17. Say whether the statements are true or false.

1. The use of computers in business, industry and communication services is not widespread today.

2. Computers can control the work of power stations, plants and docks.

3. Space exploration depends on computers for guidance³, on-board environment⁴ and research.

4. Learning on a computer is boring.

5. Students prefer working in conventional classrooms.

6. Air traffic control doesn’t depend upon computer-generated information.

18. Complete the sentences.

1. At present a great deal of the work force is engaged in ….

2. Computers can control the work of ….

3. The work of banks depends upon ….

4. Space exploration depends on ….

5. Computers became valuable medical ….

6. Computers are used for optical scanning ….

7. Students spend more time with ….

8. Air traffic control depends upon ….

19. Arrange the sentences in the correct order according to the text.

1. Technicians can operate computer tomography scanners.

2. Computer-controlled robots are able to improve the quality of manufactured products and to increase the productivity of industry.

3. Students spend much time with computer-aided instruction performing the assigned task.

4. Computers will be important for the transition from an industrial to post industrial, or information society.

5. Computers are applied for automatic piloting and automatic navigation.

6. Computers have become commonplace in homes, offices, stores, schools, research institutes, plants.

7. The work of banks depends upon computer terminals.

20. Answer the questions.

1. What have become commonplace in homes, offices, research institutes, etc.?

2. Where is the use of computers widespread?

3. Computers can control the work of power stations, plants and docks, can’t they?

4. Why does the work of banks depend on computers?

5. What are computers used for in space explorations?

6. Computers are used for optical scanning and image processing, aren’t they?

7. What do students prefer: conventional classrooms or computer-aided instruction?

21. Translate the text in a written form using a dictionary. Computers: Now and in the Future

A computer is an electronic device. It makes calculations and processes information. Complicated problems can be solved very quickly. Millions of pieces of information can be processed in seconds. Nowadays, computers can be used for different purposes. Businesses use their computers not only to bill their customers, but also to send information to customers and to communicate with other businesses. In industry, many complicated machines are controlled by computers. Machines that produce chemicals, steel, and hundreds of other products are connected to computers. In transportation, airplanes, ships, and even spacecraft are guided by computers. In science, complicated problems and scientific data are almost always analyzed by computers. Even earthquakes and hurricanes can be predicted by computers. In education, computers are used as teaching machines. In the home, people are buying computers to help them manage their households more efficiently. People can shop, make travel arrangements, and pay their bills using computers right in their homes.

In the future computers will be even more widely used – in our offices, our homes, and our cars. It has been said by many experts that someday computers will be able to “think” creatively like human beings. For example, someday computers may be able to understand human language and to respond to it. In the near future, sophisticated forms of art and music may also be created by computers. Indeed, some forms of “computer art” and “computer music” have already been produced.

to bill – выставлять счет

to guide – вести, направлять, управлять

to respond – отвечать, реагировать