Сборник дополнительных текстов и упражнений по специальностям ИТ

Учебно-методическое пособие по английскому языку

для студентов 1 и 2 курсов факультетов ИТ

Москва 2012

УДК 802

Рекомендовано к изданию в качестве учебного пособия

Редакционно-издательским советом МГУПИ

 

Рецензент:

Галенко Л.Л., зав. кафедрой иностранных языков УП-7 МГУПИ.

 

Авторы: Солунова И.С., Демидова Л.Ф., Лосева С.В., Климова О.Ю., Козлова Н.И., Филатова Е.А., Нагоркина Ж.В. Общая редакция методического пособия – Лезёва Т.И.

Сборник дополнительных текстов и упражнений по специальностям ИТ. Учебно-методическое пособие для студентов 1 и 2 курсов. – М.: МГУПИ, 2012., с. 98

 

Цель пособия – обучить чтению и пониманию текстов по профессиональной тематике по специальностям ИТ.

Данное пособие предназначено для студентов специальностей ИТ на профессионально-ориентированном этапе овладения иностранным языком, где особое значение уделяется углубленному профессионально ориентированному чте­нию и практическому использованию иностранного языка в профессиональной деятельности. Задача пособия – научить студентов читать и понимать специальную литературу для приобще­ния к последним мировым научным достижениям в своей профессио­нальной области и для потребности в профессиональном росте.

Пособие содержит аутентичные тексты на английском языке, а также упражнения, направленные на развитие навыков чтения и понимания текстов и устной речи по профессиональной тематике. Пособие способствует выработке у студентов иноязычной профессиональной коммуникативной компетенции, а также формирует у студентов стратегическую компетенцию, т. е. способность применять разные стратегии как для понимания устных/письменных текстов, так и для поддержания успешного взаимодействия при устном/письменном общении. Работа с аутентичным материалом в пособии поможет студентам выработать следующие навыки и умения для понимания профессионального текста:

1) овладеть английской терминологией в профессиональной области и достигнуть ее прочного усвоения;

2) знать специфику перевода терминов на родной и иностранный языки;

3) овладеть лексикой и фразеологией, отражающими специфику текстов профессионального характера;

4) понимать основное /общее содержание текста и его детали /подробности / отдельные факты;

5) определить основную идею всего теста и каждого абзаца;

6) уметь находить необходимую информацию в тексте и делить текст на смысловые части;

7) определить ключевые слова / моменты текста и подобрать заголовки к тексту или каждому абзацу;

8) выделить, структурировать, анализировать, резюмировать специальную и профессионально значимую информацию;

9) уметь кратко обобщить информацию и изложить текст в устном или письменном виде;

10) уметь составить план текста / аннотацию к тексту.

 

Пособие содержит тексты следующих авторов:

 

1) Тексты №1-5 (Солунова И.С.)

2) Тексты №6-8 (Демидова Л.Ф.)

3) Тексты №9-10 (Лосева С.В.)

4) Тексты № 11-15 (Климова О.Ю.)

5) Тексты №16-20 (Козлова Н.И.)

6) Тексты №21-25 (Филатова Е.А.)

7) Тексты №26-28 (Нагоркина Ж.В.)

Общая редакция методического пособия – Лезёва Т.И.

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ

 

1. Computers and How They Work 5

2. The Internet: What’s all fuss? 9

3. Computer Viruses? What really is it? 13

4. Microsoft aims Windows 8 storage at enterprise data centers 16

5. TEXT 5 20

6. Using Computers 23

7. Can a computer respond to the human voice? 27

8. Cloud and security 30

9. Compiling or interpreting 33

10. Term information technology 36

11. Taking computer for granted 38

12. Strap on some eyephones and you are virtually there 45

13. Computer systems 50

14. The first hackers 55

15. The development of computers: prehistory 15

16. Security and privacy issues in the PDF document format 64

17. Making the web more accessible to people with disabilities 67

and special needs

18. Programmable nanowire circuits for nanoprocessors 70

19. New wireless technology developed for faster, 72

more efficient networks

20. New device may revolutionize computer memory 75

21. A textbook manoeuvre 78

22. Beyond the PC 80

23. Measuring the black web 83

24. Facebook's Timeline irks some users 85

25. How shoppers with smartphones are changing the retail landscape 87

26. Computer software 90

27. Operating systems 93

28. A Modem 95

TEXT 1

Computers and How They Work

 

Why is it important to know how a computer works? Easy, if you don't, it will be hard to control. Computers were never built to control us even though that is how it appears. Their creation was just another tool God gave man to use to benefit society. What can you do to learn more about computers? I have an easy answer. Just read, and use computers more. They are not that hard and with time you too can become the master over this tool.

Computers, the ones we know and love have not been around all that long. The first home personal computer was not sold until 1977. We have come a long way since then. Did you know that in 1983 there were approximately 2 million personal computers in use in the United States? However just 10 years later in 1993 the number had jumped to more than 90 million. And now the number is in the hundreds of millions.

Computers today are small, fast, reliable, and extremely useful. Back in 1977 that really was not the case. However they both operated in basically the same way. They both receive data, stored data, processed data, and then output data similar the way our own brainfunctions. This article deals with those 4 functions: Memory, Processing, Input, and Output.

Memory

Let’s look at computer memory first. The function of storage in a computer comes in many different sizes, types and shapes. However there are two basic categories: short-term and long-term. A typical computer contains numerous types of memory including RAM, ROM, virtual, cache, and various long-term storage devices. Each type of computer memory serves a specific function and purpose.

Computer memory is measured in bytes. A single byte is made up of a series of 1’s and 0’s normally traveling in pairs of eight. These eight 0's and 1's are the way the computer communicates and stores information. With each keystroke or character a byte of memory is used.

ROM

ROM, or read-only memory is permanent, long-term, nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile means is doesn't disappear when the computer is shut off. It also cannot be erased or changed in anyway. However there are types of ROM called PROM that can be altered. The P stands for programmable. ROM's purpose is to store the basic input/output system (BIOS) that controls the start-up, or boot process.

RAM

RAM, or random-access memory unlike ROM works only when the computer is turned on. This memory is vital to the computer because it controls the moment by moment processes of the computer. The first thing that goes into RAM is the OS (operating system) which is most cases is Windows 95. Next for the RAM might be a game, or the Internet browser, or some type of software that you want to use.

Early personal computer only needed about 64K of RAM. Today that number is drastically higher. With photos, sounds, and even movies going into RAM, the amount need is now in the millions.

Multitasking has put more demand on RAM in the past few years. Multitasking is the ability to run more than one program at the same time. For instance, many people like to run Netscape Communicator along with their word processing software. This means you need lots of RAM to hold both programs.

Other types of temporary memory are cache (pronounced "cash") and virtual memory. Both of these types of memory supplement the computer's primary RAM and perform the same function as RAM.

RAM and ROM may be very important parts of the computer; however, without storage devices like hard drives and disk drives your computer would not be near as useful.

Here are the most common forms of Storage Devices found on your home computer: thumb drive or memory stick, hard disk (drive) or HD, CD-ROM (compact disk, read-only memory) and DVD-ROM (digital video disk, read-only memory).

Processing

If someone had to find the brains of the computer they would most certainly say it’s the microprocessor. The microprocessor is often referred to as the CPU (Central processing unit). The microprocessor is a chip the size of a postage stamp. The processor is the one part of the computer that is most important to the computer. The microprocessor controls how data is sorted and directs the flow of data.

To a great extent a computer is defined by the power of its microprocessor. Chips with higher processing speed and more recent design offer the greatest performance and access to new technologies. Most microprocessors made for PCs are made by Intel or by companies that clone Intel chips, such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Cyrix.

The early Intel chip came in models called 286, 386, and 486. The 586 chip was given the name Pentium. The series of Pentiums were given the following names: Pentium Pro, Pentium with MMX, and Pentium II. The newer processors hold more transistors and thus more computing power on a single chip.

Input

One of the best features of a computer is the ability to give the computer commands and feed it information. Without an input device this would not be possible. Input devices can be built into the computer, like the keyboard in a laptop, or it can be connected to the computer by a cable. The most common input device is the keyboard. There are lots of others such as: mice, trackballs, touch pads, touch screens, lightpens, joysticks, scanners, barcode readers, digital cameras, webcams, microphones and graphics tablets. In addition, storage devices such as disk drives can serve as input devices.

Output

Input is important but equally important is the ability to read what the computer is doing. The computer output devices are used to serve the user. The most common output device is the monitor, or screen. However most computer come with speakers and a printer which are excellent output devices. Storage devices such as disk drives and diskettes also serve as output devices when it is necessary to write new or updated data files to disk or tape.