2. Consider the points below, and then give your opinion. Say which you think is better.

Calculating machines		Cars
size speed weight portability efficiency ease of use age reliability		size age price power running costs comfort boot size engine size speed acceleration

3. Compare

• three different forms of transport

• three different jobs

• your country with two other countries

4. Consider the points below, and then give your opinion. Say which you think is best.

Transport		Jobs		Countries
price speed comfort interest noise convenience		interest stress difficulty hours of work pay satisfaction training		size population climate scenery standard of living culture food

Section B Language Focus. The Passive Voice

I. Study the models of the passive constructions and translate the sentences into Russian: a.

1. Computers are used nowadays for many different kinds of work, e.g. in offices, banks, factories, hospitals, universities and schools.

2. In computers of the 1950’s the transistors, diodes, resistors and other components were mounted on printed-circuit cards.

3. The speed and capacity of these components have been greatly improved with each new generation of computers.

4. The conference will be held next week.

5. Is the program being loaded now?

6. Many books on the computer’s architecture had been translated into Russian by the end of last year.

B.

1. In the early 1960’s a wholly new technology was created by semiconductor makers.

2. The power of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is partly determined by its speed.

3. He is often asked to make a report at conferences.

4. They were shown new computer classes.

5. The newest electronic memory systems will be much spoken about.

6. The conductor is acted upon by an electric field.

7. The results of his numerous experiments are often referred to.

8. That design was soon followed by many others.

9. In the 1960’s advances in microelectronic components were followed by an even smaller microcomputer.

10.The development of computers was greatly influenced by the invention of transistors.

II. Use the following sentences in the negative and interrogative forms:

1. The results of computations were recorded in the form of tables.

2. Computers are divided into three main types depending on their size and power.

3. The instructions in the user’s program are examined by the Control Unit.

4. The program will be written in three days.

5. Minicomputers have been made possible by the development of integrated circuits.

III. Ask special questions:

1. The concept of the stored program was worked out by John von Neuman in 1945.

2. Almost every profession is deeply affected by the computer revolution.

3. A permanent storage of both data and programs is provided by storage devices.

4. His book on programming languages will be translated into English and German.

IV. Paraphrase the following sentences using the Passive Voice. Give two variants if possible:

1. The famous Russian scientist M.V. Lomonosov compiled a lot of calculating tables.

2. Storage devices provide a permanent storage of both data and programs.

3. W. Oughtred constructed the first slide-ruler in 1630.

4. They have shown us new computer classes.

5. They explained him how to solve this problem.

V. Open the brackets. Use the proper form of the verb:

1. A new model of the printer (to be shown) tomorrow.

2. The concept of the stored program (to be worked out) by J. Neuman in 1945.

3. The constituent parts of the computer (to be called) hardware.

4. A new program (to be compiled) when you called.

5. Your information (to be sent) by e-mail now.

6. Microcomputers (to be applied) since the 1970s.

7. In the first generation, the central processor (to be built) from electronic valves which were rather unreliable.