Simple Computer Problems
Practice useful phrases for everyday computer problems, from charging your laptop to asking for help.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Kies het juiste antwoord.
You press the power button, but nothing happens. How do you describe the problem?
- My computer won't turn on.
- My computer won't turn off.
- My computer keeps restarting.
Show solution
- My computer won't turn on.
We use “won't” when a machine does not do what we want it to do.
-
2. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
You want to increase the size of the words on your screen.
The text is too small. Can you make it ___?
- smaller
- bigger
- brighter
Think about size, not light.
Show solution
The text is too small. Can you make it bigger?
“Too small” means the size is a problem. Bigger text can be easier to read.
-
3. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
Your laptop battery is low. You need to connect the charger.
Where can I ___ my laptop in?
- log
- sign
- plug
You need electricity, not access to an account.
Show solution
Where can I plug my laptop in?
“Plug in” means to connect something to electricity. You can also say, “Plug it in.”
-
4. Kies het juiste antwoord.
You can see the video playing, but you cannot hear anything. What problem are you reporting?
- The screen is black.
- There's no sound.
- The video won't open.
Show solution
- There's no sound.
For a sound problem, checking the volume is a useful first step.
-
5. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
The Wi-Fi is working, but your laptop cannot join the network.
My laptop can't ___ to Wi-Fi.
- connect
- download
- upload
The laptop needs a link to the network.
Show solution
My laptop can't connect to Wi-Fi.
Use “connect to” with “Wi-Fi,” “the Internet,” or a network.
-
6. Kies het juiste antwoord.
An app is open on your screen, but nothing happens when you click its buttons. How do you describe it?
- The app isn't installed.
- The app is closed.
- The app isn't responding.
The app is there, but it does not react.
Show solution
- The app isn't responding.
An app that isn't responding may also be described as “frozen.”
-
7. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
There's nothing wrong with your account, but you cannot remember your password.
I ___ my password. Can you help me log in?
- know
- forgot
- remember
You knew the password before, but you cannot remember it now.
Show solution
I forgot my password. Can you help me log in?
“Forgot” is the past form of “forget.” Many login pages have a “Forgot password?” link.
-
8. Typ het antwoord.
The file is on your computer. You need a paper copy. The missing verb starts with “pr”.
Could you ___ this document for me?
Think about the machine that puts words and pictures on paper.
Show solution
Check that the printer has paper before you print.
-
9. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
You have changed a file and want to keep all your changes.
I need to ___ the file before I close it.
- delete
- undo
- save
You want your new work to be there when you open the file again.
Show solution
I need to save the file before I close it.
Saving keeps your changes. Closing a file does not always save them.
-
10. Kies het juiste antwoord.
You deleted a file by mistake. You want to use it again. What do you ask?
- How can I get the file back?
- How can I delete the file?
- How can I change the file's name?
You want the file to return.
Show solution
- How can I get the file back?
“Get something back” means to have it again after losing it.
-
11. Kies het juiste antwoord.
A friend says the form is on a website. You want to get the original file directly from that website onto your computer. What do you ask?
- How do I upload the form?
- How do I attach the form to an email?
- How do I download the form?
Think about which way the file is moving.
Show solution
- How do I download the form?
Downloading brings a file to your computer. Uploading sends a file from your computer to a website.
-
12. Vul de ontbrekende woorden in.
Your teacher needs a photo by email. The photo must be part of the message before you send it.
First, I ___ the photo to the email. Then, I ___ the email to my teacher.
- send
- attach
Add the photo first. The message leaves your computer after that.
Show solution
First, I attach the photo to the email. Then, I send the email to my teacher.
“Attach” adds a file to an email. “First” and “then” show the order of the steps.
-
13. Vul het ontbrekende woord in.
You can hear the person helping you clearly, but they are speaking too fast for you to follow the steps.
Could you say that again more ___, please?
- loudly
- slowly
- quietly
The problem is speed, not volume.
Show solution
Could you say that again more slowly, please?
“Could you ..., please?” is a polite way to ask someone for help.
-
14. Kies het juiste antwoord.
Your computer says, “Not enough space.” You cannot save a new video because the computer's storage is full. Which question asks about this problem?
- How can I make my screen bigger?
- How can I make my Internet faster?
- How can I make more space on my computer?
The computer needs room for another file.
Show solution
- How can I make more space on my computer?
Here, “space” means room for files, not the size of the screen.
-
15. Kies het juiste antwoord.
Your computer worked before you installed a new app. It stopped working right after that. Someone helping you asks about the problem.
“When did the problem start?”
- It started after I installed a new app.
- It started before I installed a new app.
- It went away after I installed a new app.
The computer worked first. You installed the app next. The problem came after that.
Show solution
- It started after I installed a new app.
The app may not be the reason for the problem. “After” only tells us when it started.