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Read the text. Match the headings (a-d) with the paragraphs (1-4).
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a) Memory
b) Speed
c) PCs and Notebooks
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 works 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.
Look at these words from the text. Write H (hardware), P (peripheral), S (software) or M (measurement) next to each one.
1. CPU –
2. MacOS –
3. megabyte (MB) –
4. printer –
5. RAM -
6. megahertz (MHz) –
7. mouse –
8. modem –
9. Linux –
10. scanner –
11. gigabytes (GB) –
12. floppy disk –
Decide if the following sentences are true of false. Work in pairs. Use the phrases from Appendix 5.
Model:
Student A: Notebooks have a monitor to read information from the computer.
Student B: I’m afraid I can’t agree with you. Notebooks have a screen, not a monitor.
Or
I think you are mistaken. Notebooks have no monitor but a screen that shows information from the computer.
1. All hardware is called peripherals.
2. We measure the size of the hard disk in gigahertz.
3. The operating system is software that controls the hardware.
4. The monitor and the Central Processing Unit are software.
5. The higher the speed of the CPU, the faster the computer will run.
6. Programs with a lot of graphics need a large Random Access Memory to run well.
7. We measure speed of computers in gigabytes.
8. The CPU, modem, CD-ROM and floppy disk drives are usually inside the tower.
Vocabulary
5. Match the underlined words and phrases in the text with the definitions (1-8).
1. parts ______________
2. pictures and images _______
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3. a way of doing something __
4. reads and uses data ________
5. measurements ________
6. use a computer program ____
7. keeps data in the memory __
8. how well a computer does something _______
Grammar
Look through the text, find the sentences with verbs used in Passive voice. Translate the sentences. Rewrite them in Active voice.
Central Processing Unit
1. It is well known in computer science that the words “computer” and “processor” are used interchangeably. “Computer” refers to the central processing unit (CPU) together with an internal memory. The internal memory, control and processing components make up the heart of the computer system.
2. The CPU coordinates all the activities of the various components of the computer. The CPU controls the operation of the entire system by issuing commands to the other parts of the system and by acting on responses. It reads information from the memory, interprets instructions, performs operations on the data according to the instructions, writes the results back into the memory.
3. In digital computers the CPU are divided into two functional units. These units are called the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic-logical unit (ALU). They are made of electronic circuits with millions of switches that can be in one of two states, either on or off.
Rewrite sentences from the second paragraph in passive voice.
Ask general and special questions to the sentences from the first and third paragraphs.
Rewrite the following sentences in plural.
1. Personal computer usually has a tower, a separate monitor, a keyboard and a mouse.
2. The study doesn’t include the analysis of this problem.
3. The hard disk stores datum and software program.
4. What means of measurement do you use?
10. Fill in the gaps with much, many, (a) few, (a) little. Translate the sentences.
1. There are … different types of computers.
2. There is … doubt that computers are among the most significant technical achievements of the last century.
3. … computers run the Microsoft Windows OS.
4. Programs with … graphics need a large RAM to run well.
5. You can type letters with a 500 MHz CPU but it’s too … speed for watching movies on the Internet.
Speaking
11. Work in pairs. Look at the chart and compare the two computers. Use fast, slow, cheap, expensive, big, small
| Hi-Tech 2010 | Series X Wi-Fi | |
| Type | PC | Notebook |
| CPU | 933 MHz | 1.5GHz |
| RAM | 256MB | 512MB |
| Monitor/ Screen | 17 inch | 15 inch |
| Hard disk | 20 GB | 40 GB |
| Price | ?2,000 | ?2,999 |
12. Read and translate the dialogue “Meeting the foreign students”
| Mike Pospelov | Hello, Tony. How are you? |
| Tony Cartwright | I’m buzzing, thanks. And you? |
| Mike Pospelov | I’m OK, thank you. I’d like you to meet Alex Vasilev, my group-mate. |
| Tony Cartwright | Nice to meet you, Alex. |
| Alex Vasilev | Nice to meet you too. Have you ever been to Kemerovo before, Tony? |
| Tony Cartwright | No, it’s my first visit to your city. |
| Alex Vasilev | What are your first impressions of Kemerovo? |
| Tony Cartwright | I like it, it’s very beautiful and quite different from Cambridge. |
| Alex Vasilev | I hope you’ll enjoy your visit, Tony. |
| Mike Pospelov | Andrey Petrovich, let me introduce Tony Cartwright, our guest from Harvard University. Tony, this is Mr. Severov, our English teacher. |
| Tony Cartwright | Glad to meet you, Mr. Severov. |
| Mr.Severov | Glad to meet you too, Tony. Welcome to our university. |
Act out the dialogue.
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