UNIT III
Lesson 1
Working methods
C
omputers
store data and the instructions telling them what to do with the data
as numbers, because computers can do things with numbers very
quickly. These data are stored as
binary
symbols
(1s
and 0s). A 1 or a 0 symbol stored by a computer is called a
bit,
which comes from the words binary
digit.
Computers can use many bits together to represent instructions and
the data that these instructions use. A list of instructions is
called a
program
and
is stored on the computer’s
hard
disk.
Computers work through the program by using a
central
processing unit,
and they use fast memory called
RAM
as
a space to store the instructions and data while they are doing this.
When the computer wants to store the results of the program for
later, it uses the
hard
disk
because
things stored on a hard disk can still be remembered after the
computer is turned off.
An operating system tells the computer how to understand what jobs it has to do, how to do these jobs, and how to tell people the results. It tells the electronics inside the computer, or «hardware», how to work to get the results it needs. This lets most computers have the same operating system, or list of orders to tell it how to talk to the user, while each computer can have its own computer programs or list of jobs to do what its user needs. Having different programs and operating systems makes it easy to learn how to use computers for new things. When a user needs to use a computer for something different, the user can learn how to use a new program.
1. Translate the following terms and terminological expressions:
To store data, binary symbols, binary digit, hard disk, central processing unit, to use fast memory, inside the computer, list of orders, to make it easy.
2. Complete the sentences:
1) A 1 or a 0 symbol stored by a computer is called ______.
2) A list of instructions is called ______.
3) Computers use fast memory which is called ______.
4) A list of instructions is called a _______ and is stored on the computer’s hard disk.
5) Different programs help to use computers _______.
3. Say true or false:
1) The instructions tell a computer what to do with the data as numbers.
2) If the computer wants to store the results of the program for later, it uses RAM.
3) An operating system tells the computer how to understand what jobs it has to do, how to do these jobs, and how to tell people the results.
4) All computer can have the same computer programs or list of jobs to do what their users need.
4. Answer the following questions:
1) In what form can a computer store data and why?
2) How are binary symbols called?
3) Where is a program stored?
4) What does a computer use working through a program?
5) When does a computer use RAM?
6) When does a computer use a hard disk?
7) What is the function of an operating system?
5. Explain and describe the work of a computer for a non-specialist. Speaking english
6. Read the story.
The Absent-Minded Professor
A very absent-minded professor was once travelling by a suburban train, and when the ticket-collector came to check the tickets, the professor could not find his.
"Never mind, sir," said the ticket-collector who knew the professor very well, "I'll come at the next station."
However, at the next station there was the same difficulty: the professor could not find his ticket anywhere.
"Don't trouble about it, it really doesn't matter," said the ticket-collector kindly.
"No, no, I must find it," said the professor turning out his pockets as he spoke, "I must find out where I am going to! I have forgotten."
7. Answer the following questions:
1) What train was the professor travelling by?
2) What did the ticket-collector have to check?
3) Did the professor find his ticket?
4) What did the ticket collector tell him?
5) Could the professor find his ticket at the next station?
6) Why was the professor anxious to find his ticket?
8. Retell the story.
9. Give examples illustrating the following proverbs:
1) All's well that ends well.
2) Where there's a will, there's a way.