Text 2. What is gis?

GIS is an acronym for: Geographic Information System. The term Geographic is used because GIS tends to deal primarily with `geographic' or `spatial' or 'graphical' features. These objects can be referenced or related to a specific location in space. The objects may be physical, cultural or economic in nature. Features on a map for instance are pictorial representations of spatial objects in the real world. Symbols, colours and line styles are used to represent the different spatial features on the two-dimensional map.

Computer technology has been able to assist in this mapping process through the development of automated cartography (map making) and computer aided design (CAD). Computer programs can now accomplish in minutes and hours tasks, which previously took days or weeks for cartographers and draughtsman to complete.

The term Information represents the large volumes of data, which are usually handled within the GIS. Every graphical object has their particular set of data, which cannot be represented in full details in the map. So all these data have to be associated with corresponding spatial object so that the map can become intelligent. When these data are associated with respective graphical feature they get turned to information that is now by click of a mouse on any object its corresponding data get highlighted. All information is data but all data are not information.

The term Systems is used to represent the systems approach taken by GIS, whereby complex environments are broken down into their component parts for ease of understanding and handling but are considered to form an integrated whole. Computer technology has aided and even necessitated this approach so that most information systems are now computer based.

Therefore, Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer based information system used to digitally represent and analyse the geographic features present on the Earth' surface and the events (non-spatial attributes linked to the geography under study) taking place on it.

Exercise 9. Look through the words and try to remember their meaning:

spatial —просторовий to analyse —аналізувати

large volumes —великий обсяг to handle —обробляти

automated —автоматизований to accomplish—виконувати

two-dimensional—двомірний to assist —допомагати

draughtsman —кресляр to aid —сприяти

features —особливості to complete —закінчувати

graphical —графічний approach —підхід

intelligent —розумний data —дані

for instance —наприклад components —складові

to be associated with—бути пов’язаним з

to necessitate—робити необхідним

to digitize—(обч.) переводити в цифрову форму

Exercise 10. Answer the following questions:

1. What does GIS stand for?

2. What features does GIS deal with?

3. What are used to represent the different spatial features on the two-dimensional map?

4. How long do computer programs accomplish many tasks?

5. What kind of information does every graphical object have?

6. What information is usually handled within a GIS?

7. What is the systems approach taken by GIS?

8. What is the role of computer technology in GIS?

9. What is the function of GIS?

10. Does GIS digitally represent and analyse Earth surface features?

Exercise 11. Complete the following chart.

Verb	Noun	Adjective
to necessitate	necessity	necessitous
to assist
to associate
to accomplish
to analyse
to aid
to complete
to digitize

Exercise 12. Look through the following verb forms and define the tense, write the infinitive of the verb:

took, has been able, handled, accomplish, are broken down, has aided, are associated with, represents, is used, was referenced, was applied, had provided, will link, allows, facilitate, represented.

Exercise 13. Put verbs in the brackets in the correct form:

1. Standard GIS functions______ (to include) thematic mapping, statistics, charting, matrix manipulation, decision support system, modeling and algorithms and simultaneous access to several databases.

2. Many development projects _____ (to have) serious dependence on transport network.

3. Better information _______(not to guarantee) better decision-making capability.

4. This demand for information ______ (to require) new approaches.

5. If two users ______ (to need) the same data or very similar data, the data is often collected twice.

6. Features on a map for instance _____ (to be) pictorial representations of spatial objects in the real world.

7. Complex environments ______ (to break) down into their component parts.

8. The term Information ______ (to represent) the large volumes of data.

9. Computer technology _______ (to be) able to assist in this mapping process.

10. GIS ______ (to deal) primarily with `geographic' or `spatial' or 'graphical' features.

11. Geographic Information System ________ (to provide) a digital analysing of the geographic features of the Earth' surface.

Exercise 14. Change the following sentences into Passive:

1. Computer technology assists in this mapping process.

2. The term Information represents the large volumes of data.

3. Computer programs have accomplished many tasks.

4. Geographic Information System digitally represent and analyse the geographic features on the Earth' surface.

5. Computer technology has aided and even necessitated this approach.

6. Symbols, colors and line styles represent the different spatial features on the two-dimensional map.

7. Management applications will require more detailed locational data.

8. GIS-T applications have included land use, demographic, environmental, utility, and hazardous materials databases.

9. The editing function allows the user to add or delete points, lines, or polygons and change the attributes of these features.

10. The display function generates thematic maps.

Exercise 15. Read and translate the text.