Everyday uses of computers
Most machines are designed to do one job. Computers are different: they are general purpose machines. By changing the program instructions, computers can be used to process information in very different ways. For example: a word processor program allows the computer to process text, a spreadsheet program enables the computer to perform calculations, a datasheet program is used for searching and sorting records, and a browser program is used for looking at pages on the Internet (the Internet is the connection of computers from different parts of the world). Computers are therefore used in almost every type of work and are found almost everywhere. Computer equipment is known as hardware and programs and data are called software.
A variety of devices can be attached to the computer. Input devices are used to enter data into the computer for processing. An input device called a magnetic ink character reader (MICR) is used to read characters printed using magnetic ink.
Magnetic ink characters are commonly found on bank cheques.
An optical input device called a barcode reader uses the reflection of a light beam to read a sequence of printed parallel bars called a barcode. The bars are of different thickness, and each thickness of bars represents a different number according to a standard code. Barcode labels are used to code items. Each item can be identified by a computer, using a barcode reader to scan the labels. Barcodes are used in industry, shops and supermarkets for stock control and to allow a computer to look up the price of item being purchased.
1 Everyday uses of computers
Tuning-in
Task 1 We use computers in many different places.
Which places can you link these computer documents with?
Task 2 In groups, make a list of other places where you can find computer
documents. Try to say what the documents are, and what they are used for.
Listening: Computer uses
Task 3 Match these words (1-8) to the correct locations (a-d).
1 games 5 flight a a factory
2 machines 6 letters b a supermarket
3 tickets 7 barcode readers с a travel agent
4 wages 8 tills d a home
Task 4 Listen to the tape. Identify which place is described in each extract.
Reading: Computers in everyday life
| Computers are part of our everyday lives.They have an effect on almost everything you do. When you buy groceries at a supermarket, a computer is used with laser and barcode technology to scan the price of each item and present a total. Barcoding items (clothes, food, and books) requires a computer to generate the barcode 5 labels and maintain the inventory. Most television advertisements and many films use graphics produced by a computer. In hospitals, bedside terminals connected to the hospital's main computer allow doctors to type in orders for blood tests and to schedule operations. Banks use computers to look after their customers' 10 money. In libraries and bookshops, computers can help you to find the book you want as quickly as possible. |
| Language work: Articles |
| Study these nouns. a supermarket technology a computer money Supermarket and computer are countable nouns. We say a supermarket and supermarkets. Technology and money are uncountable nouns. They have no plural and you cannot use them with a or an. Study this paragraph. Computers have many uses. In shops a computer scans the price of each item. Then the computer calculates the total cost of all the items. We use a plural noun with no article, or an uncountable noun, when we talk about things in general. Computers have many uses. Information technology is popular. We use a/an when we mention a countable noun for the first time. In shops a computer scans the price of each item. When we mention the same noun again, we use the. The computer calculates the total cost. We use the with countable and uncountable nouns to refer to specific things. The price of each item. The total cost of all the items. The speed of this computer. |
Task 6 Here are some common nouns in computing. With the help of the Glossary on page 120, divide them into countable and uncountable nouns. In the Glossary, and in most dictionaries, nouns are marked С for countable and U for uncountable.
1 capacity 4 disk 7 monitor 10 speed
2 data 5 drive 8 mouse
3 device 6 memory 9 software
Task 7 Fill in the gaps in this paragraph with a/an or the where necessary.
The Walsh family have 1____ computer at home. Their son uses 2______
computer to help with 3_____ homework and to play 4____ computer games.
Their student daughter uses 5______ computer for 6______ projects and for
7 _____ email. All 8_____ family use it to get 9 _____ information from 10_____
Internet.
| Aids to communication Here are some phrases to use when you do not understand what someone says to you. What does X mean? Could you say that again, please? I'm sorry, I didn't understand that. A little more slowly, please. Here are some phrases to use when you need help from your teacher. What's the English for...? How do you say...? |
Problem-solving
Task 8 Study these screens. Each shows a program used by a different occupation.
1 Who uses each program? 3 What did they use before computers?
2 What do they use it for? 4 How do computers make their work easier?
Writing
Task 9 Match the places in column A with the computer uses in column B.
А В
banks control machines
factories calculate the bill
homes look after patient records and medicines
hospitals provide entertainment and information
shops control our money
Task 10 Now fill in the gaps in this paragraph about computer uses.
Computers are now part of our everyday life. In shops, they 1_____.
In factories, they 2_____. In 3______, they look after
patient records and medicines. When we have a bank account, a computer
4______. In our homes, computers 5_______.
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| Translate the sentences. | | | Computing Support Assistant |
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