serif has (8) efficient
(9)
W h i c h is t h e m o s t expensive?
O h , Serif Image Plus.
A n d t h e cheapest?
Snap Pro.
Let's get Snap Pro t h e n .
I ' m s t i l l n o t sure!
Present tense of have (got)
I've/You've/We've/They've (got)... I/You/We/They have (got) ...
He's/She's/It's (got)... He/She/It has (got) ...
I/You/We/They haven't (got) ... I/You/We/They have not (got) ...
He/She/It hasn't (got)... He/She/It has not (got)...
I/You/We/They don't have... I/You/We/They do not have ...
We use have (got) to
He/She/It doesn't have... He/She/It does not have ...
talk about possession.
Have 1 you/we/they got...?
Has he/she/it got...?
Do l/you/we/they have...?
Does he/she/it have...?
Listening 5 I K J U 3 I L i s t e n a n d repeat these sentences.
1 We've got t h e best s o f t w a r e .
2 Does i t have t h e m o s t r e l i a b l e a n t i - v i r u s software?
3 She has t h e cheapest c o m p u t e r .
4 T h e y h a v e n ' t got t h e latest v e r s i o n .
5 Do y o u have t h e fastest processor?
6 Has it got W i n d o w s ?
7 T h e y have t h e latest software.
8 It has t h e biggest screen.
Writing 6 W o r k i n pairs. W r i t e five sentences c o m p a r i n g t h r e e
software p r o d u c t s y o u use o r know.
Computer systems 2 15
