Answer the following questions

1. When was the first general-purpose electronic computer constructed?

2. When did the use of transistor in computers begin?

3. Are all modern digital computers conceptually similar?

4. What is laptop?

5. What is a server computer?

6. What is supercomputer?

Text: COMMUNICATIONS

1.Read and memorize new words and expressions on the text:

to depend on transport;

by means of railroads;

the safest mean of travel;

to run much faster than;

to develop a new method;

many developments;

to operate a factory;

to operate well;

to be a success;

to be far slower and lighter;

the fastest locomotive;

more comfortable than;

not so important as;

thanks to the new development;

a locomotive suitable for service;

to serve passengers;

the passenger and freight service.

2.Read and translate the text

Most people think of communications only when they want to get from one place to another. But communications are important to the national economy of a country. Without good roads and railways a coun­try cannot develop its resources and industry. Without roads it is im­possible to market agricultural produce.

Early man probably used the river as his first means of travel and communications. Here he was safe from the wild animals in the forests. Later man began to develop roads. These at first would be no more than tracks across the mountains and paths through the forests. But very early in Europe we find the development of the amber trade, from the: Baltic coast via the great rivers, such as the Rhine, Elbe and Danube, to the Mediterranean.

In Roman times, roads became important for military reasons.

Today we have increased the ways of communication. Roads ant still important, water, in the form of either rivers or seas, is useful for carrying bulky materials.

But to these we" have added the railway and the airplane. Airplane cannot carry a great deal in weight, and are used mainly for carrying mail, people, or important goods.

Although the future belong- to air transport. The railways today still carry the bulk of passenger and goods traffic. Railway transport is still one of the cheapest ways of hauling freight over long distances.

Modern railways rushes the traveller across two continents—Europe and Asia—in most convenient all-metal carriages. The dining-car will cater for all appetites. The luggage-van relieves one of the troubles of taking care of trunks and suit-cases. Luggage can be registered through to one's destination.These services are available on all overnight and long-distance trains.