Computers in Our Life

Read the text.

Computers in Our Life

Computers have had a great impact on society. Today computers are constantly becoming a part of everyday life. Computers are used in everything from the home PC or laptop to appliances such as microwaves and even our cars. Not only have computers had a great impact on our everyday life, but also on education and the workplace. Computers are used in our appliances, mobile phones, entertainment devices (such as DVD players) and others. It is almost impossible to get through one day without having some form of interaction with computers.

The Internet has had a huge impact on society. It provides information and services, as well as the ability to communicate people all around the world in variety of ways. These range from bulletin boards and chat rooms to voice conversations and video conferencing.

Around the world, the Internet is available to millions of people. Those who don’t have computer or access to the Internet at home will often have access at work or school, or even at the local library. Another added bonus of the Internet is that the majority of the information and services available are free.

The use of computers for educational purposes has been highly beneficial for those involved. From a primary school level, children are taught the basics of computer use, including the Internet. At high school, this continues as children become more and more proficient in using the computer.

It is a tertiary level though, that computers really come into use. News, assignments, tests, lecture notes etc. can be placed on the Internet for students who live in remote areas and cannot travel to and from university or other tertiary institution each day. The idea of remote learning can also be applied to a primary school level.

Computers impact every part of our lives. From the home, to the workplace and in education, computers aid us to do what we want. In general, computers are beneficial to the tasks they are applied to. Although computers can cause some problems, such as unemployment and computer viruses, these are far outweighed by the benefits computers provide. Because of this, computers and technology will continue to have an increasing effect on society.

Decide if the statements are true or false.

1. Society is much influenced by computers at present time.

2. You can find computers everywhere, even in your car.

3. Computers can be operated by microwaves.

4. DVD player is an entertainment device.

5. The Internet is a source of information only.

6. You can’t watch people and hear their voices trough the Internet.

7. You can get access to the Internet at the local library.

8. Not all the information and services available are free.

9. Children are taught the basics of computer use at a primary school level.

10. Computers can be used in education at a distance.

11. The biggest problem with the computer is poor eyesight.

12. There are more advantages then disadvantages with computers.

Answer the questions.

1. Have computers become an integral part of our life?

2. Where are computers used?

3. What types of appliances can computers be used in?

4. What is the Internet?

5. How can the Internet be useful for you?

6. What kinds of services does the Internet provide?

7. Where can we get access to the Internet?

8. Is all the information available in the Internet free?

9. How are children taught to use the computers?

10. How can computers be useful for education?

11. What are the disadvantages of computers?

12. Does computer continue to have an increasing impact on society?

Read and complete the text using the given words.

richest, governments, co-founded, major, charity, technology, software, true, successful, influences

William Henry Gates III was born on 28 October 1955. He is one of the world’s 1____ people and perhaps the most 2____ businessman ever. He 3___ the software giant Microsoft and turned it into the world’s largest 4___ company. He is the best-known entrepreneur of the PC revolution. He has also written two best-selling books and started his own 5____ with his wife.

Gates was fascinated with electronics from a young age. In 1975 he read about a small 6____ company. he contacted them to see if they were interested in a computer program he had written. This led to the creation of Microsoft. Gates later struck a deal with IBM that put Microsoft’s Windows on IBM computers. This deal made Microsoft a 7____ player in the IT industry.

Gates was in charge at Microsoft from 1975 until 2006. He was an active software developer at the beginning. He had a vision that computers could change everyone’s life. He helped to make this vision come 8_____ and developed many products that are now part of modern life. His management style has been studied and copied around the world.

Gates stepped down as Microsoft Ceo in June 2008. He now spends his time with his wife, Melinda, focusing on their charitable foundation. They provide funds for global problems that are ignored by and 9____ other organisations. Time magazine voted Gates as one of the biggest 10_____ of the 20th century.

Watch the video "Computers in Our Life" and decide if the statements below are true or false.

1. Computers are used all over the world.

2. We can send and receive e-mail from all over the world.

3. Computers can’t help in research projects.

4. Computers have changed the world.

5. Computers have become an integral part of education.

6. It is not easy to find the information with the help of computers.

Put the words in each sentence in the correct order.

1. Computers/ and/ make/ easier/ more /life/ enjoyable.

2. Science/ knowledge/ spheres/ different/ the/ is/ world/ around / about/ of/ us.

3. The/ major/ in/ invention/ influenced/ greatly/ the/ 20^th/ century/ scientific/ humanity/ which/ a/ is/ computer.

4. Computers/ also/ source/ of/ are/ a/ great/ information.

5. The/ Internet/ also/ find/ gives/ opportunity/ to/ an/ us/ a/ job.

6. Nowadays/ without/ not/ people/ can/ even/ imagine/ science/ themselves/ .