UNIT 2

 

I. Look up in the dictionary how to pronounce the following words. Write them down in the dictionary.

to intricate tiny a core to manipulate to magnetize to perform to supply

capabilities addition subtraction division multiplication exponentiation to feed

a microcomputer a circuit unfortunately dull a routine a judgement instantaneously

 

II. Read the text and translate it without the help of the dictionary.

 

What is a Computer?

 

A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits that operate switches or magnetize tiny metal cores. The switches, like the cores, are capable of being in one of two possible states, that is, on or off; magnetized.

The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters and characters.

The basic idea of a computer is that we can make the machine do what we want by inputting signals that turn certain switches on and turn others off, or that magnetize or do not magnetize the cores.

The basic job of computers is the processing of information. For this reason, computers can be defined as devices which accept information in the from of instructions called a program and characters called data performming mathematical and logical operations on the information, and then supply results of these operations.

The program or a part of it, which tells the computers what to do and the data, which provide the information needed to solve the problem, are kept inside the computer in a place called memory.

Computers are thought to have many remarkable powers. Most computers, whether large or small have three basic capabilities.

First, computers have circuits for performing arithmetical operations, such as: addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and exponentiation. Second, computers have means of communicating with the user. If we couldn’t feed information in and get results back these machine wouldn’t be of much use.

However, certain computers (commonly minicomputers and microcomputers) are used to control directly things such as robots, aircraft navigation systems, medical instruments, etc. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use terminals, diskettes, disks and magnetic tapes.

The computer’s input device (which might be a disk drive depending on the medium used in inputting information) reads the information into the computer. For outputting information, two common devices are used a printer which prints the new information on paper, or a cathode-raytube (CRT) display screen which shows the results on a TV-like a screen. Third, computers have circuits which can make decisions. The kinds of decisions which computer circuits can make are not of the type: ‘Who would win a war between two countries?’ or ‘Who is the richest person in the world?’ Unfortunately, the computer can only decide three things, namely:’ Is one number use more often than another? ‘Are two numbers equal?’ and, ‘Is one number greater than another?’

A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds even thousands of logical operations without becoming tired or bored. It can find the solution to a problem in a fraction that it takes a human being to do the job. A computer can replace people in dull routine, but it has no originality, it works according to the instructions given to it and cannot exercise value judgements.

There are times when a computer seems to operate like a mechanical «brain», but its achievement are limited by the minds of human beings. A computer cannot do anything unless a person tells it what to do and gives the appropriate information, but because of electric pulses can move at the speed of light, a computer can carry out vast numbers of arithmeticallogical operations almost instantaneously.

A person can do the same, but in many cases that person would be deal long before the job was finished.

 

III. Translate these into your own language:

1. an intricate network 2. tiny metal cores 3. by inputting signals 4. the processing of information 5. to define 6. to provide 7. to solve 8. memory

9. an input device 10. for outputting information 11. a decision 12. to replace 13. appropriate 14. to carry out 15. vast

 

IV. Translate these into English:

1. переключатель, подобный металлическому сердечнику 2. буквы и знаки (символы) 3. намагничивать металлический сердечник 4. обработка информации 5. выполнять металлические и логические операции 6. данные 7. замечательный 8. средства связи с пользователем

9. непосредственно управлять  10. схема 11. механический мозг 12. ограниченный 13. до тех пор пока 14. подходящий 15.  скорость света

 

V. Fill in the necessary words:

1. A computer is a ..... with an intricate network of electronic circuits.

2. The machine is ..... of storing and manipulating numbers, letters and characters.

3. The basic job of a computer is the ..... of information.

4. Most computers have three basic ..... .

5. Computers have ..... for performing arithmetical operations.

6. Certain computers are used ..... directly things such as robots, medical instruments, etc.

7. For outputting information two common ..... are used.

8. A computer can ..... people in dull routine.

 

VI. Fill in the gaps the prepositions:

1. A computer is a device ..... an intricate network.

2. The switches are capable of being ..... one or two states.

3. We can make the machine do what we want ..... inputting signals.

4. Computers accept information ..... the form of instructions called a program.

5. Computers have circuits ..... performing operations.

6. Computers have means of communicating ..... the user.

7. Input device may be a disk drive depending ..... the medium used ..... inputting information.

8. Computers can solve a series of problems ..... becoming tired or bored.

 

VII. Match the names on the left with the definitions on the right:

1. video recorder	a) a kind of sophisticated typewriter using a computer
2. photocopier	b) a machine which records and plays back sound
3. fax machine	c) a machine which records and plays back pictures
4. tape recorder	d) a camera which records moving pictures and sound
5. modem	e) a machine for chopping up, slicing, mashing, blending, etc.
6. camcorder	f) a machine which makes copies of documents
7. robot	g) a machine which makes copies of documents and sends them down telephone lines to another place
8. word-processor	h) a machine which acts like a person
9. food-processor	i) a piece of equipment allowing you to send information from one computer down telephone lines to another computer

 

VIII. Write descriptions like those in exercise VII, for the following objects:

TV set	sewing-machine	microwave	disks
iron	telephone	printer	mouse
alarm-clock	ventilator	keyboard	CD-players

 

IX. Give the appropriate definitions of the following terms:

 

X. Find the synonyms to the following words in the text: 

 

 

XI. Find the antonyms to the following words in the text: 

 

XII. Arrange the items of the plan in a logical order according to the text:

1. A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds even thousands of logical operations.

2. The basic job of computers is the processing of information.

3. A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits.

4. Computers have circuits for performing arithmetic operations.

5. The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters and characters.

6. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use terminals.

7. For outputting information only two common devices are used.

 

XIII. Answer the following questions:

1. What is a computer?

2. What is it capable to do?

3. The basic job of a computer is the processing of information, isn’t it?

4. How do we call a program, which tells the computer what to do?

5. Computers have many remarkable powers, don’t they?

6. What can computer solve?

7. Can computers do anything without a person?

 

XIV. Give a short summary of the text.