1. Edutainment 2. Multimedia 3. Expert system 4. Telecommute 5. Information superhighway |
a) Software that enables computers to ‘think’ like experts b) Use computers to stay in touch with the office while working at home c) Internet system designed to provide free, interactive access to vast resources for people all over the world d) Multimedia materials with a combination of educational and entertainment content e) A combination of text with sound, video, animation, and graphics. |
Task 9. Mark the following as True or False.
1. A personal computer can process different forms of data including text, graphics, audio, animation and video. 2. Videoconferencing is a form of communication over a network that uses video cameras. 3. Anti-virus programs are used to connect a number of computers and peripheral devices together. 4. A hard disk is a piece of equipment used for putting data into a computer. 5. A chip which is the common name for a microchip is an electronic integrated circuit in a small package. 6. Desktop computers are referred to the powerful type of computers, operated by a team of professionals.
Task 10. Fill in the blanks with the words from the box.
ability to combine; handles; in hardware and software; operating systems; increased precision; parallel processing; to count; data and information; to store this program |
1. The word ‘computer’ comes from a Latin word which means … . 2. The feature which makes the computer more than just a calculator is its … thousands of such small operations into a program and … . 3. All the data which a computer … are in the form of numbers. 4. The term “computer generations” helps to single out the major technological developments … . 5. The production of … – a type of systems software – and applications software packages increased rapidly. 6. We must be selective about the type of … we process. 7. Data processing is getting faster and faster, mathematical calculations continue to be performed with … . 8. Traditional computers act on only one problem at a time; … means that many processors will work on the problem at the same time.
Task 11. Read the text and try to retell it:
We are now living in what some people call the digital age, meaning that computers have become an essential part of our lives. Young people who have grown up with PCs and mobile phones are often called the digital generation. Computers help student to perform mathematical operations and improve their math skills. They are used to access the Internet, to do basic research and to communicate with other students around the world. Teachers use projectors and interactive whiteboards to give presentations and teach science, history or language courses. PC’s are also used for administrative purposes – schools use word processors to write letters, and databases to keep records of students and teachers. A school website allows teachers to publish exercises for students to complete online.
Students can also enroll for courses via the website and parents can download official reports. Mobiles let you make voice calls, send texts, email people and download logos, ringtones or games. With a built-in camera you can send pictures and make video calls in face-to-face mode.
New smart phones combine a telephone with web access, video, a games console, an MP3 player, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a GPS navigation system, all in one. In banks, computers store information about the money held by each customer and enable staff to access large databases and to carry out financial transactions at high speed. They also control the cashpoints, or ATMs (automatic teller machines), which dispense money to customers by the use of a PIN-protected card. People use a Chip and PIN card to pay for goods and services, instead of using a signature to verify payments, customers are asked to enter a four-digit personal identification number (PIN), the same numbers used at cashpoints; this system makes transactions more secure. With online banking, clients can easily pay bills and transfer money from the comfort of their homes.
Airline pilots use computers to help them control the plane. For example, monitors display data about fuel consumption and weather conditions. In airport control towers, computers are used to manage radar systems and regulate air traffic. On the ground, airlines are connected to travel agencies by computer. Travel agents use computers to find out about the availability of flights, prices, times, stopovers and many other details.
The ability of tiny computing devices to control complex operations has transformed the way many tasks are performed, ranging from scientific research to producing consumer products. Tiny “computers on a chip” are used in medical equipment, home appliances, cars and toys. Workers use handheld computing devices to collect data at a customer site, to generate forms, to control inventory, and to serve as desktop organisers.
Not only computing equipment getting smaller, it is getting more sophisticated. Computers are part of many machines and devices that once required continual human supervision and control. Today, computers in security systems result in safer environments, computers in cars improve energy efficiency, and computers in phones provide features such as call forwarding, call monitoring, and call answering.
These smart machines are designed to take over some of the basic tasks previously performed by people; by so doing, they make life a little easier and a little more pleasant. Smart cards store vital information such as health records, drivers’ licenses, bank balances, and so on. Smart phones, cars, and appliances with built in computers can be programmed to better meet individual needs. A smart house has a built-in monitoring system that can turn lights on and off, open and close windows, operate the oven, and more.
With small computing devices available for performing smart tasks like cooking dinner, programming the VCR, and controlling the flow of information in an organization, people are able to spend more time doing what they often do best - being creative. Computers can help people work more creatively.
Multimedia systems are known for their educational and entertainment value, which we call “edutainment”. Multimedia combines text with sound, video, animation, and graphics, which greatly enhances the interaction between user and machine and can make information more interesting and appealing to people.
Expert systems software enables computers to “think” like experts. Medical diagnosis expert systems, for example, can help doctors pinpoint a patient's illness, suggest further tests, and prescribe appropriate drugs.
Connectivity enables computers and software that might otherwise be incompatible to communicate and to share resources. Now that computers are proliferating in many areas and networks are available for people to access data and communicate with others, so personal computers are becoming interpersonal PCs. They have the potential to significantly improve the way we relate to each other. Many people today telecommute - that is, use their computers to stay in touch with the office while they are working at home. With the proper tools, hospital staff can get a diagnosis from a medical expert hundreds or thousands of miles away. Similarly, the disabled can communicate more effectively with others using computers.
Distance learning and videoconferencing are concepts made possible with the use of an electronic classroom or boardroom accessible to people in remote locations. Vast databases of information are currently available to users of the Internet, all of whom can send mail messages to each other. The information superhighway is designed to significantly expand this interactive connectivity so that people all over the world will have free access to all these resources.
People power is critical to ensuring that hardware, software, and connectivity are effectively integrated in a socially responsible as way. People - computer users and computer professionals - are the ones who will decide which hardware, software, and networks endure and how great an impact they will have on our lives. Ultimately people power so must be exercised to ensure that computers are used not only efficiently but in a socially responsible way.
Task 12. Find the answers to these questions:
1. Name some types of devices that use “computers on a chip”.
2. What uses of handheld computers are mentioned in the text?
3. What are the benefits of using computers with the following items?
a) Security systems
b) Cars
c) Phones
4. What smart devices are mentioned in the text?
5. What are smart cards used for?
6. What are the advantages of multimedia?
7. What can medical expert systems do?
8. How can computers help the disabled?
9. What types of computing systems are made available to people in remote locations using electronic classrooms or boardrooms?
10. What aspects of computing can people power determine?
Task 13. Mark the following statements as True or False:
Desktop organisers are programs that require desktop computers.
Computers are sometimes used to monitor systems that previously needed human supervision.
Networking is a way of allowing otherwise incompatible systems to communicate and share resources.
The use of computers prevents people from being creative.
Computer users do not have much influence over the way that computing develops.
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Present Simple |
Present Continuous |
Present Perfect |
Present Perfect Continuous |
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When |
usually, always, every day, often, sometimes |
now, at the moment |
already, just, never, today, this week (month, year) |
for 7 years, for 3 months, for 2 hours |
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Affirmative sentence |
I/you/we/they play
He/she/it/ plays |
I am playing
He/she/it is playing
You/we/they are playing |
I/you/we/they have played/written
He/she/it has played/written |
I/you/we/they have been playing/writing
He/she/it has been playing/writing |
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Negative sentence |
I/you/we/they don’t play
He/she/it doesn’t play |
I am not playing
He/she/it is not playing
You/we/they are not playing |
I/you/we/they have not played/written
He/she/it has not played / written |
I/you/we/they have not been playing/writing
He/she/it has not been playing/writing |
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General question |
Do I/you/we/they play?
Does he/she/it play? |
Am I playing?
Is he/she/it playing?
Are you/we/they playing? |
Have I/you/we/they played/written?
Has he/she/it played/written? |
Have I/ you/we/they been playing/writing?
Has he/she/it been playing/writing? |
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Wh-question |
What do I/you/we/they play?
What does he/she/ it play? |
What am I playing?
What is he/she/it playing?
What are you/we/they playing? |
What have I/you/we/they played/written?
What has he/she/it played/written? |
How long have I/ you/we/they been playing/writing?
How long has he/she/it been playing/writing? |
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Adverbs of frequency (Signal Words) |
Use |
Example |
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Present Simple |
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Usually, the position of verbs of frequency is:
• after the verb to be She is never late • before the main verb We often watch a film on Fridays. • between the auxiliary and the main verb in a question and negative Do they always behave like this? I don’t usually go to bed late.
always , often, normally, usually sometimes, seldom , rarely, never
the position of these time markers is usually at the start or the end of the sentence on Wednesday, on Fridays, every day, … twice a week, a month, once a day |
1. for actions that happen again and again/often = repeated or regular actions in the present time period or for a habit that we have (everyday, sometimes, ever, never)
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I sometimes go to school by bike. Do they get up early? He often travels. Does she ever help you? He walks to work twice a week. We usually eat at my grandmother’s on Sundays. |
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2. for permanent state |
They live in a village in Scotland. She doesn't work. You don't speak Greek. |
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3. for general truths or natural and scientific laws |
The earth goes round the sun in 24 hours. Lions eat meat. Water boils at 100 ℃. Birds lay eggs. |
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4. to talk about people or things in general |
People make choices because they can't have everything they want. Nurses work in clinics and hospitals. Football is a very popular sport in Bulgaria.
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5. to talk about something in future that is officially organized (theatre, cinema) programmes and timetables (for airplanes, trains, buses) (mainly with verbs such as go, leave, arrive, start, come, return etc.) |
The next train leaves in an hour. The play begins at nine o’clock. The plane leaves Athens at 15.25 and arrives in London at 17.25. The course starts next Thursday.
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6. in conditional clauses after "if", "when", "after", "while", "till"/ "until", "before", "as soon as" |
What shall we do if it rains tomorrow? When the rain stops, we'll go out. If you heat water to 100°C (212°F), it boils. (zero conditional) If you finish your homework I'll bring you to the zoo. (first conditional) |
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7. for narratives, descriptions of games, reviews of plays, films, books |
The little boy opens the door and he sees a big box on his bed. He runs to the kitchen and tells his mother. The local team scores another goal!
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8. to give instructions/directions |
Pour all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Walk down the street to the corner and then turn right.
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9. • when we say “Where do you come from?” • when we make a suggestion Why don’t you ...? |
He comes from Holland. -I’m tired. -Why don’t you go to bed early? |
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Present Continuous |
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at the moment, at this moment, at present, today, now, right now, Listen! Look! these days, this week |
1. for an action that is happening just now, at the time when we are talking |
I’m doing homework now. I am learning English at the moment. You aren't listening! Why is he sitting here? Listen! Someone is ringing the bell. |
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2. when we talk about something which is happening at present, but not necessarily at the moment of speaking |
I'm reading an interesting book. Tom is looking for a new job. We are studying English and Spanish. |
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3. for a temporary action or state (temporary situations) period of time at present – (today, this week, this semester, this year) |
She is teaching English this semester. She can't go out. She is writing her essay today. We are staying at the Bristol Hotel tonight. You can't borrow this book today. They are spending this week in Paris. I'm living with my parents at the moment but soon I'll buy my own house. |
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4. for definite arrangements in the near future, to talk about the speaker's plans. (soon, on Monday) |
When are you coming to see us? I am leaving soon. We are meeting on Monday. |
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5. • to describe changing situations, especially with the verbs to get, to grow, to become, to increase, to change • to express current trends |
It’s getting colder. Dean is getting better after his illness. |
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Fuel prices are rising constantly because of strong demand. On-line shopping is growing rapidly nowadays. |
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6. for frequently repeated actions with “always” expressing the speaker’s annoyance or criticism. |
He is always boasting! She is always criticizing my appearance. You are always wearing dirty shoes! |
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State verbs usually indicate a state. They do not have a continuous form even when they refer to the present time. Such verbs are: verbs of sense – see, look, notice, hear, sound, smell, taste, feel (feel, hear, look, see, smell, sound, taste are followed by adjectives!!! Not adverbs) verbs that express likes and dislikes – like, dislike, love, hate, prefer, not mind verbs of perception – think, believe, know, understand, realize, seem, remember, remind, forget other verbs such as – have, want, need, cost, mean, belong, own Some of these verbs they indicate both state and action, but there is difference in meaning. |
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I see her! There she is. (see=see) The silk feels soft. (feel=has texture) Dinner tastes great. (taste=has the taste of) Those socks smell awful. (smell=have an odour ['əudə] сморід (зазвичай неприємний) Most people love/enjoy eating out.(like it in general)
I think you are pretty. (think=consider/opinion) He is a difficult person to get on with.(his character is difficult) |
I’m seeing him today. (see=meet) She is feeling the silk (feel=touch) He is tasting the soup (taste=try) The dog is smelling its food.(smell=smell) She is loving/enjoying every minute of her holiday. (she likes specifically а саме,- насолоджується зараз) Are you thinking about the test? (think=think) She is being particularly generous this week. (she’s behaving generously, her behaviour is unusual) |
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Present Perfect |
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already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now this is the first time
it’s the first time, recently, lately, always, How long? |
1. for a single or repeated action in the past when we don’t know or aren’t interested in when it happened. What concerns us is the action itself. |
We have bought a new car. He has lived with Amazon Indians. We have moved into a new house. Diana has changed her job. |
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2. with adverbs such as ever, already, never, recently, lately, yet, always, etc. |
They have never been abroad. Jane has already received her birthday presents. The child has never asked me such questions before. She has never expected such a change for the worse. My colleague has been very busy recently. |
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3. for past events and activities with results and consequences in the present and they influence it in some way (the effects are important now.) |
I have lost my key. (And so she has no key now.) She has been to London. (And so she knows London.) She has lost some weight and she looks very nice. Dad has broken his glasses, so he can’t read the newspaper. |
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4. for action that has just stopped, finished |
She has just finished cooking dinner. The play has just finished. Emma has just washed her hair. |
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5. for activities or states that started in the past and continue in the present (often with since and for). |
She has known me for more than two years. How long have they been here? My sister-in-law has been a teacher since 2000. David has worked in Spain since 1996. He hasn't smoked for three years. We have lived here for fifteen years. |
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6. to talk about experiences: what somebody has or hasn’t done during his lifetime (we often use ever, never, before) |
I have never been to Australia. I’ve visited many countries. Have you ever ridden a camel? We have never flown in a hot air balloon. |
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7. emphasis the number of repetitions of the action or the number of things that have derived from this (time of completion is unspecified) (with so far, many times, since, for the last year, for hours, for a week, several times, etc.) |
I have written five letters this morning! She has called you ten times today! She has had four cups of coffee since she woke up. I have written many letters since I moved to Canada. We have had five tests so far this semester. He has been in New York many times. I have played tennis every Sunday morning for the last two years. |
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8. we often use the Present Perfect after the superlatives |
This is one of the most beautiful country she has ever visited. This is the most delicious food I have ever eaten. |
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9. with the expressions "This is the first time...", "It's the first time...", etc. |
This is the first time I've ever visited your website and I think it is awesome. It's the first time I've ever eaten Chinese food. |
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10. sometimes to emphasize the completion of the act in the time clause (with time words such as when, until, after, before, as soon as) |
You can go out as soon as you have finished your homework. I will go to bed after I have written my report. |
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Present Perfect Continuous |
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with time words since, for, all day, all afternoon, every day this year, How long? |
1. to say how long something has been happening. The action began in the past, continues in the present (or has just stopped), and may continue into the future. |
Ann has been playing tennis for two hours. (Ann is playing tennis now. She began to play tennis two hours ago and she is still playing.) I have been waiting for my girlfriend since 6 o'clock. He has been smoking for ten years. Nancy has been skiing since she was 8. We have been living here for seven years. He has been watching TV all evening.
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2. to talk about an action which began in the past and has recently finished or just finished (without time words) |
Bob and Gloria have just come back from the park. They have been jogging and they are very tired now. Your shirt is so dirty. What have you been doing? Susan has been talking to Mike. |
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3. to express an action or general activity in progress (without time words or with recently, lately) |
Victoria has been thinking about changing her job. Michael has been studying hard lately. Robert has been having problems with his back recently. |
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4. to express anger, irritation, annoyance, explanation or criticism |
She has been using my make-up. |
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!!! Sometimes the Present Perfect Simple and the Present Perfect Continuous have identical or slightly different meaning |
1. I have lived here for 6 years. (the situation may be permanent) 2. I have been living here for 6 years. (the situation may be temporary) |
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