Материал: English_for_IT_I-II_years

Ordinary biological humans would eventually accept the transition and plain old

Homo Sapiens could become voluntarily extinct, perhaps as early as 2200.

Exercise 6. Match the terms in Table A with the statements in Table B.

Table A

Interface problem

Voice and language recognition

Technophobic users

Telecomms applications

Virtual environments

Encryption

Voice processing

Voice synthesis

Visualization technology

Teleworking

Cyberspace

Reverse engineering of the human brain

Intelligent agents

Biotechnology

Table B

Environments that are computer simulated

Exploring the human brain from the inside and finding out how it works

Systems and devices used to create a virtual reality environment

The industrial application of biological science techniques

Programs used for communications over long distances

The problem of communication between us and machines

Changing speech into digital signals

The combination of all data on all the computer networks throughout the world, accessed using the Internet

Computer programs that can be trained to watch, learn and start communicating

Computer programs changing speech into program commands and digital data

Working at home while communicating with your office by computer, telephone and fax

The transformation of data into coded form to make it secure

Users who have a fear or strong dislike of technology and technological devices

The generation of a human-sounding voice using electronic circuits

Exercise 7. Choose the right variant.

1. (A, the, -) lit cigarette thrown (out of, from, off) a car (can, may, is to) start a fire in a forest.

2. The police stated that the robbers probably (enter) the bank shortly after midnight.

3. The police investigation showed the robbers were professionals as they (manage) not only to switch off the alarm system, but the security cameras (to, as well, either).

4. Chocolate not only tastes (delicious/deliriously), it is also rich (in, at, with) iron, magnesium and potassium.

5. Melinda told us she (have) a birthday party at her house the following day. She said that she (wait) for us at 6 p.m.

6. Bill said he couldn't believe what (happen) the day before.

7. Mrs Jacobs told me her daughter (revise) for her exams all day. By the end of this week she (pass) all her exams.

8. The coach threatened that he (drop) Bob from the team if he (miss) training again.

9. A pop concert was held in our city not long ago to raise money for (a, the, —) poor.

10. No one in our class is as (good) at languages as my friend. If he (not, enter) the Linguistic University it will be one of (great) disappointments in his life.

11. (Which, what) would you rather be - a lawyer or a customs officer? - I (not, decide) yet.

12. I (am used to, used to) living in the country. I think it's less expensive and much (comfortable) than to live in big cities.

13. When the satellite (launch) next time, scientists (can, be able to, have to, may) investigate the rings around (a, the, -) Saturn in more detail than ever before.

14. Despite yesterday's snowfalls, we (could, be. able to, must, might) drive home (little) than an hour.

15. Road accidents have become very common nowadays. They usually (cause) by people who drive dangerously.

16. Grandmother said that she felt very dizzy because she (forget) to take her medication that morning.

17. Soho used to be considered one of (dirty) and (dangerous) places in London, but it was cleaned up in the early 1980s. Since then it (become) a meeting place.

18. Down by the river, the old warehouses (transform) into galleries, shops and clubs; the pubs also (restore) to their original Victorian beauty.

19. Where is exactly Soho? - Between Oxford Street and (a, the, -) Charing Cross Road. Today it is one of the most bohemian (area, areas) in London as great changes (take) place here of late.

20. - What would you do if you (see) a tiger walking across Hyde Park?

- I (climb) a tree.

- That's (not, be) any use. The tiger (climb) after you.

WRITING

Use the internet to find some information about different browsers. Choose 4 the most versatile and extensible browsers and complete the table below with appropriate information:

Which of the five web browsers you listed above is your favorite, and why?

Create a timeline of release dates for each of the five browsers you selected.

Arrange them in chronological order from oldest original release date, to newest release date.

UNIT 24

JOBS IN COMPUTING

Vocabulary Bank Unit 24

Task 1. Read, write the translation and learn the basic vocabulary terms:

21. ability to work

22. agreed estimates

23. amending (n)

24. analyst

25. breakdown (n)

26. business intelligence

27. capabilities

28. challenging work

29. commercial environment

30. company’s profitability

31. computer services engineering technician

32. conscientious

33. consultancy

34. cost-friendly

35. critical thinking

36. CV (curriculum vitae)

37. day-to-day running

38. developer

39. dot-com bust

40. driving demand

41. e-discovery support

42. e-solution

43. experience

44. faulty parts

45. highly skilled

46. industrious

47. intelligent software

48. job requirements

49. job training

50. PC assembly

51. plot

52. premise (n)

53. proficient

54. promotional material

55. realm

56. requirements

57. senior programmer

58. solid grasp

59. standard grades in

60. storage-area network

61. tactful

62. team leader

63. technical expertise

64. timescale

65. to compile a program

66. to earn the trust of the team

67. to enrol

68. to follow the expectations

69. to get along with

70. to handle

71. to integrate with

72. to lay things out

73. to migrate

74. to necessitate

75. to plop down

76. to shirk the task

77. to venture

78. willingness to do smth

Text 24 A. JOBS IN COMPUTING

Most ICT-related jobs have developed to meet the need to analyze, design, develop, manage or support computer software, hardware or networks. The primary requirements for being a good programmer are nothing more than a good memory, an attention to detail, a logical mind and the ability to work through a problem in a methodical manner breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable pieces.

The first key point to realize is that you can’t know everything. However you mustn’t become an expert in too narrow a field. The second key point is that you must be interested in your subject. The third key point is to differentiate between contract work and consultancy. Good contractors move from job to job every few months. A consultant often works on very small timescales – a few days here, a week there, but often for a core collection of companies that keep coming back again and again.

All the people involved in the different stages of development of a computer project, i.e. analysts, programmers, support specialists, etc. are controlled by a project (or IT) manager.

• IT managers manage projects, technology and people. Any large organization will have at least one IT manager responsible for ensuring that everyone who actually needs a PC has one and that it works properly. This means taking responsibility for the maintenance of servers and the installation of new software, and for staffing a help-desk and a support group.

• Systems Analyst studies methods of working within an organization to decide how tasks can be done efficiently by computers. He or she takes a detailed analysis of the employer’s requirements and work patterns to prepare a report on different options for using information technology.

• Software Engineer/Designer produces the programs which control the internal operations of computers, converts the system analyst’s specification to a logical series of steps, translates these into the appropriate computer language and often compiles programs from libraries or sub-programs, combining these to make up a complete systems program. Software Engineer designs, tests and improves programs for computer-aided design and manufacture, business applications, computer networks and games.

• Computer Services Engineering Technician can be responsible for installation, maintenance or repair of computers and associated equipment. Some technicians carry out routine servicing of large mainframe systems, aiming to avoid breakdowns. Others are called in to identify and repair faults as quickly as possible usually by replacing faulty parts. Work can also involve upgrading machines usually on customer’s premises.

• Network Support Person maintains the link between PCs and workstations connected in a network. He or she uses telecommunications, software and electronic skills and knowledge of the networking software to locate and correct faults.

• Computer Salesperson advises potential customers about available hardware and sells equipment to suit individual requirements, discusses computing needs with the client to ensure that a suitable system can be supplied, organizes the sale and delivery and, if necessary, installation and testing.

• Application Programmer writes the programs which enable a computer to carry out particular tasks. He or she may write new programs or adapt existing programs, perhaps altering computer packages to meet the needs of an individual company. Application Programmer also checks programs for faults and does extensive testing.

• Systems Support Persons are analyst programmers who are responsible for maintaining, updating and modifying the software used by a company. Some specialize in software which handles the basic operation of the computers. This involves use of machine codes and specialized low-level computer languages. Most handle applications software. They may sort out problems encountered by users. Solving problems may involve amending an area of code in the software, retrieving files and data lost when a system crashes and a basic knowledge of hardware.

• Hardware Engineer researches, designs and develops computers, or parts of computers and the computerized element of appliances, machines and vehicles. He or she is also involved in their manufacture, installation and testing. Hardware Engineer may specialize in different areas: research and development, design, manufacturing. He or she has to be aware of cost, efficiency, safety and environmental factors as well as engineering aspect.

There are so many reasons to plop down at the computer and play for hours. For some teens, computer time is a fun way to relax. But for students with strong math skills and technology know-how, computers can lead to successful careers.

Changing technology is one reason computer professionals will continue to be in demand in the future. Short supply is another major factor. David Overbye, director of curriculum at DeVry University, says the dot-com bust has stopped many students from enrolling in computer programs. What kinds of computer careers are available? Hot jobs include video game creator, network security administrator, webmaster and animator.