The Computer Vocabulary Game

Instructions
Play this game with two payers and one judge or three players and one judge. Toss a coin. If you get
HEADS, move forward one space. If you get TAILS move forward two spaces. If you land on a
definition, provide the word. If you are correct, stay where you are. If you are wrong, return to the
place from which you moved. If you land on an incomplete definition, fill in the blank and give the
definition. If both answers are correct, you get another turn. If either answer is incorrect, return to
the place from which you moved. If you land on Reboot, return to Start. If you land on the picture,
simply stay where you are and wait for your next turn. In all cases, it is the judge who decides
whether your answers are correct or not.

Teacher's Notes

Level: Intermediate +

Aims: A communication activity that combines general speaking with the acquisition of computer
terminology.

Materials: One copy of the game board for each group of three to four students; a coin; the answer
sheet (to be given to the judge); the instructions.

Warmer: Ask the students what role computers and the Internet play in their lives. Discuss the
language they use when talking about computers; their own or English terminology. Discuss the
importance of knowing the terminology in English.

Play the Game: Tell the students that they are now going to play a game in which they can use the
computer terminology they have and possibly learn some new words as well. Divide the class into
groups of three or four. Give each group a game board, a coin, and the instructions. Designate one
person to be the judge. Give this person the answers. Tell the group that this person has the final say
regarding the answers. Let them begin the game. Observe and help where necessary.

Answer Sheet:

Note: These definitions are from TechRepublic (www.techrepublic.com)

© Tracy Bowens and Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2004

Downloaded from the lesson share in www.onestopenglish.com
 Word Definition
Diskette A portable storage disk used to store and retrieve
data files. Also called a floppy.
HTML A programming language that tells browsers how
to display Web pages.
Click To press the left mouse button to select an icon or
command.
Desktop The main screen that appears after the computer
(boots).
Minimize To make a window as small as possible.
Personal Computer No definition – just provide the word.
Spam The electronic version of junk mail.
Recycle Bin A trash can that holds (files) a user wants to
delete.
Double-Click To press the left mouse button twice in a row
without moving the mouse to execute an action.
Central Processing Unit No definition – just provide the word.
Virus Computer code that can damage or destroy
computer files.
Electronic Mail No definition – just provide the word.
Close Button The small button on the right end of a Windows
title bar marked with an "X."
Document A file that includes information you can type,
edit, view, or save.
Destination Folder The (folder) that files are being moved to.
Active Window The window that is currently being used.
Search Engine A Web site that allows the user to search the Web
for sites that relate to a certain subject.
Default Printer The printer to which jobs will be automatically
sent.
Windows NT, 95, 98, Linux, Macintosh No definition needed – just provide the name of
the operating systems.
Browse To view the content of files, folders, and/or
pages.
Dial-up networking A program that allows a user to connect to a
remote network using a modem.
Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator are examples.
Icon A picture that represents an application, file, or
device.
Clipboard An area of computer memory used to temporarily
store cut or copied text or graphics.
Reports, Spreadsheets, Articles No definition needed – just provide the examples.

© Tracy Bowens and Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2004

Downloaded from the lesson share in www.onestopenglish.com