II. So, there are three types of memory used by computers: ram, rom and secondary storage. Look through this list of features and decide which type of memory they refer to.

1. Any section of the main memory can be read with equal speed and ease.

2. It is available in magnetic, optical and video disks.

3. A certain amount of this memory can be designated as “cache” memory to store information in applications that are used very frequently.

4. It stores basic operating instructions, needed by the CPU to function correctly.

5. Memory which can be expanded by adding SIMMs of 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB or order major increments.

6. Information is permanent and cannot be deleted.

7. You can save and store your documents and applications.

III. Put the statements into the right order.

1. The computer loads the operating system from the hard drive into the system’s RAM.

2. When you save a file and close the application, the file is written to the specified storage device, and then it and the application are deleted from RAM.

3. After an application is loaded, any files that are opened for use in that application are loaded into RAM.

4. The computer loads data from read-only memory and performs a power-on self-test to make sure all the major components are functioning properly.

5. You turn the computer on.

6. The computer loads the basic input/output system from ROM.

IV. Sue wants to buy a new drive. Listen to her conversation with the sales assistant. Does she buy anything?

V. Listen again and answer these questions.

1. What is the storage capacity of the lomega eGo portable hard drive?

2. How much information can be stored on the Edge DiskGo model?

3. Which hard drive is good for mobile professionals?

4. How much does the lomega eGo drive cost?

5. How much does the Edge DiskGo cost?

Part 3 Mass storage devices

Exercises to the subject:

I. In pairs, discuss these questions:

1. What do CD and DVD stand for?

2. What is the main advantage of using DVDs instead of CDs?

II. Paul wants to buy some blank discs. Listen to his conversation with the sales assistant and check your answers. Before listening think about the Ukrainian equivalents of these word combinations: optical disc, backward-compatible, laser beam.

III. Decide whether these statements are true or false. Correct the false ones.

1. A DVD is an optical digital disc that can be used for video, audio and data

storage.

2. The dimensions of a CD and a DVD are the same: 1,3 mm thick and 13 cm in diameter.

3. The data on a DVD is read with a laser beam.

4. A basic DVD can hold 3.7 gigabytes.

5. You need a hard drive to read DVDs.

6. DVD-Video discs can hold full-length movies.

7. DVD Writer is not compatible with old CD-ROMs.

IV. Read the text and find the following:

1. the advantages and disadvantages of optical discs over magnetic disks;

2. the storage capacity of a double-sided, dual layer DVD;

3. the difference between a DVD burner and a DVD recorder;

4. the feature of a portable DVD player which allows the user to play different format;

5. two possible successors to DVDs

6. where the Blu-ray format gets its name from.