Unit 6 The Computer: a Necessary Evil?
Part Ⅰ Getting ready
A computer is a machine that performs calculations and processes information with astonishing speed and precision. A computer can handle vast amounts of information and solve complicated problems. It can take thousands of individual pieces of data and turn them into more usable information with blinding speed and almost unfailing accuracy.
A The following words and phrases will appear in this unit. Listen carefully and study the definitions.
1. process: put (information, numbers, etc.) into a computer for examination
2. program: supply (a computer) with a list of instructions that must be given to a computer in order to make it perform an operation
3. laptop: a computer small enough to be held on one's knees for use
4. electronic mail (e-mail): an electronic system which joins a group of computers, allowing people to send messages to each other on their computers
5. keyboard: several rows of keys on a computer
6. Internet: an international network of computer databases
7. World Wide Web (WWW): a popular system that makes it easier for people to find and use information on the Internet
8. browser: a computer program that lets you find and use information on the Internet
9. silicon ship: a very small piece of silicon containing a set of electronic parts and their connections, which is used in computers
10. Integrated Circuit: a very small set of electrical connections printed on a single piece of semiconductor material, such as a chip
B You are going to hear a short passage about the different sizes of computers. Write down every word as a dictation. It will be read three times. First reading, read from beginning to end. Second reading, read with pauses. Third reading, read without pauses again. (You may find the following words hard to spell: mainframe computer [主机计算机], microprocessor [微处理器].)
C You are going to hear the first part of a conversation between a school headmaster and the chairman of the board of directors of the school. They are arguing about the plan for buying a computer for the school. Write down all the pros and cons.
Pros Cons
●can be used for storing school ●rather pricey (expensive)
__________, lists of _________ ●would be __________ to spend the
and details of _______________ money on more ________, ________
●can save the ___________ a lot equipment and __________________
of ___________________________ ●just like _____________ machines
●children can work out their own ●waste children's ____________ on
____________________ which will ________________________________
stimulate their ____________ in ●children won't ________ anything
______________ and help them to from it
the subject better
●_______ studies are getting very
popular in the _________ schools
and ____________________________
Part Ⅱ Airlines are wiring up for travelers
"Laptop" is a newly coined word for portable computer. Another word for "laptop" is "notebook". Though laptops are comparatively small in size, they are almost as functional as big ones. You can check your e-mail, and reply to those that require a response. You can send a message of your own to a friend in another city. You might also read a few articles in some of the worldwide discussion groups.
A You are going to hear a report on the use of laptop computers in planes. First listen to the topic sentences. Fill in the blanks while listening.
1. Ten years ago, it was unusual to see people in a ____________ working on ____________ Now they are ____________.
2. It all ____________ when they began to have a consistent policy about the use of ____________ during flight.
3. Then came the ____________ phone.
4. Finally airlines are starting to offer _________ power sources for _________.
5. _________ and _________ -flight facilities at airports have been trying to _________.
6. New aircraft will all have a modem point and ____________ at every seat. Ant phones will get __________ satellite links.
B Now listen to the whole report. While listening for the first time, add more key words in the left- hand column. After the second listening, decide whether the statements are true or false. Put "T" or "F" in the brackets.
Statements
( ) 1. Now it is very common to see people in a plane working on laptop computers.
( ) 2. Today many passengers work on laptops in a plane, but only very few will make phone calls, send faxes, check e-mail or surf the World Wide Web.
( ) 3. As soon as you board a plane, you may begin use of your laptop.
( ) 4. Laptop computers first appeared in scare stories.
( ) 5. Passengers are not allowed to use their laptops during take-off.
( ) 6. The on-board phone not only allows passengers to make urgent last-minute calls to the office but also allows full data communications to fax machines, corporate computer networks and the Internet.
( ) 7. With in-seat power sources for notebooks, battery life is no longer the biggest challenge for notebook users.
( ) 8. Though people can work on laptop computers in a plane, they are forbidden to use them at airports.
( ) 9. Using the modem point, people in a plane will be able to write e-mail and send data.
( ) 10.It is expected to cost about ￡700 050 000 to fit the modem links, telephone handsets and modify seats in one aircraft.
C Now listen to the report again, and correct all the false statements in activity B.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Part Ⅲ Techno-chat
The Internet is the name for a group of worldwide information resources. These resources are so vast as to be well beyond the comprehension of a single human being. Not only is there no one who understands all of the Internet, there is no one who even understands most of the Internet. Using the Internet means sitting at your computer screen and accessing information. But do you know Internet can sometimes act as a match-maker?
A You are going to hear Tom and Jason talking about Internet and techno-chat. While listening for the first time, add more key words in the left-hand column. After the second listening, answer the questions in no more than five words or numbers.
Questions
1. Where do the beauty and utility of Internet lie?
________________________________________________
2. What are the two main functions of the Internet according to the conversation?
________________________________________________
3. What is Internet compared to in the conversation?
________________________________________________
4. How did one of the speakers meet his girl friend?
________________________________________________
5. What's the name of the bulletin board?
________________________________________________
6. How long has it been around?
________________________________________________
7. How much computer time will one dollar buy?
________________________________________________
8. Who are you going to talk to on a computer network?
________________________________________________
9. Is it possible for you to have a private conversation on a computer network?
________________________________________________
10. What's the main advantage of talking through a computer?
________________________________________________
11. What are the rush hours for techno-chat program?
________________________________________________
12. What does Tom mean by saying "Look in the mirror, man."?
________________________________________________
B Now listen to the conversation again. Complete the following summary about Internet and techno-chat programs by writing in the missing words with the help of the above notes and answers.
The Internet is a computer _________. It is the _________ and most _________ achievement in the history of _________. Its _________ and _________ lie in the _________. The Internet _________ millions of people all over the world to _________ and to _________. You communicate by either _________ and _________ electronic mail, or by _________ a connection to someone else's computer and _________ messages _________ and _________ You share by _________ in discussion groups and by _________ the many programs and information _________ that are _________ for free. The techno-chat programs on the Internet allow you to talk to people whom you _______ wouldn't talk to, and let you talk about __________ with __________, without prejudice.
Part Ⅳ More about the topic: Computer Technology and Individual
Computers handle many tasks in business, education, manufacturing, transportation, and other fields. They provide scientists and other researchers with a clearer understanding of nature. They give people who work with words an effective way to create documents. They enable designers and artists to see things that have never been seen before. But sometimes computers are offensive enough to interfere with people's private life.
The following short passage is about how individual privacy is affected by modern computer technology. Supply the missing words while listening.
Most people agree that modern computer _________ is a very successful way to _________ information. Information that used to take _________ or _________ to find can now be found in a few _________ or at most a few _________ using a computer. Yet computer experts say that this technology has developed so _________ that present _________ do not _________ some basic _________.
Now there is _________ about the _________ that computers are being used to gather _________ information about _________. The following story will help _________. The person is not _________, but the story shows what kind of __________ can be gathered. Our story is about a young man named John. John works for a large __________.
John likes his __________. He enjoys his __________. He likes the other __________ in his office and he thinks he receives fair __________. John just found out that his company has gathered information about him. He _______ that company officials have all his _________ records for the past __________ years. They also know all the __________ John has ever lived. They know what ___________ he has made. They even know he was _________ when he was only __________ years old. The arrest was a __________, and the _________ against him were dismissed. But the _________ of his arrest still _________.
John also discovered the company has gathered information about his _________ and _________. It has his _________ record, his _________ records and _________ records. It also has a list of all the _________ calls John has made for the _________ year. In fact, John discovered that the company has _________ information about him than John has about himself. John was _________.
John _________ to his supervisor. The supervisor _________ how John _________, but he said that gathering such information is _________ and there was really _______ John could do.
That story is not really true. However it _________ to people like John every day. Many large companies now gather information about their _________. Many companies now _________ all telephone calls made by their workers. Company ___________ want to know if the worker is ________ the telephone only for _______ business. They also record what ___________ or ________ the worker has in his or her _________. If the worker _________ and _________ electronic-mail, the company may want _________. The companies say they want to know if a worker is using __________ computer equipment for _________ than company business. Companies say they are not _________ on their workers. They say they are ___________ their workers are _________. The _________ is: "Does the company have the _________ to seek this kind of information?"
Some experts say _________ is the best protection of _________. They say people must learn what kind of information can be gathered _________. And they must develop _________ ways to best _________ themselves against the illegal _________ of their privacy.
Part Ⅴ Memory test: Who Invented the First Computer?
Computers are tremendously important in a variety of ways. They simplify many difficult or time-consuming tasks to an extraordinary degree. They provide businesses, governments, individuals, and institutions with an efficient way to manage large amounts of information. Nevertheless, very few people know who invented the first computer and when it was invented.
A You are going to hear a short passage about the history of computers. First get familiar with the following names.
Alan Turning Blaise Pascal
Charles Babbage Gottfried von Liebnitz
B Now listen to the passage. While you listen, don't forget to add more key words in the notes column. After listening, write down briefly what happened in each year listed below with the help of the notes.
2000 years ago: __________________________________
1642: ____________________________________________
1671: ____________________________________________
1834: ____________________________________________
1936: ____________________________________________
1946: ____________________________________________
1960s: ___________________________________________
C You are going to hear a monologue about computer systems. Listen carefully and complete the following chart.
Part Ⅵ Reminder of key points in this unit
Verb & Verb Phrase Noun & Noun Phrase Other
Part Ⅰ perform mainframe pricey
process microprocessor reasonable
spare chip in minutes
hunt in space invader reassuring
work out electronic game
stimulate catalogue
filing cabinet
Part Ⅱ check laptop computer/notebook odd
surf fax gradual
creak open e-mail consistent
fly over World Wide Web (WWW) initially
keep pace keyboard scare
spring up suspicion modest
modify electro-magnetic radiation urgent
data on-board
Internet in-seat
power source built-in
terminal in the region of
web browser
modem
satellite link
Part Ⅲ share achievement absolutely
establish mankind significant
tag along industrial revolution impressive
participate utility wondrous
guarantee techno-chat program available for free
match-maker fantastic
chat session private
cappuccino sipper
inhibition
prejudice
Part Ⅳ gather concern shocked
protect extent (il)legal
dismiss individual costly
protest investment
spy on charge
financial record
tax record
supervisor
Part Ⅴ compute abacus mathematical
add infants' school external
multiply valve computer internal
divide integrated circuit arithmetic
program silicon chip logic
break code RAM / ROM principal
input output monitor disc drive floppy
scanner
joy stick
component
light pen
Central Processing
Unit (CPU)
|