Unit 9: Vocabulary

Please study the 15 vocabulary terms below. Then press the Mark Complete button to continue.
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automated
USA
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Operated without the use of manual efforts.
USA
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The production line is fully automated, so does not need any human operators.
USA
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breakdown
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A mechanical failure.
USA
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The company replaced all of the photocopiers as they were having problems with breakdowns.
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breakthrough
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A sudden discovery or development.
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A lot of people say that the most important breakthrough of the last century was the internet.
USA
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centralize
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To move under the control of one authority or to one location.
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The company has centralized the human resources department, so now we have to contact our head office to speak to our human resource representative.
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device
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A machine or piece of equipment which was made for a specific function.
USA
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The most important device for the modern businessman is his smart phone.
USA
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facilitate
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To help or make easier.
USA
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There are many examples where technology has facilitated doing business.
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forecast
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To estimate or predict in advance.
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The sales manager forecasted sales of 3.2 million.
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intranet
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A private computer network within an organization.
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The company intranet contains a list of employees with their telephone numbers.
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monitor
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To observe or check the quality or content of (something) over a period of time.
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We need to monitor the situation carefully.
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outsource
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To delegate a task to an outside business.
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A lot of European companies outsource work to Indian firms to reduce costs.
USA
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overcome
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To successfully deal with a problem.
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The management overcame the problem of poor employee motivation by offering staff incentives.
USA
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streamline
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To make more efficient by reducing wastage (of time, resources, or in processes).
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The new manager streamlined the department.
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techie
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A person with a wide knowledge of computers.
USA
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You should ask Mark to set up your new email account. He is a real techie.
USA
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telecommuting
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Working from home via the internet.
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Telecommuting is a good solution for people who are unable to get to the office everyday.
USA
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video conferencing
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To communicate between two locations using software which allows the speakers to see and hear each other.
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Multi-national corporations can save a large amount of money by video conferencing instead of sending staff to attend meetings in foreign countries.
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