Lesson 4

4.1 My hobby

There are different hobbies in the world. The most popular one is music. In the evening you may play the guitar. That would be nice. Or you may be interested in reading. It is very exciting, especially when you read the book in the original. You try to understand the meaning of new words from the contents, if you can. But sometimes this isn’t possible. Then you use a dictionary… Travelling is a thrilling hobby, isn’t it?

I don’t know whether you will like my hobby. For someone it’s a hard work, which takes a lot of time and skills. For me it’s an interesting spare timework. I mean a computer. What is a computer? For fans like me it’s a very specific kind of a counting machine. It can do arithmetic problems faster than any person alive. By means of electric circuit it can find the answer to a very difficult and complicated problem in a few seconds. A computer can “remember” information you give to it. It stores the information in its “memory” as long as it is necessary. We used to think of a computer as a large machine with many buttons and flashing lights that took up a whole room. But today computers are becoming smaller and smaller and are even being put inside other devices.

I am interested in the history of computers. The facts prove that until 1940, developments in electronics took place at a comparatively slow pace. In 1955 computers began to use transistors. In that year IBM Company marketed a great number of computers with this new device.

Now I know a lot about computers. I began collecting this information at school, and then I decided to take a training programme. I have my computer lessons three times a week. Our group has been working for two years and we have taken part in the regional competitions. So, you can imagine our happiness when our team won a victory over a very skilled team from Minsk.

I believe that my hobby will become my future profession. The types of computers available are as different as the types of musical instruments or books you read, or stamps you collect. But there is another similarity between learning to play the musical instrument and learning to use the computer – you must practise every day.

I am certain that everybody realizes the necessity of using computers in different jobs and situations. That is why I want to connect my future profession with computers.

Answer the questions.

1. What is the most popular hobby in the world?

2. Do you like to read books in the original?

3. Where can you travel to?

4. What is a computer?

5. Is it a specific counting machine?

6. What does the history of computers prove?

7. Why do you need the training course?

8. Will your hobby become your future profession?

9. Why does everybody need computers nowadays?

Tell about modern computer possibilities, which are not mentioned in the text.

Tell about your hobby.

Exercises

1. Translate into English.

a) Понять необходимость, пользоваться компьютером, после окончания школы, решить поступить на курсы, победить очень сильную команду, вспыхивающие лампочки, развитие электроники, сравнительно медленными темпами, если позволяет содержание, хранить информацию в своей памяти, иногда это невозможно, интересное времяпровождение, внутри других устройств.

b) 1. Кто быстрее решает сложные арифметические задачи – компьютер или человек?

2. Зачем человеку нужен компьютер?

3. Почему ты так интересуешься компьютером?

4. Что помогает тебе узнать компьютер лучше?

5. Какие еще увлечения популярны среди молодежи?

6. Что общего в изучении компьютера и музыкального инструмента?

7. Как часто ты работаешь с компьютером?

8. Каких успехов ты достиг?

9. Станет ли компьютер твоей будущей профессией?

10. Что ты узнал об истории компьютера?