Computers.

Unit 1. Text. Computers.

Grammar.

Ex. 1. Study the following words and word expressions from the text:

built-in – встроенный

bookkeeping – бухучет

carry out – выполнять

chip – микросхема; кристалл

conventional – стандартный

due to – благодаря

enhance – увеличивать, усиливать; повышать

flow – поток

handling – работа, обработка

IC (integrated circuit) – интегральная схема

IBM (International Business Machine) – фирма по производству компьютеров

laptop – ноутбук

literacy – грамотность

miniaturization – уменьшение

OS (operating system) – операционная система

processing – обработка, редактирование

run – запускать, выполнять, работать

silicon – кремний

tool – инструмент

UNIX – операционная система

Ex.2. Read and translate the text.

Computers.

Computer is an electronic device capable of receiving a programme (a set of instructions) and carrying out this programme by calculating numerical information.The modern world of high technology is possible mainly due to the development of the computer. After opening up a new era in manufacturing by means of automation, computers have enhanced modern communication systems.

Personal computers are also called microcomputers or home computer. The most compact are called laptops. Being portable they can work on built-in batteries.

Personal computers are designed for use at homes, schools, and offices. At home they can be used for home management (balancing the family finances, for exam­ple) and for playing computer games, watching films or listening to music. Schoolchildren can use computers for doing their homework and many schools now have com­puters for independent learning and computer-literacy studies. In the office personal computers may be used for word processing, bookkeeping, storage and handling of necessary information.

Personal computers were made possible by two tech­nical innovations in the field of microelectronics: the integrated circuit, or IC, which was developed in 1959 and the microprocessor that first appeared in 1971. The IC permitted the miniaturization of computer-memory circuits, and the microprocessor reduced the size of a computer's CPU to the size of a single silicon chip.

Because a CPU calculates, performs logical opera­tions, contains operating instructions, and manages data flows, a complete microcomputer as a separate system was designed and developed in 19 74.

In 1981, IBM Company offered its own microcomputer model, the IBM PC that became a necessary tool for al­most every business. The development of faster and more pow­erful personal computers was initiated by using of a 16-bit microproc­essor. The PC's use of an operating system that was available to all other computer makers led to a standardization of the industry.

In the mid-1980s, a number of other developments were especially important for the growth of personal com­puters. One of these was the introduction of a powerful 32-bit CPU capable of running advanced operating sys­tems at high speeds.

Another innovation was the use of conventional oper­ating systems, such as UNIX, OS/2 and Windows. The Apple Macintosh computers were the first allowing the user to select icons — graphic symbols of computer func­tions — from a display screen instead of typing com­mands. New voice-controlled systems are now available, and users are able to use the words and syntax of spoken language to operate their personal computers.

Ex.3. Give the phonetic transcription and read the following words by using the dictionary:

automation, calculate, circuit, enhance, era, finance, icon, initiate, innovation, literacy, manufacture, micro, miniaturization, process, standardization, technology.