Компьютеры и их функции текст с заданиями на английском

Прочтите текст 2 и скажите, что такое компьютер и каковы его основные функции

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 or two possible states, that is, on or off; magnetized or demag­netized. The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters, and characters (symbols).

Английский язык. Основы компьютерной грамотности 14

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 magnetize or do not magne­tize the cores.

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

It is considered that computers have many remarkable pow­ers. However most computers, whether large or small, have three basic capabilities.

First, computers have circuits for performing arithmetic op­erations, such as: addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and exponentiation.

Second, computers have a means of communicating with the user. After all, if we couldn’t feed information in and get results back, these machines wouldn’t be of much use. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use ter­minals, diskettes, disks and magnetic tapes. The computer’s input device (a disk drive or tape drive) reads the information into the computer. For outputting information two common devices used are: a printer, printing the new information on paper, and a cathode-ray-tube display, which shows the results on a TV-like 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 the 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 less than another? Are two numbers equal? and, Is one number greater than another?

A computer can solve a series of problems and make thou­sands of logical decisions without becoming tired. It can find the solution to a problem in a fraction of the time it takes a human being to do the job.

15 Unit 1. Information-Dependent Society

A computer can replace people in dull, routine tasks, but it works according to the instructions given to it. There are times when a computer seems to operate like a mechanical ‘brain’, but its achievements are limited by the minds of human beings. A computer cannot do anything unless a person tells it what to do and gives it the necessary information; but because electric pulses can move at the speed of light, a computer can carry out great numbers of arithmetic-logical operations almost instan­taneously. A person can do the same, but in many cases that person would be dead long before the job was finished.

8. Переведите текст. Ответьте на вопросы, используя ин­
формациютекста.

1. What is a computer? 2. What are the two possible states of the switches? 3. What are the main functions of a computer? 4. In what way can we make the computer do what we want? 5. What is the basic task of a computer? 6. In what form does a computer accept information? 7. What is a program? 8. What are data? 9. What is memory? 10. What three basic capabilities have computers? 11. What are the ways of inputting informa­tion into the computer? 12. What is the function of an input device? 13. What devices are used for outputting information? 14. What decisions can the computer make? 15. What are the computer’s achievements limited by?

9. Найдите в тексте 2 английские эквиваленты следующих
словосочетаний:

Сложная сеть электронных цепей; управлять (приво­дить в действие) переключателями; возможные состояния; хранить (запоминать) числа; обрабатывать символы; по­средством ввода сигналов; включать; выключать; размаг­ничивать сердечники; обработка информации; информа­ция в виде команд; символы, называемые данными; выполнять математические операции; выдавать результа­ты; обеспечивать необходимую информацию; иметь заме­чательные возможности; основные свойства; сложение, вычитание, деление, умножение; возведение в степень; средства для общения с пользователем; устройство ввода; дисковод; считывать информацию; вывод информации; катоднолучевая трубка; принимать решения; выполнять тысячи логических операций; без устали; находить реше-

Английский язык. Основы компьютерной грамотности 16

ние задачи; значительно меньший промежуток времени; человек; нудная рутинная работа; в соответствии с введен­ной программой; вырабатывать свои суждения; возможно­сти ограничены программой, заложенной в него челове­ком; дать требуемую информацию; электрические импульсы; со скоростью света; мгновенно производить огромное количество математических операций; человеку может не хватить всей жизни, чтобы закончить работу.

10. Составьте пары или группыблизких позначению слов
из перечня, приведенного ниже.

Например: A. to perform, to exercise, to carry out; B. a man, a person, a human being;

Verbs: to turn on, to provide, to type, to accept, to help, to learn, to observe, to call, to tell, to keep, to feed, to solve, to relate, to switch off, to communicate, to receive, to supply, to switch on, to assist, to print, to study, to input, to turn off, to decide, to store, to say, to name, to watch.

Nouns: work, machine, fundamentals, display, application, capabilities, job, storage, screen, state, basics, use, concept, specialist, journal, character, memory, idea, expert, magazine, position, symbol, command, data, solution, device, instruction, powers, information, decision.

Adjectives: basic, tiny, common, small, main, significant, routine, general, remarkable, uninterested, intricate, important, wonderful, complex, little.

Adverbs: rapidly, probably, instantaneously, in a moment, quickly, perhaps.

11. Выполните письменный перевод текста 3 по вариантам.

Text3. APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS

1.At present a great deal of the work force of most coun­tries is engaged in creating, processing, storing, communicat­ing and just working with information. Computers have become commonplace in homes, offices, stores, schools, research insti­tutes, plants.

The use of computers in business, industry and communi­cation services is widespread today. Computer-controlled robots are able to improve the quality of manufactured products and

17 Unit 1. Information-Dependent Society

to increase the productivity of industry. Computers can control the work of power stations, plants and docks. They help in mak­ing different decisions and in management of economy.

The work of banks depends upon computer terminals for millions of daily operations. Without these terminals, records of deposits and withdrawals would be difficult to maintain, and it would be impossible to make inquiries about the current sta­tus of customer accounts.

Computers form a part of many military systems including communication and fire control. They are applied for automatic piloting and automatic navigation. Space exploration depends on computers for guidance, on-board environment and re­search.

2. Computers find application in astronomy and upper at­mosphere research. Weather forecasting, library information services can benefit from computers too.

It is interesting to note that computers are widely used in medicine. They became valuable medical diagnostic tools. Computers are used for optical scanning and image processing, ranging from pattern recognition to image processing. Techni­cians can operate computer tomography scanners which com­bine x-rays with computer technology to give sectional views of the body of patients. The views then can be combined into a single image shown on the screen.

It should be noticed that learning on a computer can be fun. Students spend more time with computer-aided instruction per­forming the assigned task, as compared with conventional class­room.

At last air traffic control is impossible without computer ap­plication. It fully depends upon computer-generated informa­tion.

Many other uses of computers that we cannot imagine at present will become commonplace in the transition from an industrial to post industrial, or information society.

Компьютеры и их функции текст с заданиями на английском

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Текст «Computers» — Generally, any device that can perform numerical calculations, even an adding machine, may be called a computer but nowadays this term is used especially for digital computers. Computers that once weighed 30 tons now may weigh as little as 1.8 kilograms. Microchips and microprocessors have.

Текст «THE EARLY YEARS» — Until the late 1970s, the computer was viewed as a massive machine that was useful to big business and big government but not to the general public. Computers were too cumbersome and expensive for private use, and most people were intimidated by them. As technology advanced, this was changed by a distinctive group of engineers and entrepreneurs.

Текст «Digital computers» — Digital computers based on manipulating discrete binary digits (1s and 0s). They are generally more effective than analog computers for four principal reasons: they are faster; they are not so susceptible to signal interference; they can transfer huge data bases more .

Текст «Prehistory» — Tools are any objects other than the parts of our own bodies that we use to help us do our work. Technology is nothing more than the use of tools. When you use a screwdriver, a hammer, or an axe, you are using technology just as much as when you use an automobile.

Текст «THE FIRST HACKERS» — The first «hackers» were students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who belonged to the TMRC (Tech Model Railroad Club). Some of the members really built model trains. But many were more interested in the wires and circuits underneath .

Текст «COMPUTER CRIMES» — More and more, the operations of our businesses, governments, and financial institutions are controlled by information that exists only inside computer memories. Anyone clever enough to modify this information.

Компьютеры и их функции текст с заданиями на английском

II. Read the text and do the exercises that follow it.

Kinds of Computers

All computer systems, regardless of their size, have the same four hardware components:

1. A processor or CPU, where the data input is processed according to the program.

2. Input/output devices or peripherals such as the keyboard and printer, which receive data from people and enter it into the computer for processing, then send it back to people so it can be used.

3. Storage components such as disk drives or tape drives keep data for later use.

4. Routing and control components, which direct the instructions and/ or data from one component to the next making sure each does its task properly.

Computers are generally classified as general-purpose or specialpurpose machine. A general-purpose computer is one used for a variety of tasks without the need to modify or change it as the tasks change. A common example is a computer used in business that runs many different application.

A special-purpose computer is designed and used solely for one application. The machine may need to be redesigned and certainly reprogrammed, if, it is to perform another task. Special-purpose computers can be used in a factory to monitor a manufacturing process; in research to monitor seismological, meteorological and other natural occurrences; and in the office.

So all computers have in common, but certain computers differ from one another. These differences often have to do with the way a particular computer is used. That is why we can say there are different types of computers that are suited for different kinds of work or problem solving.

Personal computer is a computer system that fits on a desktop, that an individual can afford to buy for personal use, and that is intended for a single use.

Personal computers include desktops, laptops and workstation. Each type of a personal computer shares many characteristics in common with its counterparts, but people use them in different ways.

The Desktop Personal computer is a computer that:

-fits on a desktop

-is designed for a single user

-is affordable for an individual to buy for personal use.

Desktop personal computers are used for education, running a small business, or in large corporation, to help office workers be more productive. There are some common desktop personal computers:

-The IBM PC and PC-compatible

-The Compaq Deskpro 386

-The Apple Macintosh

The Laptop Personal Computer is a computer that people can take with them, laptop is used by a single individual but can be used in many different places, it is not confined by its size or weight to a desktop. It has the same components as a desktop machine but in most cases the monitor is built in. The printer is usually separate.

Laptops fall into the same general categories as desktop personal computers:

-Apple Macintosh portable

Managers and employees who travel frequently use laptops to keep in touch with their office. Sales representatives keep company information on their laptops to show prospective clients, and send electronic orders into the company computers. Writers use laptops so they can work on their manuscript no matter where they are.

There are many portables available today, some weigh as much as 15 pounds, while others weigh as little as 3 pounds. There are laptops so small they fit in the palm of your hand. There are laptops that fit in a briefcase, called notebook computers.

The Workstation is a computer that fits on a desktop, but is more powerful than a desktop computer. The workstation has a more powerful microprocessor, is able to service more than one user, has an easy to use interface and is capable of multitasking. While these three characteristics used to be unique to workstation, they are being adapted to the more powerful 386 and 486 personal computers over time.

Workstations are designed for three major tasks: scientific and engineering, office automation and education.

The Minicomputer, or mini, is a versatile special or general-purpose computer designed so that many people can use it at the same time. Minis operate in ordinary indoor environments; some require air conditioning while others do not. Minis also can operate in less hospitable places such as on ships and planes.

Like all computers, the minicomputer is designed as a system. CPUs, terminals, printers and storage devices can be purchased separately. Mini systems are more mobile, easier to set up and install. A minicomputer system combined with specialized equipment and peripherals is designed to perform a specific task. A popular minicomputer is the Digital VAX Computer.

Mainframe is the largest general-purpose computer. It is designed to be used by hundreds even thousands of people. A mainframe uses the same basic building blocks of a computer system: the CPU, various I/O devices and external memory.

Most mainframe computers are general-purpose machines. In 1964 introduced the System/360 mainframe computer. It became the most popular mainframe in the computer history.

A Supercomputer is a very fast special-purpose computer designed to perform highly sophisticated or complex scientific calculations. For example calculating a prime number (one that is divisible only by 1 and itself),or the distance between planets. But computers permit turning many other problems into numbers, such as molecular modeling, geographic modeling and image processing.

Cray is a leading supercomputer maker, with IBM and Fujistsy as major competitors.

A Cray X-MP Supercomputer was used to help to make a movie called ‘The last starfighter’ Computer animation isn’t new but using the X-MP added a whole new dimension of sophistication. Its most remarkable accomplishment was creating the entire bridge of the alien’s starship, complete with animated aliens walking around next to real actors. Because the Cray could process the image in incredibly fine detail, the average viewer would think it looked absolutely real. The X-MP allowed animators to make illusion as convincing as reality itself.

It is interesting to know that .

PCs and PC-compatibles are used in organization of all sizes. PCs are an office time saver, allowing the staff to write press releases and legislative testimony, performs accounting tasks, and prepares mailing lists more quickly. It is also paves the way for organization to complete more effectively with other public interest groups. Today, over 80 percent of Public Citizen’s employees use PC-compatibles. Word processing has replaced typewriters, hard disk drive storage has reduced the amount of paper kept in filing cabinets, and laser printing has cut their outside printing costs dramatically.

Banks have traditionally used the latest computer technology to automate their own operations, but First Banks for Business found a way to use personal computers to improve customer service. In the past, when a customer wanted to cash a check, the signature card had to be compared to verify identity. That meant looking through a card file or containing central book-keeping, which could take as long as 30 minutes.

Now Banks for Business installed PC-2s with special graphics capabilities and software called Signet to perform the task. When the letters retrieve customer account information from the computer, they see the authorized signatures appear right on the screen. The system also tells them what other signatories are permitted on the account or if two signatures are required to cash a check. The banks say the main reason customers change banks is due to bad service. Using the powerful PS-2s signet, they can cash a customer’s cheek in a minute or less.

People use laptops for many of the same tasks that they use desktops and more.

Astrophysicists use Sun Microsystems workstations for their engineering work. They routinely sketch graphs and diagrams on the screen using computer-aided drafting software, as well as sophisticated calculation software to test mathematical equations. They also exchange ideas and information with each other in electronic messages. One project they have worked on in cooperation with NASA is the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysic Facility. It is an observatory in space that will measure cosmic Xrays, which are invisible an earth. The astrophysicists hope that the information provided will help them understand better how the universe was formed and what is eventual fate will be.

The Sun workstation performed an additionally important task: helping gather visual and textual information into a comprehensive report for NASA to explain how an X-ray telescope would function abroad the observatory. Using electronic publishing software, they combined graphics screens, mathematical equations, and textual explanations into a document that took just six hours to prepare. Previously, it would have taken two days.

III. Fill in the necessary words:

1. . are generally classified as general – or special-purpose machine.

2. A special-purpose computer is designed and used . for one application.

3. Personal computer . on a desktop.

4. Each type of a personal computer . many characteristics in common with their counterparts.

5. There are many portables . today.

6. CPUs, terminals, printers and storage devices can be . separately.

IV. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. All computer systems have the same five hardware components.

2. Input/output devices receive data, enter it into the computer for processing, then send it back to people so it can be used.

3. Storage components don’t keep data for later use.

4. Computers are general-purpose machines.

5. The machine may need to be redesigned and certainly reprogrammed.

6. We can’t say, that there are different types of computers.

V. Ask questions to which the following statements might be the answer:

1. Desktop personal computers are used for education, running a small business or in large corporation to help office workers be more productive.

2. Laptops fall into the same general categories as desktop personal computers.

3. The workstation is a computer that fits on a desktop.

4. Workstations are designed for three major tasks.

5. A minicomputer system combined with specialized equipment and peripherals is designed to perform a specific task.

6. A mainframe uses the same basic building blocks of a computer system: the CPU, I/O devices and external memory.

VI. Answer the following questions:

1. What have all computers in common?

2. How can we classify computers?

3. What are general /special-purpose computers used for?

4. What are three primary types of personal computers?

5. What is the primary difference between personal computer and workstation?

6. What are major tasks of a workstation?

7. What is minicomputer used for?

8. What does the supercomputer differ from the general-purpose mainframe computer?