Listening 2b Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab Homework 3

Web address of listening activity:
http://www.esl-lab.com/computer/computer-rd1.htm

Listening exercises:

1. What is the man's main problem with his computer?
A. It crashes a lot.
B. His computer has a virus.
C. It has a lot of junk software.

2. What is the issue with the computer warranty?
A. The warranty has expired since he bought the computer.
B. The warranty isn't valid because didn't register the computer.
C. The warranty doesn't cover software issues and problems.

3. What can we infer from the first company's response to the caller?
A. They sent the man the wrong computer in the first place.
B. The company doesn't provide warranties for their products.
C. They are understaffed to handle customer complaints.

4. Which of the following is a main selling point for the second company being advertised?
A. Their products are the newest on the market.
B. The computers are cheaper than those sold by competitors.
C. The company manufactures secure and trustworthy machines.

5. What is the name of the second company?
A. Turbo Command
B. Turvo Computers
C. Turban Camando

Score = 80%
Correct answers:
1. His computer has a virus.
2. The warranty has expired since he bought the computer.
3. They are understaffed to handle customer complaints.
4. The company manufactures secure and trustworthy machines.
5. Turbo Command

Answers to pre or post-listening questions:
I. Pre-Listening Exercises [Top]
Buying a new computer can be a fun experience, but problems can arise. What are some common computer problems that people encounter when running their machines, and what issues can cause them? When you encounter such problems, what do you do to resolve them: seek help from a friend, consult a computer store, or read a computer book or magazine?

Answer:   The computer doesn't work.  The screen of computer is blue or black. Some software are not installed.

The computer has a virus.  People operate computer wrong. Some software are not compatible with the computer system.

When my computer is in trouble,  I will read a computer book to figure out it.

Vocabulary Exercises:
Phone Recording: Hello and thank you for calling computer technical support.
Caller: Uh, yes, I have a problem . . .
Phone Recording: Your call is important to us, and we will answer your call in the order that it was received. You are number 47 in the queue. Your approximate (1) waiting time is 47 minutes.
Technical support: Jason, speaking. How can I help you?
Caller: Oh, I'm saved. I thought I was going to have to wait all day.
Technical support: Okay, what's the (2)problem?
Caller: Yeah, well, I bought one of your laptop computers about three weeks ago, but it just isn't running right.
Technical support: Okay, well, sorry to say, but your computer is no longer under (3) warranty. [What?!] It ran out yesterday.
Caller: What? A three-week warranty? [Yeah, great isn't it.]. Ah!!!
Technical support: Okay, okay, what seems to be the problem?
Caller: Well, first of all, the thing always (4)freezes [Yeah.] and has crashed at least a zillion times . . . [Always.]
Technical support: Uh, sir . . .
Caller: . . . and I think the computer's (5)  infected with spyware and the big banana trojan virus . . . [That's normal.] That's my biggest . . . that's normal? . . . That's my biggest concern.
Technical support: Oh, oh, uh, sir . . .
Caller: . . . and plus there was a ton of preinstalled, third-party programs that just clutter the computer, and I'm at wit's end trying to get this thing to work.
Technical support: Sir. I have to put you on hold.
Caller: What?
Technical support: It's going to take us a minute or so to diagnose the problem. [Huh?!] I'm going to (6) transfer you to our ONE technician.
Caller: One . . . one!? But . . .
Phone Recording: Thank you for waiting. Your call is important to us. You are number 84 in the queue. You approximate waiting time is 2 hours, 17 minutes or whenever we get around to answering your call.
[ End of call and continuation of computer advertisement . . . ]
Caller and Narrator: Does this experience sound (7) familiar? Then, do what I did. If your computer is holding your hostage and you can't get the service you deserve, then call Turbo Command, creators of the (8) safest and most reliable computers and operating system on the planet.
Listen, while the (9) competition is spending all of their time trying to imitate our computer's performance and features, our company is innovating the computer industry. So, why buy a computer that hiccups every time you turn it on when you can be the owner of the (10)sleekest and friendliest machine ever.
Call us today or visit our Website for more information, and let us introduce you to the ultimate computer experience.
Score = 90%
Correct Answers:
1. waiting
2. problem
3. warranty
4. freezes
5. infected
6. transfer
7. familiar
8. safest
9. competition
10. sleekest

Key Vocabulary [Top]

queue (noun): a list or line of phone calls to be answered (often considered British English); can also be used to describe a line of people waiting for a service

 run (verb): operate or function

 be under warranty (phrasal verb): protected by a written promise by a company to fix or replace one of its products

 run out (phrasal verb): reach the ending period of an agreement or contract

 freeze (verb): stop moving

 crash (verb): stop working

 zillion (noun): a very large number

 clutter (verb): fill an area with things and make it messy

 be at wit's end (idiom): be very frustrated because you cannot solve a problem

 diagnose (verb): determine the nature of a problem

 deserve (verb): earn something or be worthy of some consideration

 imitate (verb): copy or reproduce an idea or product

 innovate (verb): come up with new ideas or methods

 sleek (adjective): attractive

 ultimate (adjective): the best or most superior final one