Unit
2
Text Study: Types of Computers.
Additional Text: The First
Computers.
Grammar: The Past Indefinite Tense.
Text Study
1. Repeat the words in
chorus:
Classify,
distinction, digital, analog, discrete,
occur, measure, circular, variable, smooth, purpose, offer, sufficiently,
equipment.
2.
While reading the text you will come across a number of international words.
Try to guess what Ukrainian words they remind of you:
Method,
documents, contract, microcomputer, individual, a workstation, model, class of
computer, silicon chip, location.
3. Pay attention to some
grammatical points:
1) There are several methods of classifying
computers. 2) Digital computers are by far the most widely used. 3) A home computer is a low-cost microcomputer of
limited capability designed for domestic use with programs
that typically are used for such
things as computer games or controlling
family finance. 4) Many can be
connected to minicomputers and mainframe computers so that the PC users can
also gain access to the facilities offered
by the larger machine. 5) There are
mainframes, minicomputers and microcomputers. However, there are no sharp dividing lines between them. 6) A model at the top of
a manufacturer’s range of minicomputers might well be more powerful than the model at the
bottom of a range of mainframes.
II. Reading
Read the text and be ready to
find in the text the answers to the following questions:
·
What methods of
classifying computers are there?
·
What is the most
powerful type of the computer?
Types of Computers
There are several
methods of classifying computers. The main distinction is between digital and analog devices.
Digital computers are so called because they process
data that is represented in the form of discrete values (e.g. 0,1,2,3....) by
operating on it in steps. Discrete values occur at each step in the operation.
Counting on one’s fingers is probably the simplest digital operation we all
know.
Analog computers are kinds of measuring instruments
such as thermometers and voltmeters with pointers on circular dials. They
process data in the form of electrical voltages, which are variable like the
variable positions of a pointer on a dial. The output from analog computers is
often in the form of smooth graphs from which information can be read.
Hybrid computers, as their name suggests, are
computers that have the combined feature of digital and analog computers.
Digital computers
are by far the most widely used.
It is also possible
to classify computers by their use.
A Word Processor is a special purpose computer
used in the production of office documents, letters, contracts, etc. Note: a
general purpose computer can run a word processor program and hence temporarily
become special purpose.
A Home Computer is a low-cost microcomputer
of limited capability designed for domestic use with programs that typically
are used for such things as computer games or controlling family finance.
A Personal
Computer is a microcomputer designed for independent use by an individual at
work or in the home mainly for business purpose. Some PCs are portable. Many
can be connected to minicomputers and mainframe computers so that the PC users
can also gain access to the facilities offered by the larger machine.
A Desktop Computer is any computer design for
use on a desk in an office. Therefore home computers and PCs are types of
Desktop computer.
A workstation is another kind of desktop
computer. Although larger
more powerful PCs are sometimes called workstations the term is
normally used to imply the presence of advanced features not provided by all
PCs.
A Lap-Top Computer is a PC sufficiently small
and light for its user comfortably to use it on his or her lap.
An Embedded Computer is one that is within some
other device or system but is not accessed directly. For example, there are
embedded computers operating within petrol pumps, watches, cameras, video
recorders and many types of domestic and industrial equipment.
It is also possible
to classify computers by their size.
There are
mainframes, minicomputers and microcomputers. However, there are no sharp
dividing lines between them. For example, a model at the top of a
manufacturer’s range of minicomputers might well be more powerful than the
model at the bottom of a range of mainframes.
Thus, computers are
classified according to their size, power, and type of processing unit.
The most powerful
type of computer is the mainframe
computer. Only large companies are likely to use a mainframe computer, as
these machines are very expensive to buy and run.
A minicomputer is the next size down, a
sort of ‘small mainframe’. It is a slower, less powerful version of the same
class of computer, and is designed for businesses who do not need (or cannot
afford) the capacity and speed of the smallest mainframe.
The smallest type
of computer is the microcomputer. The
name derives not from the small size of the machine – although the largest
microcomputers can fit comfortably on a desk - but from the fact that the main
processing circuits are on a single silicon chip, known as a microprocessor.
From the office
worker’s point of view the main difference between the two categories is that
of location: mainframe and minicomputers require their own special room, often
air-conditioned, and trained computer staff to operate them, whereas
microcomputers can be found dotted round the building, wherever there is a need
for one.
Vocabulary
Notes
digital – цифровий
value ['vxljH] – мат. величина
to occur
[q'kW] – траплятися,
мати місце
circular ['sWkjulq] – круговий,
круглий
а dial – циферблат
variable ['vFqriqbl] – перемінний
voltage – напруга
smooth – гладкий,
рівний, плавний
feature – особливість, (характерна) риса
a purpose – ціль
temporarily – тимчасово
limit – обмежений
domestic – домашній
mainly – в основному
although [Ll'Dqu] – хоч
access ['xkses] – доступ, мати доступ до
embedded computers – вмонтований, вкладений
to imply [Im'plai] – значити, означати, бути
наслідком чогось
mainframe – універсальна
обчислювальна машина
Comprehension
1.
Tell what sentences are true and what are false.
1) There are two
methods of classifying computers. 2) Digital computers are so called because they
process data that is represented in the form of discrete values. 3) Analog
computers process data in the form of electrical voltages. 4) A home computer
is a high-cost microcomputer of unlimited capability. 5) A personal computer is
a microcomputer designed for independent use by an individual at work. 6)
Computers are classified according to their size and type of processing unit.
7) The most powerful type of computer is the
minicomputer.
2.
Choose the right answer:
1) The output from analog
computers is often in the form … .
a) figures;
b) digits;
c) of smooth graphs.
2) A word processor is a special purpose computer used in …
.
a) the production;
b) the
production of office documents;
c) the
maths.
3) There are …
according to their size.
a) mainframes, minicomputers and
microcomputers;
b) large
and huge computers;
c) small
computers.
4) Only large companies are
likely to use a …
.
a) microcomputer;
b) mainframe computer;
c) embedded computer.
5) A single silicon chip is known as … .
a) a microprocessor;
b) a
processor;
c) a microcomputer.
3. Complete the sentences.
1) Hybrid computers
are computers that … . 2) A word processor is a special purpose computer used in … . 3) A personal
computer is a microcomputer designed for … . 4) An
embedded computer is one that … . 5) There are … by
the size. 6) The microcomputer is the … . 7) The
mainframe computer is the … .
4.
Answer the questions:
1) What is the main distinction between classifications of computers? 2)
What is the purpose of digital computers? 3) What are analog computers? 4) What
are hybrid computers? 5) Where is a word processor used? 5) Why is a home
computer low cost one? 7) What is a personal computer designed for? 8) What
kinds of desktop computers do you know? 9) What are embedded computers? 10)
What can computers be according to their size?
5.
Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following
important information:
- digital and analog computers
- the desktop
computer
- a minicomputer
*6.
Try to tell the gist of the text.
Word Study
1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the
following.
Main
distinction, to process data, to occur at each step, the
simplest digital operation, measuring
instruments, circular dials, to combine feature of digital and analog computers,
a special purpose computer, limited
capability, workstations, sufficiently small and light, to access directly, embedded computers, domestic and industrial equipment, sharp
dividing line, a single silicon chip.
2. Give English equivalents of the following.
Робочі
станції, основна відмінність, траплятися на кожному кроці, обробляти дані,
єдиний силіконовий чіп, домашнє та промислове обладнання, найпростіші числові
операції, вмонтовані комп’ютери, вимірювальні інструменти, круглі циферблати,
порівняно малий і легкий, прямий доступ, поєднувати риси цифрового і каналового
комп’ютерів, обмежені можливості, комп’ютери спеціального призначення.
3. Match the words in A with
their synonyms in B:
A B
purpose chiefly
feature momentary
limit aim
occur boundary
circular peculiarity
temporary happen
mainly round
4. Fill in the gaps
with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.
limited /smooth / variable /electrical voltages /digital and
analog / a workstation /mainframe/ embedded
1) The main
distinction of classifying computers is between … and … devices. 2) Analog computers
process data in the form of …
which are … . 3) The
output from analog computers is often in the form of … graphs. 4) A home
computer is a cheap microcomputer of … capability designed for domestic use. 5)
Some PCs can be connected to minicomputers and … computers. 6) … is a kind of
desktop computer. 7) There are … computers operating within petrol pumps,
watches, cameras, video recorders and many types of domestic and industrial
equipment.
5. Translate sentences into English using
words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.
1) Цифрові і аналогові комп’ютери мають свої
характерні особливості. Ми зрозуміли різницю між ними, прочитавши текст. 2)
Також існують такі комп’ютери, які поєднують риси аналогового і цифрового
комп’ютерів. Однак найпоширеніші – це цифрові комп’ютери. 3) Персональні
комп’ютери – це машини, які використовуються для індивідуальної роботи людей
дома чи на роботі. 4) Вмонтовані комп’ютери не існують окремо. Їх вміщують у
різне приладдя. 5) Комп’ютери можна класифікувати і за розміром. 6)
Найпотужніший комп’ютер – це універсальна обчислювальна машина.
Grammar in Use
The Past Indefinite Tense
1. Put down the following sentences into the Past Indefinite
Tense.
1) Many people have an opportunity to
use computers. 2) There is no doubt that computers solve problems very quickly.
3) Instructions direct the operation of a computer. 4) Computers bring with
them both economic and social changes. 5) Computing embraces not only
arithmetics, but also computer literacy. 6) It is well known that computers
prepare laboratory tests. 7) Those persons are computer literate and think of
buying a new computer. 8) They receive a subscription magazine once a month. 9)
Experts know much about how to prepare programs. 10) Graphical plotting tables find
application in drawing and inputting manuscript texts. 11) You can draw, add notes and signs to electronic documents by means
of a special pen.
2. Open the brackets using the
Past Simple Tense. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.
1) Computers (to
appear) comparatively recently. 2) In 1940s computers (to evolve) tremendously.
3) By the end of the 1960s, transistors themselves were replaced by tiny
integrated circuit boards and a new generation of computers (to be) on the
market. 4) During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries scientists (to
develop) many easy ways of calculating. 5) They (to invent) logarithm tables,
calculus, and the basis for the modern slide during this period. 6) The first
calculating machine (to appear) in the early 1800s and soon after that Charles
Babbage (to design) a machine which (to become) the basis for building today’s
computers. 7) A hundred years later, scientists (to build) the first analog
computer but the first digital computer was not completed until 1944.
3. Make up sentences using the
following words. Don’t forget about word order in English.
1) In 1952, took, a major computing company, a decision, of the
business, to get out, of making mainframe computers.
2) Believed, that, they, there
was, only, a market, mainframes, for four, in the whole world.
3) IBM, company, that, was.
4) reversed, the following, they, year, their decision.
5) IBM , in 1980, decided, that, market, there was, for 250,000 PCs.
6) so, set up, they, a special, to develop, team, the first IBM PC.
7) went, on sale, it,
in 1981, set, and, standard, a world-wide, for IBM-
compatibility.
Additional Text
(for
individual work)
Read and translate the text.
The
First Computers
In 1930 the first
analog computer was built by American named Vannevar Bush. This device was used
in World War II to help aim guns.
Many technical
developments of electronic digital computers took place in the 1940s and 1950s.
Mark I, the name given to the first digital computer, was completed in 1944.
The man responsible for this invention was Professor Howard Aiken. This was the
first machine that could figure out long lists of mathematical problems at a
very fast rate.
In 1946 two
engineers at the
Another important
achievement in developing computers came in 1947, when John von Neumann
developed the idea of keeping instructions for the computer inside the
computer's memory. The contribution of John von Neumann was particularly
significant. As contrasted with Babbage's analytical engine, which was designed
to store only data, von Neumann's machine, called the Electronic Discrete
Variable Computer, or EDVAC, was able to store both data and instructions. He
also contributed to the idea of storing data and instructions in a binary code
that uses only ones and zeros. This simplified computer design. Thus computers
use two conditions, high voltage, and low voltage, to translate the symbols by
which we communicate into unique combinations of electrical pulses. We refer these
combinations as codes.
Neumann's stored
program computer as well as other machines of that time were
made possible by the invention of the vacuum tube that could control and
amplify electronic signals. Early computers, using vacuum tubes, could perform
computations in thousandths of seconds, called milliseconds, instead of seconds
required by mechanical devices.
1. Divide the text into the
logical parts and give a title to each one.
2. Put questions to the text.
3. Discuss it with your
groupmates.
