III. Read the article about computers. Choose the right continuation of the sentence.

1. The third-generation computers

2. Later-model comput­ers

3. The modern comput­ers are so fast in their operation

4. Second-generation computers

5. The first-generation computers

6. Early computers, re­quired data

7. These computers were

8. These multitask com­puters process

a. used magnetic discs.

b. prepared by using punch cards or magnetic tape.

с that they can handle many users without the users even being aware that others are on the sys­tem.

d. the incoming data according to internal procedures.

e. are provided with the capability of handling numerous input de­vices directly.

f. utilized integrated circuits to increase capability and decrease size.

g. used magnetic tape for external storage.

h. slow compared to modern ma­chines.

IV. Read the following paragraph about the inven­tion of computers. Every seventh word is missing. Write the correct word in each blank.

The electronic computer is the most significant inven­tion since the steam engine. While^1______ Industrial Revolu tion previously changed the nature² _______manual work, the computer revolution is ³_________changing the work done by the ⁴________. Nowadays micro-computers are manufactured in hundreds ⁵ ________thousands and are constantly being equipped _________ more and more ingenious devices. Contrary ⁶_________ popular belief, computers themselves cannot make⁷ __________.The answer will always be correct⁸ the pro­gram fed into the computer ⁹_________ correct.

V. Read the article about computers. Choose the best answer: a, b or c.

1. The first generation computers comprised

a. arrays of integrated circuits;

b. vacuum valves;
с magnetic disks.

2. Second-generation computers used

a. transistors;

b. magnetic tape systems;

c. totally-electronic solid-state memory.

3. A third generation of computers provided

a. greater «online» capability as compared to mag­netic tape systems;

b. improved internal storage capability;

c. increase in speed and capacity of internal memory.

4. Modern computers handle

a. punched cards;

b. magnetic tapes;

с input devices directly.

VI. Read the text about computers. Guess the mean­ing of the underlined words using the context. Choose one of the options.

1. Computer systems have been classed into three generation
a. the period of time (30 or 33 years)

b. age

c. step

d. level

2. These computers required data to be brought to them.

a. facts

b. the day of the week

c. information

d. news

3. The internal storage used magnetic cores.

a. heart

b. centre

c. central part

d. the bar of soft iron forming the centre

4. Later – model computers are provided with the capability of handling numerous input devices directly.

a. treating

b. processing

c. controlling

d. dealing with

5. The ability of the computer to service many input-output devices simultaniously has

made data communications essential.

a. at the same time

b. totally

c. similarly

d. correspondingly

6. The computer will process another batch.

a. number

b. group

c. portion

d. quantity

Speaking

1. Complete the following sentences using the ideas from the text:

1. There are the technophobes, who …

2. Technophiles, on he other hand …

3. Today’s schoolchildren have the advantage that …

4. The young people have firm beliefs about the place …

5. The young people believe that …

6. There is some evidence of …

7. The majority of young people had also used …

8. The negative or at least cautious attitude of young people towards new

technology may …

II. There are two types of people in the world: those who believe and those who do not. But when it comes to attitude to computers and new technology, adults appear to fall into two dramatically opposite groups. What type of people do you belong to? Answer the questions and prove your point of view using the following words and expressions:

What would you prefer (what would you rather do):

a) communicate with a person or a computer?

b) learn a foreign language with the help of a computer or a teacher?

c) have a diagnosis stated by a computer or a doctor?

d) have your marriage arranged by your friend or a computer?

e) play chess (games) with a person or a computer?

(technophobes, technophiles, to advocate the use of old technology, to be against new technology, to increase unemployment, to accept the inevitability of new technology, advantages, drawbacks, to become computer literate, to fear the new technology, heartless, unfeeling, soulless, indifferent, liable to error/object to error, inhuman, it depends, to provide a tremendous variety of choice, to reduce the element of risk)

III. At the university you have a special subject – computer science – where you learn to use computers properly. You also use computers studying other subjects. Speak on the computers you work on:

- the make and model of the computers you use

- the type and number of disks it has

- the volume of memory

- the type of extras

- the kind of monitor

- what machines it is compatible with

- what programs you can use with it

- the advantages and disadvantages this computer has

IV. More and more people begin using computers in their work. Some of them cannot imagine their life without this invention of the 20-th century. Children find computer games very interesting. Are computers one of the greatest or the most dangerous inventions? Say whether you use a computer in your work or for playing computer games. D o you use your computer in any other way or for any other purposes? Read the following arguments. Think of some more. Discuss the problem with students in order to make a decision.

Computers are one of the greatest Computers are one of the most

inventions dangerous inventions

1. They save a lot of time. 1. They are dangerous.

2. They can do calculations and other 2. People waste a lot of time playing

things which are not interesting for computer games.

people to do.

3. They help you to process information. 3. You can lose the results of your work

if something goes wrong with the

computer.

4. You can learn many things using a com- 4. Some people live in a virtual reality

puter as a tutor. not in the real world.

5. You can relax playing computer games. 5. Children cannot do the simplest

arithmetic sums because they rely

on computers.

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