8 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Contenidos

· Referentes Frases nominales Comparativos y superlativos Prefijos Futuro

A) Read the text and answer: True or False. Explain the false answers.
1) Processed data cannot only be seen in printed form.
2) Peripherals are part of the computer’s hardware.
3) The user can extract the finished product from the system through input devices.

What is a computer? TEXT 1

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

B) Answer in Spanish.

1) What is hardware?

2) What do the words “First”, “Then” and “Finally” indicate? Explain the operations.

3) What does an input device permit?

4) What can you find on the rear or front panel of the PCs?

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 C) Match the words 1-9 with their meanings a-j.
1 SOFTWARE a) The brain of the computer. 1
2 PERIPHERALS b) Physical parts that make up a computer system. 2
3 MAIN MEMORY c) Programs which can be used on a particular computer 3
system.
4 HARD DRIVE d) The information which is presented to the computer. 4
5 HARDWARE e) Results produced by a computer. 5
6 INPUT f) Input devices attached to the CPU. 6
7 PORTS g) Section that holds programs and data while they are 7
executed or processed.
8 OUTPUT h) Magnetic device used to store information. 8
9 CENTRAL i) Sockets into which an external device may be 9
PROCESSING UNIT connected.

D) Find and underline examples in the text and write them down:

a) two verbs in simple present (omit ‘to be’) …………..…………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) two countable nouns …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) two adjectives ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) two prepositions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….

e) one gerund …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……

E) Reference. What do these words refer to?

a) which (line 1): ………………………………..

b) we (line 8): ………………………………..
c) they (line 26): ………………………………..

F) Answer

1) ¿Qué información relaciona y a que categoría de conector pertenece la frase “such as” en la
línea 29?
2) ¿Cómo traduciría las siguientes frases nominales?
physical units attached to the computer: ………………………………………………………………………….
USB ports and memory card readers: ……………………………………………………………………………….

G) Speaking: Ask your partners and complete the following table.

Question You Student 1 Student 2 Student 3

How often do you use a
computer?
What do you use the
computer for?
What computer languages do
you know?
What’s your favourite
operating system? Why?
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 H) Read this article and answer the questions in Spanish. Then underline six examples
of comparative adjectives.

Macs® and PCs

TEXT 2
As Apple® grows in popularity, the Mac® versus PC debate continues. Many businesses experience
trouble choosing between the two. However, businesses must realize that each computer is suited
for different needs.
The two differ most in their operating systems. With a PC you have a variety of OS options from
Microsoft® and other sources. Macs® come with one of the proprietary Apple® OSes like OS X ®.
You can install Windows® on a Mac®, but many users prefer the Mac ® OS regardless.
Macs® have proven themselves vital in publishing, particularly the prepress process. Mac® has
superior typography and colour matching. Once printed, products look exactly as good as they
do on the computer screen.
Meanwhile, PCs are noted for their fast processing speed and adaptability. Users can customize
a PC to their needs. Additionally, their video subsystems are more powerful. This makes PCs
desirable for game designers and other who need advanced graphics.
However, both computers have their limitations. While PCs are cheaper, they are also more
susceptible to viruses. Macs® usually cost more but are less susceptible to computer viruses.
However, Macs ® tend to have fewer third-party software options than PCs. Businesses need to
consider such concerns and make the right decision when buying computers for their companies.

1. Why do people prefer one operating system over another?

2. What disadvantages of each system are mentioned in the text?

I) Read text 2 again and do the following exercises.

1. Read the statements and mark True or False. Correct the false answers.

a. Macs are generally more expensive than PCs. ___

b. PCs are better suited to publishing. ___
c. PCs have fewer options from third-party software producers. ___

2. Match the words in bold from the text with the definitions below.

a. company that creates the most common PC operating system ………………………………………….

b. part of a computer that creates visuals …………………………………………

c. a measurement of how quickly a computer works ……………………………………………….

d. operating system for PCs ………………………………………….

e. changing your computer for your needs …………………………………………….

f. operating system for Macs ………………………………………………

g. company that creates Macs ……………………………………………….

3. Now fill in the blanks with the correct words in bold from the text.

a. A …………………………………… comes with OS X.

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 b. Publishing software is needed for the ……………………………………… process.
c. Good ……………………………………… means anything printed out looks exactly like what’s
on screen.
d. I’m getting a ……………………………………………. because I like the Windows OS.
e. The ……………………………………………… on this computer includes hundreds of fonts.

J) Complete the text with the adjectives in brackets () in comparative or superlative form.

OS battles

Windows, Linux and Unix are different computer operating systems (OS). You need an operating system
to run any computer- both PCs at home or in the office, and the big network servers that connect other
computers. Windows is the (popular) most popular system for PCs in the world. There are also versions
of Windows for network servers, but in this market, Unix-based systems are (common)
a
_______________________ than Microsoft systems. A newcomer to the battle is Linux.
If we compare Windows and Linux as systems for network servers, they have different strengths and
b
weakness, but many experts say Unix is a (good) ____________________ system. It is (small)
c d
_____________________ and (efficient) _____________________ than Windows. In addition, it is
e
(stable) ________________________, while Windows has a reputation for crashing. Linux is based on
Unix but it is (easy) f______________________
to use. The main difference between Linux and the other two systems is that it is “open source”. This
means it is free and that anyone can modify it or write programs for it. This makes it much (cheap)
g
______________________, but for most people Linux systems are still (difficult)
h
_________________________ to use than Windows.
Another advantage of Windows for PC users is that it has the (big) i____________________ offer of
programs and applications. The range of software for Linux is (wide) j___________________________
than before, but there is still problem for people who want to play games, for example.
Google's Android and Apple's iOS are operating systems used primarily in mobile technology, such as
smartphones and tablets. Android, which is Linux-based and partly open source, is (PC-like) k_________
___________ than iOS, in that its interface and basic features are generally (customizable)l_________
___________ from top to bottom. However, iOS' uniform design elements are sometimes seen as being
m
(user-friendly) ______________________.

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Grammar Reference 1
A prefix comes at the beginning of a word and usually has a specific meaning, for example inter=
between.
Look at the following prefixes and their use:

Prefix Meaning of prefix Example of use

inter- between internet, interconnect,
interactive, international

intra- within intranet (e.g. company

intranet)

trans- across
transmit, transfer, transaction

co-/com-/con- with combine, compatible,

connect, configure
up- up (to internet) upload

K) Complete the word in the following sentence by adding the prefix inter-, intra-,
trans-, com-, con-,up- or down-

1- Last month computer _________time cost the company over € 10,000 in lost production.
2- The computers in the production department are now successfully ________ connected.
3- Once you complete payment details, the data will be ________mitted via a secure link.
4- We cannot network these computers because the systems are not ________patible.
5- Many companies distribute internal documents on their own _________net.
6- Once the home page is completed, we’ll be ready to __________ load the site.
7- There are cables outside the building because the network requires physical
_________ nections.
8- By using the network he can ________bine the data from different reports.

L) Listening. Listen to two colleagues shopping online and complete this dialogue.

Bob: What do you think? Which 1………………………………… is better for the sales team?
Daisy: I’m not sure. This computer has a 2……………………………… memory and I think it has a
3
…………………………………. processor.
Bob: And the other one?
Daisy: Well, it is 4……………………………….. .
Bob: And 5………………………………….
Daisy: Yes, you’re right. 6…………………………………………………..
Bob: But the bigger one is 7………………………………. .
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Daisy: ……………………….. what is our decision?
Bob: I’m not 9………………………………. 10
………………………… go for a coffee and discuss this again.
Track 13, English for Information Technology

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Grammar Reference 3

Adjetivos Comparativos: establecen la comparación entre dos cosas

Short adjectives + er taller, shorter, smaller, higher, bigger, hotter

(adj.ending in consonant-vowel-consonant=double consonant)
Buenos Aires is bigger than La Plata.
Taipei 101 is taller than the Petronas Towers.
Adjectives ending in consonant + y y + ier
Physics is easier than Maths.
The new machine is noisier than the old one.
Irregular adjectives: good better, bad worse, far further/ farther
Neptune is further than Jupiter.
John is a better driver than his brother.
Long adjectives: more + adjective less + adjective
Prototype A is more expensive than Prototype B.
The new software program is less accurate than the old one.

Comparativos de igualdad

as + adj. + as London is as expensive as Tokyo.

The same as Production increase is the same as last year’s.

Adjetivos Superlativos: establecen el más alto grado de una cualidad, comparando todas las
cosas.

Short adjectives + est the tallest, the shortest, the highest, the biggest, the hottest
Buenos Aires is the biggest province in Argentina
Taipei 101 is the tallest building in the world.
Adjectives ending in consonant + y y + iest
Physics is the easiest subject in this course.
Irregular adjectives: good the best, bad the worst, far the furthest/ farthest
Neptune is the furthest planet in our solar system.
We have the best quality in our products.
Long adjectives: the most + adjective the least + adjective
This is the most productive year in the company’s history.
The new software program is the least useful for our purpose.

Comparativos y superlativos

Adjective Comparative Superlative

Short shorter the shortest
Great greater the greatest
Nice nicer the nicest
thin thinner the thinnest
Busy busier the busiest
Good better the best
bad worse the worst
dangerous more dangerous the most dangerous
convenient more convenient the most convenient

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