Unit 6 computer system

Part 1 What is a computer?

Exercises to the subject:

I. Answer the following questions:

1. Have you got a computer at home or at college? What kind is it?

2. How often do you use it?

3. What are the main components and features of your computer system?

II. Label the elements of this computer system:

III. Read these advertising slogans and say which computer element each pair refers to:

1. a) point and click here for power; b) obeys every impulse as if it were an extension of your hand.

2. a) displays your ideas with perfect brilliance; b) see the difference – sharp images and a fantastic range of colours.

3. a) it’s quiet and fast; b) it’s easy to back up your data before it’s too late.

4. a) power and speed on the inside; b) let your computer’s brain do the work.

5. a) a big impact on the production of text and graphics; b) just what you need: a laser powerhouse.

IV. Read the following text and explain the diagram given below:

A computer is an electronic machine which can accept data in a certain form, process the data, and give the results of the processing in a specified format as information.

First, data is fed into the computer’s memory. Then, when the program is run, the computer performs a set of instructions and processes the data. Finally, we can see the results (the output) on the screen or in printed form.

A computer system consists of two parts: hardware and software. Hardware is any electronic or mechanical part you can see or touch. Software is a set of instructions, called a program, which tells the computer what to do. There are three basic hardware sections: the central processing unit (CPU), main memory and peripherals.

Perhaps the most influential component is the central processing unit. Its function is to execute program instructions and coordinate the activities of all the other units. In a way, it’s the ‘brain’ of the computer. The main memory (a collection of RAM chips) holds the instructions and data which are being processed by the CPU. Peripherals are the physical units attached to the computer. They include storage devices and input/output devices.

Storage devices (hard drives, DVD drives or flash drives) provide a permanent storage of both data and programs. Disk drives are used to read and write data on disks. Input devices enable data to go into the computer’s memory. The most common input devices are the mouse and the keyboard. Output devices enable us to extract the finished product from the system. For example, the computer shows the output on the monitor or prints the results onto paper by means of a printer.

On the rear panel of the computer there are several ports into which we can plug a wide range of peripherals – a modem, a digital camera, a scanner, etc. They allow communication between the computer and the devices. Modern desktop PCs have USB ports and memory card readers on the front panel.

V. Match the words and word-combinations from the text with the correct meaning:

VI. Answer the following questions to the text:

1. What is a computer?

2. How is data processed in a computer?

3. What are the parts of a computer system?

4. What are the functions of three basic hardware sections?

5. What do storage devices provide?

6. What are ports used for?

Part 2 Types of computers

Exercises to the subject:

I. Listen to the text and label the pictures with the following words: laptop; desktop PC; PDA; mainframe; tablet PC.

II. Listen again and decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Correct the false ones.

1. A mainframe computer is less powerful than a PC.

2. A mainframe is used by large organizations that need to process enormous amounts of data.

3. The most suitable computers for home use are desktop PCs.

4. A laptop is not portable.

5. Laptops are not as powerful as desktop PCs.

6. Using a stylus, you can write directly onto the screen of a tablet PC.

7. A Personal Digital Assistant is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.

8. A PDA does not allow you to surf the Web.