7. Translate the text in a written form. Text 3. Memory

Information put into a computer must be stored so that the central processing unit can easily access it. This storage area is called the computer memory and is where programs, data, and intermediate results reside while awaiting process­ing.

The memory of a computer consists of the components that provide the storage of information. Originally these components were vacuum tubes; these were soon replaced by little magnetic doughnuts, called cores, which could be magnetized either clockwise or counterclockwise. Once a core was magnetized, the computer could determine in which direction it was magnetized and thus interpret the information stored. Today, the system is essentially the same, although the core has been replaced by a semiconductor component that performs the same function more efficiently.

The term for any device that can store information is bit, an abbreviation for binary digit. The system of counting by bits is called the binary system. A bit is the smallest unit of storage of a computer and can exist in one of two states, 0 or 1.

Inside the memory, bits are grouped together into what are called words. Computers can have memories that range from a few thousand words to many millions. However, memory size is usually described in terms of the number of characters it can store – a character being a letter, number, or punctuation mark. The number of bits required to store one character is called a byte, and memory is usually measured in thousand of bytes or kilobytes. For very large machines the word megabyte, meaning millions of bytes, is often used.

There are two common types of memory: random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Random access means that the central processor can read information from or write information into any of the computer's memory locations. A common analogy for a memory location is a mailbox into which information can be inserted or from which it can be retrieved. RAM is where data or programs that have been entered into the computer are stored. Read-only memory or ROM is, as its name implies, only readable. The implication is that information is permanently stored in ROM and can be read or retrieved by the processor whenever needed.

TASKS

1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and transcribe them.

1. access (v.) (n.)

3. area (n.)

4. intermediate (adj.)

5. reside (v.)

6. vacuum tubes

7. magnetic doughnut

8. core (n.)

9. magnetize (v.)

10. determine (v.)

11. abbreviation (n.)

12. Character (n.)

13. analogy (n.)

2. Give English equivalents of the following words and word combinations.

1. состоять из компонентов

2. обеспечивать сохранение информации

3. первоначально

4. выполнять ту же самую функцию

5. объем памяти

6. считывать информацию

3. Form adverbs

easy, original, essential, intermediate, efficient, permanent

4. Find and underline predicate in each sentence.

1. Information put into a computer must be stored so that the central processing unit can easily access it.

2. This storage area is called the computer memory and is where programs, data, and intermediate results reside while awaiting processing.

3. The memory of a computer consists of the components that provide the storage of information.

4. Originally these components were vacuum tubes; these were soon replaced by little magnetic doughnuts, called cores, which could be magnetized either clockwise or counterclockwise.

5. Once a core was magnetized, the computer could determine in which direction it was magnetized and thus interpret the information stored.

6. Today, the system is essentially the same, although the core has been replaced by a semiconductor component that performs the same function more efficiently.

7. The term for any device that can store information is bit, an abbreviation for binary digit. The system of counting by bits is called the binary system.

8. A bit is the smallest unit of storage of a computer and can exist in one of two states, 0 or 1.

9. Inside the memory, bits are grouped together into what are called words.

10. Computers can have memories that range from a few thousand words to many millions.

11. However, memory size is usually described in terms of the number of characters it can store – a character being a letter, number, or punctuation mark. 12. The number of bits required to store one character is called a byte, and memory is usually measured in thousand of bytes or kilobytes.

13. For very large machines the word megabyte, meaning millions of bytes, is often used.

14. There are two common types of memory: random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM).

15. Random access means that the central processor can read information from or write information into any of the computer's memory locations.

16. A common analogy for a memory location is a mailbox into which information can be inserted or from which it can be retrieved.

17. RAM is where data or programs that have been entered into the computer are stored.

18. Read-only memory or ROM is, as its name implies, only readable.

19. The implication is that information is permanently stored in ROM and can be read or retrieved by the processor whenever needed.