Unit 3 Computers The development of computers I am very old now. I was born in China. Many people used me for calculating in the past, but now I am.

Unit 3

Computers

The development of computers

I am very old now. I was born in

China. Many people used me for

calculating in the past, but now I am a

bit lonely because they don’t like me

now.

Do you know who I am?abacus

Riddles ( 谜语 )

I am very small. I can be used for

calculating. In China, a lot of students

use me when solving mathematical

problems.

Do you know who I am?

calculator

I am very big. Scientists use me to

solve some mathematical problems.

huge computer

Do you know who I am?

PC Personal Computer

I’m a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user. I’m based on the microprocessor technology. At home, people use me to surf the Internet and play games.

Do you know who I am?

I can be used for calculating. Besides, I

can also be used for watching DVD,

sending e-mail and communicating

through the Internet. However, I am not

a PC, because I’m small enough for you

to take me with you.

Do you know who I am?

laptop

PDA Personal Digital Assistant

I am so small in size that I can fit in your hand. I usually have a small screen usually bigger than a digital phone, however smaller than the smallest laptop, I’m a great way to store telephone numbers, access the Internet, make calculations, and so on. Do you know who I am?

robot

I’m a machine that works automatically. I can do a wide variety of tasks, especially suitable for doing jobs too boring, difficult,or dangerous for human beings.

Do you know who I am?

PDA

abacus calculator huge computer

PC

laptop

What’s next?

Can you tell the development of computers?

robot

WHO AM I?

Reading

Skimming to get

general ideas

1. Who is the speaker in this story?

2. What’s the main idea of this passage? A. The development of computers. B. The development and use of computers. C. A machine which is simple-minded. D. Computers may replace human beings.

A computer.

Reading Comprehension ISkimming

Scanning to get

more information

Look at these inventions. Can you put them in an order according to the time when they appeared?

( ) analytical machine ( ) laptop

( ) calculating machine

( ) robot

( ) PC

( ) universal machine

12

34

5

6

Reading Comprehension IIScanning

Complete the chart below.

Para-graph 1

Para-graph 2

Para-

graph 3

Topic

sentence

Supporting details

tubes communica-tions

finance

Reading Comprehension VICareful reading

Paragraph 1

Topic

sentence

Over time I have been changed quite a lot.

Supporting details

1 calculating machine

2 analytical machine

3 universal machine

4 PC

5 laptop

Paragraph 2

Topic

sentence

These changes only became possible as my memory improved.

Supporting details

1 tubes

2 transistors

3 chips

4 network

5 World Wide Web

Paragraph 3

Topic

sentence

Since the 1970s many new applications have been found for me.

Supporting details

1 communications 2 finance 3 trade4 robots 5 mobile phones6 medical operations7 space rockets8 providing a life of high quality

1. My real father was Charles Babbage, who wrote a book and built me in 1936.

2. I began as a calculating machine in Japan in 1642. 3. In 1936, I grew rapidly both in size and in brainpower.4. As time went by, I was made bigger.

Reading Comprehension IIIreading

1. When was the “universal machine” built?

A. In 1822. B. In 1642.

C. In 1936. D. In 1970.

2. When was the computer the biggest?

A. In 1642. B. In 1936.

C. In the 1940s. D. In the 1970s.

Reading Comprehension IVScanning

3. Which of the following is in the right order of time?a. The computer was connected with other computers.b. Alan Turing wrote a book about the computer.c. The computer has been sent to explore the Moon and Mars.d. The computer began to simplify difficult sums. A. a. b. c. d. B. b. c. a. d. C. d. a. c. b. D. d. b. a. c.

1642

1822The analytical machine was made by Charles Babbage.

The computer began as a calculating machine.

1936The computer grew rapidly both in size and in brainpower.

Finish the table below.

Reading Comprehension VScanning

1940s

The first family of computers was

connected to each other.

1970s

Now

1960s

Computers were used in offices and homes.

Computers connect people all over the world together.

The computer had grown as large as a room.

Summary: I began as a ________ machine in 1642 in France. In 1822 I was built as an ________ machine. Then in 1936 Alan Turing wrote a book and built a ________ machine. As the years have___ ___, I have been made ______ . There were times when my size ______ changed. And my memory became _____ large _____ I couldn’t believe it. In the 1960s they gave me a family_________ by a network. I was able to _________________with others through the World Wide Web. Since the 1970s many new applications ______________ for me.

calculatinganalytical

universal

gone by smaller totally

so that

connectedshare my knowledge

have been found

ForSurfing online is harmful to

the young

Against

debate

For

Surfing online is harmful

to the young

Have bad effect on study

A waste of money

A waste of time

Against

Surfing online is good to

the young

Learn

Communicate

Entertainment

Improve

advantages

1. we can communicate with friends

2. listen to the music

3. see films & watch news

4. play games

5. do shopping

6. save a lot of time

7. do a lot of useful things

Disadvantages

Some people especially the teenagers abandon ( 沉迷于 ) themselves to the computer games and chatting on the Internet. As a result, they have little time to study .

It is bad for our eyes and health to spend long time in front of computers.

ConclusionThere is no doubt that computer has two sides ,too. If we make good use of it, it will make our lives more colorful and convenient. But don’t lose yourself in playing computers. Just remember: Keep fit, study well and work hard.