1. Answer the following questions:

1. What type of computer is the most suitable for home use?

2. What is a program?

3. What are the functions of main memory, input device, storage device?

4. What is data?

5. What are the functions of processor, output device, monitor?

2. Match each component with its function:

1. Storage device a) It displays the processed data

2. Input device b) It holds the programs and data

3. Output device c) It does all the processing and controls the

peripherals

4. Main memory d) It allows data to be entered

5. Processor e) It provides permanent storage for programs

and data

3. Complete the table:

Mainframe Minicomputer Microcomputer

size

power

use

4. Label the diagram of a computer system using these terms:

CPU

1_______________

2_____________________

3_____________________

4______________

! gjskslosos

5_____________________

1. Main memory

2. Input device

3. Output device

4. Processor

5. Storage device

TEXT B

1. Read and translate the text in a written form: Unit 14 Computers

At the heart of the computer is the microprocessor. This contains several REGISTERS to store data and an ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU) which manipulates data. It acts as the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer, carrying out a sequence of instructions, called a program.

The program may be stored in memory, as software, or written into the memory from tape or disk. There are two types of memory. Read Only Memory (ROM) which stores software permanently. The software is not lost when the computer is switched off but the stored data cannot be changed. Random Access Memory (RAM) which can be written to and read from. The stored data is volatile. It is lost when the computer is switched off.

The actual computer, its case and printed circuit boards etc are known as hardware.

The computer needs to communicate with the outside world. It does this via interfaces which are usually a plug or socket of some type.

The computer is a digital device. It may need to communicate with an analogue device such as a loudspeaker or variable speed control. To do this it uses digital to analogue and analogue to digital converters.

Computers can help students perform mathematical operations and solve difficult problems. They can be used to teach courses such as computer-aided design, language learning, programming, mathematics etc.

Computers can help students perform mathematical operations and solve difficult questions.

PCs are also used for administrative purposes: for example, schools use databases and word-processors to keep records of students, teachers and materials.

Race organizers and journalists rely on computers to provide them with the current positions of riders and teams in both the particular stages of the race and in the overall competition.

Workstations in the race buses provide timing system and give up-to-the-minute timing information to TV stations. In the press room several PCs give real-time information on the state of the race. Computer databases are also used in the drug-detecting tests for competitors.

Computers store information about amount of money held by each client and enable staff to access large databases and to carry out financial transactions at high speed. They also control the automatic cash dispensers which by the use of a personal coded card, dispense money to clients.

Airline pilots use computers to help them control the plane. For example, monitors display data about fuel consumption and weather conditions. In airport control towers, computers are used to manage radar systems and regulate air traffic.

On the ground, airlines are connected to travel agencies by computer. Travel agents use computers to find out about the availability of flights, prices, times, stopovers and many other details.

2. Make up a plan of the text in the form of questions.

TEXT C

1. Listen to the text and try to understand it.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. What numbers are used in digital systems?

2. When was integrated circuit developed?

3. How did computers change calculations?

4. What can we all witness nowadays?

5. Did the development of electronics stop?

UNIT15

TEXT A

MUSIC CENTRE

1. Read and memorize the following words and word-combinations and their translations.

1. An amplifier – (радіо-)посилювач;

2. To stack – складати, встановлювати;

3. Volume – звук, гучність;

4. As well as – також;

5. Loudspeaker – гучномовець;

6. An array – багатовібраційна антена;

7. High-fidelity – висока точність відтворення.

2. Read and translate the following text:

Fig 1

Figure shows music centres, they contain a number of audio input devices: a CD player, a radio tuner, and a tape cassette deck. These allow the user to play music recorded in different formats. All these devices share a common amplifier and speaker system. Each part of the music centre is stacked one to top of the other.

Read the rest of the text and find out:

1. the function of a pre-amplifier;

2. the function of power amplifier;

3. the function of graphic equalizer;

4. the difference between a hi-fi and midi-fi system

The common amplifier is made up of two sections. The first section is the pre-amplifier (pre-amp), which provides tone, volume and balance controls as well as amplification of the input signal voltages. The second section is the power amplifier (power amp). This amplifies the power of the pre-amp signals to enable them to drive the loudspeaker system.

Some music centres also contain graphic equalizer. This allows the user to adjust the amplification of a particular frequency ranges by moving an array of slider controls. In this way the reproduced sound can be varied to suit different acoustic conditions.

A music centre can be classified as a hi-fi (high-fidelity) system or a midi-fi system depending on the quality of its sound reproduction.