I. Read the text and translate the highlighted paragraph from English into Russian. .
Computer networks
Computer networks link computers by communication lines and software protocols, allowing data to be exchanged rapidly and reliably. Traditionally, networks have been split between wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs). A WAN is a network connected over long distance telephone lines, and a LAN is a localized network usually in one building or a group of buildings close together. The distinction, however, is becoming blurred. It is now possible to connect up LANs remotely over telephone links so that they look as though they are a single LAN. Originally, networks were used to provide terminal access to another computer and to transfer files between computers. Today, networks carry e-mail, provide access to public databases and bulletin boards, and are beginning to be used for distributed systems. Networks also allow users in one locality to share expensive resources, such as printers and disk-systems.
Distributed computer systems are built using networked computers that co-operate to perform tasks. In this environment each part of the networked system does what it is best at. The high-quality bitmapped graphics screen of a personal computer or workstation provides a good user interface. The mainframe, on the other hand, can handle large numbers of queries and return the results to the users. In a distributed environment, a user might use his PC to make a query against a central database. The PC passes the query, written in a special language (e.g. Structured Query Language - SQL), to the mainframe, which then parses the query, returning to the user only the data requested. The user might then use his PC to draw graphs based on the data. By passing back to the user's PC only the specific information requested, network traffic is reduced. If the whole file were transmitted, the PC would then have to perform the query itself, reducing the efficiency of both network and PC.
In the 1980s, at least 100,000 LANs were set up in laboratories and offices around the world. During the early part of this decade, synchronous orbit satellites lowered the price of long-distance telephone calls, enabling computer data and television signals to be distributed more cheaply around the world. Since then, fibre-optic cable has been installed on a large scale, enabling vast amounts of data to be transmitted at a very high speed using light signals.
The impact of fibre optics will be considerably to reduce the price of network access. Global communication and computer networks will become more and more a part of professional and personal lives as the price of microcomputers and network access drops. At the same time, distributed computer networks should improve our work environments and technical abilities.
II. Read this summary of the text and fill in the gaps using the list of words below. .
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Computer networks link computers locally or by external communication lines and software ________, allowing data to be exchanged rapidly and reliably. The __________ between local area and wide area networks is, however, becoming unclear. Networks are being used to perform increasingly diverse tasks, such as carrying e-mail, providing access to public databases, and for ____________. Networks also allow users in one locality to share resources.
Distributed systems use networked computers. PCs or ________________ provide the user _________. Mainframes process _____________ and return the results to the users. A user at his PC might make a query against a central database. The PC passes the query, written in a special language, to the mainframe, which then ____________ the query, returning to the user only the data requested. This allows both the network and the individual PC to operate efficiently.
In the 1980s, at least 100,000 _________ were set up world-wide. As _________ orbit satellites have lowered the price of long-distance telephone calls, data can be transmitted more cheaply. In addition, _____________ cable has been installed on a large scale, enabling vast amounts of data to be transmitted at a very high speed using light signals. This will considerably reduce the price of network access, making global networks more and more a part of our professional and personal lives. Networks should also improve our work ______________ and technical abilities.
| distinction | protocols | fibre-opti | synchronous |
| distributed systems | LANs | queries | workstations |
| environments | parses | screen handling |
III. Read and translate the sentences from English into Russian. Underline the tense forms, voice of the underlined verbs. Write 5 questions of all basic types to the highlighted sentence. - . . 5 .
Model: When trade began to develop widely advertising was oral. , .
began Past Simple, Active Voice
was Past simple, Active Voice
1. If you leave me details of the services you are offeringI'll get back to you if we're interested.
2. The company usually gives us business class tickets, but this time they have bought economy tickets for this trip because there are so many of us going.
3. If you don't mind waiting for a few minutes my colleague will be happy to speak to you as soon as he is free.
4. The project will have been finished by February 2013.
5. When I entered the office most people were working at their desks.
6. The first IBM PC went on sale in 1981 and set a world-wide standard for IBM-compatibility.
IV. Rewrite these sentences using the passive, beginning with the words indicated. Pay attention to the tense form. , . .
(Model: Employers pay extra money to the people who work overtime.
The people _____________.
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The people who work overtime are paid extra money.)
1. You had to deliver this consignment last week.
This consignment _________________.
2. Tomorrow we will send the advertising prospectus to all potential investors.
The advertising prospectus ______________.
3. Someone broke two of the VDUs during transportation.
Two ____________________.
4. A faulty connection has caused the problems with the hard disk.
The problems with the hard disk ______________.
5. You delivered the printers over three weeks late.
The printers ________________.
6. An American company is building these new offices for us.
These new offices ______________.
7. They claim that a competitor stole their plans for the new aircraft.
They claim that their plans ____________________.
V. Read and translate the sentences from English into Russian paying attention to the meaning of modal verbs. Underline the modal verbs. - , . .
1. I can't find the information I need in the manual.
2. Nothing happens when I move the mouse. - You'll have to turn the computer off, and re-boot.
3. You should remember to save changes.
4. He had to delete some files as they were infected by a virus.
5. You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting.
6. May I use your computer while you are away?
VI. In this passage about the use of computers in business you must fill each blank with one word. Choose each word from the following list. You must use each word once only. - , .
| accurate | input | printer | screen |
| components | keyboard | modem | single |
| continuous | linked | records | supplies |
| floppy | output | retrieve | transactions |
