1. Read and translate the text.

2. Check up your understanding. Give full answers:

1. Why software was created? What was the reason?

2. How must be data stored in a computer?

3. What does the «binary digit» mean?

4. Why does the unceasing demand for more advanced software exist?

5. What does it mean «programming language»? Can you give some examples?

6. What do you know about high-level languages?

7. What does compiler do?

8. What do you know about OS?

9. What kind OS do you prefer to use? Why?

10. Why do we need utilities?

11. What are apps used used for?

12. What do you know about Word Processing?

13. WYSIWYG, what is it?

14. Have you ever used freeware or shareware?

15. Software is changing so fast that it’s too risky to predict the future of it. Do you agree with this statement? If yes, why? If not, give your own version.

16. Do you use the Internet? What for?

3. Retell the text briefly using the following terms and expressions:

Interface the computer with input data; binary digit; software; off and on patterns; machine language; execute instructions; programming languages; operating system; utility software; application software; word processing; WYSIWYG; freeware; shareware.

4. What is missing? If you are in doubt refer to the text. Take it into account that in each item the first letter of the missing word is used:

1. At first, numbers were the primary form of c…. d…. .

2. Software must be created to i…. the computer with input d…. .

3. Each numeric value is a called b…. d…. .

4. System software c…. internal computer activities.

5. Because of h…. l…. l…. programmers could work on different computers without having to learn a new a…. language each time.

6. The o…. s…. is a group of programs that help computer to interpret commands, p…. the inputs and outputs, and manage data.

7. Utility and application software expand the p…. of OS.

8. The Internet has made a significant impression on software’s m…. .

9. Freeware is distributed to users f…. of c…. .

10. The Internet has introduced a set of new a…. .

5. Rearrange the words and get the right sentences:

1. states / two / computer / can / circuits in / be /.

2. a user-friendly format / it/to develop / into / necessary / software / was /.

3. to develop / it / more / inspired / software / programmers /.

4. software / computer / written / could / be/on / used / on / one / another /.

5. programs / system / can / operating / other / activate /.

6. application / the chance / programmers / jumped / to write / at / software /.

7. success / reason / for/its / applications / was / that / it / integrated / three / one /.

8. more / word / programs / than / were / words / capable / processing / of / manipulating /.

6. Supply the preposition if one is missing. If necessary refer to the text:

1. Modern computer operates … digitally formatted data.

2. A computer runs … electricity.

3. Computer circuits can be only … two states.

4. The early days of computing were restricted … science applications.

5. It increased the demand … more advanced software.

6. OS is a group of programs that help … the operation of a computer.

7. CP / M was the first OS that could run on PCs made … different manufacturers.

8. Utilities inspect diskettes … damage.

9. What the users saw … the screen was not what they saw come … … the printer.

10. Early computer games were mostly educational … purpose.

11. Writing programs … digital format was an immense task.

12. All of the available programs fall … two categories: system software and application software.

7. There are two words in each item. You must explain how is «a» like «b» and how does «a» differ from «b»:

1. (a) first computers, (b) modern computers (concerning their software);

2. (a) OS, (b) utility;

3. (a) freeware, (b) shareware;

4. (a) utility, (b) apps

5. (a) second generation language, (b) high level language.

8. Give the opposites of the following words:

1. input; 2. quickly; 3. modern; 4. fill; 5. notice; 6. internal; 7. specific; 8. separate; 9. high; 10. independent; 11. competent; 12. manufacturer; 13. add; 14. insert; 15. early; 16. possible.

9. Give the synonyms of the following words:

1. modern; 2. accept; 3. realize; 4. increase; 5. restrict; 6. general; 7. swiftly; 8. various; 9. particular; 10. error; 11. memorize; 12. fee; 13. competent; 14. entire.

10. What verbs precede these words?

1. data; 2. instruction; 3. program; 4. time; 5. code; 6. fee; 7. market; 8. chance; 9. job; 10. capability; 11. document; 12. impression; 13. software; 14. game.

11. Replace the italicized words and expressions by appropriate words and expressions given in the list below. Some of them might be used more than once.

If necessary, refer to the dictionary at the end of this book.

Appear in; at first; contemporary; dealing with errors and problems; desire; encourage; examine carefully and select; increase; not cease; payment; quickly; tremendous; understand.

1. In the beginning, computers used numbers as the primary form of input data.

2. A modern computer is capable of accepting many types of input.

3. Engineers quickly realized that writing in binary code was extremely difficult.

4. Writing software programs in numerical format was an immense task for anyone.

5. It inspired programmers to develop more software.

6. The general public’s appetite for computer accessibility and capability began to skyrocket.

7. IBM began charging a separate fee for its software.

8. IBM chose DOS as its operating system, and when its open-architecture PC hit the market, programmers jumped at the chance to write application software for it.

9. Utilities perform troubleshooting jobs, inspecting diskettes for damage.

10. The popularity of word processing software continued to escalate and more tools were continuously added.

11. A consumer no longer has to go to a store, sift through hundreds of software titles, read descriptions of each to make a purchase decision.