节目资讯
刊物:生活知识家
日期:2009-06-09
难易度:High
关键字:retrieve, capability, PDA, personal digital assist
Welcome back, friends.
We’re talking about cell phones.
And today’s cell phones seem to be able to do it all, don’t they?
They’re like a laptop computer, a camera, an MP3 player, a GPS and a phone all
rolled into one.
Why would anyone not want one of these things?
Our last key word of the day is the adjective:
invaluable,
as in:
The job didn’t pay much, but it provided invaluable experience.
OK.
Let’s find out if smartphones can really fulfill all your technological needs.
This portion of the lesson begins on the same page,
but now we’re beginning on line three in the right-hand column.
Please join us now as we read.
(Backgroud Noise).
Smartphones.
Some phones run PowerPoint shows while others have an online store where users
can download additional software.
Of course, their small size means that cell phones can’t always replace a
full-size computers.
Sometimes you need a real keyboard and screen or the power to do more advanced
computing.
It’s also nice to have a computer for storing all of your invaluable data.
Still, the gap between the cell phone and the personal computer grows smaller
every year.
This brings us to an interesting question:
Do you think you’ll ever use your cell phone as your sole computer?
Welcome back.
We’re talking about cutting-edge smartphones right now.
And our article refers to these phones as cutting-edge,
which means usually if something is cutting-edge, if it’s cutting-edge
technology,
that means it’s technology that’s very new and very advanced,
the most advanced, actually, and the... the newest.
Or you might also refer to cutting-edge fashion,
which means it’s the newest ideas in the world of fashion and style.
So this is a great phrase to use or great uh, description of these phones.
Now let’s learn a little bit more about what some of these phones can do.
Some of them can run PowerPoint shows while others have an online store where
users can download additional software.
Most of us are familiar now with PowerPoint presentations.
And it just means there are a lot of different kinds of things that you can
create on these phones that you might want to even share with others.
And a big part of these phones, a big bonus is their small size.
That’s true.
Their small size is definitely a benefit.
But, of course because of their small size,
that probably means that cell phones can’t always replace a full-size desktop or
laptop computer.
I mean you’re probably always going to be able to do some things on a computer
that you’re not going to be able to do on a cell phone.
That’s a good point, Chip.
So it’s kind of a good thing and bad thing.
Sometimes the size limited,
because sometimes you need a real keyboard, a regular keyboard that you would
use on a normal desktop computer,
and a screen or the power to do more advanced computing.
So the cell phones are still a little bit limited in that area.
And sometimes it’s just nice to be able to use a computer.
That’s true.
That’s true.
And a... a computer has a lot more storage space,
which makes it nice to store what our author calls invaluable data.
Now that word invaluable is a pretty important word.
There’s a big difference between ”unvaluable” and ”invaluable”.
If something is unvaluable, that means it has no value; it’s not worth anything.
But if it’s invaluable, INvaluable, then that means it’s... it has a lot of
value, actually,
and it is so valuable that you probably could not put a price on it.
Exactly.
Sometimes we call it priceless.
So if it’s invaluable data, it means it’s very, very important to you.
And sometimes you want to store that on your computer.
Well, let’s look at our final paragraph.
We read:
Still, the gap between the cell phone and the personal computer grows smaller
every year.
So there’s kind of less and less of a gap.
These two devices are becoming closer and closer together.
They’re becoming more and more similar,
which, Chip, brings us to an interesting question.
It certainly does.
And I think it’s one I’d like to hear your answer.
Do you think that you’ll ever use your cell phone as your personal computer?
Hmm, that is a good question.
Let’s go to Liz right now and look further at this sentence structure.
Hi, friends.
Welcome to Grammar on the Go.
My name is Liz.
And I’m here in central Vietnam in the city of Hue.
A friend has agreed to meet me.
But unfortunately, she just called to tell me she’s going to be late.
So while I’m waiting for her, let’s look at today’s grammar tip sentence.
This brings us to an interesting question.
The writer has used this sentence as a way to end his article on smartphones.
After talking about the different kinds of computer like features that people
can find nowadays on their cell phones,
the writer presents a question to his readers.
Do you think you’ll ever use your cell phone as his sole computer?
This sentence further draws the readers closer and invites them to respond to
the writing.
So today’s grammar tip is going to be a writing tip.
When you’re doing creative writing and you are presenting a certain viewpoint
that can affect your readers,
consider using a question as your conclusion.
If you’re writing about an environmental issue,
maybe you can invite your audience to take action in support of what you’re
saying.
If you’re describing the latest fashion trends,
you can ask your readers whether they’re interest in trying certain things out.
There are many ways to write a conclusion.
The key is to make a lasting impression.
And ending with a question is a great way to do this.
That’s it for today.
This is Liz with Grammar on the Go signing off.
Now I’m going to go call my friend again and see where she is. Bye-bye.
Thanks, Liz.
But I’m still wanting an answer to this question.
Do you think that your cell phone will someday become your only or your sole
computer?
Wow, Chip, I hope not because I think cell phones are great,
but I’d like to be able to leave my computer at home,
and not have to worry about so many things to do and working and all these other
things.
So, no, I don’t think, in my case, my cell phone... my computer will ever be
replaced...
Yeah.
With my cell phone.
And unless my cell phone has a big screen, I don’t think it will replace a
regular computer for me either.
I like the big screen.
Thanks for joining us today.
Before we leave, we’re gonna watch a skit and see what’s happening there.
(Backgroud Noise).
Hugging with my computer is so tiring.
What?
Why did you drag along this computer?
To fulfill my technical needs.
Didn’t you bring a computer?
Of course not.
Then how are you going to check your e-mail?
Oh, use my cell phone.
This device packs a lot of power.
You mean it’s more than a phone?
Oh, yes.
With every leap forward, the cell phone absorbs capabilities of other devices.
Such as?
PDAs, music players, digital cameras.
Oh.
Cheese.
Yes, that’s nice, but...
The phone can accomplish basic computing tasks and even run PowerPoint.
Oh, that is cutting-edge.
Yes. It’s a do-it-all smartphone.
And it’s invading your computer’s turf.
I’m not worried.
Look, my full-size computer has a real keyboard and a big screen.
It can do advanced computing.
Hmm.
Yes.
And it stores all my invaluable data.
It’s all right here.
OK, OK.
Your computer is more powerful than my cell phone.
That’s right.
But where are you going to plug it in?
Oh.
I didn’t think about that.
Hello?
Yeah.
Hi, everyone.
I’m Michelle.
(Chinese).
And time really flies.
We have to say goodbye now.
I’ll see you next time.
Bye-bye.
Thank you again, Michelle.
Do you think you’ll ever use your cell phone as your main computer?
That’s a good question.
I do know that people are doing it already when they travel.
Yes, they’re leaving their laptop computers at home and taking their smaller,
more compact cell phones instead.
Hey, if it has everything they need, why not, right?
Friends, I’m afraid we’re out of time.
Tomorrow brings us a special feature on camping,
but not just any kind of camping.
We’ll be talking about Camping in Style.
Please join us for that.
And until that time,
we at Studio Classroom Worldwide hope that you have a great day.
Bye-bye, everyone.