3. In small groups, choose one of the areas in the diagram below and discuss what computers can do in this area.

Useful words

Formula 1: racing car, car body, design, mechanical parts, electronic components, engine speed.

Entertainment: game, music, animated image, multimedia, encyclopedia.

Factories: machinery, robot, production line, computer-aided manufacturing software.

Hospitals: patients, medical personnel, database program, records, scanner, diagnose, disease, robot, surgery.

Useful constructions

Computers are used to …; A PC can also be used for …; Computers can help … make … control … store … keep … provide … give … perform … measure … test … provide access to …

4. Mini-project.

1. Plan your own cybercafé! Imagine you want to open an Internet café in your town. In pairs, look at the help box and make a project about a café.

HELP Box

Consider the following:	Make decisions about:
the money you need to set up and run your cybercafé; whether you want to have second-hand books, classic literature or magazines about computers and the Internet;	the type of Internet connection: via a modem (carrying data at 56 kbps), an ISDN line (at 128 kbps), a T-1 line (at 1,544 kbps) or a high-speed T-3 connection (at 44,736 kbps);
the kind of visitors you would like to have; the type of furniture;	hardware equipment (Macs and PCs, printer, fax, etc.);
the location (find a place accessible to people who are likely to use a cybercafé);	software (web browser, e-mail, online chatting, games on CD-ROMs, etc.);
the services you want to offer (food, drinks, coffees, etc.);	how much you will charge customers for your services;
the things that can help you create a relaxing atmosphere (music, decoration, lighting, private areas, chess and card games, etc.)	introductory and advanced classes for users

2. Choose the name and a slogan for your cybercafé.

BLOCK IV

Topics for discussion and essays.

1. Have you used CD-ROM? If so, what programs did you use and why?

2. Do you think ‘The Internet’ will have an important influence on our daily lives? Do you think it will be important in helping people from different countries to learn English?

3. We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in business, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

4. What are advantages and limitations of laptop?

5. What are the most important differences between hand-held computers (e.g. palmtops, PDAs, etc.) and traditional computers?

6. Should students be allowed to use laptops in class?

7. Do you agree with this statement that hand-held PCs combine the functions of traditional PCs, cellular phone and pocket organizers?