VI. Make up sentences using the Passive Voice:

1. The mouse – to design – to slide – around – your – desktop.

2. The first – transistors – to use – 1959.

3. The information – to store – already – registers.

4. Calculating tables – to compile – next week.

5. The problems – artificial intelligence – to discuss – widely – all over the world.

6. Minicomputers – usually – to find – banks – offices.

VII. Translate into English:

1. Данная статья была написана в прошлом месяце.

2. Арифмометр был изобретен П.Л. Чебышевым в 1882 году.

3. Сейчас в нашей лаборатории проводится интересный эксперимент. Я думаю, что он будет закончен к концу недели.

4. Сегодня много говорят о лазерных принтерах.

5. Эту информацию представляют с помощью бинарной системы.

6. В каком году был разработан Бейсик?

7. Когда будет переведена эта статья?

Section C Reading

I. Nowadays our lives can’t be imagined without computers. What is a computer? Give your own explanation and compare your definition with the one given in paragraph 1.

II. Skim the text and name three general types of computers.

III. Study the following words and word combinations and make sure you know their translations. Use a specialized dictionary in case of any difficulties.

to process data

sequence of instructions

discrete form

digit

binary code

to store instructions

to perform a task

to utilize

IV. State the type of word-building of the following words and translate them into Russian.

computer, various, unlike, to rearrange, conversion, representation, to misunderstand, continuously

V. Read the text attentively and learn the advantages and disadvantages of 3 computer types.

5 10 15 20 25

Computer is any of various automatic electronic devices that solve problems by processing data according to a prescribed sequence of instructions. Such devices are of three general types: analog, digital and hybrid. They differ from one another in terms of operating principle, equipment design, and application. U nlike the analog computer, which operates on continuous variables, the digital computer works with data in discrete form -- i.e. expressed directly as the digits of the binary code. It counts, lists, compares, and rearranges these binary digits, or bits, of data in accordance with very detailed program instructions stored within its memory. The results of these arithmetic and logic operations are translated into characters, numbers, and symbols that can be easily understood by the human operator or into signals intelligible to a machine controlled by the computer. Digital computers can be programmed to perform a host of varied tasks. The hybrid computer combines the characteristics and advantages of analog and digital systems; it offers greater precision than the former and more control capability than the latter. Equipped with special conversion devices, it utilizes both analog and discrete representation of data. In recent years hybrid systems have been used in simulation studies of nuclear-power plants, guided-missile systems, and spacecraft, in which a close representation of a dynamic system is essential.