Preview（腕試し）

Dan: My word processing application is quite old. I'm still using Microsoft Word 5.0, so it's very difficult to exchange documents with other people in the office.

Shoko: Word 5.0 is really old. Don't you think it's time to version-up?

Dan: I'm not sure I understand version-up, but I guess you mean that I should:

A. become a better computer user

B. get a new computer

C. get the update for the software

D. quit my job and become a Buddhist monk

Quick Glossary （用語辞典）

word processing application = ワープロソフト

spreadsheet application = 表計算ソフト

noun = 名詞

verb = 動詞

Examples（例文）

We often use the noun upgrade when speaking of the software itself. (The longer version of this is upgrade version.)

Tom got the upgrade for his accounting software yesterday.

Upgrade can also be used as a verb.

Perhaps Dan should upgrade to Word 2002.

When referring to installing a new version of software (or a newer piece of hardware) in a computer, we can also use the verb upgrade.

I upgraded the motherboard and hard disk on my computer last week. It cost me 45,000 yen, but it was worth it--my computer is much faster now.

Finally, note that update is often used for home pages to mean that something in the home page has been revised. (The noun update can also be used.)

I update my home page every Monday!

It is occasionally used for software, but I think this usage is less common than upgrade.

Shoko might also update to the newest version of Word.

Exercises （練習）Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

1. Dan finally ____________ to the newest version of Word, so now he can easily exchange Word documents with his co-workers and clients.

A. upgraded

B. up-to-date

C. versioned up

D. update

　

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2. Dan didn't want to spend a lot of money, so he checked many shops in Den Den Town before he bought the ____________.

A. upgrade version

B. upgrader

C. up version

D. downgrade version