UNIT 7.
DISPLAY SCREENS AND ERGONOMI
1. Your computer screen. Answer these questions:
1 What type of display do you have: a cathode ray tube or an LCD flat-
screen?
I have an LCD flat-screen built into my laptop.
2 What size is the screen?
The screen size is 15.6 inches.
3 How can you change the picture using the controls?
I can change the picture using the keyboard brightness keys or by
adjusting the display settings in Windows.
4 Can you watch TV on your PC monitor?
Yes, I can watch TV on my laptop screen using streaming services like
Netflix or YouTube.
2How screen displays work
A. Complete these definitions with words from the below. Then
read the text on page 33 and check your answers.
resolution pixel aspect ratio color depth
video adapter plasma screen
1.______Pixel________the smallest unit on a display screen or bitmapped
image (usually a colored dot).
2._______ Video adapter _________ an expansion card that generates the
video signal sent to a computer display.
3.___________ Aspect ratio____________ the width of the screen in proportion
to its height.
4.___________ Plasma screen ______________also called gas discharge
display.
5._____ resolution ______the number of pixels contained in a display,
horizontally and vertically.
6._________ Color depth ________the number of bits used to hold a color
pixel; this determines the maximum number of colors that can be
displayed.
B. Read the text on page 33 again and answer these questions.
1 What do CRT and LCD stand for?
CRT stands for Cathode Ray Tube.
LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display.
2 How is the screen size measured?
The screen size is measured diagonally, from one corner to the opposite
corner.
3 What technology is used by active-matrix LCDs?
Active-matrix LCDs use TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology.
4 Which unit of frequency is used to measure the brightness of a
display?
Brightness is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m²), not in
frequency.
Hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency used to measure the refresh rate, not
brightness.
5 What substance produces light and color when hit by electrons
in a CRT monitor?
A phosphor coating produces light and color when hit by electrons.
6 What are the three advantages of OLED displays?
- Brighter and clearer images
- Lighter and thinner screens
- Lower power consumption
3. ERGONOMICS
Listen to Tony Clark, an expert in computer ergonomics, talking
to some office workers about health and safety.
Eye strain or tired eyes
Neck and shoulder pain
Back pain
Wrist pain or repetitive strain injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome)
General discomfort from sitting too long or poor posture
A. What health problems associated with computer use do the
office workers mention?
B. Listen again and complete these extracts.
1. Get a good chair, one that ________ supports______________your
lower back and is _____ adjustable______
2. Make sure your feet rest firmly _______________ on the
floor_________________or on a footrest.
3. Position the keyboard _______ at the same height as ____________
your elbows, with your arms ______ parallel__________ the work
surface ...
4. ... position the monitor at, or just below___________ eye
level______________.
5. You should sit at ________ arm’s length___________from the front
of the monitor, about 50 to 70 centimeters away.
6. ... a kind of stand that lets you move the monitor _______ up or
around________, so you can use it at the correct angle and
height*.
C Match the extracts above (1-6) with the correct parts of the
diagram (a-f).
a___5______b______4_______c_____3________d______6___________e_______1__
____f_2______
4. LANGUAGE WORK: INSTRUCTIONS AND ADVICE
Look at the HELP box on page 36 and then complete these health
and safety guidelines with should/shouldn't.
1. If you type a lot at your computer each day, you
_______should__________ buy an ergonomic keyboard; it can help
reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury.
2. You ______should_________place your mouse within easy reach
and support your forearm.
3. If you decide to build your own PC, protect yourself from electric
shocks. You _______shouldn´t_________ touch any components
unnecessarily.
4. You __________should______________always use a copyholder if you
are working from documents. The best position is between the
screen and the keyboard, or at the same height as the screen;
this can reduce neck, back and eyestrain.
5. Irresponsible disposal of electronic waste can cause severe
environmental and health problems. You______shouldn
´t____________just throw your old monitor or video system into
the bin.
