1. Decide if the sentences are true (t) or false (f), and correct the false ones to make them true.

a)The CPU directs and coordinates the activities taking place within the computer system.

b)The arithmetic logic unit performs calculations on the data.

c)32-bit processors can handle more information than 64-bit processors.

d)A chip is an electronic device composed of silicon elements containing a set of integrated circuits.

e)RAM, ROM and secondary storage are the components of the main memory.

f)Information cannot be processed by the microprocessor if it is not loaded into the main memory.

g)‘Permanent’ storage of information is provided by RAM.

h)The speed of the microprocessor is measured in megahertz. One MHz is equivalent to one million cycles per second.

2.Answer the questions.

a)What is the main function of a microprocessor?

b)What are the main parts of the CPU?

c)What is RAM? How does it differ from ROM?

d)What memory section is known as ‘firmware’? Why?

e)What information is lost when the computer is switched off?

f)What is the meaning of the acronym SIMM?

g)What is a megahertz?

h)What is the ALU? What does it do?

i)How can we store data and programs permanently?

3. Look through this list of features and decide which type of memory they refer to.

a)Any section of the main memory can be read with equal speed and ease.

b)It is available in magnetic, optical and videodiscs.

c)A certain amount of this memory can be designated as ‘cache’ memory to store information in applications that are used very frequently.

d)It stores basic operating instructions, needed by the CPU to function correctly.

e)Memory which can be expanded by adding SIMMs of 8 Mb, 16 Mb, 32Mb or other major increments.

f)Information is permanent and cannot be deleted.

g)You can save and store your documents and applications.

4.J Make notes about the features of the computer that you would like to have.

CPU:…. Speed…. Optical disk drives…. Minimum/maximum Ram…. Monitor…. Hard disk…. Software….

Now describe it to your partner.

Useful constructions.

It has got…. It’s very fast. It runs at…. The standard RAM memory…. And it is expandable…. The hard disk can hold…. I need a SuperVGA monitor because…. As for the Internet…

5.! Write a letter to your friend recommending the most suitable computer for him/her. Give your reasons.

Unit 3. Type and click! Input devices.

1.Discuss the following questions:

1. What input/output devices do you know? Which of them do you use and what for?

2.Which of input devices can you get by without?

2.Read these terms aloud and suggest Russian equivalents:

keyboard, mouse, light pen, scanner, trackball, graphics tablet, joystick, voice recognition device, alphanumeric keys, function keys, numeric keypad, editing keys, special keys, Num Lock, Paste, cursor, arrow keys, return, caps lock, shift, tab, escape, space bar, backspace, alt, upper-case/lower-case characters, slash, wire, pointer, desktop, click, double-click, to grab, to drag, image.

Text 1.Input devices are the pieces of hardware, which allow us to enter the information into the computer. The most common are the keyboard and the mouse. We also interact with the computer by using one of these: a light pen, a scanner, a trackball, a graphics tablet, a joystick or a voice recognition device.

Exercises.

1.>Listen to these descriptions of three input devices. What are they?