UNIT 1

LIVING IN A DIGITAL AGE

1. STARTER : The digital age

A. Match the caption (1-4) with the picture (a-d)
1. In education computers can made all the difference..
2. Using a cashpoint or ATM……
3. The internet in your pocket…….
4. Controlling air traffic………

B. How are computers used in the situations above? In pairs. Discuss your ideas.
 2. READING : Read the text and check your answers to B.

The digital age In banks, computers store information about the

We are now living in what some people call the money held with by each customer and enable
digital age meaning that computers have become staff to access large databases and to carry out
an essential part of our lives. Young people who financial transactions at high speed. They also
have grown up with PC’s and mobile phones are control the cashpoints or ATMs (automatic teller
often called the digital generation. Computers help machines) with dispense money to costumers by
students to perform mathematical operations and the use of a PIN-protected card. People use a Chip
improve their maths skills. They are used to access and PIN card to pay goods and services. Instead of
the internet to do basic research end to using a signature to verify payments, customers
communicate with other students around the are asked to enter a four/six-digit personal
world. Teachers use projectors and interactive identification number (PIN), the same number
whiteboards to give presentations and teach used at cashpoints, this system makes transactions
sciences, history or language courses. PCs are used more secure. With online banking, clients can
to administrative purposes – schools use word easily pay bills and transfer money from the
processors to write letters and databases to keep comfort of their homes.
records of students and teachers. A school website Airlines pilots use computers to help them control
allows teachers to publish exercises for students the plane, for examples, monitors display data
to complete online. about fuel consumption and weather conditions.
Students can also enroll for courses via the In airport control towers, computer are used to
website and parents can download official reports. manage radar systems and regulate air traffic. On
Mobiles let you make voice calls, send texts email the ground, airlines are connected to travel
people and download logos; ringtones or games. agencies by computer. Travel agents use
With a built-in camera you can send pictures and computers to find out about the availability of
make video calls face-to-face mode. New flights, prices, times, stopovers and many other
smartphones combine a telephone with web details.
access video, a game console an MP3 player, a
personal digital assistant (PDA) and a GPS
navigation system, all in one.

C. When you read a text, you will often see a new word that you don recognize. If you can
identify what type of word it is (noun, verb, adjective, etc) it can help you guess the meaning.
Find the words (1-10) in the text above. Can you guess the meaning from context?
Are they nouns, verbs, adjectives or adverbs? Write n, v, adj or adv next to each word.

1. Perform (line 6)…….. 6. Digital (line 26)……….

2. Word processor (line 13)………. 7. Store (line 28)……….
3. Online (line 17)…….. 8. Financial (line 31)……….
4. Download (line 21)……… 9. Monitor (line 44)………
5. Built in (line 22)……. 10. Data (line 44) …………

D. Match the words in C (1-10) with the correct meaning (a-j).

a. Keep save …………………. f. Connected to the internet …………..
b. Execute, do ……………. g. Collection of facts or figures…….
c. Monetary ……………… h. Describes information that is recorded or broadcast
d. Screen …………... using computer………..
e. integrated i. Program used for text manipulation…………
j. Copy files from a server to your PC or mobile …….
 E. In pairs, discuss these questions.
1. How are/were computer used in your school?
2. How do you think computers will be in school in the future?

3. LANGUAGE WORK : Collocations 1

A. Match the verbs (1-5) with the nouns (a-e) to make collocations from the text on pages 2
1. Give a. money
2. Keep b. a PIN
3. Access c. databases
4. Enter d. presentations
5. transfer e. records

4. Other Applications
A. In small groups, choose one of the areas in the diagram below and discuss what you can do
with computers in that area.

Formula 1 cars Entertainment

Factories and industrial Schools/Universities

processes

B. Write short presentation summarizing your discussion. Then ask one person from group to
give a summary of the group’s ideas to the rest of the class.
 UNIT 2
COMPUTER USER
STARTER : Work in groups. Share information on how you use computers in your free time.
Compare answers with other group and make a list of uses for your class.

LISTENING : Listen about computer users

User Possible use

Primary school teacher
Open University Student
Girl (Louise), aged 6
artist

LANGUAGE WORK : Revision : Past simple and Present perfect

Study these examples of the Present perfect We use the Present perfect to describe past
from the recording of the artist. actions with present relevance. The artist uses
1. I’ve scanned in about a third of these the Present perfect because he is describing a
photographs. CD has just made and what he is going to do
2. I’ve organized the painting into themes. with it in the near future.
3. I’ve added a sound track.
Why doesn’t the speaker use the Past simple? We use the Pat simple to describe completed
4. I scanned in about a third of these actions in the past. It is often used with time
photographs. expressions such as last year, before PCs were
5. I organized the paintings into themes. introduced in 1998. Note these examples from
6. I added a sound track. the recording:
7. I made one for Mary’s birthday last
week.
8. We tried it out last term.

PROBLEM-SOLVING : How do you think these professions might use computer? Compare
answers with others in your group.

SPEAKING : Work in pairs. Make sure you use the correct tense in your questions. For
example:

download music from the internet (what site)

A Have you ever download music from the internet?
B What site did you use?

WRITING : Describe how you use computers in your study and in your free time.
 UNIT 3

COMPUTER ESSENTIALS

1. Computer Hardware
A. In pairs, discuss these questions.
1. Have you got a computer at home, school or work? What kind is it?
2. How often do you use it? What do you use it for?
3. What the main components and features of your computer system?

B. In pairs, label the elements of this computer system.

1. CPU (inside)
9. …………..
8. …………..

2. …………..

3. …………..

6. …………..

5. …………..

4. ………….. 10. …………..

7. …………..
 2. What is a computer?
A. Read the text and then explain Fig 1. In your own words.

What is a computer? Storage devices (hard drive, DVD drives or flash drives)
A computer is a electronic machine which can accept data provides a permanent storage of both data and
in a certain form, process the data, and give the results of programs.
the processing in a specified format as information. Disk drives are used to read and write data on disks.
First, data is fed into the computer’s memory. Then when Input devices enable data to go into the computers
the program is run, the computer performs a set of memory. The most common input devices are the mouse
instructions and processes the data. Finally, we can see and the keyboard. Output devices enable us to extract
the results (the output) on the screen or in printed form . the finished product from the system. For example, the
A computer system consists of two parts: hardware and computer shows the output on the monitor or prints the
software. Hardware is any electronic or mechanical part results onto paper by mean of a printer.
you can see or touch. Software is a set of instructions On the rear panel of the computer there are several ports
called a program which tells the computer what to do. into which we can plug a wide range of peripherals – a
There are three basic hardware sections: the central modem, a digital camera, a scanner, etc. They allow
processing unit (CPU), main memory and peripherals. communication between the computer and the devices.
Perhaps the most influential component is the central Modem desktop PCs have JSB ports and memory card
processing unit. Its function is to execute program readers on the front panel
instructions and coordinate the activities of all the other
units in a in a way. It is the brain of the computer. The
main memory (a collection of RAM chips holds the
instructions and data which are being processed by the
CPU. Peripherals are the physical units attached to the
computers. They include storage devices and A USB port
input/output devices. A USB connector

B. Match these words from the text (1-9) with the correct meanings (a-i).
1. Software a. The brain of the computer
2. Peripheral b. Physic parts that make up a computer system
3. Main memory c. Programs which can be used on a particular computer system
4. Hard drive (also known as hard disk) d. The information which is presented to the computer
5. Hardware e. Results produced by a computer
6. Input f. Input devices attached to the CPU
7. Ports g. Section that holds programs and data while they are executed
8. Output or processed
9. Central processing unit (CPU) h. Magnetic device used to store information
i. Sockets into which an external device may be connected.
3. Different types of computer
A. Listen to the extract from an ICT class. As you listen, label the pictures (a-e) with words from
the box

Laptop desktop PC PDA mainframe tablet PC

a. ……………………… b. …………………………. C. ………………………………..

d. ……………………….. e. …………………………..

B. Listen again and decide whether these sentences are true or false.
Correct the false ones.
1. A mainframe computer is less powerful than a PC
2. A mainframe is used by large organizations that need to process enormous amounts of data
3. The most suitable computers for home use desktop PCs
4. A laptop is not portable.
5. Laptop are not a powerful as desktop PCs
6. Using stylus, you can write directly onto the screen of a tablet PC.
7. A personal Digital Assistant is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.
8. A PDA does not allow you to surf the web.

4. Language Work: Classifying

A. Look at the HELP box and then use suitable classifying expressions to complete these sentences.
1. A computer ………………………hardware and software.
2. Peripherals …………………….three types: input, output and storage devices.
3. A word processing program …………………….. software which lets the user create and edit text.
4. …………………………..of network architecture: peer-to-peer. Where all servers store and distribute data,
and clients access this data.
 HELP box
Classifying
Classifying means putting things into groups or classes.
We can classify types of computers parts of a PC, etc.
some typical expressions for classifying are :
 ….are classified into X types categories
 …are classified by ……
 ….can be divided into X types/categories

Digital computers can be divided into five main

types: mainframes, desktop PCs, laptop, tablet
PCs and handheld PDAs.
 …..include (s)……
The basic configuration of mainframe consists of
a central system which processes immerse
amounts of data very quickly
 There are X types/classes of ……
 X is a type of …….
Tablet PC is a type of notebook computer

B. In pairs, describe this diagram, using classifying expressions. Make reference to your own devices.

Peripherals

Storage media
Input devices Output devices
- Magnetic, eg.
-mouse -monitor
hard drive
-keyboard -printer - Optical, eg
DVD
-camera - Flash
memory.eg,
pen drive
 UNIT 4

INSIDE THE SYSTEM

1. Technical specifications
A. Read the advertisement and translate the technical specifications into your own language.

Dell Inspiron 9200

 Intel Core 2 Duo processor at 2.4GHz
 2048MB RAM, expandable to 4GB
 500GB hard drive
 Come with Windows Vista Home Premium

B. In pairs, answer these questions.

1. What is the main function of a computer processor?
2. What unit of frequency is used to measure processor speed?
3. What does RAM stand for?

2. What is inside a PC system?

A. Read the text and then answer these questions.
1. What are the main parts of the CPU?
2. What does ALU stand for? What does it do?
3. What is the function of the system clock?
4. How much is one gigahertz?
5. What type of memory is temporary?
6. What type of memory is permanent and includes instructions needed by the CPU?
7. How can RAM be increased?
8. What term is used to refer to the main printed circuit board?
9. What is a bus?
10. What is the benefit of having expansion slots?

3. Language work: Defining relative clauses

Study about the expressions of defining relative clauses, then complete the sentences below with
suitable relative pronouns. Give alternative options if possible. Put brackets round the relative
pronouns you can leave out.
1. That’s the computer …………………….I’d like to buy.
2. Core 2 Duo is a new intel processor ………………….contains about 291 million transistors.
3. A webmaster is a person ……………………..designs develops and maintains a website.
4. A bus is an electronic pathway………………carries signals between computer devices.
5. Here’s the DVD ……………………..you lent me.
6. Last night I met someone ………………….works for GM as a software engineer.
4. How memory is measured
A. Read the text and answer these questions.
1. How many digits does a binary system use?
2. What is a bit?
3. What is a collection of sight bit called?
4. What does ASCII stand for?
5. What is the purpose of ASCII?

B. Complete these descriptions with the correct unit of memory.

1. A ……is about one million bytes – about as much text as the books and magazines in a huge
library.
2. A…….is about one million bytes – about as much text as a 300-pages novel.
3. A ……is about one thousand bytes – equivalent to one sheet of A4.
4. A….is about one billion bytes – about as much text as 1.000 books.
5. A…..can store single character, such as the letter h or number.
 UNIT 5

BUYING A COMPUTER

1. In a computer shop
A. Imagine you are in a computer shop.
Choose five things that would improve
your digital life.
In pairs, compare your choices.
B. You want to buy a computer. Think of
three basic features that will make a
big difference to your choice. In pairs,
compare your choices.
C. Listen to two people making enquiries
in a computer shop.
Do they buy anything?
D. Listen again and complete the product
descriptions.

iMac
Processor speed 2.33 GHz
RAM ……………….
Hard drive capacity …………
DVD drive included? Yes
Operating system ………..
Includes internet software
Price ………………

MacBook
Processor speed ……….
RAM …………………
Hard drive capacity ……………
DVD drive included? …………..
Operating system …………….
Includes internet software
Price £ 1,029

E. Listen again and complete the extract from the conversation.

Assistant : Do you need any (1) …………………….?
Paul : Um yes, we’re looking for a Mac computer. Have you got any fairly basic ones?
Assistant : Yes, sure. If you’d like to come over here.
Paul : What different (2) ………………….are there?
Assistant : At the moment we’ve got these two model the iMac which is a desktop
computer with an intel Core 2 Duo processor (3) ………………….at 2,33 gigahertz,
 and the portable MacBook, which has a processor (4) ………at 20 gigahertz Core
Duo technology actually means two cores, or processor built into a single chip,
offering up to twice the speed of a traditional chip.
Sue : So they’re both very (5)………., then And which one has more memory? I mean,
which has more RAM?
Assistant : Well, the iMac has two gigabytes of RAM, which can be (6)……..up to three
gigabytes, and the MacBook has one gigabyte expandable to two gigabytes. It all
depends on your needs. The iMac is (7) ………………….for home users and small
offices. The MacBook is more (8)…………………if you travel a lot.

2. Language functions in a computer shop

Study about the language function first, then correct one mistake in each of these sentences.
Decide which functions are being expressed in each sentence.
1. The Ulysses SD is a power expandable computer that offers lightened graphics at a low price.
2. A laptop is likely to be more expensive than the equivalent desktop, but a laptop is less
practical if you travel a lot.
3. Where’s the storage capacity of the hard drive?
4. I’m looking a desktop PC that has good graphics for games.
5. Do you need the help?
6. And how many does the PDA cost?
7. This workstation is a Pentium processor with dual-core technology 1,024 gigabytes of RAM, and
1 terabyte of disk space.

3. Role play – buying a computer

Work in pairs. One of you wants to buy a computer, the other is the shop assistant.

4. Choosing the right computer

A. Listen to four people talking about their computer needs and take notes.
In pairs, read the descriptions from the computer shop website and choose the most suitable
computer for each person. Give reason for your choices.
Speaker 1……………………………………………………. Speaker 3 ………………………………………………….
Speaker 2…………………………………………………… speaker 4 ………………………………………………….

Sun workstation
Two AMD Opteron processors at 3.0GHz 4GB
RAM, 32GB maximum 1 terabyte hard drive
and dual DVD drive 19” Sun TFT flat-panel LCD
Supports several graphics formats
Allows you to handle your toughest technical,
scientific, and business-critical applications
Supports Solaric, Windows and Linux £3.249
Gateway C-120 convertible notebook
Intel Core 2 Duo ULV processor at 1,06GHz
12.1” WXGA TFT touch screen
Gateway executive styles pen
1024MB COR2 SDRAM
80GB serial ATA hard drive
DVD-ROM drive (optical DVD burner
Integrated modem and Bluetooth
Windows Vista Home Premium
Thin and lightweight (1.17”, 2.4 kg)
£805

Sony Vaio AR laptop (VGN-AR51E)

Intel Core 2 duo Processor at 2GHz
2GB DDR2 SDRAM
200GB hard drive
DVD+/-RW optical drive
17” WXGA high-definition LCD screen
Memory Slick slot
Three USB 2.0 ports
Integrated wireless LAN
Built-in ‘Motion Eye’ digital camera
Lithum-ion battery
Windows Vista Ultimate
£899

Dell Inspiron 531 desktop PC

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor
3072MB DDR2 SDRAM
Dell 22” Wide Flat Panel
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT video card
1.0TB Hard Drive
16x DVD+/-RW Drive
Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
Windows Vista Home Premium
Optional features: Window Media Center
Integrated TV Tuner, and a Blu-ray disc drive for
high-definition content
From £849
1 Role play

Work with a partner. One of you wants to buy a computer, the other is the sales assistant. Ask
and answer questions, using the information and instructions below to help you.

Products Processor/ Minimum/ Hard Disk Monitor Price

available Speed Maximum RAM
disk drives

Portable 486dx 66 MHz 4 MB 500MB 3.5" drive colour LCD £999

expandable to
32

IBM Pentium Pro 16 MB 1.6GB 3.5" drive Super VGA £2,800

Aptiva 166 MHz expandable to CD-ROM
128

HPVectra Pentium Pro 1 6 MB 2GB 3.5" drive VGA Plus £2,850

150 MHz expandable to CD-ROM
256

Compaq Pentium 120 8 MB 1 GB 3.5" drive SuperVGA £1,430

MHz expandable to CD-ROM
128

Sunrise PowerPC 133 8 MB 850MB 3.5" drive Sony £1,710

MHz expandable to CD-ROM Multiscan
64
 UNIT 6
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

STARTER 1 : Name these different types of computers. Then match the possible users below
to each type. Justify your choice.

On the basis of Computing Power & Size:

• Laptop / Palmtop
• Micro Computer / Desktop
• Mini Computer / Mainframe
• Super Computer

1. Marketing research person collecting data from the general public.

2. Large company processing payroll data.
3. Travelling salesperson giving marketing presentations.
4. Large scientific organization processing work on nuclear research.
5. Businessperson keeping track of appointments while travelling
6. Graphic designer
7. Secretary doing general office work

2. What do these abbreviations mean?

1. CD-ROOM
2. RDRAM
3. MB
4. GHz
5. AGP
6. SDRAM
7. SVGA

READING : Now study the text below to find this information:

1. What is the memory size of this PC?
2. Which input devices are supplied?
3. What size is the monitor?
4. How fast is the processor?
5. What is the capacity of the hard drive?
6. Which operating system does it use?
7. What multimedia features does the computer have?

HOW TO READ A COMPUTER AD.

1. Intel Pentium IV 1,7GHz Processor

2. Mini Tower Chassis
3. 256MB Rambus RDRAM
4. 60GB Hard Drive
5. Embedded Intel 3D Direct AGP video
with 64MB SDRAM
 1. The main processing chip 5. A video controller for 7. A CD-ROM storage device
that operates at a clock speed controlling the monitor screen that operates at 48 times the
of 1.7 thousand million that is built on to the computer speed of the original CD-
cycles per second motherboard. It can process ROM devices.
2. A small size of tall and 3D images using the AGP type 8. A colour monitor for
narrow style of case of video bus interface. It also displaying output on a screen
containing the computer contains approx. 64 million at resolutions determined by
system bytes of synchronous dynamic the SVGA standard. The
3. 256 megabytes of Rambus random access memory that is diagonal measurement of the
dynamic type of main used as video memory. actual viewable area of the
memory chips that constitute 6. A soundcard that has 64 voices screen is only 17.9 inches.
the computer RAM and generates sounds using the 9. The operating system that is
4. A hard drive internal storage wavetable system. used to control the system
device with a capacity of
approx 60 thousand million
bytes.

LANGUAGE WORK : Function of an item

We can describe the function of an item in a 3. ROM is used for holding instructions
number of ways. Study these examples. which are needed to start up the
computer
Using the Present simple
1. ROM holds instructions which are Emphasising the function
needed to start up the computer. 4. The function of ROM is to hold
instruction which are needed to start up
Used to-infinitive. Used for + -ing form the computer
2. ROM is used to hold instructions which
are needed to start up the computer

3. Describe the functions of these items.

1. Scanner 6. Supercomputer
2. Printer 7. Mainframe computer
3. ATM 8. Barcodes
4. PDA 9. Swipe cards
 5. Hard disk drive 10. memory

Grammar Work : Prepositions of place

Study these examples of preposition of place

1. data moves between the CPU and RAM

2. Data flows from ROM to the CPU.
3. A program is read from disk into memory
4. Data is transferred along the data bus.
5. The address number is put onto the address bus.
6. The hard disk drive is inside a sealed case
7. Heads moves across the disk
8. Tracks are divided into sectors
 UNIT 7
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
STARTER : Work in a groups. List as many uses as you can for computers in one of these
areas.

1. Supermarket
2. Hospital
3. Airport
4. Police headquarter
READING : Read the text quickly and translate it

Text 1

In the last ten years, police has installed With the unit measures the difference in
speed trap units on many busy roads. wavelength between outgoing and returning
These contain a radar set, a signals and calculates the speed of each
microprocessor and a camera equipped vehicle. If it is above the speed pre-set by the
with a flash. He radar sends out a beam of police, the camera takes a picture of the
radio waves at a frequency of 24 vehicle. The information is stored on a smart
gigahertz. This is equivalent to a card for transfer to the police computer. The
wavelength of 1.25 cms. If a car is moving owner of the vehicle can then be traced
towards the radar, the reflected signal will using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre
bounce back with a slightly smaller database.
wavelength. If away from the radar, the
waves will reflect with a slightly longer
wavelength. The microprocessor

Text 2

Some drivers have now got used to these using optical character recognition software.
traps. They slow down when they This information is relayed to the second unit
approach one to ensure that the camera is which repeats the exercise. The
not triggered. They speed up again as microprocessor within the second unit then
soon as they have passed. This is known calculates the time taken by each vehicle to
as ‘surfing’. One way of outwitting such travel between the units. The registration
motorists is a new computerized system. numbers of those vehicles exceeding the
This consists of two units equipped with speed limit are relayed to police
digital cameras positioned at a measured headquarters where a computer matches
distance apart. The first unit records the each vehicle with the DVIC database. Using
time each vehicle passes it and identifies mailmerge a standard letter is the printed off
each vehicle by its number plates addressed to the vehicle owner.
LANGUAGE WORK : Present passive

Study these sentences. The passive is often used to describe the

1. The radar sends out a beam of radio steps in a process where the action is more
waves important than the agent and where the
2. The information is stored on a smart agent is already known to the reader. If we
card need to add the agent, we can do so like this;

In 1 the verb is active and in 2 it is passive, 3. The information is stored on a smart

the Present passive. Why is this so? What card by the microprocessor.
difference does it make? In 1 the agent
responsible for the action is included-the
radar. In 2 the agent is not included although
we know what it is-the microprocessor.

a. Describe the operation of the new speed trap by converting each of these statements
to the Present passive. Add information on the agent where you think it is necessary.
1. The first unit records the time each vehicle passes.
2. It identifies each vehicle by its number plates using OCR software.
3. It relays the information to the second unit.
4. The second unit also records the time each vehicle passes.

PROBLEM SOLVING : Assuming cost is not a problem, what computer applications would make
today’s cars safer, more comfortable, more secure and more efficient? List
your ideas; then compare ides with others in your group.

SPEAKING : Work in pairs, A and B. describe computing process you are familiar with.

WRITING : Write a description of the process you described in speaking session.