I. Analyze the following simple sentences. Explain how to find the predicate:

1. The term “fourth-generation” (fourth-generation language) places the language in the context of the history of programming.

2. A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds, even thousands, of logical decisions without becoming tired or bored.

3. The information necessary for solving problems is found in the memory of the computer.

4. The new microcomputer does not have a Fortran compiler.

5. The term “computer” usually refers to those parts of the hardware …

6. In 1971, Intel corp. delivered the first microprocessor.

7. They usually fill a whole room and are sometimes referred to as mainframes or computer installations.

II. Distinguish between compound and complex sentences. Comment on the way they are joined:

1. Another important advancement in computers came in 1947, when John von Neuman developed the idea of keeping instructions for the computer inside the computer’s memory.

2. In 1960, the second generation of computers was developed and these could perform work ten times faster than their predecessors.

3. Fourth-generation computers have now arrived, and the integrated circuits have been greatly reduced in size.

4. More powerful microcomputers are gradually being produced; therefore they are becoming the most commonly used type of computers.

5. A computer can do very little until it is given some information.

6. After the processor has operated on the information, the output devices display the results of the computations on a printer or a terminal.

7. Computers vary greatly in their internal organization, but every digital computer has a processor, memory, an input device to receive information, and output device to transmit information.

8. As the demand grew the number of factories able to produce computers also grew.

III. Read the sentences. Define the kind of subordinate clauses. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1. Since people prefer to use words, a new type of the language based on the machine code was developed.

2. A computer is a general purpose machine which represents and processes information.

3. Each problem must be clearly defined before the programming function can be performed.

4. If the program has no errors the central unit begins to execute instructions.

5. We have discussed how the computer can produce letters and drawings as its output.

6. What is interesting to know is that artificial intelligence is machine intelligence.

7. That the first digital computer appeared in 1944 is well-known to everybody.

8. One advantage of this procedure is that the programmer is immediately informed of any syntax error.

9. Scientists study all these problems to find a way out because computer technology has a great potential for more progressive transformation of out society.

10.It is known that the constituent parts of a computer are called hardware.

IV. Insert and, but, as, since, because, that, which:

1. Internal memory is a term for primary memory … its location is within the computer.

2. Secondary memory is called external memory … it usually consists of recording devices … are outside the computer.

3. In 1960 the second generation of computers was developed … these could perform work ten times faster than their predecessors.

4. The digital computer gets its name … the data … are presented to it are made up of a code consisting of digits.

5. ROM stands for “Read Only Memory”, … implies … the processor can read and use the information stored in the ROM chip … it cannot put information into it.

Section CReading