Tải bản đầy đủ (.doc) (22 trang)

Anh văn chuyên ngành công nghệ thông tin

Bạn đang xem bản rút gọn của tài liệu. Xem và tải ngay bản đầy đủ của tài liệu tại đây (539.73 KB, 22 trang )

UNIT 1: COMPUTER USES
Task 1 We use computers in many different places. In groups, make a list of places
where we can find computer documents. Try to say what the documents are, and what
they are used for.
Task 2 Match these words (1 -8 ) to the correct locations ( a- d)
1. games
a. a factory
2. machinesđộng cơ
b. a supermarket
3. tickets vé
c. a travel agent
4. wageslương
d. a home
5. fightý chí
6. letters
7. barcode readersmáy đọc mã vạch
8. tillsngăn kéo

READING: COMPUTERS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Computers are parts of our everyday lives. They have an effect(kết quả) on
almost(hầu như) everything you do. When you buy groceries(hàng tập hóa) at a
supermarket, a computer is used with laser and barcode technology to scan the
price(giá) of each(mỗi) item(khoản) and present a total. Barcoding items (clothes,
food, and books) requires a computer to generate the barcode labels and maintain the
inventory. Most television advertisements and many films use graphics produced by a
computer. In hospitals, beside terminals connected to the hospital’s main computer
allow doctors to type in orders for blood tests and to schedule operations. Banks use
computers to look after their customers’money. In libraries and bookshops, computers
can help you to find the book you want as quickly as possible.
Task 3 Tick ( + ) the computer uses mentioned in the above article.
---- home


----- art
---- hospitals
----- banking
---- engineering
----- libraries
---- shopping
----- film-making
---- television advertising
----- schools

Language work: Articles ( with countable and uncountable nouns)
Language work: Articles ( with countable and uncountable nouns)
Study these nouns
a supermarket
technology
a computer
supermarket and computer are countable nouns.
1

money


We say a supermarket and supermarkets.
Technology and money are uncountable nouns.
They have no pluaral and you cannot use them with a or an.
Study this paragraph.
Computers have many uses. In shops a computer scans the price of each item. Then
the computer calculates the total cost of all the items.
- We use a plural noun with no article, or an uncountable noun when we talk about
thing.

Ex: Computers have many uses.
Information technology is popular.
- We use a / an when we mention a countable noun for the first time.
- When we mention the same noun again, we use the.
- We use the with countable and uncountable nouns to refer to specific things.
Ex: The price of each item.
The total cost of all the items.
The speed of this computer.
Task 4 Here are some common nouns in computing. Divide them into countable and
uncountable nouns
1. capacity
2. data
3. device
4. disk
5. drive
6. memory
7. monitor
8. mouse
9. software
10. speed
Task 5 Fill in the gaps in this paragraph with a/ an or the where necessary.
The Walsh family have _________ computer at home. Their son uses
_______computer to help with ____________homework and to play
___________computer games.
Their student daughter uses __________computer for _______ projects and for
________email. All ________ family use it to get ___________information from
________ Internet.
Task 6 Match the places in column A with the computer uses in column B.
A
Banks

Factories
Homes
Hospitals
Shops

B
Control machines
Calculate
Look after, patient records and medicines
Provide entertainments and information
Control our money

Task 7 Now fill in the gaps in this paragraph about computer uses.
Computers are now part of our everyday life. In shops, they ……………… . In
factories, they………………………. .In …………………….. they look after patient
records and medicines. When we have a bank account, a computer
…………………….. . In our homes computers …………………… .

2


Reading comprehension

USES OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
Computer technology is now seen in almost every activity. In addition to its extensive
use in research and control systems of all types, it is exploited in education and
training, police and intelligence, medical diagnostic, weather forecast… It is
changing our world from a natural-based economy to an informative-based economy.
In business, computers are programmed to bill customers, take inventory, pay
employees, help with managerial decision…They can replace people in dull, routine

tasks and enable “office automation” but they have no originality: they work under
instructions given to them by programmers. They have no intuition and no creation,
i.e. they can only proceed as they have been programmed to.
Further reading

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS(ứng dụng)

- Computer can help students perform(hoàn thành) mathematical(chính xác)
operations(hoạt động) and solve(giải quyết) difficulty questions. They can be used to
teach courses(tiến trình) such as computer- aided design (CADthiết kế trên máy tính),
language learning, programming, mathematics,….etc.
PCs (personal(cá nhân) computers) are also used for administrative(hành chính)
purposes(mục đích): for example, schools use databases and word processors(xử lí số
liệu) to keep(giữ lại) record(hồ sơ) of students, teacher and material…..
- Bank use computer to look after client’s money. Computer also helps staff(nhân
viên) to access(truy cập) large(rộng lớn) database and carry(mang đi) out
financial(hành chính) transaction(giao dịch) at high speed(nhanh chóng). They also
control(điền khiển) the automatic(tự động) cash(tiên mặt) dispensers(phân phối)
which, by the use of a personal coded(mật mã) card, dispense(phân phát) money to
clients(khách hàng).
- In business(buôn bán), computers support(chịu) a lot for management(điều khiển)
to make report(báo cáo), presentation(sự trình bày), plan(bản đồ) budget(ngân quỹ)
and to have an overview(tổng wan) of revenue(ngân khố quốc gia) and
expenditure(khoản chi tiêu) of the entities(thực thể). Accountants(kế toán viên) also
use computer to record(hồ sơ) accounting(kt) and prepare(chuẩn bị) the salary(tiền
lương) for staffs(nv) as well as related(gắn liền) operations(hoat động).
- Airline pilots(phi công hàng không) use computer to help them control(điên khiển)
the plane. For examples, monitors(trường hợp) display(hiện thị) data about fuel(nhiên
liệu) consumption(tiêu thụ) and weather conditions(đk). In airport(sân bay) control
towers(vọt lên), computers are used to manage(quản lí) radar systems and

regulate(điền chỉnh) air(kk) traffic(sự chuyển động). On the ground(mặt đất),
airlines(hệ thống vận chuyển hành khách&hh trên may bay) are connected to travel
agencies(tác dụng) by computer. Travel agents use computers to find out about the
availability(tiện ích) of flights(chuyến bay), price(giá), and times, stopovers(chỗ dùng
chân) and many other details(sự kiện).

3


UNIT 2: TYPES OF COMPUTER
Task 1 Match these names to the different types of computer

1. mainframe
2. laptop

3. notebook
4. handheld

5.PC
6. minicomputer

Task 2 Study these details of different types of computer. Find the answers to these
questions. Which type of computers is:
1. the most common?
2. small enough for a pocket?
3. the most common portable?
4. used by many people at the same time?
5. used like mainfraimes?
6. also called a handheld computer?
7. the most powerful?

8. not suitable for a lot of typing?
Types of computer
Mainframes

Minicomputers
Microcomputers or
Personal computers (PCs)
Types of portable
Laptop

Notes
Large, powerful, expensive
Multi-user systems- used by many people at the same time
Used for processing very large amounts of data
The most powerful mainframes are called supercomputers.
Used like mainframes
Not as big, powerful, or expensive as mainframes
Less common now because microcomputers have improved.
The most common type of computer.
Smaller, cheaper, and less powerfull than mainframes and
minicomputers.
Notes
About the size of a small typerwriter.
4


Notebook
Subnotebook
Handheld and Palmtop


Less common now because smaller and lighter portable are
available.
About size of a piece of writing paper.
The most common type of portable.
Not quite as big as notebooks. Can fit into a jacket pocket.
Small enough to fit into the palm of one hand. Not easy to
type with because of their size.
Often used as personal organizes.

Task 3 In pairs, decide what sort of computer is best for each of these users.
1. John Wilmott is a salesperson and he spends a lot of time visiting customers. He
wants a computer to carry with him so he can access data about his customers and
record his sales.
2. Pat Nye is a personnel officer. She needs a computer to keep staff records and to
keep a diary of appointments. She also needs a computer for writing letters.
3. The University of the North needs a computer to look after its accounts, its
network, the records of all student and staff and to help with scientific research.
4. The James family want a computer for entertainment writing letters, the Internet,
and for calculating tax.
Language work: Comparisons
1. Equal comparisons
2. Comparatives
3. Superlatives
Task 4 Choose the correct adjective. Then fill in the gaps with the correct form of
the adjective.
a. Laptops
are
………………………..than
desktop
computers

but
………………..than notebooks. (light / heavy)
b. The mainframe is the …………………….type of computer. A minicomputer is
the …………………….than a microcomputer. (lagre / small)
c. Personal computers are ……………………….than mainframes but mainframes
are ……………………. than personal computers at processing very lame amount
of data. ( common / good)
d. Minicomputers are ……………………………..than mainframes but they are
also………………………. (powerful / expensive)
e. New
computers
are
……………………and
sometimes
…………………………..than older machines. (fast / cheap)
f. Laptops are often ………………………than PCs but thay are not as
………………………………………..( powerful / expensive)
Task 5 Put the words in brackets into the correct form to make an accurate
description of sizes of computers.
There are different types of computer. The (large) 1 …………………….and
(powerful)2………………………….are mainframe computers. Minicomputers are
(small) 3………………………..than mainframes but they are stlii very powerful.

5


Microcomputers are small enough to sit on a desk. They are the (common) 4
…………………….type
of
computer.

They
are
usually
(powerful)
5………………………….than minicomputers.
Portable computers are (small) 6………………………..than desktop. The (lagre)
7…………………portable is a laptop. (Small) 8…………………….portables, about
size of a piece of writing paper, are called notebook computers. Subnotebooks are
(small)9………………….than notebooks. You can hold the (small) 10
…………………..computers in one hand. They are called handheld computers or
palmtop computers.
Reading Comprehension

THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY
Information processing
The computer technology
INFORMATICS is a study of the ways of processing information by the use of a
computer machine. The processing of information includes the collection of
instruction (or programs) and inputs ( or data), and the manipulation, storage,
retrieval and communication of data.
The processing of data is carried out by:
- Hardware industry, or business that designs, manufactures, or repairs the physical,
electronical and electromechanical parts of computer sets.
- Software industry, of business that provide programs to direct the processing of
data by coordinating the activities of the hardware.
* Note: Firmware is only the system software that is stored inside the computer
ROM. Do not confound this with any computer industry.

6



UNIT 3 : KEYBOARD AND MOUSE
Task 1 Match these key abbreviations with their full names
1. Esc
2. Alt
3. Ctrl
4. Pgup
5. Pgdn
6. Ins
7. Del

a. Alternate
b. Page up
c. Delete
d. Insert
e. Page down
f. Escape
g. Control

Task 2
1. Read the text.

THE MOUSE
The computer mouse is a hand-operated device that lets you control more easily the
location of the pointer on your screen. You can make selections and choices with the
mouse button.
The mouse contains a rubber-coated ball that rests on the surface of your working
area or a mousemat. When the mouse is moves over that surface, the ball rolls.
The ball’s movements up and down, and left and right, turn the two axles inside the
mouse. As they turn, detectors register the changing position. A small integrated

circuit inside the mouse sends signals to the operating system, which instructs it to
move the pointer on your screen.
2. Complete the sentences .
a. Move the mouse to the left and the cursor moves to the ……………………..
b. The mouse contains a rolling ……………………….
c. There are ……………………….axles inside the mouse and two interrupter wheels.
d. When you move the mouse, the ball……………………… .
e. The mouse moves over a …………………… .
Language work: The simple present tense ( We use the present simple to describe
things which are always true.)

Task 3 : Match each word from column A (1-8 ) with its partner from column B ( a- h )
to make a computing term.
A
B
1. memory
a. code
2. power
b. key
3. function
c. drive
4. expansion
d. supply
5. bar
e. ccard
6. floppy
f. chip
7



7. disk
8. cache

g. memory
h. disk

Task 4 : Read and translate the following passage into Vietnamese

Some definitions
Most computers have a Graphical User Interface. The interface is the connection
between the user and the computer. The most common type of GUI uses a WIMP system.
WIMP stands for Window, Icon, Menu (or Mouse). Pointer ( or Pull-down/ Pop-up
menu).
Windows A window is an area of the computer screen, where you can see the contents
of a folder, a file, or a program. Some systems allow several windows on the screen at
the same time and windows can overlap each other. The window on the top is the one
which is “active”, the one in use.
Icons are small pictures on the screen. The represent programs, folders, or files. For
example, the Recycle Bin icon represents a program for deleting and restoring files. Most
systems have a special area of the screen on which icons appear.
Menus give the users a list of choices. You operate the menu by pressing and releasing
one or more buttons on the mouse.
The pointer is the arrow you use to select icons or to choose options from a menu. Then
you click a button on the mouse to use the object selected by the pointer.
Reading Comprehension

INFORMATICS in ENINEERING TASKS
By late 1970’s, the US auto industry got into CAD/CAM in a big way. Ford has 1200
CAD/ CAM work-stations at its engineering facilities worldwide. The company also
has a $14 million Cray supercomputer which is used for research. But it is also used

by the engineering stafffor aerodynamic studies, NVH ( noise, vibration, harshness)
improvements, emission studies, and ride and handling evaluations. Ford has
developed its own CAD/ CAM software and Prime hold exclusive marketing rights.
It takes about three months for someone to learn to use CAD /CAM as well as paperand-pen drafting methods. But CAD / CAM can produce a three-to-one productivity
gain. Its goal is to eliminate 60 % of the design steps needed to make a car.
Ford’s old design methods involved making clay models from stylists’drawings. Then
wooden templates were made off the clay model, and detailed drawings were made
off the templates. With its CAD / CAM operations, however, Ford has computerized
most of their hand work. A full size drawing of a car is put up on a wall in a design
studio which depicts a 2-D front, rear and side views, and the outline of these views
are traced with a reflective tape. The tape is optically scanned and acomputer
transforms this image into a 3-D wire grid display on a CAD / CAM screen. The
computer then help with the milling of a full scale clay model.
The Cray has been put to use extensively in FEA ( finite element analysis ). It enables
engineers to anticipate where annoying noises may crop up. By simulating certain
road conditions, they can use FEA to compute which panels will vibrate and cause
noise.
8


UNIT 4

INPUT DEVICES

Task 1

Match these pictures of input devices with their names
- joystick
- barcode reader
- graphics tablet

- digital camera
- trackerball
- scanner
- touchscreen
- microphone
Task 2 Each test describes one of these devices: trackerball, yoystick, lightpen,
scanner. Identify the device each text describes. Write your answers in this table.
Then compare your answers with other students.
Text
Device
1
…………………………………………..
2
…………………………………………..
3
…………………………………………..
4
…………………………………………..
1. A ………………………is another input device you can connect to a computer
system. The …………….. is able to move in eight directions.
…………………….s are mostly used in computer games to control the way a
picture on the screen moves. Sometimes two …………………s are connected to a
computer so two people can play the game at the same time.
2. A ………………… works in exactly the same way as a mouse except that the ball
is on the top. The user rolls the ball around with her hand to operate it . If you use
a …………………… , you don’t need any extra space on your desk to move it

9



around (like you do with a mouse). …………………..s are often used on small
portable computers and on some video game machine.
3. A ………………….. can be used to draw pictures directly on a computer screen
or to read the pattern on a barcode. A …………………… that can read barcodes
detects the difference between the light reflected from a black barcode line and its
lighter background.
4. Using a ……………….. , you can input printed drawings, photographs, or text
directly into a computer. A ………………… works like a photocopier – a light is
shone on the material and the ………………… detects the reflected light. You
can use a ……………… with optical character recognition (OCR) software to
input the scanned text into a word processing package.
Task 3 Match the device ( 1 –7 ) with its use (a – g)
A
Device
1. Joystick
2. lightpen
3. scanner
4. digital camera
5. mouse
6. keyboard
7. microphone

B
Use
a. draw pictures on to a computer screen
b. copy documents
c. input sound
d. input text
e. select from a menu
f. move the cursor rapidly

g. produce photos without film

Language work : Function
We can describe the function or use of a device in different ways. Study these
examples.
Joysticks are used in computer games.
Using a scanner, you can input printed drawings directly into a computer.
You can use a scanner to input text.
A microphone is used for inputting sound.
Task 4
Describe the use of each device in a sentence. Use these structures from the language
work section
………….is / are used in ………….
………….is / are used for ………….- ing
Using …………. you can ……….
You can use ……………………. to
Example:
You use a mouse to select from a menu.
Task 5 In groups, decide which input device is best for :
1. controlling fast-moving objects in a game
2. reading the price of things in a shop

10


3.
4.
5.
6.
7.


making copies of a page of text and graphics
storing sounds on a computer
producing pictures of people and places for storing in a computer
controlling a computer using speech
typing text into a computer

Reading Comprehension

Types of error
System errors affect the computer or its peripherals. For example, you might have
written a program which needs access to a printer. If there is no printer present when you
run the program the computer will produce a system error message. Sometimes a system
error makes the computer stop working altogether and you will have to restart the
computer. A sensible way of avoiding system errors is to write code to check that
peripherals are present before any data is sent to it. Then the computer would warn you
by a simple message on the screen, like “ printer is not ready or available”.
Syntax errors are mistakes in the programming language (like typing PRNIT instead of
PRINT). Syntax errors cause the program to fail. Some translator programs won’t accept
any line that has syntax errors. Some only report a syntax error when they run the
program. Some languages also contain speacil commands such as debug, which will
report structuarl errors in a program. The programming manual for the particular
language you’re using will give details of what each error message means.
Logic errors are much more difficult to detect than syntax errors. This is because a
program containing logic errors will run, but it won’t properly. For example, you might
write a program to clear the screen and then print “hello”. Here is a code for this:
10// Message
30 CLS
20 PRINT “Hello”
40 END.

The code has a logic error in it, but the syntax is right so it will run. You cab get rid of
logic errore from simple programs by handtesting or doing a” dry run” which means
working through each line of the program on paper to make sure it does what you want it
to do. You should do this long before you type in the code.

11


UNIT 5 OUTPUT DEVICES
Task 1 Think about a typical workstation. Match the items (1 –7 ) to the guidelines (a
–g)
1. keyboard
2. monitor screen
3. lamp
4. copyholder
5. chair
6. footrest
a. This should be adjustable and provide good back support.
b. This should be more than a metre away from you and as quiet as possible
c. Keep this level with your eyes. Don’t have it level with the desk. Make sure it is
flicker- free, and that you can read everything easily. Avoid any glare from the
window.
d. Use this if your feet do not rest flat on the floor.
e. Make sure this lights your work and not screen.
f. Don’t get stiff neck. Use this when you enter a lot of data.
g. Keep this directly in front of you and within easy reach.
Task 2 Work in groups
Look at the table.
Type
Dotmatrix

Inkjet
Laser

Print
quality
Low

Speed

Running
cost
Cheap

Noise
level

Price

Colour
No

Relative
slow

A
bit
more
Expensice

quiet


Exchange information with other students in your group to complete the table for all
three kinds of printer. Ask questions like these.
What’s the print quality like?
How fast is it?
Does it cost a lot to run?
How noisy is it?
Is it expensive?

12


Reading: HOW

TO READ A MONITOR AD

Study this text about monitors
Price
The price mainly depends on the screen size. Common monitor sizes are 14-inch, 15inch, 17- inch, and 21-inch. The price also depends on aperture grill pitch, resolution,
and the number of controls.
Screen size
The size of the screen is the diagonal distance from one corner to another. The actual
area for images is smaller than this.
Aperture grill pitch
This controls the space between the dots which make up the image. The less space
between the dots, the better the display.
Most monitors offer 0.28mm dot pitch but some go as high as 0.31 mm or as low as
0.25.
Maximum resolution
The quality of the display depends on the number of dots which make up the image.

The more dots, the better the display.
Refresh rate
The monitor refreshes the image on the screen all the time. The faster this happens,
the less the screen flickers. You should have a refresh rate of at least 72 Hz.
Safety standards
These are international standards to control harmful signals.
Power –saving feature
The power the monitor uses automatically reduces when it is not in use.
On-screen menu
Digital controls on the screen allow you to adjust the image.
Comprehension check: Are these sentences true or false. Give reasons for your
answers.
1. Twenty- two inches is a common monitor size.
2. A dot pitch of 0,31 mm is better than one of 0,25 mm.
3. A maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 is better than 1280 x1024
4. A refresh rate of 85 Hz is better than 75 Hz.
5. A 17-inch monitor is 17 inches wide.
6. You can change the picture using controls on the screen.
7. The price of a monitor depends only on the size.
8. The monitor uses less power because of the Power- Saver feature.
Language work: Giving advice
You can advise people in different ways. Sutdy examples:
Advising people to do something:
Why don’t you buy an inkjet?
(I think) you should buy a laser.
Advising people not to do something:
Don’t buy a dot matrix.
You shouldn’t buy a laser.
13



To make your advice more effective, add a reason.
Advice
Reason
Why don’t you buy an inkjet?
They’re very quiet.
Why don’t you buy an inkjet?
The print quality is excellent.
Don’t buy a dot matrix.
They’re very noisy.
You shouldn’t buy a laser.
They’re very expensive.
We use too to make our advice stronger, almost a warning.
Study examples
You should adjust your monitor. It’s too bright.
You should move your printer. It’s too close.
Reading Comprehension

INFORMATICS in SECRETARIAL TASKS
By late 1960s, the use of computerized typerwriters to automate the typing works is
developed in offices and is known as WP, of Work processing. This automated
typerwriter is a word processor.
WP is directed by a word processing software installed inside a word processing
machine or a digital computer. The typing text can be viewed as it is writen on an
alpha-numeric display for editing and revision before it is printed out. This facilitates
the writing task and save time for other office works. The data of the writen
documents are stored in a place inside the processing machine, known as memory, for
reference, reuse, or later revision to be transmitted over a modem tho other word
processors or office computers. Word processing programs commonly used in
Vietnam in the years of 1990s are VNI and Microsoft Word for Windows.


14


UNIT 6 STORAGE DEVICES
Task1
Study these rules for CD-ROM and floppy disk care. Tick (γ ) things to do and cross
(x) things not to do.
1. ………. Hold a CD-ROM by the edges.
2. ……… Keep the optical / silver side of a CD-ROM clean.
3. …….. Smoke when you use CD-ROM drive.
4. …….. Put sloppy disks near a magnet.
5. …….. Keep disks away from the sun and excessive heat.
6. …….. Write the contents on the label on your floppy disk
7. …….. Put extra labels on floppy disks.
8. …….. Remove by force a disk stuck in the drive
9. …….. Remove a disk when thi drive light is on.
Task 2
Read the text below.
A Most computers can use floppy disks. Floppies conform to a standard and you can
use them to carry data from one place to another. They are also very cheap, but they
are slow and have limited capacity.
B All most desktop computers have hard disks. They are fast and an store much
greater amounts of data than floppies, but they are fixxed inside the computer and you
cannot use them to transfer data.
C You can move data from place to place using removable hard disks and also have
high capacities, but they are relative expensive. They do not all conform to one
standard and they are not very common.
D CD-ROM disks are very common and conform to a standard. Thet are removable
and can hold large amounts of data. They are also cheap to make. However, they are

usually read-only. You cannot change the information on them. They are also slow
compared to hard disks.
E Magneto-optical disks are like CD-ROMs, but you can write data on them. They
are removable, have large capacities, and last for a long time, but they are expensive
and do not all conform to one standard. For this reason they are not very common.
F Magnetic tape is cheap medium. You can use it to store very large amounts of
data, but it does not allow random access. Every time you read or write a piece of
data, you start at the beginning of the tape. Tape drives are slow. Therefore, it is only
suitable for doing backups.
1. Workgroup. Read the text again and complete your selections of the table
Medium
Floppy disk
Fixed hard disk
Removable hard disk
CD-ROM disk
Magneto-optical disk

Advantages

15

Disadvantages


Magnetic tape
2. Now exchange information with the other students in your group to complete all
the sections of the table. Ask questions like these.
What are the advantages of floppy disks?
What are the disadvantages of magnetic tape?
Do CD-ROMs conform to a standard?

Language work: Linking words
Study examples
Magnetic tape is cheap, but it is very slow because tape drives are slow, so we use it
only for backups.
We use but to show a contrast, because to show that the next idea is a reason, and so
to show a result. Other words and phrases used in this way are: however (contrast),
therefore (result), and for this reason (result).
Magnetic tape is cheap. However, it is slow to use.
Magnetic tape is slow. Therefore, we use it only for backups.
Magnetic tape is slow. For this reason, we use it only for backups.
Task 3 Fill in the gaps in this summary of storage devices using the correct words in
the box.
But
however
because
so
Therefore
for this reason
Floppies are very cheap, 1………………… they are slow and have a limited
capacity. Hard disks are fast and can store large amounts of data
2…………………….. they are fixed inside the computer, 3 …………………….. you
cannot use them to transfer data. You can transfer data with remove hard disks, 4
……………… they are very expensive. CD-ROM disks can hold quite large amounts
of data, 5 …………………… , they are usually read-only 6 ……………… you
cannot change the information on them. Magnetoopical disks are like CD-ROMs 7
…………….. you can write data on to them. They are removable and have large
capacities, 8……………………….. they are expensive and do not conform to a
standard. 9……………….. they are not very common. Magnetic tape is cheap and
has a large capacity, 10 ……………………. It does not allow random access and
drives are slow. 11 ………….. it is only suitable for backups.

Task 4 Study this description of one method of backing up your files.
Work in pairs to complete the table and answer the questions.
Establishing a comprehensive backup regime
Buy 10 tapes and label them Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday1,
Friday 2, Friday 3, Month1, Month 2, Month 3.
For the first week, back up everything on each day to the appropriately named tape,
and on Friday, use Friday 1. In week 2, do the same but use Friday 2, and in week 3
use Friday 3.

16


In week 4, do exactly the same, but on Friday use Month 1. Do the same for the next
two months, but on the last Friday of each month, use Month 2 nad Month 3. Then
start
the whole cycle again.
With ten tapes, at any point in time you have ful daily backups for the last week, full
weekly backups for the last month, and full monthly backups for the last three
months.
Fill in the gaps in this table
Tape
1
2
3
4
5

Label
Monday


Tape
6
7
8
9
10

Wednesday

Which tape do you use on these day?
1. Friday, Week 2
2. Friday, Week 4
3. Thursday, Week 1
4. Monday, Week 2
5. Friday, Week 8

17

Label
Friday2
Month 2


Reading Comprehension

DATA PROCESSING AND DATABASE
The data processing is performed by a computer, programmers and operators.
The functions of the computer are to performoperations as they are programmed to,
and to make the results of these operations accessible to computer users
The functions of programmers are to prepare, test, and document computer programs.

We may say, the computer capablities are limited only to the imagination of the
programmers only.
The functions of computer operators are to feed data into the computer for being
processed. An approach used by operators in data processing is structuring and
organizing the data so as to make them useful to every one who wants to use
them.This process is called database management.

18


UNIT 7 NETWORKS
Task1 Study this example of a local area network (LAN). Answer these questions.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Who are the users?
What kind of hardware is used?
What do the doctors use it for?
What do the receptionists use it for?
What does the practice manager use it for

Task 2 work in pairs. List some places where you might find a local area network.
Task 3 Read the text and then answer the questions.

WHAT IS A NETWORK?
A network is simply two or more computers linked together. It allows users to share

not only data files and software applications, but also hardware like printers and other
computer resources such as fax.
Most networks link computers within limited area – within a department, an office, or
a building. These are called Local Area Networks, or LANs. But networks can link
computers across the world, so you can share information with someone on the other
side of the world as easily as sharing with aperson at the next desk. When networks
are linked together this way, they are called Wide Area Networks, or WANs.

19


Net works increase productivity by allowing workers to share information easily
without printing, copying, telephoning, or posting. They also save money by sharing
peripherals such as printers.
Questions:
1. What is network?
2. What are its hardware components
3. What is the difference between a local area network and a wide area network?
4. What advantages do you think networks have?
Language work: Predicting consequences
Example: The cable fails. The whole network will fail.
(action)
(consequence)
If the cable fails, the whole network will fail.
If you don’t use the right password, you won’t get access to the network.
Note: The action is in the Present Simple, and the consequence in the Simple future.
Task 4 Link each action (1 – 10 ) with a suitable consequence ( a – j )
Example: If you place a floppy disk near a magnet, you will destroy the data.
1. you place a floppy disk near a magnet
a. the cursor moves to the left

2. You press Print Screen
b. The computer hangs
3. you input the correct password
c. it is not lost when you switch off
4. you add memory to a computer
d. you damage the drive
5. you move the mouse to the left
e. you copy the screen
6. you store data in RAM
f. you have access to the network
7. you use a faster modem
g. you destroy the data
8. there is a memory fault
h. it runs faster
9. you press the arrow key
i. your phone bill are lower
10. you move a CD-ROM drive with the
j. the cursor moves across
disk in place
Task 5
A. Answer the questions:
1. What is a LAN?
2. What is a WAN?
B. Before reading the text below, match these words and phrases with their definitions.
1. protocol
2. bulletin board
3. user interface
4. make a query
5. parse
6. synchronous


a. analyze the syntax of a string of input symbols
b. teleconferencing system allowing users to read messages
left by other users
c. agreement governing the procedures used to exchange
information between co-operating computers
d. means of communication between a human user and a
computer system
e. taking place at exactly the same time as something else
f. request a search

20


C. Read quickly through the text belo, and then match each paragraph with the
appropriate summary.
1. Network uses, past and present
2. How distributed systems work
3. Networks and the future
4. What networks are and how they operate
5. The growth of networks, past and present
Reading Comprehension

COMPUTER NET WORKS
Computer networks link computers by communication lines and software protocols,
allowing data to be exchanged rapidly and reliable. Traditionally, networks have been
split between wide area networks ( WANs) and local area networks (LANs ). A WAN
is a network connected over long-distance telephone lines, and a LAN is localized
network usually in one building or a group of buildings close together. The
distinction, however, is becoming blurred. It is now possible to connect up LANs

remotely over telephone links so that they look as through they are a single LAN.
Originally, networks were used to provide terminal access to another computer and to
transfer files between computers. Today networks carry e-mail, provide access to
public debased and bulletin board, and are beginning to be used for distributed
systems. Networks also allow users in one locality to share expensive resources, such
as printers and disk-systems.
Distributed computer systems are built using networked computers that co-operate to
perform tasks. In this environment each part of the networked system does what it is
best at. The high – quality bit – mapped graphics screen of a personal computer of
workstation provides a good user interface. The mainframe, on the other hand, can
handle large numbers of queries and return the results to the users. In a distributed
environment, a user might use his PC to make a query against a central database. The
PC passes the query, written in a special language (e.g Structured Query Language –
SQL ) to the mainframe, which then passes the query, returning to the user only the
data requested. The user might the use his PC to draw graphs based on the data. By
passing back to the user’s PC only the specific information requested, network traffic
is reduced. If the whole file were transmitted, the PC would then have to perform the
query itself, reducing the efficiency of both network and PC.
In the 1980s, at least 100,000 LANs were set up in laboratories and offices around the
world. During the early part of this decade, synchronous orbit satellites lowered the
price of long-distance telephone calls enabling computer data and television signals to
be distributed more cheaply around the world. Since then, fiber-optic cable has bee
installed on a large scale, enabling vast amounts of data to be transmitted at a very
high speed using light signals.
The impact of fiber optics will be considerably to reduce the price of network access.
Global communication and computer networks will become more and more a part of
professional and personalizes as the prices of microcomputers and network access

21



drops. At the same time, distributed computer networks should improve our work
environments and technical abilities.

22



×