Lesson 22

I. Learn the following words and word-combinations:

to process - обробляти, опрацьовувати

CPU (central processing unit) - ЦП (центральний процесор)

user - користувач

tiny - крихітний

microcomputer - мікрокомп’ютер

space - простір, місце

case - блок, корпус

mainframe computer - головний комп’ютер обчислювального

центру, мейнфрейм

separate - окремий

unit - пристрій, блок

II. Read and translate the text:

The “Brain” of the computer

You have seen that there are quite a few ways to get information into the computer. Once the information is there what does the computer do with it? You already know the answer: The computer processed it. But in what way?

Instructions from the keyboard or from a program go to the central processing unit, or CPU. The CPU interprets and follows instructions, and sends the result of its work to the user, to the computer’s memory, or to both.

Since the CPU is so important, and its speed so fast, you can think that it is always very large. In fact, it can be tiny. The CPU in a microcomputer may be no larger than a thumbnail! And since it requires so little space, it is often included in one and the same case together with computer hardware. It wasn’t so even ten years ago when the CPU and the keyboard were placed in one case. Nowadays, in every mainframe computer or microcomputer, the CPU is located in a separate unit. It is this unit that ordinary people call “the computer”.

Exercise 1. Find Ukrainian equivalents for the given words.

1) space a) блок, корпус

2) separate b) пристрій, блок

3) unit c) мікрокомп’ютер

4) mainframe computer d) окремий

5) tiny e) користувач

6) case f) простір, місце

7) microcomputer g) ЦП (центральний процесор)

8) to process h) головний комп’ютер

9) user i) крихітний

10) CPU (central processing unit) j) обробляти, опрацьовувати

Exercise 2. Fill in the gaps.

1. Instructions from the keyboard or from a program go to the …, or …. 2. The CPU in a … may be no larger than a thumbnail! 3. Since it requires so little …, it is often included in one and the same … together with computer hardware. 4. Nowadays, in every … or microcomputer, the CPU is located in a … unit. 5. It is this … that ordinary people call “the computer”.

Exercise 3. Ask your group mates:

1) whether there are many ways to get information into the computer;

2) where instructions from the keyboard or from a program go to;

3) to whom the CPU sends the results of its work;

4) whether the CPU is always very large;

5) whether the CPU is located in a separate unit nowadays.

Exercise 4. Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Команди з клавіатури чи з програми потрапляють до центрального процесора. 2. Центральний процесор відсилає результати своєї праці користувачеві. 3. Центральний процесор може бути крихітним. 4. Навіть десять років тому, центральний процесор та клавіатура розміщувались в одному корпусі. 5. В наш час, у мейн фреймах та у мікрокомп’ютерах, центральний процесор розміщується в окремому блоці.

Exercise 5. Express your opinion on the following topic:

- Why the CPU is called the “brain” of the computer?

- Why, in your opinion, has the CPU been separated from the keyboard and located in a single unit? Is it more convenient for ordinary users?