I. Match each preposition with the correct Russian equivalent.

owing to	согласно
apart from	несмотря на
according to	также
along with	посредством
by means of	что касается
as well	кроме
as for	наряду
because of	благодаря
	вместо
	из-за

II. Choose the sentences in which the words in bold type are prepositions.

1. а) A clear structure, moderate visual clues and easily recognizable links can help users to find their path to their aim. b) These approaches can lead to more sophisticated design decisions and simplify the process of perceiving presented information.

2. a) Access control management systems provide the foundation for information security within the business environment. b) Users don’t search for the quickest way to find the information they are looking for. c) Strive for simplicity instead of complexity. d) For wireless networks transmit signals by air, the problems of security are of special concern.

3. a) The slogan becomes functional as users are provided with options to try the service and download the free version. b) High-speed routers can serve as part of the Internet backbone. c) As the idea was false, it was rejected. d) In a digital signal, the information is encoded as a set of discrete values. e) Obviously, images are more eye-catching than the text – just as the sentences marked as bald are more attractive than plain text. f) Such guidelines are extremely effective as they lead the visitors through the site content in a very simple and user-friendly way.

4. a) Since the visitor of the page is the only person who clicks the mouse and therefore decides everything, user-centric design has become a standard approach for successful web design. b) Since the real secrecy is in the key, its length is a major design issue. c) Since its introduction mobile telephony has undergone an enormous expansion.

III. Explain the way of word formation of the following nouns and adjectives. Give their Russian equivalents.

Security, performance, reliability, manageability; informative, intuitive, helpful, preferable.

 

IV. Arrange in pairs the words with similar meaning.

Substantial, eliminate, helpful, launch, essential, refine, start, sophistication, characteristic, useful, remove, feature, complexity, improve.

 

V. In the text of task XI find the word derived from the verb to perform. Name other derivatives of this verb.

VI. Read the text and choose the most suitable title:

1. Windows Vista and other Operating Systems.

2. Windows’ Improved Operating System.

3. Microsoft on the World Market.

 

Windows Vista offers substantial new capabilities in security, performance, reliability, and manageability. Vista is just plain cool and looks beautiful, and the desktop experience is more informative, intuitive, and helpful. The visual sophistication of Vista helps streamline the computing experience by refining common elements so you can better focus on the content on the screen.

When you start using Windows Vista, you will recognize familiar elements such as the Start menu. The Start menu is now faster, streamlined, and more helpful than in previous versions of Windows.

The Start menu features integrated desktop search through a new feature called Instant Search, which can help you find and launch almost anything on your PC.

The new Start menu also helps you navigate across all of the installed applications on your PC. Microsoft has eliminated the slow-performing, cascading «All Programs» view, so the Start menu can help get things started more quickly.

And it is preferable to have a new system with Vista pre-installed.

 

VII.Read the first sentence of passage 1 and divide it into sense groups. Define the dependency relations between them.

VIII. Read the text and find the key words revealing the principal information of the text.

IX. Look through the text and say what differs a new version of Windows Vista from the previous ones.