1.24 Fill in the gaps using the words from the box below.

Arithmetic / a means of communicating / circuits / program / data / memory / addition / subtraction / division / multiplication and exponentiation / switch / medium / media / capabilities / in / back / use / to control / terminals / diskettes / disks and magnetic tape / dull / routine / originality / according to / reads / into

1. First, every computer has ... for performing operations such as: … . 2. However, most computers, whether large or small have three basic … . 3. Second, computers have … with the user. 4. After all, if we couldn't feed information … and get results …, these machines wouldn't be of much … . 5. However, certain computers are used … directly things such as robots, trains and city traffic. 6. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use … . 7. The computer's input device … the information … the computer. 8. A computer is a ... that processes information in the form of ... and ... and can store this information in a ... . 9. A computer can replace people in … tasks, but it has no …; it works … the instructions given to it.

1.25 Fill in the gaps with the necessary prepositions, conjunctions & adverbs from the following list: with, like, of, in, on, for, to, according to, like, by, unless, because, almost, before, out.

1. Computers have a means … communicating … the user. 2. Computer operates ... a mechanical brain. 3. A computer's ...put device reads the information ... the computer. 4. Computers can be defined as devices which accept information … the form … instructions, perform mathematical and /or logical operations … the information, and then supply results … these operations. 5. The program, or part … it, which tells the computers what to do and the data, which provide the information needed to solve the problem, are kept … a place called memory. 6. … …putting information, two common devices are used a printer that prints the new information … paper, or a cathode-ray-tube (CRT) display screen, which shows the results … a TV-like screen. 7. It can find the solution … a problem … a fraction … the time it takes a human being to do the job. 8. But it works … the instructions given … it. 9. A computer seems to operate … a mechanical 'brain', but its achievements are limited … the minds of human beings. 10. A computer cannot do anything … a person tells it what to do and gives it the appropriate information; but … electric pulses can move at the speed … light, a computer can carry … vast numbers of arithmetic-logical operations … instantaneously. 11. A person can do the same, but in many cases that person would be dead long … the job was finished.

1.26 Say if these statements are true or false (correct the false ones).

1. A computer can store or handle any data even if it hasn’t received instruction to do it. 2. All computers accept and process information in the form of instructions and characters. 3. The information necessary for solving problems is found in the memory of the computer. 4. All computers can perform arithmetic operations, make decisions, and communicate in some way with the user. 5. A computer can do everything without any person’s interference. 6. Electric pulses moving at the speed of light a computer can carry out vast number of arithmetic-logical operations almost instantaneously. 7. A person cannot do the same, because his life is too short. 8. Computers have circuits, which can make decisions. 9. The kinds of decisions which computer circuits can make are not of the type: Is one number less than another?, Are two numbers equal? and Is one number greater than another?; but of the type: 'Who would win a war between two countries?' or 'Who is the richest person in the world?'. 10. A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits that operate switches or magnetize tiny metal cores. 11. The switches are capable of being in one possible magnetized state. 13. The digital machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters, voltages and characters. 14. The basic idea of a computer is that we can make the machine do what we want by outputting signals that turn certain switches on and turn others off. 15. The basic job of computers is the processing of information. 16. The program provides the information needed to solve the problem and the data tells the computers what to do. 17. They are kept inside the computer in a place called memory. 18. Computers are thought to have many remarkable powers.

1.27 Prepare reports on the topics of Unit 1 or retell one of the texts.