Computers have drastically changed everyone’s lives. Several decades ago people haven’t even known anything about these electronic devices, whereas nowadays even a small child can operate this machine.
Almost all modern technology depends on computers, which are used for data storage: files, secret information, bank transactions and else. Computer technology belongs to the fastest-growing industry.
Computers of different types and sizes are used by modern society. It is interesting that the first computer was the size of a minibus and weighed almost a ton. Whereas now it can be a small chip the size of a pin.
And computer technology is not standing still, it’s rapidly progressing. Soon we might have the computers which will be built-in our glasses, earrings, and other objects. Perhaps, the next generation of computers will have the ability to talk and think just as people do.
Many people find computers dangerous and time-consuming. On the other hand, computers are very fast and they seldom make mistakes. They save lots of time, and besides all the necessary information can be found on Internet. So, instead of going to the libraries or other institutions, we can simply surf the worldwide web.
Another advantage is the instant possibility to send letters, whereas some time ago we had to wait for weeks and months to have them delivered. Moreover, with the help of computers and Internet, shopping has become much easier. Firstly, we can find what we exactly want, secondly we can choose the affordable price, and thirdly, we can have the chose items delivered. After all, computers have become the most useful tool in everyone’s homes nowadays and they have certainly changed our lives for the better.
The Information Age
Information technology is
playing an increasingly important role in the
work and personal lives of citizens.
We are now living in what some
people call the information age or digital age, meaning that computers have become an essential part of our lives. Young people who
have grown up with PCs and mobile
phones are often called the digital
generation. Com- puters,
communications, digital information, software – the con- stituents of the information age – are everywhere.
Computers help students to perform mathematical operations
and improve their maths skills. They are used to access the Internet, to do basic research and to communicate
with other students around the world.
Teachers use projectors and interactive whiteboards to give presentations and teach sciences, history or language courses. PCs are also used for
administrative purposes – schools use
word processors to write letters, and databases to keep records of
students and teachers. A school website allows teachers to publish exercises for students to complete online. Students
can also enrol for courses via the website and parents can download
official reports.
In banks, computers store information about the money
held by each customer and enable staff to access large databases and to carry out financial transactions
at high speed. They also control
the cashpoints, or ATMs (automatic teller machines), which dispense
money to customers by the use of a PIN-protected card. People use a Chip and PIN card to pay for goods and ser-
9. Find words with the same meanings
in the text:
|
a
keep, save b execute, do c monetary d screen e integrated f connected to the Internet. g collection of facts or figures |
h describes information that is recorded
or broadcast using computers i program used for text manipulation j copy files from a server
to your PC or mobile |
Verbs and nouns often go together in English to make set phrases, for example access the Internet. These word combinations are called collocations, and they are very common. Learning collocations instead of individual words can help you remember which verb to use with which noun. Here are some examples from the text on pages 11–12: perform operations, do research, make calls, send texts, display data, write letters, store information, complete exercises, carry out transactions.
10. Make collocations from the text on pages 11–12:
|
1 give |
A a PIN |
|
2 keep |
B money |
|
3 access |
C databases |
|
4 transfer |
D presentations |
|
5 enter |
E records |
11. Use
collocations from Text B and the exercise 10 to complete these sentences:
1. Thanks to Wi-Fi, it’s now easy to … from cafes, hotels, parks and many other public places.
3. Skype is a technology that enables users to … over the Internet for free.
4. In many universities, students are encouraged to … using PowerPoint in order to make their talks more visually attractive.
5. The Web has revolutionized the way people … – with sites such as Google and Wikipedia, you can find the information you need in seconds.
6. Cookies allow a website to … on a user’s machine and later retrieve it; when you visit the website again, it remembers your preferences.
7. With the latest mobile phones, you can … with multimedia attachments – pictures, audio, even video.
12. Find English equivalents of Russian word combinations in the Text B:
неотъемлемая часть нашей жизни, составляющие информационного века, загрузить официальные отчеты, проводить фундаментальные исследования, загружать логотипы,
вместо того чтобы использовать подпись, общаться со студентами по всему миру, совершать голосовые звонки, интерактивные доски, использовать в административных целях, выполнять упражнения онлайн, управлять радиолокационными системами, режим личной беседы, игровая
приставка, выдавать деньги,
данные о расходе
топлива и погодных
условиях.
13. Translate the word combinations and learn them by heart:
век цифровых
технологий, хранить информацию, встроенная камера, ввести четырехзначный персональный идентификационный номер (ПИН),
выполнять математические операции,
доступ к Интернету, карманный компьютер, банкомат,
интерактивные доски, проводить
презентации, вести учет, записаться на курсы через веб-сайт, получать
доступ к базам данных, мониторы
отображают данные, выполнять
финансовые операции с высокой скоростью, для подтверждения платежа,
оплачивать счета и переводить деньги,
не выходя из дома, чтобы узнать о наличии рейсов,
цен.
1.
How can you describe
Information Age?
________________________________________________
2.2 Types of computers
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