V. Look at the groups of words below. Which is the odd one out in each group?

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1) a. program b. database c. instructions d. chips

2) a. process b. transmit c. store d. analyze

3) a. government b. scientists c. researchers d. beggars

4) a. device b. chip c. CPU d. coprocessor

5) a. DSP b. LAN c. CPU d. USA

6) a. workstation b. server c. PC d. calculator

VI. Match the words with their definitions:

1) computer a) integrated circuits

2) database b) a device that produces numerical calculations

3) server c) computers that accept new programs

4) microchips d) a large collection of information

5) special-purpose computers e) computers that perform many trillions of operations per second

6) general-purpose computers f) fast computers that have greater data processing capabilities

than most PCs

7) supercomputer g)microchips that enable computers to recognize and interpret

human speech

8) program h) computers designed to perform specific tasks

9) CPU i) a set of instructions

10) DSPs j) some chips that control the computer’s overall operations

VII. Are the following statements true or false? Correct the false ones with the right information. Discuss your answer with your partner.

1. A computer is a device that can perform tasks according to instructions.

2. Computers used to weigh many tons.

3. Any integrated circuits can contain a hundred of microscopic electronic components.

4. There are 100 computers in the entire world.

5. Computers are used for almost every purpose.

6. The operations of computers are limitless.

7. Special-purpose computers can accept new programs.

8. PC can perform several million operations per minute.

9. Servers have greater data-processing capabilities than most PCs.

10. To recognize and interpret human speech researchers have developed digital signal processors.

VIII. Discuss with your partner which sentence in B best continues the sentence in A.

A B

1. A computer a) have greater data-processing capabilities than most PCs.

2. A program b) can do the work of thousands of PCs.

3. Chips c) a device that perform automatically tasks according to a set

of instructions.

4. Programmable computers d) may include arithmetic calculations, storing, processing,

controlling and interacting.

5. Special-purpose computers e) make up a computer’s central processing unit.

6. General-purpose computers f) recognize and interpret human speech.

7. Servers g) are used in homes, schools, businesses, government offices

for every purpose.

8. Database h) perform specific tasks, their operations are limited to the

programs built in their microchips.

9. Supercomputers i) a large collection of information.

10. Digital signal processor j) design three-dimensional models on a computer screen.

11. Computer-aided design k) can accept new programs.

programs

IX. What do these numbers refer to?

30, 5, 1953, per second, 0, 2, 3.

X. Talk about computers from memory using these prompts.

device special-purpose

program general purpose

chips servers

CPU database

every purpose supercomputers

DSPs CAD

CAM

Part II

Text A

I. Read the text quickly. Match the headings (a – d) with the paragraphs (1 – 4):

a. Memory b. PCs and Notebooks

c. Speed d. Hardware /Software

1. The parts of a computer you can touch, such as the monitor or the Central Processing Unit (CPU) are hardware. All hardware except the CPU and the working memory are called peripherals. Computer programs are software. The operating system (OS) is software that controls the hardware. Most computers run the Microsoft Windows OS. MacOS and Linux are other operating systems.

2. The CPU controls how fast the computer processes data, or information. We measure its speed in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). The higher the speed of the CPU, the faster the computer will run. You can type letters and play computer games with a 500 MHz CPU. Watching movies on the Internet needs a faster CPU and a modem.

3. We measure the Random Access Memory (RAM) of the computer in megabytes (MB). RAM controls the performance of the computer when it is working and moves data to and from the CPU. Programs with a lot of graphics need a large RAM to run well. The hard disk stores data and software programs. We measure the size of the hard disk in gigabytes (GB).

4. Computer technology changes fast, but a desktop PC (Personal Computer) usually has a tower, a separate monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. The CPU, modem, CD-ROM and floppy disk drives are usually inside the tower. A notebook is a portable computer with all these components inside one small unit. Notebooks have a screen, not a monitor, and are usually more expensive than desktops with similar specifications.

II. Look at these words from the text. Write H (hardware), P (peripheral), S (software) or M (measurement) next to each one.

1) mouse

2) modem

3) Linux

4) scanner

5) gigabytes (GB)

6) floppy disk

7) CPU

8) MacOS

9) megabyte (MB)

10) printer

11) RAM

12) megahertz (MHz)

III. Work in pairs. Look at the chart and compare the two computers. Use fast, slow, cheap, expensive, big, small.

HiTech2010 SeriesXWi-Fi

Type PC Notebook

CPU 933 MHz 1.5 GHz

RAM 256 MB 512 MB

Monitor/Screen 17 inch 15 inch

Hard disk 20 GB 40 GB

Price 2.000 2.999

Text B

I. Skim through the following text to get the general idea of the meaning. Do not worry about words you do not know. Choose a suitable title for the text.

a) The development of the computer

b) The problems of havinga computer

c) Personalcomputer components

Although computers have been around for a long time, it wasn’t until recent years that they became accessible to almost everyone. Approximately 60 million computers are sold each year. In the 19th century Charles Babbage, an English mathematician worked out the principles of the modern computer. (1)

One of Babbage’s designs had many features of a modern computer. It had an input screen and a store for saving data, together with a printer that made permanent records. Today, a typical computer has components to display and print information. These are the monitor and the printer. (2)

Nowadays, most computers come equipped with CD-ROM drives, which provide users with immediate access to a huge source of information; for those who want entertainment, the CD-ROM and the addition of speakers can bring a game or activity to life. With its development of the Internet and the World Wide Web, many computer-users now have access to an even bigger range of facilities, by linking up with other computers around the world.(3)

Another feature of high-technology machines is video conferencing. Such a facility enables people to see each other while they are talking on the phone through the Internet. If the people communicating through the Internet have mini-cameras connected to their computers, they can speak to each other face-to-face in real time. The need to be better informed is creating more powerful machines to provide society with all kinds of information and services. (4)

II. Read the text again more slowly. Choose from the sentences A – D the one which best fits each gap (1 – 3) in the above text. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

A. This is achieved through a modem and a telephone line.

B. Both of these involve training.

C. It also has a keyboard and a mouse to enter commands and data which is stored on and retrieved from the hard drive or floppy disks.

D. At that time, the technology to put the theory into practice did not exist.

Part III

You are going to read an article about the uses of computers. Eight sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A – I the one which best fits each gap (1 – 7). There is one extra sentence which you don’t need to use. There is an example at the beginning (O).

The computer and its uses

Few industries have changed so much in such a short time as the computer industry, and the pace of change shows no sign of slowing. The computer now has a role in almost every aspect of modern life, and it has radically affected the way people work, play, study and organize their lives.

As we enter the 21st century, computers are influencing ways of teaching and learning, as access to computers in schools is becoming more widespread and varied. (O)–H

In a teaching mode, computers provide a wide variety of information and practice material. They can also play a testing role in a range of subjects including Maths, English and Modern Languages. The one-to-one interaction students have with the computer, along with the immediate response to their answers, help to promote independent learning. (I)

In the fast-changing world of business, employees are being physically removed from the workplace and the proximity of their colleagues, while remaining virtually connected via telephone, and the Internet. Laptop computers enable business-people who travel to have access to important information at the touch of a key. (2)

Computers are used to solve time-consuming data-management problems, such as payroll calculations, keeping stock records, bank account transactions, airline reservations, and scientific and engineering computations. Computers are also important in the collection, organisation, storage, retrieval and interpretation of information. (3)

In the film industry, computers are used to create graphics for scenes which would have been inconceivable in the past. This technique was used for films like “Jurassic Park” where the incredibly realistic scenes of dinosaurs were all computer-generated.

(4) Additionally, computer technology enables the training of pilots in flight simulators. Not only do these create the illusion of flying but they are safer and cheaper than training staff in airplanes. In the home, the computer has become a great source of entertainment with the introduction of interactive Virtual Reality programs which are available on CD-ROM or through the Internet. They enable people located in different places to come together and interact with one another in real time using speech, sound and 3-D animated graphics. (5)

Nowadays, computers come equipped not only with a mouse, but also a host of different devices. Such components are essential if you are to spend any time online, whether it is playing games or researching any number of topics on the Internet.(6) It is possible to explore sites on anything you are interested in, or even chat with celebrities, experts and others who share your interest. Keep up with the latest news, fashions and reports. Look up facts on everything from who invented the plane to where to go on holiday.

In the future, today’s technology will probably become obsolete as machines become more powerful.(7) The development of smaller machines will mean that it will be possible to condense all the written knowledge in the world into devices the size of a child’s notebook. All human knowledge will literally be at your fingertips.

A Another area where computers are used is in the military, especially in the development of weapons and surveillance equipment to use in satellites for spying.

B Here you can access all kinds of valuable information and the beauty of it is that you do not need to leave your house to find it.

C Then, there may well be a microchip in each telephone receiver with more computing power than the huge machines of today.

D In fact, they are essential tools in almost every field of work from constructing models of the universe to predicting tomorrow’s weather reports.

E Outside the classroom, computers provide people with greater flexibility and freedom, and also allow them to organize their time in a more productive way.

F Programs like these can often be downloaded free from different sites.

G Connections through a modem allow them to transfer data anywhere in the world.

H Their use enables the learner to develop at his or her own pace and makes the whole learning process more flexible.

I Computers are machines which take over more mechanical aspects of our brain.

Look at new computers on the Internet or in magazines. Find one you like. Make a note of its specifications. Bring your notes to class and say why you like it. Build a class file of computers with information about them.

Unit IX

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