GIÁO TRÌNH TIẾNG ANH 4 (Dành cho sinh viên ngành Toán – Tin)

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC ĐÀ LẠT
F 7 G






GIÁO TRÌNH
TIẾNG ANH 4
(Dành cho sinh viên ngành Toán – Tin)


KHOA NGOẠI NGỮ

2001
Tieỏng Anh 4 Toaựn Tin - 2


CONTENT

LễỉI TệẽA 3
UNIT 1: MATHEMATICS 4
UNIT 2: WHAT IS A COMPUTER? 11
EXERCISES 12
UNIT 3: NUMBERS AND MATHEMATICS 16
UNIT 4: CHARACTERISTICS 22
EXERCISES 23
UNIT 5: STATISTICS 31
UNIT 6: MAINFRAMES 37
EXERCISES 38
UNIT 7: CALCULUS 44
UNIT 8: STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING 50
EXERCISES 52
UNIT 9: DISCRETE MATHEMATICS 56
EXERCISES 57
UNIT 10: PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES 62
EXERCISES 63
GLOSSARY 70

Tiếng Anh 4 – Toán Tin - 3 –



LỜI TỰA


Nhằm đáp ứng kòp thời nhu cầu học Tiếng Anh chuyên ngành của sinh viên Toán –
Tin, chúng tôi biên soạn, biên tập một số bài học có liên quan in trong giáo trình này.
Vì khả năng có hạn, giáo trình tất không tránh khỏi những sai sót, kính mong nhận
được sự góp ý từ phía bạn đọc để lần tái bản sau sẽ tốt hơn.

Tháng 12 – 2001
Khoa Ngoại Ngữ
Trường Đại học Đà Lạt


Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 4 –






UNIT 1: MATHEMATICS

Pre-reading:
1. Would you like to do science?
2. Which branch of science do you like?
3. You are studying mathematics, why do you like it?
Mathematics plays an important part of your lives. Today mathematics is of the great
use to many sciences, so more and more mathematical books are printed in many
languages, especially in English.
Anyone who works with any branch of science or technology needs to be able to talk
about numbers and shapes. Notice how following numbers and shapes are said in
English.

Numbers:
28% : Twenty-eight per cent.
10.3 : Ten point three

9
4
: Four ninths (four over nine)
4
2
: Four squared
5
3
: Five cubed
5
4
: Five to the power of four
1.623.457 : One million, six hundred and twenty-three thousand,
four hundred and fifty seven.

2+ : Absolute value of two.
Derivation of y’= 4x+1 (y’ equals four x plus 1)
Function of y = 2x
2
+ x + 1 (y equals two x squared plus x plus 1)
+2 : Positive number two
-2 : Negative number two

4
3
: Three is numerator and four is denominator

10
3
: Fraction three over ten

10
3
2
: Mixed number of integer two three over ten

Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 5 –


AxB/(A)(B) :Parentheses (A)(B)
AxB/A.B : Dots A.B
How we can read the following mathematical formulas in English: 2x + 3y – 2 =
x
Z
4

3

(Two x plus three y minus 2 equals three Z devided by four x)
Four basic operations of arithmetic are:Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.
6 x 7 = 42 (six times seven is forty two)

The symbols and their expressions:
a. + (Plus) k. % (percent)
b. - (minus) l. > (is more than)
c. x (multiplied by) m. ∈ (is an element of)
d. : (divided by) n.
∞
(infinity)
e. = (is equal to) o.
3
(cube root)
f.
≈ (is equivalent to) p. (square root)
g.
≥ (is more than or equal to) q. x
2
(x squared)
h.
⊂ (is a subset of) r. x
3
(x cubed)
i. < (is less than) s. x
4
(x to the power four)
j.

≤ (is less than or equal to) t. Π (pi) ∞ (infinity)

How would the names of the shapes below be read in English?
- Two dimensional shapes:
- Three dimensional shapes

E
D
C
A
A
A A
B
BC
C
C
Pentagon
D
squareRectangle
Triangle
B
Circle
O
B
Oval
D’
D
Cube
C’
C

AA
Pyramid
A’
C
A’
B

B
Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 6 –




Teaching points:
Active: The simple present
Passive: The simple present
Suffix: - ion
(2)


WORKING WITH VOCABULARY

A. Focus on the reading:
Arithmetic Lives
Equals Multiplication
Formulas Times
Dimensional Said
Plays Who
Choose the best words or phrases above for each sentence, if you need help, look
at the reading again (use each word only once)

1. Any one _______ works with any branch of science or technology needs to be able
to talk about numbers and shapes.
2. Notice how the following numbers and shapes are______ in English.
3. Mathematics ______ an important part of our ________
4. Six _______ seven is forty two
5. How we can read the following mathematical _________ in English.
6. Four basic operations of ___________ are.
7. Addition, subtraction, _________ division.
8. Two x plus three y minus 2 ______ three z divided by four x.
9. Two ______ shapes are…

B. Focus on new context:
Here is more practice with the new words from the reading choose the best word
for each sentence (use each word only once)
Arithmetic Plays
Dimensional Multiplication

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Equals Times
Formulas Said
Lives Who
1. If we want to say, for example, that in any circle the diameter is twice the radius we
can write: d ______ 2R
2. _____ is one branch of mathematics.
3. Do you know the girl_______ is standing outside the door.
4. It is _______ that English is an international language.
5. It’s difficult to read mathematical ________ in English
6. When she was seven, she learnt by heart the______ table.

7. _______ out of number today he is absent from lesson again.
8. Because we are students our _______ are different from theirs.
9. Some students don’t understand the term of _______ analysis.

UNDERSTANDING THE READING

A. Comprehension questions:
* Answer the questions about the reading:
1. Why are more and more mathematical books printed in English?
2. Why do scientists and technologists need to be able to talk about numbers and
shapes in English?
3. Why does mathematics play an important part of our lives?
4. Can you read: +2; -2 in English?
5. Can you do the algebraical maths: If 3a+4 is greater than 16, then a must be
a. greater than 4 c. equal to 4 e. greater than 3
b. less than 4 d. less than 5

B. Details: Write T if the sentence is true and F if it is False
1. Mathematics is necessary for us because it helps to research
2. Sciences need mathematics
3. Some branches of science don’t need mathematics
4. Two halves of a circle can be called semi-circle
5. A rectangle has four right angles
6. The symbol:
≥ can be read: more than or equal to

C. Main idea: Check b the two most important ideas from the reading
1. Some mathematics symbols
2. How to do maths
3. Mathematics and its use in our lives

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4. The names of shapes
5. The methods of studying mathematics


D. Writing
Write two following basic properties of numbers in English
1. 2 x 2 = 4 or (-2)(-3) = +6
2. (+5)(-10) = -50 or (-6)(+8) = -48

WORD STUDY

A. The passive and active in the simple present tense
1. In passive, we are more interested in the objects of the active sentence.
2. This is because the subjects are not important at the moment or because we
don’t know who or what is responsible for the event
Form: The passive is formed by putting the verb to be into the same tense as the active
verb. The subject of the active verb becomes the “agent” of the passive verb
Example: Active: My grandfather plants this tree
Passive: This tree is planted by my grandfather
(The example above indicates that the passive of the simple present requires the
simple present form)
The simple present is used: - To express a habit
- To express a fact which is always true
Ex: Vegetarians don’t eat meat
- To express a fact which is always true for a long time
Ex: We study at Dalat University

Practice: Put the verbs in the correct forms, all the verbs are in simple present, either in
the active or in the passive
1. Complex algebraical fraction ________ by the same method used in arithmetic
(simplify)
2. The oldest villagers ________ to attend a meeting (invite)
3. They ________ science books in English (print)
4. English ________ in many parts of the world (speak)
5. The doctor ________ on the patient (operate)
6. She ________ from bad headaches (suffer)
7. She ________ in touch with her family by phoning home every Sunday (keep)
8. Wood ________ in water (not sink)
9. Three persons ________ in a car cash (injure)
10 Water ________ from the rivers by women and children (bring)
11. That film ________ on TV tonight (not show)

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B. Word forms: Nouns
Sometimes verbs and nouns are the same forms; sometimes we can change
verbs to nouns by adding suffix.

ION SAME FORM

Verbs Nouns Verbs Nouns
Subtract - Subtraction Play - Play
Communicate - Communication Change - Change
Act - Action Work -Work
Retract - Retraction Use - Use

PRACTICE: Choose the correct forms of the words above to complete each sentence
(use each word only once)
1. We can ________ the form of y-x by factoring out -1
2. The government plans to make important ________ to the tax system
3. In the serf system people could ________ a sheep for a hammer
4. Casino is a place where people ________ gambling games for money
5. Youth is the time for ________, Age is the time for repose
6. I didn’t get into ________ with him for long
7. If we _______7 from 10, we have 3
8. Many of Shakespear’s ________ are tragedies under the feudalism
9. He is a person who ________ kindly toward everyone
10. I saw her last on the flight to Hanoi since then we haven’t ___________for years
11. The boss ________ the workers too hard
12. The ________ of building the bridge spaning Danh River took two years
13. Ten from seven is a very simple ________

BUILDING VOCABULARY SKILLS

Vocabulary review
Match each word in column A with the word in column B that has opposite meaning:
A B
1. Negative number Less than or equal to
2. Subtracting Is the same as
3. Greater than Positive number
4. Absolute value Less than
5. Negative infinity Multiplication
6. Not equal to Minimum value
7. Greater than or equal to Positive infinity
Adding

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CONTEXT CLUES
Choose the answer that is closest in the meaning to each word or phrase
underlined use context clue:
1. He knew it was a waste of time to
carry on studying archaeology and the moment he
started gaderning again
a. conitnue b. begin
c. finish d. start
2. It is very dry today will you help me
water the plants?
a. moisten b. wet
c. irrigate d. sprinkle
3. Can you please
tell me a little about yourself?
a. speak b. talk
c. say to d. explain
4. Do you
mind my turning the TV on now?
a. show b. disapprove
c. want d. like
5. The
enjoyable thing about travelling by train rather than by car is that you can sleep
or read during the journey
a. cheerful b. pleasurable
c. interested d. pleased
6. She had taken over the cooking at home for her father’s dinner parties and she had

started to
make up her own recipes
a. discover b. do
c. invent d. work
7. She has always enjoyed
taking care of her sister
a. training b. looking after
c. bringing d. training













Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 11 –


UNIT 2: WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

1. A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits that
operate switches or magnetize tiny metal cores. The switches, like the cores, are
capable of being in one of two possible states, that is, on or off; magnetized or
demagnetized. The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters,

and characters. The basic idea of a computer is that we can make the machine do what
we want by inputting signals that turn certain switches on and turn others off, or that
magnetize or do not magnetize the cores.
2. The basic job of computers is the processing of information. For this reason,
computers can be defined as devices which accept information in the form of
instructions called a program and characters called data, perform mathematical and/or
logical operations on the information, and then supply results of these operations. The
program, or part of it, which tells the computers what to do and the data, which provide
the information needed to solve the problem, are kept inside the computer in a place
called memory.
3. Computers are thought to have many remarkable powers. However, most
computers, whether large or small have three basic capabilities. First, computers have
circuits for performing arithmetic operations, such as: addition, subtraction, division,
multiplication and exponentiation. Second, computers have a means of communicating
with the user. After all, if we couldn’t feed information in and get results back, these
machines wouldn’t be of much use. However, certain computers (commonly
minicomputers and microcomputers) are used to control directly things such as robots,
aircraft navigation systems, medical instruments, etc.
4. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use punched
cards, magnetic tape, disks, and terminals. The computer’s input device (which might
be a card reader, a tape drive or disk drive, depending on the medium used in inputting
information) reads the information into the computer. For outputting information, two
common devices used are a printer which prints the new information on paper, or a
CRT display screen which shows the results on a TV-like screen.
5. Third, computers have circuits which can make decisions. The kinds of decisions
which computer circuits can make are not of the type: ‘Who would win a war between
two countries? or ‘Who is the richest person in the world?’ Unfortunately, the computer
can only decide three things, namely: Is one number less than another? Are two
numbers equal? and, Is one number greater than another?
6. A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds, even thousands,

of logical decisions without becoming tired or bored. It can find the solution to a
problem in a fraction of the time it takes a human being to do the job. A computer can
replace people in dull, routine tasks, but it has no originality; it works according to the

Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 12 –


instructions given to it and cannot exercise any value judgements. There are times
when a computer seems to operate like a mechanical ‘brain’, but its achievements are
limited by the minds of human beings. A computer cannot do anything unless a person
tells it what to do and gives it the appropriate information; but because electric pulses
can move at the speed of light, a computer can carry out vast numbers of arithmetic-
logical operations almost instantaneously. A person can do everything a computer can
do, but in many cases that person would be dead long before the job was finished.

EXERCISES
1.
Main idea
Which statement best expresses the main idea of the text? Why did you eliminate
the other choices?
_______ 1. Computers have changed the way in which many kinds of jobs are done.
_______ 2. Instructions and data must be given to the computer to act on.
_______ 3. Computers are machines capable of processing and outputting data.
_______ 4. Without computers, many tasks would take much longer to do.

2. Understanding the passage
Decide whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) by referring to the
information in the text. Then make the necessary changes so that the false
statements become true.
_______ 1. A computer can store or handle any data even if it hasn’t received

information to do so.
_______ 2. All computer accept and process information in the form of instructions
and characters.
_______ 3. The information necessary for solving problems is found in the memory
of the computer.
_______ 4. Not all computers can perform arithmetic operations, make decisions,
and communicate in some way with the user.
_______ 5. Computers can still be useful machines even if they can’t communicate
with the user.
_______ 6. There are many different devices used for feeding information into a
computer.
_______ 7. There aren’t as many different types of devices used for giving results
as there are for accepting information.
_______ 8. Computers can make any type of decision they are asked to.
_______ 9. Computers can work endlessly without having to stop to rest unless there
is a breakdown.

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3. Locating information
Find the passages in the text where the following ideas are expressed. Give line
references.
_________1. Computers accept information, perform mathematical and/or logical
operations then supply new information.
_________ 2. All computers have three basic capabilities.
_________ 3. A computer is a machine that can be made to operate by receiving
signals.
_________ 4. A computer cannot work without being told what to do.
_________ 5. A computer can make three types of decisions.

_________ 6. The fundamental job of a computer is processing information.
_________ 7. A computer can do the work of hundreds of people in a very short
time.
_________ 8. The memory of a computer is used for storing information.

4. Understanding words
Refer back to the text and find synonyms (i.e. words with a similar meaning) for
the following words.
1. complex
intricate____________
2. fundamental ___________________
3. a way ___________________
4. uninterested ___________________
5. accomplishment ___________________
Now refer back to the text and find antonyms (i.e. words with an opposite meaning)
for the following words.
6. large
tiny________________
7. receiving ___________________
8. reject ___________________
9. unusual ___________________
10. small ___________________

5. Content review
Try to think of a definition for each of these items before checking them in the
Glossary. Then complete the following statements with the appropriate words
(some can be used more than once). Make sure you use the correct form, i.e.
singular or plural.
core device data
circuit terminal switch

program memory medium

Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 14 –


CRT display
1. Every computer has circuits for performing arithmetic operations, operating
_____________ or magnetized _____________.
2. A ___________ with a screen is normally referred to as a __________ unit.
3. A computer is a ___________ that processes information in the form of
__________ and ______________ and can store this information in a
_____________.
4. Card readers, tape drives, or disk drives are different _______________ for
inputting information.

Focus: Contextual reference

Transitional markers are words used to link ideas together so that the text is
smoother to read. When pronouns such as it, they, them, I, he, she, which, who,
whose, that, such, one and demonstrative adjectives such as this, that, these and
those, are used as transitional markers, they refer to a word, or words, mentioned
earlier in the sentence or paragraph. Their function is to take your thoughts back to
something that has already been mentioned. Thus they serve as synonyms or
substitutes. Other words which are often used to refer backwards are the former,
the latter, the first, second, etc., the last.
Sample paragraph
A computer like any other machine, is used because it does certain jobs better and
more efficiently than humans. It can receive more information and process it faster
then any human. The speed at which a computer works can replace weeks or even
months of pencil-and-paper work. Therefore, computers are used when the time

saved offsets their cost which is one of the many reasons they are used so much in
business, industry and research.
Exercise 1.
Using the sample paragraph as a model, draw a rectangle around the word, or
words, that the underlined words refer to. Then join the underlined and the
 with
arrows.

Computer are electronic machines
that process information. They are capable of
communicating with the user, of doing different kinds of arithmetic operations and

Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 15 –


of making three kinds of decisions. However,
they are incapable of thinking. They
accept date and instructions as input, and after processing
it, they output the results.
When talking about computers, both hardware and software need to be considered.
The former refers to the actual machinery, whereas the latter refers to the
programs
which control and coordinate the activities of the hardware while
processing the data.
The first computer was built in 1930 but since then computer technology has
evolved a great deal. There are three different kinds of computers in use today: the
mainframe, the minicomputer and the microcomputer.
These all have one thing in
common:
they operate quickly and accurately in solving problems.

Exercise 2
Now look back at the text ‘What is a computer?’ and find out what the words in
bold typeface refer to.
1. that operate switches (p. 1)
electronic circuits___
2. which accept information (p. 2) __________________
3. or part of it (p. 2) __________________
4. which tells the computers (p. 2) __________________
5. which prints the new information (p. 4) __________________
6. which shows the results (p. 4) __________________
7. which can make decisions (p. 5) __________________
8. It can find the solution (p. 6) __________________
9. it has no originality (p. 6) __________________
10. tells it what to do (p. 6) __________________




Tieáng Anh 4 – Toaùn Tin - 16 –


UNIT 3: NUMBERS AND MATHEMATICS


It is said that mathematics is the base of all other sciences, and that arithmetic,
the science of numbers, is the base of mathematics. Numbers consist of whole
numbers (integers) which are formed by the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and
by combinations of them. For example, 247- two hundred and forty seven- is a
number formed by three digits. Parts of numbers smaller than 1 are sometimes
expressed in terms of fractions, but in scientific usage they are given as decimals.

This is because it is easier to perform the various mathematical operations if
decimals are used instead of fractions. The main operations are: to add, subtract,
multiply and divide; to square, cube or raise to any other power; to take a square,
cube or any other root and to find a ratio or proportion between pairs of numbers or
a series of numbers. Thus, the decimal, or ten-scale, system is used for scientific
purposes throughout the world even in countries whose national systems of weights
and measurements are based upon other scales. The other scale in general use
nowadays is the binary, or two-scale, in which numbers are expressed are
expressed by combinations of only two digits, 0 and 1. Thus, in the binary scale, 2 is
expressed as 010, 3 is given as 011, 4 is represented as 100, etc. This scale is
perfectly adapted to the ‘off-on’ pulses of electricity, so it is widely used in
electronic computers: because of its simplicity it is often called ‘the lazy
schoolboy’s dream’!

Other branches of mathematics such as algebra and geometry are also
extensively used in many sciences and even in some areas of philosophy. More
specialized extensions; such as probability theory and group theory, are now
applied to an increasing range of activities, from economics and the design of
experiments to war and politics. Finally, a knowledge of statistics, is required by
every type of scientist for the analysis of data. Moreover, even an elementary
knowledge of this branch of mathematics is sufficient to enable the journalist to
avoid misleading his readers, or the ordinary citizen to detect the attempts which
are constantly made to deceive him.

I. Comprehension
1. What is the relationship of mathematics to the other sciences?
2. What’s the science of numbers called?
3. Name a two-digit integer.
4. Name two ways of expressing parts of the number one (unity)

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5. Name the common arithmetical operations. Using actual numbers, give
examples of each.
6. What are the two number-systems commonly used throughout the world?
7. Give examples of numbers in the binary system.
8. What are the advantages of each system?
9. Name some other branches of mathematics.
10. What branch of mathematics is very useful to the ordinary citizen? Why?

II. Word study
Synonyms
Find words in the passage which mean approximately the same as:
1. entire __________ 2. simpler ____________
3. usually __________ 4. in the place of ____________
5. widely __________ 6. be put to use in ____________
7. lastly __________ 8. continually ____________
9. discover __________ 10. kind, sort ____________
11. system of measurement _________________________
12. action of trying to do something _________________________
13. cause someone to make a mistake by
giving wrong or incomplete information _________________________

Word building
∗ Use the suffix –ion, -ment, -ity to form nouns from the following words:
add calculate simple equip
subtract isolate able adjust
divide explain available improve
multiply measure stable move

∗ Add the prefix-suffix –en to form verbs from the following:
able wide large length
strength tight weak loose
short deep height

Revision exercise
Complete the following by choosing appropriate words from the above exercises.
The main ____________ of the scientist is the _________ and _________ of the
world around us. To ____________ him to do this, he uses many different kinds of
_____________, and in order to make them more _________ to his purposes he
frequently makes ____________ to them which lead to their __________. For

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example, he may ___________ a part which is too weak, __________ one which is
too short and _____________ something which is too loose, and thus causes too
much ___________, so that the instrument does not have the necessary
_____________. So even the most specialized scientist needs to be an engineer,
sometimes!

Vocabulary in context
Use appropriate words from the text to complete the following:
1.Many scientists consider _____________ as the base of mathematics.
2.We can form numbers from ____________ (or ______________).
3.An integer is usually formed by ________________.
4.____________ are parts of numbers smaller than 1, which are in some other
usages expressed in terms of fractions.
5.It is easier to perform__________ if decimals are used instead of
______________.

6.The scale in which numbers are expressed by combination of two digits 0 and1
is called _____________.
7.In the field of mathematics, __________ and ____________ are considered to
be specialized extensions.
8.In the binary scale 3 is _______________ as 011.
9.Algebra and geometry are ______________ of mathematics.
10. The branches of mathematics are _____________used in both natural and
social sciences.

III. Revision
Use correct prepositions to complete these sentences.
1.Parts of numbers smaller than 1 are represented _________ fractions, but in
scientific usage ______________ decimals.
2.It’s not easy to find proportion __________ pairs of numbers.
3.The ten-scale is used ____________ the world.
4.Some countries use systems of weights and measurements based ________
other scales.
5.Another scale ____________ general use is the binary one.
6.Some mathematical extensions are being applied ___________ an increasing
range of activities.
7.In computer science, people use some other scales _________ the ten one.

IV. Structure study

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A. It preparatory subject
Study the example:
It’s easy to perform various mathematical operations.

In this sentence, It is not the real subject. It stands for ‘to perform various
mathematical operations’ which is the real subject. So the above sentence means
To perform various mathematical operations is easy
When the subject of a sentence is a To-infinitive or a That-clause, we usually begin
the sentence with It and put the real subject later.
It’s nice to be with you.
It worried me a bit that she didn’t phone.
Exercises:
∗ Complete these pairs of sentences using It as a preparatory subject.
1. Set theory is difficult. We can’t study it well.
………………………………………………………………………………
2. We can’t go on like this. This fact is obvious.
………………………………………………………………………………
3. Peter didn’t tell anybody where he was. It shocked me.
………………………………………………………………………………
4. We all missed the train. It was a pity.
………………………………………………………………………………
5. Statistical methods are useful. It’s worth studying this branch.
…………………………………………………………………………………
∗ Complete the following sentences in a suitable way.
1. It appears ……………………………………………………………
2. Is it customary ……………………………………………………….
3. Will it suit you ………………………………………………………
4. It cost me $ 5…………………………………………………………
5. It would be much to his annoyance…………………………………

B. Participle as adjective
Both –ing form and –ed form can be used as adjectives. Care must be taken not to
confuse them. –Ing forms mean ‘having this effect’; -ed forms mean ‘affected in
this way’

Exercise
Complete these sentences with –ing form or –ed form. The first letter(s) of the
participle are given each time.
1. I’m starting a new job next week. I’m quite ex___________ about it.
2. The s___________ jewelry was recovered.
3. Success in one’s work is a sa___________ experience.

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4. The te_____________ villagers ran for their lives.
5. I found myself in an em_____________ situation last night.
6. A da_____________ earthquake occurred recently.
7. I elbowed my way through the cr____________ room.
8. Why do you always look so b____________? Is your life really so b________?
9. No one lives in that d__________ house except a few ghosts.
10. Parents have a la___________ effect on their children.

C. Revision: Passive Voice
Exercise:
(a) Make the following sentences Passive thus eliminating the unspecified
doer of the action and emphasizing the object or the main verb.
1. People apply mathematics in many different activities.
2. People use the binary scale in electronic computers.
3. People from the square of a number by multiplying the number by itself.
4. In the binary scale, people express numbers by combination of 0 and 1.
5. People usually use decimals rather than fractions for scientific purposes.
6. People develop new products everyday.
7. People call mathematics ‘the language of science’
8. People use the decimal system even in countries with non-decimalized systems

of weights and measurements.
9. It is easier to perform mathematical operations with computers if we use the
binary system instead of the decimal system.
10. People use electronic computers for many different purposes.
11. People often find relationships in incomplete data.
12. People make attempts to deceive the ordinary citizen.
Note: If the doer of the action has some importance (though less than the object),
or is needed to complete the sense of the sentence, it is given, e.g.
‘A knowledge of statistics is required by every type of scientist’
Notice that there is a small problem of word-order in all but the most simple form
of this type of sentence

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e.g. The scientific investigator applies logical and persistent thought to his
problems (active sentence)
becomes:
Logical and persistent thought is applied by the scientific investigator to his
problems (passive sentence).
The order of words is thus: object-verb in the Passive-subject-rest of sentence.

(b) Make the following sentences Passive, mentioning the doer of the action
but shifting the emphasis to the object:
1. A combination of the digits 0-9 forms integers.
2. Engineers require an advanced knowledge of algebra and geometry.
3. Scientists, especially physicists and engineers, often use electronic computers.
4. Journalists, who seldom have a knowledge of statistics, frequently mislead the
ordinary citizen.
5. Every day, applied scientists and technologists produce new drugs, fibres,

chemicals and equipment.
6. A combination of two elements forms a chemical compound.
7. The ordinary citizen often requires an elementary knowledge of statistics.
8. Economists also use mathematics.
9. Every type of scientist requires a knowledge of statistics.
10. Scientists use accurate systems of measurements.
11. Philosophers employ specialized extensions of mathematics.
12. Physicists also use probability theory.

(c) Make up sentences similar to the ones given in Exercises (a) and (b)
above, and then change them from Active to Passive.

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UNIT 4: CHARACTERISTICS



1. Computers are machines designed to process, electronically, specially prepared
pieces of information which are termed data. Handling or manipulating the information
that has been given to the computer, in such ways as doing calculations, adding
information or making comparisons is called processing. Computers are made up of
millions of electronic devices capable of storing data or moving them, at enormous
speeds, through complex circuits with different functions.
2. All computers have several characteristics in common, regardless of make or
design. Information, in the form of instructions and data, is given to the machine, after
which the machine acts on it, and a result is then returned. The information presented
to the machine is the input; the internal manipulative operations, the processing; and
the result, the output. These three basic concepts of input, processing, and output occur

in almost every aspect of human life whether at work or at play. For example, in
clothing manufacturing, the input is the pieces of cut cloth, the processing is the sewing
together of these pieces, and the output is the finished garment.

INPUT > COMPUTER > OUTPUT





SEC. STORAGE

3. Above figure shows schematically the fundamental hardware components in a
computer system. The centerpiece is called either the computer, the processor, or,
usually, the central processing unit (CPU). The term ‘computer’ includes those parts
of hardware in which calculations and other data manipulations are performed, and the
high-speed internal memory in which data and calculations are stored during actual
execution of programs. Attached to the CPU are the various peripheral devices such
as card readers and keyboards (two common examples of input devices). When data or
programs need to be saved for long periods of time, they are stored on various
secondary memory devices or storage devices such as magnetic tapes or magnetic
disks.
4. Computers have often been thought of as extremely large adding machines, but
this is a very narrow view of their function. Although a computer can only respond to a

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certain number of instructions, it is not a single-purpose machine since these
instructions can be combined in an infinite number of sequences. Therefore, a

computer has no known limit on the kinds of things it can do; its versatility is limited
only by the imagination of those using it.
5. In the late 1950s and early 1960s when electronic computers of the kind in use
today were being developed, they were very expensive to own and run. Moreover,
their size and reliability were such that a large number of support personnel were
needed to keep the equipment operating. This has all changed now that computing
power has become portable, more compact, and cheaper.
6. In only a very short period of time, computers have greatly changed the way in
which many kinds of work are performed. Computers can remove many of the routine
and boring tasks from our lives, thereby leaving us with more time for interesting,
creative work. It goes without saying that computers have created whole new areas of
work that did not exist before their development.

EXERCISES

1. Main idea
Which statement or statements best express the main idea of the text? Why did you
eliminate the other choices?
_______ 1. Computers have changed the way in which we live.
_______ 2. All computers have an input, a processor, an output and a storage device.
_______ 3. Computers have decreased man’s workload.
_______ 4. All computers have the same basic hardware components.

2. Understanding the passage
Decide whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) by referring to the
information in the text. Then, make the necessary changes so that the false
statements become true.
________ 1. All information to be processed must be prepared in such a way that the
computer will understand it.
________ 2. Because of the complex electronic circuitry of a computer, data can be

either stored or moved about at high speeds.
________ 3. Not all computers can process data given to them and produce results.
________ 4. The basic concepts of data processing are restricted to computers alone.
________ 5. The processor is the central component of a computer system.
________ 6. All other devices used in a computer system are attached to the CPU.
________ 7. Memory devices are used for storing information.

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________ 8. Computers are very much restricted in what they can do.
________ 9. Computers today cost less, are smaller, and need fewer people to
operate them than in the past.
________ 10. Computers haven’t changed our working conditions very much.

3. Locating information
Find the passages in the text where the following ideas are expressed. Give the line
references
________ 1. All computers are basically the same.
________ 2. The arithmetic and/or decision-making operations are performed.
________ 3. Computers are limited by man’s imagination more than anything else.
________ 4. All the equipment used in a computer system is the hardware.
________ 5. Computers are electronic machines used for processing data.
________ 6. If programs or data need to be kept for a long time, they are stored on
tapes or disks.
________ 7. First the computer accepts data.
________ 8. Finally, new information is presented to the user.

4. Contextual reference
Look back at the text and find out what the words in bold typeface refer to.

1. which are termed data (paragraph. 1) ________________
2. or moving them (paragraph. 1) ________________
3. the machine acts on it (paragraph. 2) ________________
4. they are stored on (paragraph. 3) _________________
5. it is not a single-purpose machine (paragraph. 4) _________________
6. the kinds of things it can do (paragraph. 4) _________________
7. of those using it (paragraph. 4) _________________
8. they were very expensive to own (paragraph. 5) _________________
9. Moreover, their size and reliability (paragraph. 5) _________________
10. that did not exist (paragraph. 6) _________________

5. Understanding words
Refer back to the text and find synonyms (i.e. words with a similar meaning) for the
following words.
1. called _______________
2. tremendous _______________
3. ideas _______________
4. react _______________
5. take away _______________

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Now refer back to the text and find antonyms (i.e. words with an opposite meaning)
for the following words.
6. taken away _______________
7. wide _______________
8. limited _______________
9. immovable _______________
10. after _______________

6. Word forms
First choose the appropriate form of the words to complete the sentences. Then check
the differences of meaning in your dictionary.
1. imagination, imagine, imaginable, imaginative, imaginary
a. A computer is limited in its ability by the __________ of man
b. Some people are good at inventing __________ stories.
c. It is practically impossible to _________ the speed at which a computer
calculates numbers.
2. addition, add, added, additional, additionally, additive
a. Many terminals can be _____________ to a basic system if the need arises.
b. ____________ and subtraction are two basic mathematical operations.
c. When buying a system there is often no ____________ charge for the
programs.
3. complication, complicate, complicated, complicating, complicatedly
a. There can be many ____________ involved in setting up a computer in and
old building.
b. It is sometimes a very ______________ process getting into a computer
installation for security reasons.
c. It is sometimes very _____________ to explain computer concepts.
4. difference, differ, different, differently, differential, differentiate
a. There isn’t a very big ____________ in flowcharting for a program to be
written in Cobol or Fortran.
b. There are many ______________ computer manufacturers today, and a
buyer must be able to _______________ between the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
c. The opinions of programmers as to the best way of solving a problem often
____________ greatly.
5. reliably, rely on, reliable, reliability
a. Computers are ____________ machines.

b. If you don’t know the meaning of a computer term, you cannot always
__________ an all-purpose dictionary for the answer.
c. Computers can do mathematical operations quickly and ____________.