Lesson 9. Electronics.

disk	dɪsk	диск
facilitate	fəˈsɪlɪteɪt	облегчать
network	ˈnɛtwɜːk	сеть
popularity	ˌpɒpjʊˈlærɪti	популярность
process	ˈprəʊsɛs	обработать
replace	rɪˈpleɪs	замещать
revolution	ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən	революция
sharp	ʃɑːp	резкое
skill	skɪl	умение
software	ˈsɒftweə	программное обеспечение
store	stɔː	сохранять
technically	ˈtɛknɪkəli	технически

Study the following definitions and examples.
1. disk n., an object used to store digital information
        a. The head of the optical disk reader was dirty.
        b. Rewritable compact discs are more expensive than read-only CDs.
2. facilitate v., to make easier
        a. The computer program facilitated the scheduling of appointments.
        b. The director tried to facilitate the transition to the new policy by meeting with all staff who would be affected.
3. network v., to connect; to broadcast; n., an interconnected group or system over a radio or TV; to engage in informal communication
        a. The recent graduate networked with her mother’s coworkers.
        b. We set up a new network in my office to share files.
4. popularity n., the state of being widely admired, sought, or accepted
        a. After the new commercials began running, the popularity of the batteries increased significantly.
        b. This brand of computers is extremely popular among college students.
5. process v., to put through a series of actions or prescribed procedure; n., a series of operations or actions to bring about a result
        a. I’ve processed the data I collected and have gotten some interesting results.
        b. There is a process for determining why your computer is malfunctioning.
6. replace v., to put back in a former place or position; to take the place of
        a. I’ve replaced the hard drive that was malfunctioning.
         b. We have been looking for three months and we’ve found no one who can replace our former administrator.
7. revolution n., a sudden or momentous change in a situation; a single complete cycle
        a. We see a revolution in the computer field almost every day.
        b. My CD player is broken; the disk cannot make a complete revolution around the magnet.
8. sharp adj., abrupt or acute; smart
        a. There was a sharp decline in calls to the help desk after we upgraded each employee’s computer.
        b. The new employee proved how sharp she was when she mastered the new program in a few days.
9. skill n., a developed ability
        a. The software developer has excellent technical skills and would be an asset to our software programming team.
        b. Salman’s job as designer of electronic tools makes good use of his manual dexterity skills.
10. software n., the programs for a computer
        a. This software allows me to integrate tables and spreadsheets into my reports.
        b. Many computers come pre-loaded with software.
11. store v., to keep
        a. You can store more data on a zip drive.
        b. We store the master disks in the fireproof safe.
12. technically adv., with specialized skill or knowledge
        a. Technically speaking, the virus infected only script files.
        b. The office was finally up-to-speed technically.

 

WORDS IN CONTEXT.

 

Head the following passage and write the words in the blanks below.
disks popular revolutionize software
facilitated processing sharply storage
networks replace skills technical

 

By the mid-1980s, virtually all U.S. businesses owned at least one computer. Prices of computers declined (1)__________over the next few years, resulting in a surge in popularity. At the same time, offices started to rely on (2)______________which (3 )___________ the sharing and processing of data. Such data (4 )_______________ was made possible by improvements in both the hardware and software industries. More recently, data storage (5)________________ have under-gone their own revolution. Because of (6)____________ advancements, the (7)___________capacity of a compact disc increased significantly. In addition, manufacturers of (8)_______________ offer compet-itive upgrades to (9)______________ competitors’ products. Virtually all office workers today are trained in the most (10)_____________ word processing software. Computers repeatedly (11)______________ the workplace, and everyone, no matter how accomplished he or she is with other (12)_____________ , needs to stay abreast of major trends in computer development.

 

 

Part 1 Photo
Look at the picture and listen to the sentences. Choose the sentence that best describes the picture.

Number 1. Look at the picture marked Number 1.
(A) The calculators are stored In the closet.
(B) The computers are linked by a network.
(C) The technician is replacing a part.
(D) The worker is reading the software manual.

Part 2 Question-Response

Listen to the question and the three responses. Choose the response that best answers the question.

2. A, B, C      3. A, B, C

 

Part 2: Question-Response Number 2.

How long will it take to replace the hard drive?
(A) Hard drives are expensive.
(B) Our technicians have the skills, don’t worry.
(C) A few hours.

 

Number 3.
Can you understand the technical section?
(A) That’s good advice, thanks.
(B) I hope so—I’m the technician.
(C) On page thirteen.

Part 3 Conversation
Listen to the dialogue. Then read each question and choose the best response.

 

Part 3: Conversation

Numbers 4 through 6 relate to the following conversation.

 

[W] Unfortunately, I don’t have the skills to retrieve this file, and I really need it. I was counting on using it to complete my project proposal.
[M] Maybe I can help you out. I’m new at this too, but I do know a few things. Are your files stored on the network?
[W] No, they’re stored on the company ftp site.
[M] Yes, there’s a special process you have to use, but I’m not sure I can figure it out. You’d better ask someone in the IT department to help you.
Downloading software is a simple process. You can download a file from a remote server, or you can simply download it from the company network. Once you’ve done it, you’ll see how easy the process is. It really takes no technical skills and, indeed, everyday folks do it every day. Today we are going to practice downloading software from a web site. To facilitate the process, I have outlined the steps here on this chart, If you get lost, just look up here and follow the steps. Technically speaking, this is a very simple process.
Now, you all have your computers turned on and connected to the Internet, right? Then the next thing you’ll do is type in the following web address.

Numbers 4 through 6 relate to the following conversation.
[M] I have the documents for tomorrow’s meeting all ready. I proofed them last night and copied them this morning. Now all I need is your help in assembling them.
[W] You should have asked me beforehand. I’m too busy to do it now.
[M] I mentioned to you that I would need your help today. These have to be finished before the end of the afternoon.
[W] I’m sorry, but I don’t remember your mentioning it. Why don’t you ask my assistant to help you with the folding and stapling?

 

 

4. Why can’t the woman retrieve her file?
(A) She doesn’t know how.
(B) She forgot its name.
(C) It was accidentally deleted.
(D) She can’t remember where ft’s stored.

 

5. Why does she need the file?
(A) To do her accounts.
(B) To report the news.
(C) To finish her proposal.
(D) To get information about a store.

 

6. What does the man suggest the woman should do?
(A) Figure it out herself.
(B) Let him help her.
(C) Improve her skills.
(D) Get help from the IT department

 

Part 4 Talk
Listen to the talk. Then read each question and choose the best answer.

7. What is the speaker's opinion of the process of downloading software?
(A) Anyone can do it.
(B) It requires technical skills.
(C) It’s easiest if you download from a remote server.
(D) It’s time-consuming.

 

8. Who is the intended audience for this talk?
(A) Computer technicians.
(B) Network managers.
(C) New computer users.
(D) Software writers.

 

9. What will the listeners do next?
(A) Look at a chart.
(B) Turn on their computers.
(C) Connect to the Internet.
(D) Type a web address.

 

 

READING

 

Part 5 Incomplete Sentences

 

Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

 

10. The_______of the new computer network was apparent among the employees after only a few months.
(A)  popular
(B)  popularize
(C)  popularity
(D)  population

 

 

11. We will_______all of our outdated software with the newest versions.
(A)  replacement
(B)  replaced
(C)  replaceable
(D)  replace

 

12. There is a_____approach to software design integration that all the big software developers are currently learning.
(A)  revolutionized
(B)  revolutionary
(C)  revolution
(D)  revolt

 

13. While Fabio’s__________with computers surpasses the technicians, he is unable to communicate his personal needs to the office manager.
(A)  skill
(B)  skilled
(C)  skillful
(D)  skillfully

 

14.The hard disk can_________up to 25 gigabytes of data.
(A)  stores
(B)  storage
(C)  store
(D)  storing

 

15.The newspaper article on the development of new fiber-optic cables was so full of_________language that nobody could understand it.
(A)  technical
(B)  technically
(C)  technicality
(D)  technique

 

Part 6 Text Completion

 

Computer technology has brought about a ______16_____ in the workplace. Now employees all around the country do all or part of their jobs from home. This phenomenon is called telecommuting and has been made possible by the widespread use of the Internet. Telecommuting has become ____17_____ among employees, although the reactions of employers are mixed. Some like telecommuting and some don’t. But most agree that it facilitates work for employees who live at a distance from the worksite. Telecommuting enables companies to keep skilled employees who move out of the area or who have family obligations that require them to stay close to home. _____18________ the regular nine-to-five office job? Probably not entirely, but we are sure to see more and more of it in the future.

 

16. (A) revolted

     (B) revolution
     (C) revolutionary
     (D) revolutionize

 

17. (A) sharp
     (B) technical
     (C) popular
     (D) replaceable

 

18. (A) It replaces
     (B) It will replace
     (C) Will it replace
     (D) Will it be replaced by

 

To: Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. From;  Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. Subject:software training Mary, As you know, we have decided to replace our old soft- ­ware with a new program that will facilitate our work better. Although the new software is not technically difficult to use, it is significantly different from our old software. The entire staff will need to be trained to use it. Of course, not everyone can attend a training session together, because we need some staff mem­- bers to be in the office at all times. The trainer sug- ­gests that each person attend one training session and one follow-up session. The sessions will last three to four hours each. The trainer can be here once a week. Please develop a training schedule so that everyone can be trained over the next two months. Thank you.  Fred

Fred To:  Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. From:  Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript. Subject: re: software training Fred   I have written up a schedule that will facilitate the training process. There will be eight weekly training sessions all together. Since we have four departments, the easiest way is to send one person from each department to each training session during the first month. Of course it will be a different person each week. We can repeat the process during the second month for the follow up sessions. This way everyone will have a chance to develop their skills on the new new software. I am attaching a copy of the schedule. Please let me know what you think. Mary

 

 

19. What is true about the new software?
(A) It’s difficult to use.
(B) It’s very different from the old software.
(C) It requires many months of training.
(D) It’s very expensive.

 

20. Which staff members will be trained to use the new software?
(A) Just one from each department.
(B) Fred and Mary only.
(C) Only four of them.
(D) All of them.

 

21. How many training sessions will each person attend?
(A) One.
(B) Two.
(C) Four.
(D) Eight.

 

22. The word skills in line 9 of the second e-mail is closest in meaning to
(A) abilities
(B) opportunities
(C) tasks
(D) ideas

 

23. The word replace in line 1 of the first e-mail is closest in meaning to
(A) sell
(B) change
(C) keep
(D) locate

 

 Keys:

Lesson 9 Electronics
Words in Context: 1. sharply 2. networks 3. facilitated 4. processing

5. disks 6. technical 7. storage 8. software 9. replace 10. popular 11. revolutionize 12. skills

 

Word Practice: 1. С 2. С 3. В 4. A 5. С 6. D 7. A 8. С 9. D 10. С 11. D 12. В

13. A 14. С 15. A 16. В 17. С 18. С 19. В 20. D 21. В 22. А 23. В