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Buzzwords S1
From Paperbacks to Kindles, You Have No Excuse for Not Reading Now!
Vocabulary 2
Grammar Points 2
6
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Vocabulary
English Definition Class
library a place where books are kept for noun
use, but not for sale
library card a card used to borrow books from noun
a library
e-book an electronic book noun
electronic created on or using a computer adjective
wireless without the use of wires adjective
mini short for miniature; very small adjective
forever for all time; for a limitless time adverb
to connect to become joined verb
to buy to purchase with money verb
thin not dense; not fat adjective
Vocabulary Sample Sentences
Have you ever visited your local library?
I lost my library card last week.
She's working on an idea she has for an e-book.
There are scores of electronic devices on the
market.
2
My computer has wireless capability.
Mini-laptops are becoming popular.
I wish I could stay here forever!
I'm trying to connect to the Internet.
Which one do you want to buy?
Laptop computers are becoming thinner and
thinner.
Grammar Points
The Focus of This Lesson is Book Technology.
When was the last time you borrowed a book from the library? For many people, the answer to that
question is, "A very long time ago!" Perhaps so long ago that they can't even remember! The arrival of
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the e-book (electronic book) in the early '90s was the first step in changing the book publishing
industry and in changing how we as consumers read books. E-books began as a vehicle for authors
who couldn't get a major publishing deal to publicize their work independently. And even though new
technology is slowly being developed and introduced to the public, e-books are still around, and are
often presented as "gifts" in exchange for subscribing to a mailing list.
One of the new book reading technologies that is currently gaining popularity is a device called an
"e-book reader." E-book readers are electronic devices dedicated to storing electronic books and other
media that are typically printed, such as newspapers. As of right now, there are only two e-book
readers with a large market presence: the Amazon Kindle and Sony's PRS-500.
The more popular of the two devices, the Kindle was first released in 2007. The most recent version
was released in May of 2009 to much fanfare. The device boasts a glare-free, paper-like screen, and
the ability to download new "books" without the use of a computer. Instead, the Kindle connects
directly, and wirelessly, to Amazon's Whispernet.
Not all authors-and certainly not all publishing houses-are advocates of the e-book and e-book reader
format. Some authors have promised never to produce electronic formats of their work. Why do you
think this is? Would you buy an e-book reader? If you were a writer, would you publish electronic
versions of your work? If you were a publisher, would you be in favor of e-book readers? Why or why
not?
3
Sadia: When's the last time you borrowed a book from the library?
Keith: Good question. I mean, I have a library card; I'm a fan of my local library, but I can't really
remember the last time I borrowed a book.
Sadia: Well, I borrowed one the other day, but it felt...like I was on a mission to the past! I mean, it
just seems that libraries are falling out of fashion.
Keith: For sure. They're nowhere near as popular as they were when we were kids.
Sadia: And I fear they might disappear forever, with all the new book-reading technology around.
Keith: Good point. First, there were audio books, or books read aloud on tapes or CDs.
Sadia: Then they were, like, e-books, or electronic books.
Keith: Yep, eBooks. They're still around.
Sadia: They are. Usually, if you sign up to be on the mailing list of a website, they'll send you a free
e-book, a book you can download onto your computer, usually as a PDF file.
Keith: Yeah.
Sadia: Today, though-today...The Kindle!
Keith: Right! The Kindle! This thing is crazy?
Sadia: Have you guys heard of the Kindle? Now, the Kindle is a new device that was created by
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Amazon.com, the online book-selling giant. I hate to make this sound like a Kindle commercial, but
this thing is going to change the way we read forever!
Keith: I think you might be right about that. It's shaped like a book, but is lighter and thinner than a
book. It's an electronic book!
Sadia: And it's tiny! And the crazy thing is that you never have to connect it to your computer. You
buy new books-or shall I say, new titles-wirelessly, and they're delivered to your Kindle in less than a
minute.
Keith: So, it's like a mini-computer (a small computer) meant for reading.
Sadia: Exactly.
4
LC: BZ_S1L6_081209 © www.EnglishClass101.com - All Rights Reserved 2009-08-12