Exercise 4. Remember the meaning of the terms that you will find in the text. 1. Spread sheet package - a kind of computer programs that you calculate data on sale, taxis, profits and so on. 2. Floppy disk - a disk made of plastic material upon which data are stored on magnetic tracks. 3. Compatible - it is usually said about two computers when their programs can be run on both of them. 4. Peripheral devices, or peripherals are units connected to the central processing units (CPU); they are input devices, output devices and storage devices. 5. Input is the process of transferring data or program instruction into the computer. 6. Output is the result produced by a computer. 7. Storage is the process of keeping information in a special device in computer. 8. Software may be denoted as a set of programs or instructions executed by the computer. 9. Hardware is a computer machinery and equipment. 10. Digital computer is a type of computer that uses a binary system. 11 11. Chip is a tiny piece of silicon containing a complex electronic circuits. Before reading the passage " The Rise of the Personal Computer" find in the text "The Rise of IBM" the chronological information on the models of computers produced by this company. Was the policy of IBM successful in the 1960s? THE RISE OF THE PERSONAL COMPUTER The first personal computer, the Altair, was announced in Popular Electronics in its January 1975 issue. The Altair was also the first example of new computer hardware. It caused a sensation in the computer industry: those who wanted could have their own computers to play with at home, and a mighty computer industry soon began to grow. A young computer hacker from Seattle by the name of William Gates, then a freshman at Harvard, sold the Altair developers a computer language that would run on their machine and that made it possible to program many advanced functions. Emboldened by their success with Altair, Gates and his friend founded Microsoft Corporation, which has become the world's largest person
1 Where is your brother? - He was sent to France / he has been sent to France. 2 You have just been spoken about. 3 At home she was laughed at. 4 Who was this letter written by? 5 These flowers have just been picked up. 6 Were you asked to come earlier yesterday? 7 His play will be staged in this theatre next year. 8 This professor is always sent for in difficult situations. 9 St Paul's Cathedral was built by architect Wren. 10 When was this letter written? 11 Where were the books put? 12 The doctor will be sent for tomorrow.
2 You have just been spoken about.
3 At home she was laughed at.
4 Who was this letter written by?
5 These flowers have just been picked up.
6 Were you asked to come earlier yesterday?
7 His play will be staged in this theatre next year.
8 This professor is always sent for in difficult situations.
9 St Paul's Cathedral was built by architect Wren.
10 When was this letter written?
11 Where were the books put?
12 The doctor will be sent for tomorrow.