After text activity

I. Reading Exercises:

Exercise 1. Read and memorize using a dictionary:

threshold, track, predicable paths, 90-nanometer silicon geometries, system-on-chip design engineering, down of planar processing; relentless drive, afoot, status quo, adage, recent assessment, in chasing opportunities.

Exercise 2. Answer the questions:

1) What is the pain that device makers are enduring?

2) What is the center of the semiconductor universe? 3) Will Silicon Valley remain as the epicenter of technology and business leadership?

4) How are the epic changes afoot in the semiconductor industry?

Exercise 3. Match the left part with the right:

1. That trend will have	a) still marginal in the Pacific world.
2. Silicon Valley needs to reassess	b) long since migrated to Asia.
3. The overwhelming bulk of foundry chip-making capacity and expertise has	c) its “Atlantic” view of the world.
4. Cell phone and PC penetration is	d) a profound impact on the future of semiconductors.

Exercise 4. Open brackets choosing the right words:

The Semiconductor Industry Association, in its most recent assessment of the industry, notes that "semiconductor consumption is forecast (to go on/to continue) a migration from the Americas to Asia-Pacific, reflecting the outsourcing of electronic-(lay out/equipment) (production/manufacturing), including component sourcing and design services, to the region.

II. Speaking Exercises:

Exercise 1. Describe semiconductor, chip, device, circuit, trend, wave; planar processing using the suggested words and expressions as in example:

semiconductor solid – state substance; with; conductive properties; that; can be altered; with electricity; the most significant product; built; from; semiconductor; is; the transistor. example: A semiconductor is a solid – state substance with conductive properties that can be altered with electricity. The most significant product built from a semiconductor is the transistor.

chip electronic equipment; consisting of; a small crystal of ; a silicon semiconductor; fabricated; to carry out; a number of electronic functions; in; an integrated circuit.

device an instrumentality; invented; for; a particular purpose.

circuit an electrical device; that; provides; a path; for; electrical current; to flow.

trend

a general direction; in; which; something; tends; to move.

wave

a movement up; and; down; or; back; and; forth.

planar processing

similar; two dimensional; involving two dimensions.

Exercise 2. Ask questions to the given answers:

1) Question: _________________________________________?

Answer: Smarter, easier to use, and more connected semiconductor devices will drive the next wave of applications.

2) Question: _________________________________________?

Answer: Economists point out that capital has no nationality, and the aphorism certainly extends to intellectual capital.

3) Question: _________________________________________?

Answer: And while intellectual capital is not bound by borders, cultural factors will weigh in along with capital in defining the specifications, form and function of the next wave of smarter, easier-to-use, more-connected systems.