IT |

 User tools and productivity

Reading practice
 IT | Reading practice

User tools and

productivity
 Full name: ____________________________
 Date: ____________  City: _____________
 Programme: _____________________________
 Instructor: ________________________________

______________________ ______________________
 Instructor signature  Apprentice signature

User tools and productivity

User tools and productivity encompass essen-
tial components like the user interface, word
processing, and email. The user interface
allows for intuitive interaction with devi-
ces, making tasks easier. Word processing
tools enable efficient document creation
and editing. Email facilitates fast and
effective communication. Together, these
tools enhance user productivity in both icons
personal and professional settings.

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
Reading practice

______________________________

A. The user interface

THE NEW CCC

OPERATING SYSTEM
Welcome to the CCC (OS). Review these key terms before
starting your new system.
◦ Icons: The CCC graphical user interface (GUI) uses
icons. These pictograms are on the desktop. They graphical user interface
represent files and software.
◦ Pointer: Use the pointer to click on icons. This opens
files or starts software. The pointer also drags files to different folders.
◦ Shortcuts: Shortcuts are special icons. They are placed on the desktop,
and you can click them to get to a program quickly.
◦ Folders: Store your files in these icons.
◦ Windows: Visual areas on a computer screen where different programs
are operating.
folder ◦ Minimize: Hide windows without taking them off the
screen.
◦ Maximize: Extend windows to the full width of the
screen.
minimize
◦ Menu: Each window has a menu. Click it
to select a command from the list.

shortcut

menu

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
Reading practice

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B. Word processing format

document

WORD PROCESSING

TypeWrite 4.0
You need the perfect word processing program. And the new TypeWrite 4.0
is our best version yet. Write bold, striking documents. Use our many styli-
sh fonts. Change your layout with a single click. Browse the new customiza-
ble templates. Customize toolbars for easier formatting.

It's more than a new look. TypeWrite 4.0 eliminates most compatibility
Call us todayNow
issues. to see how more
dozens our services generate
file formats worksales.
with TypeWrite. And TypeWri-
te 4.0 allows up to 500 macros, so save time as you type! TypeWrite
4.0 also features the most accurate spell check to date.

WORD PROCESSING
Because your documents
TypeWrite 4.0 speak for you.

template

font

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
Reading practice

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C. Email

attachment

T·B·BROWN Inc.
INSTRUCTIONS for New Employee Email Accounts
email address

Welcome to T.B. Brown Industries. Please create your

company email account immediately. Follow these steps:

1. Open our email client software. It sends and receives

emails. It also stores them on your computer.
2. Click “Add account”.
3. Enter your new email address. Use your first and last
name with our domain name
([email protected]).
4. Enter our POP3 server for incoming email:
pop.quicktel.net
5. Enter our SMTP server for outgoing
user password
email: smtp.quicktel.net
Call us today6.toEnter yourour
see how Username
servicesand
generate sales.
Password.

Our ISP provides one account per

employee. It is for company com-
munications and attachments
only. Use a webmail provider
for personal email.
email client

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
______________________________
Reading practice

 Exercise 1
(1.1) Choose the right answer. Then, (1.2) fill in the blanks with the correct words from the word
bank. Finally, (1.3) choose the best definition for each word. Look at section A to help you.

Part 1.1
What is the main idea of the passage?
a. ___ where to locate shortcuts
b. ___ the advantages of the CCC OS
c. ___ how to identify and use parts of the OS
d. ___ types of operating systems available

Part 1.2
icons | desktop | operating system | pointer | windows | GUI

1. Use the _____________ to choose files and commands.

2. Small pictures or symbols in software are _____________.
3. The _____________ is the program that makes a computer work.
4. When something is on the _____________ you see it onscreen.
5. An OS that uses small pictures to represent files is a _____________.
6. You can minimize files and programs in different _____________.

Part 1.3
1. ____ Drag
A save an icon | B move windows | C move a file
2. ____ Folders
A organize files | B move windows | C create shortcuts
3. ____ Shortcut
A a type of software | B a type of icon | C a type of window

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
______________________________
Reading practice

 Exercise 2
(2.1) Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F). Then, (2.2) fill in the blanks with the
correct words from the word bank. Finally, (2.3) choose the word that is closest in meaning to the
underlined part. Look at section B to help you.

Part 2.1
1. ____ Macros determine the layout of a document.
2. ____ TypeWrite 4.0 features customizable fonts.
3. ____ Not all file formats work with TypeWrite 4.0

Part 2.2
compatibility | document | font | format | layout | macro | spell check |
word processing program
1. Use a _____________ to type out phrases that you use a lot.
2. My file won’t open in other programs due to a _____________ problem.
3. Instead of writing by hand, use a _____________.
4. This file is in a _____________ that doesn't open in TypeWrite.
5. Save each _____________ with a different name so you have a copy of each.
6. The letter’s _____________ is wrong. The heading is in the wrong place.
7. Increase the _____________ size to make the file easier to read.
8. Most word processors offer _____________ to help you find mistakes.

Part 2.3
1. ____ The style you use for this document makes it hard to read.
A macro | B formatting | C compatibility
2. ____ To write a business letter, use the appropriate document pattern.
A word processing | B compatibility | C template
3. ____ She did not think that her typing command was saving her any time.
A formatting | B macro | C template

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
______________________________
Reading practice

 Exercise 3
(3.1) Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F). Then, (3.2) match the words (1-5) with
the definitions (A-E). Finally, (3.3) choose the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined
part. Look at section C to help you.

Part 3.1
1. ____ The company uses a POP3 server to receive email.
2. ____ The company provides webmail for all employees.
3. ____ All employees have multiple company email accounts.

Part 3.2
1. ____ attachment a. a computer that sends email
2. ____ domain name b. a program that saves, sends and receives email
3. ____ password c. word/letters used to identify companies
4. ____ email client and addresses
5. ____ SMTP server d. letters/numbers that let a person access
something
e. a file that is sent with an email

Part 3.3
1. ____ that company that provides access to the Internet has very good service.
A ISP | B email address | C username
2. ____ I use an email service available on web browsers, so my emails
are not saved on my computer.
A POP3 | B webmail | C ISP
3. ____ Enter your code that identifies you on a computer and press “enter”.
A username | B webmail | C POP3
4. ____ Most people use a method to receive emails from a server to get their email.
A email address | B POP3 | C webmail

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
Reading practice

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 Glossary
1. attachment — An attachment is a file that is sent with an email.
2. compatibility — Compatibility is the ability of one program or file to work with a different
program.
3. desktop — A computer desktop is everything that a user sees on a computer screen.
4. document — A document is a file created on a word processing program.
5. domain name — A domain name is a set of words and letters that identify a company or
address on the Internet.
6. drag — To drag files, folders or icons is to move them around on a desktop.
7. email address — An email address is a location to which electronic messages can be delive-
red.
8. email client — An email client is a program that receives, sends and stores email on a compu-
ter.
9. folder — A folder holds and organizes files and documents on a computer.
10. font — Font is the style of the typed characters on a document.
11. format — A format is a file's type. Different files might not work in different programs.
12. formatting — Formatting is the design of the words on a document.
13. Graphical User Interface — A graphical user interface (GUI) is an operating system that uses
icons to represent programs and files and allow users to access to them.
14. icon — An icon is a picture that represents something on a computer.
15. ISP — An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that gives its customers access to the
Internet, email addresses and data storage.
16. layout — Layout is the way that items are arranged on a document.
17. macro — A macro is a short keystroke that performs a predetermined action.
18. maximize — To maximize a window is to make it fill an entire computer screen or desktop.
19. minimize — To minimize a window is to make it leave the screen without closing the window.
20. operating system (OS) — The operating system is the software that controls a computer.
21. password — A password is a set of letters and/or numbers that allow someone to use or
access something on a computer.
22. pointer — A pointer is a small arrow that lets a user choose what to do on a computer.
23. POP3 — A POP3 (Post Office Protocol) is a method that allows computer users to receive
email from a server.
24. shortcut — A shortcut is an icon that has been moved to a desktop to make opening a file or
program easier.
25. spell check — Spell check is a function that reviews a document for spelling errors.
26. STMP — A SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a method that allows computer users to
send emails to other users.
27. template — A template is blank layout for certain types of documents.
28. username — A username is a name or code that identifies a person on a computer and allows
that person to access his or her files.
29. webmail — Webmail is an email service that people access through a web browser, and which
sends and receives email but does not store it on computers.
30. window — A window is a rectangle on the desktop of a computer monitor that displays a file
or program. Its contents are independent of the desktop screen.
31. word processing program — People use word processing programs to write on computers.

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 IT |
 User tools and productivity
______________________________
Reading practice

 Notes
Reflect, jot down key points, questions, and ideas.Review your notes later for better understanding.

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 Acknowledgements
◦ Evans, V., Dooley, J., & Wright, S. (2011). Career Paths: Information Technology. Express Publi-
shing
◦ LINGOSTA learns languages. (2025, March 13th). IT | User tools and productivity [video]. Youtube.
https://youtu.be/QZ8S2XAVApw