1 How much do you know about computers?

Work in pairs and answer the questions.

1 What is a computer?
2 What does a computer do?
3 What are the main components of a
computer?
4 Have you got a computer at home? What type
is it?
5 What do you genera ll y use your computer for?

2 Read the text about computer components and complete the table.

A computer is an electronic device that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations and executes
instructions in a program . Its main functions are to accept and process data to produce results, store
information and programs and show results .
The main characteristics of these powerful machines are:
• speed, as they can execute billions of operations per second
• high reliability in the elaboration and delivery of data
• storage of huge amounts of information
A computer consists of hardware and software . The word hardware refers to all the components you can
physically see such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) , the internal memory system, the mass storage
system, the peripherals (input and output devices) and the connecting system. Software, instead , comprises
all the computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for a computer to work properly.
The CPU is the brains of your computer and consists of ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit), which carries out the
instructions of a program to perform arithmetical and logical operations, and CU (Control Unit), which controls
the system and coordinates all the operations. In order to memorise input and output data, there is an internal
memory that can be distinguished into volatile and non-volatile. Volatile memory is memory that loses its
contents when the computer or hardware device is off. Computer RAM (Random Access Memory) is a good
example of vo latile memory. It is the main memory of the computer where all data ca n be stored as long as
the machine is on. On the contrary, a non-volatile memory contains information, data and programs that
cannot be modified , or can be modified only very slowly and with difficulty. Computer ROM (Read Only
Memory), for example , contains essential and permanent information and software which allow the computer
to work properly. Memory storage devices are available in different options, sizes and capacities. These
devices are extremely useful; they can be rewritten and offer incredible storage capacity, up to 256 GB. They
can be magnetic (hard disks), optical (COs and OVOs) or solid (flash memory cards) .

Component
Full name / Description Functions and properties
(acronym)
-
hardware
software
CPU
ALU
CU
RAM
ROM
---

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b
Mass storage devices are available in an incredible number of options with different storage capacity up to 256
GB for some portable drives . A very popular type of removable device is represented by USB flash drives, which
are much smaller and lighter than other portable drives, but which can still provide a huge storage capacity.

3 n 10 Read the text about USB flash drives and fill in the gaps with the words in the box. Then listen
and check.

plugged backup board moving disadvantage

operating system case off-site water pocket

A USB flash drive is a flash memory data storage device

integrated with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. USB
flash drives are removable and rewritable , and they're small
enough to be carried in a (1) . These
portable drives are faster, have thou sands of times more
capacity, and are more durable and reliable than CD-ROMs
because of their lack of (2) parts.
Unlike most removable drives , a USB drive does not require
rebooting after it 's attached, they are very robust and use
very little power. They just need to be (3) _ _ _ __ __
into a USB port to work and they're compatible with any
modern (4) , such as Linux, Mac OS X
and Windows .

A flash drive consists of a small printed circuit (5) carrying the circuit elements and a
USB connector, insulated electrically and protected inside a plastic (6) _ _ _ _ _ _ __
The drive is often used as a (7) medium to save data , because it is very user-friendly and
it can be carried (8) for safety despite being large enough for several backups . Moreover,
flash drives are cheaper and less fragile than many other backup systems . Its only (9) is
that it can be easily lost because of its size and it's easy for people without a right to data to take illicit backups.
Some specially manufactured flash drives are provided with a metal or rubber case designed to be waterproof
and almost unbreakable . It's been tested that these flash drives can retain their memory even after being
submerged in (10) , put in a washing machine and run over with a car.

4 Find the synonyms for the following words in the text.

1 long-lasting: 4 easy to use:
2 sturdy: 5 fabricated:
3 inserted: 6 hold :

5 Read the text again and decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F), then correct the
false ones.
1 Flash drives are provided with a very limited storage capacity.
2 They are lighter that other removable drives .
3 They need an external power supply to work .
4 USB flash drives are compatible with few operating systems .
5 A plastic case prevents the printed circuit board from being damaged.
6 USB drives are convenient for transferring data between computers or for personal backups.
7 They are more expensive than other backup systems.
8 Some models continue to work even after being accidentally dropped into water.

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 6 Read the text and complete the definitions with the words in the box.

mouse speaker modem keyboard printer disk drives monitor scanner

We call hardware the equipment involved in the functioning of a computer. It consists of several components
that can either send data to the computer (input devices) or convert and transfer data out of the computer in
the form of text, sound, image, or other media (output devices). The main input and output devices are:
(1) : this is the display, which helps you control computer operations. It accepts
video signals from a computer and shows information on a screen. The first models used cathode ray tubes
(CRTs), which was the dominant technology until they were replaced by liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in the
21 st Century.
(2) : this is like a typewriter with an arrangement of keys corresponding to written
symbols . It is generally used to type text and numbers in a word processor. However there are some special
keys or combination of keys which, pressed simultaneously, can produce actions or computer commands.
(3) : this is a dynamic pointing device used to move the cursor on the screen . It
consists of a plastic case, a little ball that sends impulses to the computer when rolled on a flat surface, one
or more buttons, and a cable that connects the device to the computer. Modern computers are provided with
built-in pointing devices that let you control the cursor by simply moving your finger over a pad.
(4) : this captures images from printed pages or photos and converts them into
digital data. They usually come with software that lets you resize or modify a captured image .
(5) : this receives text and graphics from a computer and transfers the information
to paper. It may vary in size , speed , sophistication, and cost. In general, more expensive models are used for
higher-resolution colour printing.
(6) : this converts electrical signals into sounds and allows you to listen to music,
multimedia web sites and conversations with other people.
(7) : this is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over
telephone lines, by converting digital signals into analog waves. It can be either internal or external to your
computer.
(8) . these are devices that allow you to read and write data on disks. They can be
either mounted inside the computer and store the computer operating system and all the documents and
programs, or come in the form of removable devices .

7 Work in pairs. Look at the picture in exercise 6 and decide if the components are input (I) or output (0)
devices.

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8 Read the descriptions of the different types of computers and match them with the correct picture.

When you go to a computer shop, you can find

computers for any use , size or capability.

1 D Desktop: this is a personal computer intended

for regular use at a single location. It's designed
to sit on your desk, and as such it consists of a
monitor and a tower with extra drives inside .

2 D Laptop: this is a portable computer, which

integrates all the usual components of a desktop
~-------------------,~ computer into a single unit. Smaller versions of
laptops are known as notebooks . It is usefu I for

"D people who do not have a fixed place to work

~
at. They are lighter and handier than desktop
computers, but they also tend to be more
expensive. They require an expensive battery
that needs to be recharged quite often.

3 D Netbook: this is a portable computer, with

limited capabilities as compared to standard
laptops. It is smaller and lighter, but it also has
less processing power than a full-sized laptop . It
is useful for people who don't have a fixed place
to work at or for those who travel, but still need
to surf the Net. They use a battery which needs
to be recharged often.

4 D Palmtop: this is a small portable computer

designed to have large amounts of information
close to hand. They are provided with light long-
lasting batteries and special operating systems.
They don't require any keyboard but use special
pens or touch screens to enter data and access
information .

5 D Mainframe: this is a very large and expensive

computer capable of supporting thousands
of users at the same time. For this reason, it
is used in businesses and it's the centre of
computer networks . These super computers,
which are usually as big as a large refrigerator,
are the most powerful and expensive ones and
they're used for jobs which require enormous
D amounts of calculations , such as weather
forecasting, engineering design and economic
data processing.

9 Read the texts again and answer the questions.

1 What does a desktop computer consist of? 4 What is the difference between a netbook
2 Are desktop computers designed to be carried and a laptop?
around? 5 How can you access or enter information on
3 Who are laptops useful for? a palmtop?
6 What are mainframes used for?

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The Internet
10 Read the text and complete the sentences with the missing information.

The Internet is a worldwide information system

consisting of countless networks and computers,
which allow millions of people to share
information and data . Thanks to the Internet it is
now possible for people all over the world to
communicate with one another in a fast and
cheap way.
The Internet was first invented in the 1960s in
the USA by the Department of Defence as an
internal project to link computers. The
Department wanted an extremely safe way of
sending messages in case of nuclear attack. It
was a British physicist, Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, ' ,
who used it to make information available to '
everyone and created the most important media of the 21 sI century. In 1980 while working at CERN in
Geneva - the largest particle physics laboratory in the world - he first thought of using hypertext to share
and update information among researchers. Then in 1989-90 he produced a plan to link hypertext to
the Internet to create the World Wide Web. He designed and built the first site browser and editor, as
well as the first web server called httpd (Hypertext Trasfer Protocol Deamon). Hypertext are the words or
chains of words in a text we can click on to be linked to new sites whose content is related to the words .
But how does this global system work? It is a network of people and information linked together by
telephone lines which are connected to computers. The applications are based on a client/server
relationship , in which your computer is the client and a remote computer is the server. All you need to
join this system is a computer, a normal telephone line, a modem and an account with an Internet Service
Provider (ISP), a company that provides access to the Internet. A user buys a subscription to a service
provider, which gives him/her an identifying username, a password and an email address . With a
computer and a modem, the user can connect to the service provider's computer which gives access to
many services, such as WWW (world wide web), emails and FTP (file t'ransfer protocol).

1 The Internet allows people to

2 In the 1960s, the Internet was used
3 Thanks to Sir Timothy Berners-Lee
4 He created the World Wide Web by linking
5 All you need to access the Internet is
6 The ISP is

11 Write a summary of the text in exercise 10 following the flow chart.

Write about the

Write about the Describe the Explain the importance of
role of the revolution that Say how the the Internet in
origins of the
Internet in the occurred in the Inte rnet system your own life
Internet and its
modern world. 1990s. works. and describe
first uses.
how you use it.

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12 Read the text about the different types of Internet connections and match the words in the box with the
correct definition.

DSL w ireless sa tellite cabl e di al-up )

1
It used to be the most common way to access the Internet. This type of connection requires you to use a
landline telephone connection and a modem connected to your computer. In order to establish the connection,
you must dial a telephone number provided by the ISP. Nowadays it represents the cheapest but slowest way
to connect to the Internet. Another disadvantage of this type of connection is that you cannot make or receive
phone calls while connected to the Internet.

2
A digital subscriber line is another way to connect to the Internet through a telephone connection , but the
quality and speed of the connection is significantly greater than a dial-up connection. Moreover, unlike a dial-
up connection, this connection is always on, w hich means you can still ma ke and receive telephone calls with
your landline telephone.

3 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
In order to have this type of connection you must subscribe to an account with a local cable television provider
and connect a cable modem to your computer. This connection is very fast and doesn't interfere with your
telephone line.

4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
This is one of the newest Internet connection types. This connection does not require your computer to be
connected to telephone or cable wires, as it uses radio frequency bands. You simply need a modem and an
account with an Internet provider. Nowadays, many coffee shops, restaurants, public libraries and schools offer
this type of connection for free . However, it is typically more expensive and mainly available in metropolitan
areas .

5 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
This type of connection allows a user to access the Internet via a satellite that orbits the earth. Because of the
enormous distances signals must travel , this connection is slightly slower than terrestrial connections through
cables . It represents an excellent option for people living in rural area s where oth er types of connections are
not available .

MY GLOSSARY
backup / bc:ekAp/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ to process /td 'pr8uses/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
cas e /kels/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ rebooting
close to h and /kJ:Jus t8 hc:end/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ to recharge /t8 ri:'tIa:d3/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
cou ntless / kauntlgs/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ reliability /n'laJ8bIl8tI/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
illicit /I'lISlt/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ removable /n'mu:v8b.ll_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
to interfere /tu: mtg'fIg(r)! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ to retain /t8 n 'tem/_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
key /ki:/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ sophistication /s8flstr'kelIn/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
keyboard / ki: b8:d/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ storage /st8:nd3/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
landline / lc:endlam/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ subscrip tion /s8b'sknpIn/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
lap top / 1c:eptDp/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ tower / tam(r)/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
to link /tg lIIJk/_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ typewriter / taIprart8(r)/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
mainfra me / me mfrelm/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ user-friendly /ju:z8'frendl i/ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __
palmtop / pa:mtop/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ w ashing machine / wDIII] m8'Ii:n/ _ _ _ _ _ __
to perform /t8 pg'h m/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ waterproof / W8:t8pru:f/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
pri nter / prmt8(r)/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

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