Unit 18 Flashcards
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
The 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.
