Topic vocabulary |
| artificial (adj) |
not natural or real, but made by people |
There was a vase of artificial flowers on the table. |
| automatic (adj) |
an automatic machine can work by itself
without being operated by people |
It's an automatic door. |
| complicated (adj) |
difficult to do, deal with, or understand |
This is a complicated problem. |
| decrease (v) |
to become less |
The number of visitors has decreased
significantly. |
| decrease (n) |
the amount by which something is less |
There’s been a decrease in the number of
visitors. |
|
| digital (adj) |
storing information such as sound or
pictures as numbers or electronic signals |
It's a digital recording. |
| discover (v) |
to find something that was hidden or that
no one knew about before |
William Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781. |
| effect (n) |
a change that is produced in one person or
thing by another |
Scientists are studying the chemical's effect
on the environment. |
| equipment (n) |
the tools, machines, or other things that
you need for a particular job or activity |
A computer is the most important piece of
equipment you will buy. |
| estimate (v) |
to guess or calculate an amount or value
by using available information |
It is impossible to estimate how many of the
residents were affected. |
|
| exact (adj) |
done, made, or described with all the details
correct |
The exact number of people there was
unknown. |
| experiment (v) |
to perform scientific tests in order to find
out what happens to someone or something
in particular conditions |
This lab does not experiment on animals. |
| experiment (n) |
a scientific test to find out what happens to
someone or something in particular conditions |
Researchers now need to do more
experiments. |
| gadget (n) |
a small tool or piece of equipment that
does something that is useful or impressive |
That's a very useful gadget! |
| hardware (n) |
computer equipment |
Printers and modems are examples of
hardware. |
|
| invent (v) |
to design or create something that did
not exist before |
Alfred Nobel invented dynamite. |
| involve (v) |
to include something as part of an activity,
event, or situation |
The course involves a lot of hard work. |
| laboratory (n) |
a building or large room where people do
scientific research |
This is our new research laboratory. |
| lack (v) |
to not have something, or to not have
enough of something |
He lacked the skills required for the job. |
| lack (n) |
a situation in which you do not have
something, or do not have enough of
something |
The match was cancelled because of lack of
support. |
|
| laptop (n) |
a small computer that you can carry with you |
I’m going to buy a new laptop. |
| maximum (adj) |
the largest in amount, size, or number that
is allowed or possible |
The maximum amount of cash you can
withdraw is €500. |
| minimum (adj) |
the smallest in amount, size, or number
that is allowed or possible |
What's the minimum voting age in your
country? |
| operate (v) |
if equipment operates, or if you operate it,
you use or control it and it works in the way
it should |
Do not operate machinery after taking this medication. |
| plastic (n) |
a very common light, strong substance that
is produced by a chemical process and used
for making many different things |
This pen is made of plastic. |
|
| plastic (adj) |
made of plastic |
Have you got a plastic bag? |
| program (v) |
to maKe a computer or other piece of
equipment do something automatically |
Can you program the PC to come on in the
morning? |
| program (n) |
a series of instructions that makes a
computer do something |
It’s a complicated computer program. |
| research (n) |
the detailed study of something in order to
discover new facts |
Scientists have carried out lots of research
into the effects of these drugs. |
| run (v) |
if you run a computer program, or if it runs,
you start it or use it |
Tne software will run on any PC. |
|
| screen (n) |
the flat surface on a computer, television,
or piece of electronic equipment where words
and pictures are shown |
Suddenly the screen went blank. |
| software (n) |
the programs used by computers for doing
particular jobs |
You log onto our website, then download and
install the software. |
| sudden (adj) |
happening very quickly and without any Sign
that it is going to happen |
She felt a sudden pain in her leg. |
| technology (n) |
advanced scientific knowledge that is used
for practical purposes |
Technology is improving all the time. |
| unique (adj) |
not the same as anything or anyone else |
Every person is unique. |
