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A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits that operate switches or magnetize tiny metal cores. The switches, like the cores, are capable of being in one of two possible states, that is, on or off; magnetized.

The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters and characters.

The basic idea of a computer is that we can make the machine do what we want by inputting signals that turn certain switches on and turn others off, or that magnetize or do not magnetize the cores.

The basic job of computers is the processing of information. For this reason, computers can be defined as devices which accept information in the from of instructions called a program and characters called data performing mathematical and logical operations on the information, and then supply results of these operations.

The program or a part of it, which tells the computers what to do and the data, which provide the information needed to solve the problem, are kept inside the computer in a place called memory.

Computers are thought to have many remarkable powers. Most computers, whether large or small have three basic capabilities.

First, computers have circuits for performing arithmetical operations, such as: addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and exponentiation. Second, computers have means of communicating with the user. If we couldn’t feed information in and get results back these machine wouldn’t be of much use.

However, certain computers (commonly minicomputers and microcomputers) are used to control directly things such as robots, aircraft navigation systems, medical instruments, etc. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use terminals, diskettes, disks and magnetic tapes.

The computer’s input device (which might be a disk drive depending on the medium used in inputting information) reads the information into the computer. For outputting information, two common devices are used a printer which prints the new information on paper, or a cathode-raytube (CRT) display screen which shows the results on a TV-like a screen. Third, computers have circuits which can make decisions. The kinds of decisions which computer circuits can make are not of the type: ‘Who would win a war between two countries?’ or ‘Who is the richest person in the world?’ Unfortunately, the computer can only decide three things, namely:’ Is one number use more often than another? ‘Are two numbers equal?’ and, ‘Is one number greater than another?’

A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds even thousands of logical operations without becoming tired or bored. It can find the solution to a problem in a fraction that it takes a human being to do the job. A computer can replace people in dull routine, but it has no originality, it works according to the instructions given to it and cannot exercise value judgements.

There are times when a computer seems to operate like a mechanical «brain», but its achievement are limited by the minds of human beings. A computer cannot do anything unless a person tells it what to do and gives the appropriate information, but because of electric pulses can move at the speed of light, a computer can carry out vast numbers of arithmetical-logical operations almost instantaneously.

A person can do the same, but in many cases that person would be deal long before the job was finished.

III. Translate these into your own language:

1. an intricate network 9. an input device

2. tiny metal cores 10. for outputting information

3. by inputting signals 11. a decision

4. the processing of information 12. to replace

5. to define 13. appropriate

6. to provide 14. to carry out

7. to solve 15. vast

8. memory

IV. Translate these into English:

1. переключатель, подобный 9. непосредственно управлять

металлическому сердечнику

2. буквы и знаки (символы) 10. схема

3. намагничивать металлический 11. механический мозг

сердечник

4. обработка информации 12. ограниченный

5. выполнять металлические 13. до тех пор пока

и логические операции

6. данные 14. подходящий

7. замечательный 15. скорость света

8. средства связи с пользователем

1. A computer is a ..... with an intricate network of electronic circuits.

2. The machine is ..... of storing and manipulating numbers, letters and characters.

3. The basic job of a computer is the ..... of information.

4. Most computers have three basic ..... .

5. Computers have ..... for performing arithmetical operations.

6. Certain computers are used ..... directly things such as robots, medical instruments, etc.

7. For outputting information two common ..... are used.

8. A computer can ..... people in dull routine.

VI. Fill in the gaps the prepositions:

1. A computer is a device ..... an intricate network.

2. The switches are capable of being ..... one or two states.

3. We can make the machine do what we want ..... inputting signals.

4. Computers accept information ..... the form of instructions called a program.

5. Computers have circuits ..... performing operations.

6. Computers have means of communicating ..... the user.

7. Input device may be a disk drive depending ..... the medium used ..... inputting information.

8. Computers can solve a series of problems ..... becoming tired or bored.

VII. Match the names on the left with the definitions on the right:

1. video recorder a) a kind of sophisticated typewriter using a computer

2. photocopier b) a machine which records and plays back sound

3. fax machine c) a machine which records and plays back pictures

4. tape recorder d) a camera which records moving pictures and sound

5. modem e) a machine for chopping up, slicing, mashing, etc.

6. camcorder f) a machine which makes copies of documents

7. robot g) a machine which makes copies of documents and

sends them down telephone lines to another place

8. word-processor h) a machine which acts like a person

9. food-processor i) a piece of equipment allowing you to send information from one computer down telephone lines to another computer

VIII. Write descriptions like those in exercise VII, for the following objects:

TV set sewing-machine microwave disks

iron telephone printer mouse

alarm-clock ventilator keyboard CD-players

Work, difficult, to fulfill, fundamental, to end, equipment

complex, way, uninterested, an accomplishment

XI. Find the antonyms to the following words in the text:
output, smaller, interesting, poor, dark, alive, large, receiving, reject, unusual

XII. Arrange the items of the plan in a logical order according to the text:

1. A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds even thousands of logical operations.

2. The basic job of computers is the processing of information.

3. A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits.

4. Computers have circuits for performing arithmetic operations.

5. The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters and characters.

6. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use terminals.

7. For outputting information only two common devices are used.

1. What is a computer?

2. What is it capable to do?

3. The basic job of a computer is the processing of information, isn’t it?

4. How do we call a program, which tells the computer what to do?

5. Computers have many remarkable powers, don’t they?

6. What can computer solve?

7. Can computers do anything without a person?

to adjust to check in to maintain

advanced to enable a marvel

to amend to execute random

to assist to guide to rely on

to conjure an image a relative ease

to contribute huge to resemble

conversing launching a terminal