Most of the computers in the world use software invented by Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft Inc. of Redmond, Wash. Software is the set of programs that make computers whether business or personal perform various tasks.
Gates was born in Seattle, Wash., in 1955. As a boy, he was bright and curious. He was active in Scouting, reaching Life Scout rank in Troop 186. He especially loved hiking, camping and other outdoor adventures.
But Gates was obsessed with computers. While a student at Harvard University in 1975, Gates and a friend, Paul Allen, developed a computer language for an early version of the personal computer. Microsoft was born. Gates went on to develop operating systems, such as MS-DOS, and software programs.
Thanks to Microsoft, Gates is now one of the richest men in America. He is worth more than $8 billion.
A technical wizard and a fierce business competitor, Gates sees great things ahead for computers. He says they are really going to change a lot of things in the world the way we work, the way we play and entertain ourselves and even the way we are educated.
Computers in your Future
Microsofts Bill Gates and other computer experts saw great things ahead. They said that in the next few years, you would be able to sit at your computer and see high-quality video sent from any place on earth.
They predicted you would also have a wallet-size personal computer. With it you would be able to store photographs, pay bills, get the news, send messages, see movies and open locks with digital keys.
At home on your TV-size PC you would be able to see and talk with friends in other states, get medical advice, check magazine articles and pictures in a far-off library and order a pizza. A computerized control system at home would regulate your lighting, temperature and security system.
Big dreams? Are these dreams or facts? Perhaps. But engineers have done a lot to make it reality.
Vocabulary:
to perform
life Scout rank
troop
to be obsessed
operating system
worth
fierce
to inspire
solid-state
wallet-size
security system
. , .
| Advantages of computers | Disadvantages of computers |
1. Many people do not like using computers, and would prefer to deal with a person instead.
2. Computers give access to a lot of information.
3. Computers let you communicate very quickly by e-mail or using the Internet.
4. Some children spend too much time playing computer games which can be very violent.
5. Computers can get viruses and damage software.
6. Software often have bugs, and sometimes computers fail and people lose all the work they had done.
7. Computers can do some tasks very quickly, for example, send off large number of letters or bills.
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8. If a computer is not working properly, most people do not know how to fix it, and this be very annoying.
9. Computers make it possible to work at home.
10. Word processors make it easier to write letters and reports, and to do work for school or college.
11. Anyone can put information on the Internet, so it can easily be used by criminals.
12. There are no laws to stop this yet, and it is extremely difficult to control the Internet.
13. Children enjoy using computers, and multimedia, interactive software and virtual reality make learning more exciting.
14. Many books are now available on CD-ROMs.
15. Large amounts of information can be stored in a database.
16. Computers quickly become obsolete, so they soon need to be replaced or updated.
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Great Inventions
Television (1920s)
The invention that swept the world and changed leisure habits for countless millions was pioneered by Scottish-born electrical engineer John Logie Baird. It had been realised for some time that light could be converted into electrical impulses, making it possible to transmit such impulses over a distance and then reconvert them into light.
Motor Car (late 19th Century)
With television, the car is probably the most widely used and most useful of all leisure-inspired inventions. German engineer Karl Benz produced the first petrol driven car in 1885 and the British motor industry started in 1896. Henry Ford was the first to use assembly line production for his Model car in 1908. Like them or hate them, cars have given people great freedom of travel.
Electricity
The name came from the Greek word for amber and was coined by Elizabeth I's physician William Gilbert who was among those who noticed that amber had the power to attract light objects after being rubbed. In the 19th century such great names as Michael Faraday, Humphry Davy, Alessandro Volta and Andre Marie Ampere all did vital work on electricity.
Photography (early 19th Century)
Leonardo da Vinci had described the camera obscura photographic principle as early as 1515. But it was not until 1835 that Frenchman Louis Daguerre produced camera photography. The system was gradually refined over the years, to the joy of happy snappers and the despair of those who had to wade through friends' endless holiday pictures.
Telephone (1876)
Edinburgh-born scientist Alexander Graham Bell patented his invention of the telephone in 1876. The following year, the great American inventor Thomas Edison produced the first working telephone. With telephones soon becoming rapidly available, the days of letter-writing became numbered.
Computer (20th Century)
The computer has been another life-transforming invention. British mathematician Charles Babbage designed a form of computer in the mid-1830s, but it was not until more than a century later that theory was put into practice. Now, a whole generation has grown up with calculators, windows, icons, computer games and word processors, and the Internet and e-mail have transformed communication and information.
Aeroplane
The plane was the invention that helped shrink the world and brought distant lands within easy reach of ordinary people. The invention of the petrol engine made flight feasible and the American Wright brothers made the first flight in 1903.
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| An Invention | Date | Inventor |
2. .
1. You wash clothes in it. _________________________
2. You use this thing to clean your flat, carpets. ________________
3. You can communicate with people who are away from you using this thing. It is very compact; you can carry it in your bag or pocket. It has many functions, it can wake you up in the morning, you can enjoy listening to music with the help of it and even enjoy playing games.______________________
4. You can wash dirty dishes in it.________________________
5. You can cook, defrost and reheat prepared food in it.__________________
3. .
Television in Our Life.
The first commercial television broadcast was made on April 20, 1939 by Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Since 1939, it has become one of the most important facts of modern life. Television is very much a part of the modern world. Its effects are felt all over the world.
Television is a reflection of modern world, say some people. It shows contemporary society. It affects customs and culture, others say. Television is bad for culture because it keeps culture from growing, say still others.
Good or bad, television is difficult to avoid. Its pictures enter homes, stores, airports and factories. It is here to stay!
I. Point the information which is in the text: Television
1. has wide influence.
2. is a modern day fact.
3. can influence culture.
4. is easy to avoid.
5. reflects the sun and the moon.
6. is found in homes.
7. cant last long.
II. The main idea of the first paragraph is:
1. Television affects radio.
2. Television is the same as movies.
3. Television is important in the modern world.
III. The main idea of the second paragraph is:
1. Television influences culture.
2. Society and television is bad.
3. Cultures grow out of television.
IV. Complete the sentences:
1. The effects of television are ______.
a. reflections b. commercial c. facts
2. RCA made the _______ commercial television broadcast.
a. longest b. first c. second
3. Television is not found in ______.
a. rivers b. factories c. airports
4. It is difficult to _______ television.
a. watch b. hear c. avoid
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Travelling
Modern life is impossible without travelling. Thousands of people travel every day either on business or for pleasure. They can travel by air, by rail, by sea or by road.
Of course, travelling by air is the fastest and the most convenient way, but it is the most expensive too. Travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. You can see much more interesting places of the country you are travelling through.
Modern trains have very comfortable seats. There are also sleeping cars and dining cars which make even the longest journey enjoyable. Speed, comfort and safety are the main advantages of trains and planes. That is why many people prefer them to all other means.
Travelling by sea is very popular. Large ships and small river boats can visit foreign countries and different places of interest within their own country.
As for me, I prefer travelling by car. I think it's very convenient. You needn't reserve tour tickets. You needn't carry heavy suitcases. You can stop wherever you wish, and spend at any place as much time as you like.
Every year my friend and I go somewhere to the South for holidays. The Black Sea is one of the most wonderful places which attracts holiday-makers all over the world. There are many rest-homes, sanatoriums and tourist camps there.
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But it is also possible to rent a room or a furnished house for a couple of weeks there. Sometimes, we can place ourselves in a tent on the sea shore enjoying fresh air and the sun all day long.
As a rule, I make new friends there. In the day-time we play volley-ball, tennis, swim in the warm water of the sea and sunbathe. In the evening I like to sit on the beach watching the sea and enjoying the sunset. I'm fond of mountaineering. So I do a lot of climbing together with my friends. Time passes quickly and soon we have to make our way back. We return home sunburnt and full of impressions.
Vocabulary:
either... or ...
by rail
advantages ,
enjoyable
safety
to reserve
tour ,
to rent ,
couple
mountaineering
climbing ( )
1. :
1. Why is modern life impossible without travelling?
2. What is the fastest and the most convenient way of travelling?
3. Why is travelling by sea very popular?
4. Why is travelling by car very convenient?
5. Where do you go every year?
6. Where do you make new friends?
2. , . .
3. , :
Your passport, please.
Here you are.
Miss Tatyana Smirnova.
Yes, that's right.
How long are you going to stay in Britain?
For three weeks.
And what's the reason for your visit?
I am going to do an English course in Oxford. I want to learn some more English. But first I'm planning to stay in London for three days to meet my friend.
Have you got any documents from your college?
Yes. Here is a copy of all the documents from the college. And this is the address of the family I'll be staying with.
Your English sounds very good.
Thanks. Actually, this will be my second language course in Britain.
OK. Here is your passport and your school documents. Enjoy your stay.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
1. How long is she planning to stay in Britain?
2. What is the reason for Tanya's visit?
3. What cities is Tanya planning to visit in Britain?
4. How long is she planning to stay in London?
5. Where is she going to stay in London?
6. Did Tanya travel to Britain before? If so, how many times?
4. ,
| Pros | Cons |
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