LESSON 3

COMPUTERS MACHINE [1]

Task 1. Read and translate the text:

Задание 1. Прочитайте и переведите текст:

All of us think about a computer. That's why we ask: "What is a computer?" A computer is one of the modern technologies using everywhere. It is a complex instrument made up of hundreds of electronic devices, miles of electronic wire. Its complex electronic brains produce information. This information is stored on magnetic tapes or punched cards. Who feeds the computer information? An operator can feed figures and symbols into the machine. When an operator wants to receive answers, he asks the machine in a special language to process the information taken from storage. The electronic machine can give any answer or a combination of possible answers. At a panel desk connected to the instrument, the machine can flash its answers on a screen, can print them on paper, and store them away on magnet tapes or cards.

Of cause, more than 100.000 pieces of information can be stored in one machine. The computer can do a lot of operations. For example, the computer can multiply large numbers. How long does it take the computer to multiply large numbers? In one third of a second a computer can multiply two 127-digit numbers. In one whole second, it can add 4.000 five-digit numbers. In two seconds it can complete 320 long-division problems. The same machine does the work of thousands of trained mathematicians in any given time period and without the mistakes. But... human beings do thinking, feed information to the machines. The computer only helps us to find answers and produce facts faster and more accurately. Machines work for us, but they do not think for us.

Task 2. Answer the following questions:

Задание 2. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What is a computer?

2. What functions has a computer?

3. Why do people extremely need a computer nowadays?

4. What is the connection between computer brains and man's mind?

5. Is the electronic system of a computer very complex or simple?

6. Do electronic brains of a computer produce information?

7. How many pieces of information can be stored in one machine?

8. What does the computer machine flash?

Task 3. Match the words given below with the definitions:

Задание 3. Соотнесите следующие ключевые слова с соответствующим определением:

· Computer …………………. ………………………………

· Fax (machine) …………….. ………………………………

· E-mail ….….………………. ………………………………

· Telephone …………………. ………………………………

· The Internet.………………. ………………………………

The machine which is used for sending or receiving copies of primed material, letters, pictures, etc. along a telephone line.

An international network of computers. It has electronic mail and

provides a large amount of information.

An electronic machine that can store and recall information, do many processes on it.

An electronic system which joins a group of computers. People can send messages to each other on their computers.

A system for sending or receiving speech over long distances.

Task 4. Find the words and word — combinations given below in the text:

Задание 4. Найдите в тексте предложения, содержащие нижеследующие слова и выражения:

• an electronic system of a computer

• to take from storage

• to feed the information to the machine

• a punched card

• to complete long-division problems

• to flash answers on a screen

• to store on magnet tapes

Task 5. Complete the following sentences corresponding to the contents of the text:

Задание 5. Закончите предложения:

1. The electronic... is very complex.

2. More than 100.000 pieces of......

and when the operator wants answers, he asks... and for solving the problem.

3. In one third of... two 127 - digit...

4. The same machine does... in any given time period, and...

5. The machine can flash...

6.... can give any answer or...

7. But it is..., who do the thinking, who... to find answer and.....

8. Machines... for us, but they do not... for us.

9.... of electronic devices, miles of electronic wire.

10.... an operator feeds facts, figures and symbols into the machine, to be...

Task 6. Say whether the statements given below are true or false:

Задание. 6 Определите истинность или ложность следующих предложений:

1. The electronic system of a computer is very simple.

2. More than 50 pieces of information can be stored in one machine.

3. In second a computer can multiply two 970 - digit numbers.

4. Machines think for us, but they do not work for us.

5. The computer can not do a lot of operations.