4. Read the sentences translating the Russian fragments into English.

1. (Передача информации) it is one of the categories of information-processing tasks.

2. Using different storage technologies the information (сохраняется) to be used for a later time.

3. Organizations and companies use IT to do (задачи по обработке информации).

4. To obtain information we use different (устройства ввода).

5. Information must be (точной and своевременной).

6. (Обработка данных) is a series of actions that converts data into useful information.

5. Answer the questions.

1. How many categories of information-processing tasks do you know?

2. Are these tasks used separately or all together?

3. What is IT?

4. What is information?

5. What is “conveying information”?

SPEAKING PRACTICE

Speak on the following topics.

1. The differences between data and information.

2. Characteristics of information.

3. Information technology; three ways of using IT.

4. Different categories of information-processing tasks.

Unit II: computer hardware

Active Vocabulary

1. Accomplish – совершать, выполнять 2. Area – область, участок 3. Available – доступный; имеющийся в распоряжении, 4. Bus – шина; канал 5. Capacity – ёмкость; пропускная способность 6.Circuit – схема; цепь; контур 7. Clock/computer clock – тактовый генератор 8. Digital – цифровой; дискретный 9. Execute – осуществлять, выполнять 10. Increase – возрастать, увеличивать

11. Means – средство; способ 12. Predetermined – заранее установленный 13. Provide – предоставлять; обеспечивать 14. Pulse – импульс 15. Rate – скорость; частота 16. Resolution – разрешение, разрешающая способность 17. Retrieve – извлекать (хранимую) информацию 18. Transfer – передавать; пересылать 19. Via – посредством (ч-л.), с помощью

Text A: Computer Information System Hardware

Hardware includes any machinery (now digital) that assists in the input, processing, storage and output activities of an information system. The distinguishing feature of a computer is its ability to store its own instructions. This ability makes it possible for a computer to perform many operations: to repeat its operations, store the results of its calculations for later use, make logical decisions, compare results with other data, and on the basis of such comparisons change the series of operation it performs. The computer can process, store, and retrieve data without human intervention.

Computer system hardware includes the central processing unit (CPU), input devices, output devices, communications devices, primary and secondary storage devices. Each central processing unit (CPU) includes: the arithmetic/logic unit, the control unit, the register areas, basic I/O devices. Since the mid-1970s CPUs have typically been constructed on a single integrated circuit called a microprocessor.The arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) performs mathematical calculations and makes logical comparisons. The control unit sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the ALU, the registers, primary storage, secondary storage and various output devices. Registers are high-speed storage areas used to temporarily hold small units of program instructions and data immediately before, during and after execution by the CPU. Primary storage, also called main memory or just memory holds program instructions and data immediately before or immediately after the registers. The various circuits processing data in the computer’s interior must operate in a highly synchronized manner; this is accomplished by controlling them with a very stable oscillator, which acts as the computer’s “clock”. The CPU produces a series of electronic pulses at a predetermined rate, called the clock speed, which affects machine cycle time. Clock speed is measured in megahertz, where one hertz means one cycle or pulse per second. Computer clock rates may range from several million cycles per second to several hundred million or even a billion cycles per second.