Answer the questions:

1. What kind of devices are computers?

2. What can computers be taught?

3. What are advantages and disadvantages of computers?

4. What is programming? What is called a program?

5. What steps does programming activity include?

6. Are computers subject to failures? What can you say about the proportion of error in the work of a computer?

7. What is the role of the electronic computer in the modern world?

Exercises

1. Translate the hollowing words paying attention to the prefixes:

pre-war, pre-arrange, prehistoric, pre-human, preheat, post-war, post-graduate.

2. Translate the sentences paying attention to the words of the same root.

Extent(n), extend(v), extended(a), extensive(a), extensively(adv).

1. Infra-red radiation emitted by hot bodies extends from about 0.1 mm down to 7,000 A.

2. During the past year some success has been achieved in extending the range of spectrographic measurements into the soft X-ray region.

3. The evidence from observations of meteors appears to indicate that our atmosphere extends upward at least 500 miles.

4. Through experiments it has been determined that the maximum temperature at which a man can maintain efficiency for extended periods is 80˚ F.

5. Unfortunately, the period of visibility of a comet is generally too short to allow any extensive measurements.

6. These instruments are extensively used for alternating current measurements.

7. The extent of calculations involved in making Kepler’s discoveries are quite surprising.

8. Hershel’s (an astronomer of the 18th century) attempt to determine the extent of the Milky Way had largely failed.

9. The resistance varies to some extent with temperature.

10. Since all fluids possess viscosity at least to some extent, the analysis of most flow systems requires consideration of the various forces involved.

3. Translate the sentences paying attention to the adverb phrases.

Along with

1. The equipment comprises a sensitive radio receiver along with a highly directional antenna system.

2. Along with a long list of possible attractive characteristics of reactors, there are, unfortunately, certain dangerous points.

By virtue of

3. Heat is the energy that a body possesses by virtue of the fact that its molecules are in motion.

4. The internal combustion engine is unlike a steam engine which works by virtue of the introduction of steam which has been raised externally in a boiler.

4. Translate the sentences paying attention to the meanings of the word “subject”.

subject (n)

subject-matter

to be subject to (smth.)

to subject to

1. In writing this book the width of the subject has prevented the details from being presented.

2. The book was concerned with the subject-matter of natural science and its applications.

3. An instrument which reads correctly at one frequency may be subject to considerable errors at other frequencies.

4. Physical phenomena occurring on the earth are subject to complex influences, partly of solar origin.

5. Certain static fluids are subjected to accelerations.

6. We can now liquefy all known gases by subjecting them to high pressures and cooling them by expansion.

5. Translate the sentences paying attention to the word-combinations with the noun “case”.

1. When the magnetic field is produced by more than one charge, as is usually the case, the resultant force must be obtained by a vector summation of the forces due to individual charges.

2. Every material body is made either of an element or of a combination of two or more elements. Almost always, the latter is the case.

3. The realization of space flight is closely connected with the development of suitable power plants and propulsion systems. Such has been the casefor the development of aircraft and missiles, and to a certain extent,such is the casefor space flight.

4. The word “atom” means “indivisible” and at the time this term was invented atom was believed to be the smallest unit. Though this is now known not to be the case.

5. Since Venus is the nearest of the planets it should logically be an easy object to study. Unfortunately, the this is not case.

6. Translate the sentences paying attention to the meaning of the word “once”.

once (adv)

once more

once (cj)

at once

1. The Earth revolves in its orbit once a year and also rotates uniformly on its axis once a day.

2. Earth and Moon travel together, making a complete trip around the Sun once a year.

3. Heat was once considered as being a fluid.

4. The rare earth elements are a group of 15 elements whose position in the periodic table was once considered exceptional.

5. Once a space vehicle is in its orbit, the crew will no longer experience the Earth’s gravitational pull and will be weightless.

6. It is surprising how simple many problems of physics become once the meaning of each concept involved is completely understood.

7. At ordinary atmospheric pressure helium, once liquefied, remains liquid to the lowest temperature that can be reached.

8. Before taking off the pilot checked his controls once more.

9. The thrust magnitude and direction are at once known in terms of the motor performance.

10. It should not be thought that Newton’s theory of gravitation was at once universally accepted.

7. Translate the sentences containing the noun “art” and its derivatives.

1. Applications of solid propellant rockets to long-range missiles, guided missiles and boosting have grown with the continuing improvements in the art of rocketry.

2. Radar has been defined as “the art” of detecting by means of radio echoes the presence of objects, determining their direction and range, recognizing their character and employing the data thus obtained.

3. This paper will attempt to review the state-of-the-art in the field of orientation and stabilization of satellites.

4. The launching of the first artificial Earth satellite was of great value for space research and exploration.

5. Artificially radioactive materials, made available through the use of nuclear reactors, have proved extremely valuable.