You and Computers

1. Think about how you use computer

in your free time and in your study.
Complete the table below.

In my free time In my study

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

2. Do you think your computer is your friend or your foe?

READING AND VOCABULARY

Our society has developed technological dependence. When

computers are down, our way of life breaks down: planes stop
flying, telephones don’t work, banks have to close. Computers
also produce electronic waste i.e. plastic cases and microchips
that are not biodegradable and have to be recycled or just
thrown away. They are the ones responsible for health

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problems, e.g. computer addiction which can be simply defined
as an inappropriate and excessive use of computers.
Cybercrime, crime committed with the help of computers, is
creating serious problems. As a conclusion it can be said that
citizens feel a loss of privacy because of unauthorized use of
personal data or receiving unwanted electronic messages.

a. How would you entitle the reading passage?

_________________________________________________

b. Find in the paragraph above definitions for the

following collocations which represent serious problems
nowadays:
1. technological 3. computer addiction
dependence 4. cybercrime
2. electronic waste 5. loss of privacy
c. Read the following sentences. Match them with the
problems mentioned above (in b).
1. We are sorry to announce that most flights are delayed
or cancelled.
2. He should go to psychologist. He spends hours surfing
the Web.
3. Technology changes so quickly that we have to scrap
computers when they become obsolete.
4. I’ve been getting emails about offers for lots of
different products.
5. My computer system has been broken into and some
useful information has been destroyed.

DEVELOPING LISTENING SKILLS

1. Listen to four people talking about how they use
computers at work and fill in the gaps with the missing
words.

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Speaker 1. I write music mainly for (1) ……… and plays. I
work on a (2) ……...……...... connected to a (3) ………...…. I
use the computer in two ways, (4) ………. First of all, to record
or (5) …………… what I play on the keyboard. Secondly, the
computer (6) ……………the sounds I can make with the
different (7) ………...……...… I have (8) ………. I can use it
to get different kinds of sound from the synthesizers. The
computer is the (9) ………… between the keyboard which I
play, and the synthesizers which produce the (10) ………….
Speaker 2. I use my computer to do the usual (1) …………
things, like writing (2) ……………, letters, faxes and so on, but
the thing I find most useful is (3) …………. We’re an
international company and we have offices all over the world.
We’re (4) …………… up to all of them by email. With email, I
can communicate with the offices around the world very (5)
…………. It’s really changed my life.
Speaker 3. (1) ……, I use computers for (2) …… every aspect
of my job. I use them to design electrical (3) ………… and (4)
………… systems. For example, a program will tell you how
much lightening you need for a (5) ……...…… room or how
much (6) ……... you need and it’ll show where the cable should
go. I also use the computer to make (7) ………… and to keep
(8) ……… We have to (9) ……… our installations every five
years and that information is (10) …… on computer, too.
Speaker 4. I use computers to (1) ………… and classify all the
materials received in the library and record all the books,
newspapers, DVDs, etc. that users (2) ………. I also (3) ……
customers and visitors in the (4) …… of IT hardware and
software, including (5) ………… databases and (6) ………….
I help people with their (7) …………, for example, if children
or (8) ………… people need to find specific information, (9)
………… in our online library catalogue or on the Internet.
I’m also in (10) ………… of other library services, such as
printing and fax machines.

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2. Can you say what the speaker’s jobs are?
a. c.
b. d.

3. Extract from the text above relevant information to

complete the table using the infinitive of purpose.
Job Use
- to record what she plays on the keyboards;
Composer - to get different sounds from synthesizers.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

VOCABULARY BUILDING
a. Match the following terms to the given definitions:
1. Email (electronic mail) a. Without any delay (while the users are
logged on).
b. An Internet service used for
2. Email attachment
transferring data or program files
between the powerful server
3. Clipart computers that provide the network
services and the client computers that
use these services e.g. downloading
4. Computer output
music files.
c. A form of communication over a
5. Edutainment network that uses video cameras so
that the people taking part can see and
hear each other.

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6. Real time d. To use one’s computer to stay in
touch with the office while working
from / at home.
7. File Transfer
e. The processed data or signals that
come out of a computer system on
Protocol (FTP) paper.
f. A combination of educational and
entertainment content.
8. Videoconferencing
g. Other types of files such as video
or audio files attached to simple email
9. To upload text messages.
h. To copy data from a client
computer to the server computer.
10. To telecommute
i. A communication service used for
sending and receiving text messages.
j. Ready -drawn graphic images that
can be inserted into documents.
READING COMPREHENSION AND VOCABULARY
1. Fill in the gaps with the terms from the box to complete
the specialized text below.
search engines, viruses, hardware, expert systems,
program, wordprocessors, webpages, computer,
website, information superhighway, software,
spreadsheets, operating system, anti-virus
A …………. is a device that processes data according
to a set of instructions known as a …………. . The equipment
is known as the …………. and the programs and data are the
………….. A special set of programs, called an ………….,
provides an interface for the user and allows applications
programs to communicate with the hardware. Common
applications programs include …………., for creating and
editing texts, …………., for calculating mathematical formulae
and databases, for storing data in a way that allows the data to

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be easily sorted and searched and …………. programs for
detecting and removing …………., harmful programs that can
reproduce themselves and attach themselves to other programs.
Unlike most machines, computers do not have a fixed
purpose. They are multi-purpose tools. They can be used in a
very wide variety of situations and are found in a wide range of
systems including security systems, cars and phones. Advanced
systems, known as …………., enable computers to ‘think’ like
experts. Medical expert systems, for example, can help doctors
diagnose an illness and decide on the best treatment.
The most popular service available on the Internet is
the World Wide Web (WWW) which is often simply referred to
as the Web (note the use of the capital W). The Web contains
interlinked documents called ………. A set of related webpages
stored together on a server computer is called a ………..
Websites give the user access to special programs called
…………. that are designed to allow the user to find relevant
webpages on the Web. An Internet system designed to provide
free, interactive access to vast resources for people all over the
world is sometimes referred to as an …………………....
2. Pick up the definitions corresponding to the following
terms and terminological collocations from the text and
write them down into your glossaries:
1. Webpage 5. Virus
2. Expert system 6. Search engine
3. Information 7. Spreadsheet
superhighway 8. Website
4. Multi-purpose 9. Anti-virus program
Example:
1. Operating system - A special set of programs which
provides an interface for the user and allows applications
programs to communicate with the hardware.

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LISTENING AND SPEAKING
You are going to hear two people talk about how they use
computers.
First listening: Listen to the audio file and note the actual uses
described.
User Actual use
A. -

B. -
-
-
Second listening: Now listen to the audio file again and answer
these questions:
1. What have they got?
2. What do they have it for?
3. How often do they use it?
Speaker A

4. What is there in front of the monitor? What does it

look like?
5. How does the story-telling program encourage
children to work together?
6. In what way is the children’s reaction to this program
different from other uses they make of computers?

1. What is the OU student studying?

2. When and where does she study? Why?
Speaker B

3. What can she attend some Saturdays in town?

4. What opportunity does she have to meet other
students?
5. What does she use computer for?
6. What is a ‘help group’?
PAIR WORK: Retell your colleague what the Speaker A/B
is talking about.

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 Which statement do you agree with?
Computers Make the World Smaller.
Computers Make the World Smarter.
Computers Make the World Smaller and
Smarter.
Choose one statement and comment on it. Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.

Grammar Revision

2. Listen again and give full answers.

1. What’s Millie doing this morning?
2. What does she do nearly every Saturday?
3. What’s she looking for?
4. What’s Lisa wearing?
5. What’s she doing this morning?
6. What does she do whenever she goes to town?
7. What’s Millie looking at right now?
8. What does Lisa want Millie to do now?

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PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
1. Choose the right tense.
1. Water boils/is boiling at 100·C.
2. When do you get/are you getting up?
3. We have/are having English classes every day.
4. - Do you wear/are you wearing a new hat? - Yes, do you like/are
you liking it?
5. Look! She comes /is coming.
6. - Where is Paul? - He plays/is playing football with Derek.
7. - Where is mum? - She does/is doing the laundry in the
bathroom.
8. - I go/am going to visit Laura tonight. She leaves/is leaving to
New York in the morning. - When does she come /is she coming
back? - I don't know.
9. We spend/are spending holidays in Spain.
10. Laura usually goes/is going to school by bus, but today her
mum drives/is driving her to school.
2. State or action? Choose the right variant.
1. I see/am seeing Becky on Monday.
2. She weighs/is weighing 100 kilos. She eats too much.
3. Don't disturb me. I listen/am listening to music.
4. You look/are looking great.
5. I think/am thinking he can drive a car.
6. Laura has/is having two cars.
7. I come /am coming from Spain.
8. She tastes/is tasting vanilla ice cream. It's delicious.
9. He is/is being a very polite person.
10. Why do you smell/are you smelling these cakes?
3. Use the correct tense-form of the verbs in brackets.
There is a traffic jam in the street. Most of the people 1
(try)..................... to get to work. They all 2 (work) ..................... in
the city but few of them 3 (live) ............................... there. They 4
(feel) .................................. very angry and frustrated at the

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moment because the traffic 5 (hardly move) .....................................
Traffic jams like this 6 (happen) ........................ every day. The
problem 7 (get) ................................ worse all the time.
4. Identify the mistakes in the following sentences and
correct them.
1. I'm busy at the moment. I talk over the phone. - am talking
2. I'm not knowing where he is.
3. I look at the pictures at the moment.
4. What do you read, Freddy? I don't read. I write.
5. They are picking the apples in September.
6. My brother lives with us until he can find a flat of his own.
7. They have dinner now.
8. The train is arriving at 7.30.
9. He is drinking coffee in the morning.
10. Our English friends come to our place on Monday.
11. Tom is looking well.
13. I’m not having enough money for a long holiday this year.
15. I’m liking a good cup of coffee after lunch.
16. I must lose weight – I’m weighing over 80 kilos.
17. Maria is going to the shops every Saturday morning.

5. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in

brackets.
1. My father …………… (know) all about mending cars, but
nothing about bicycle.
2. – Why ……………………… (you wear) my coat?
– Oh, I’m sorry. It…………… (look) like mine in this light.
3. This pie …………………… (smell) a bit odd. What’s in it?
4. I ………… (like) the jacket of this suit, but unfortunately
the trousers ……………… (not fit) me anymore.

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 5. You’re very quiet this evening. What ………………… (you
think) about?
6. – I ……… (have) no idea what this sentence ……… (mean).
Can you translate it?
– No, sorry. I …………………… (not understand) it either.
7. – ………………… (you see) those men near the door?
They …………… (look) at us very strangely.
– Yes. You’re right. …………….………… (you recognize)
them from anywhere?
– No, but they certainly …… (seem) to know us. They
…………… (come) across to speak to us.
8. – What …………………………… (you do) in the kitchen?
– I ……………………… (just make) some coffee.
– Well, go away. I ………………… (not want) your help.
Our guests ………………… (wait) for their dessert, and you
………………….…… (get) in my way!
9. I played football at school, but now I …………… (prefer)
swimming or tennis.
6. Decide whether to use Present Simple or Present
Continuous.
1. Sometimes Susan (to watch) ………….… science fiction
films, but she normally (to prefer) …………….… love stories.
2. Look! Mr. Cooper (to work) …………………. He usually (to
start) ……….…… work at about 8 o’clock.
3. We (to go) ………….…… to a football match next Saturday.
4. Can you (to answer) …………… the phone, please, I (to have)
……………… a bath right now.
5. I never (to eat) …………… spinach, but we (to have) ………..
………… some this evening.
6. When I (to see) ……… him, we always (to go) …… to a pub.
7. We usually (to meet) ……... when we (to go) ……… to work.
8. Listen! Mrs. Jones (to play) …………...…… the piano. You
can (to hear) …………… her very clearly.
9. When John (to sleep) ………, he sometimes (to talk) …….…

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10. Sorry, Mr. Smith, I cannot (to speak) ………… to you right
now, because I (to be) ………… very busy.
11. Paul and Tim (to go) …….… to London three times a year,
but next summer they (to stay) ………….… at home.
12. Occasionally he (to go) …………… to the cinema, but he (to
go) ……… to the theatre at least once a week.
13. John (not/to be) ……… here, he (to work) …………… late
this evening.
14. At the moment I (not/to like) ……………………… fish.
15. Peter always (to sing) ….… while he (to have) …….… a bath.
16. Look! It (to rain) …………… outside, so we can’t (to go)
……… to the beach.
17. Susan (to hate) ………… potatoes, because she (to think)
………… they (to be) …… bad for her.
18. I must (to go) …………… home now, because my parents
(to wait) ………………… for me.
19. Sam can’t (to go) ………… to Mexico next summer, so he
(to visit) ………………… his grandmother.
20. Mary (to love) ………………… chocolate, and she (to eat)
…………….……… some every day.
7. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verbs in the
box
behave, come, cost, eat, enjoy, feel, go, have, have, have,
like, love, realize, say, serve, show, smile, stay, take, visit

Dear Stephanie,
How are you? We’re fine. Our trip round the States (1)
…………………. well and we (2) ……………………. ourselves
very much. One good surprise is that things (3)
……………………. less here than back home. For example,
this weekend we (4) ……………………. in a motel beside a
lake. We (5) ……………………. a room with a beautiful
view for only $35 per night.

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 The only thing we (6) (not)……………………. much is
the food. Restaurants (7) ……………………. dinner rather
early. We (8) (never)……………………. at six o’clock at
home so we (9) (not)……………………. hungry then and
Americans (10) ……………………. very big meals. Apart
from that, we (11) ……………………. a wonderful time. We
(12) ……………………. lots of interesting little towns and
we (13) ……………………. the scenery.
People here (14) …………………. in a very friendly
manner towards strangers, all the shop assistants (15)
…………………. at us, and everyone (16) ………………….
‘Have a nice day!’ At home, the TV (17)
(always)……………………. us bad news stories about the
States, but in fact, when you (18) ……………………. here,
you (19) ……………………. it’s a really great place.
We (20) ……………………. Lots of photos to show you.
Much love,
Mick and Mary
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT
CONTINUOUS IN PASSIVE VOICE
Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is
not important or not known who or what is performing
the action.
Example: The book is open.
In the example above, the focus is on the fact that the
book is open. We do not know, who opened it.
Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than
active voice, as the following example shows:
Example: A mistake is made.
In this case, the focus is on the fact that a mistake is
made, but we do not blame anyone

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Form of Passive
Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd
column of irregular verbs)
Example: A letter is written.
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the
following:
 the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of
the passive sentence
 the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past
participle)
 the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of
the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Tense Subject Verb Object

Simple Active: Rita writes a letter.
Present Passive: A letter is written by Rita.
Present Active: Rita is writing a letter.
Progressive/ Passive: A letter is being by Rita.
Continuous written
Active: Rita can write a letter.
Modal verbs Passive: A letter can be by Rita.
written
Personal and Impersonal Passive
Personal Passive simply means that the object of the active
sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. So every
verb that needs an object (transitive verb) can form a personal
passive. Example: They build houses. – Houses are built.
Verbs without an object (intransitive verb) normally cannot form a
personal passive sentence (as there is no object that can become the
subject of the passive sentence). If you want to use an intransitive
verb in passive voice, you need an impersonal
construction – therefore this passive is called Impersonal
Passive. Example: He says – It is said

40
Impersonal Passive is not as common in English as in some
other languages (e.g. German, Russian, Romanian, Latin).
In English, Impersonal Passive is only possible with verbs of
perception (e. g. say, think, know, believe, suppose, etc.). Example:
They say that women live longer than men. – It is said that
women live longer than men.
Although Impersonal Passive is possible here, Personal
Passive is more common. Example: They say that women
live longer than men. – Women are said to live longer than
men.
The subject of the subordinate clause (women) goes to the
beginning of the sentence; the verb of perception is put into
passive voice. The rest of the sentence is added using an
infinitive construction with 'to' (certain auxiliary verbs and that are
dropped). Sometimes the term Personal Passive is used in English
lessons if the indirect object of an active sentence is to become
the subject of the passive sentence.

1. Turn the following sentences into passive voice paying

particular attention to the tenses.
1. He opens the door silently.
2. They are building a new town hall in our town.
3. We set the table when father is at home.
4. The family is waiting for you now.
5. Sheila is now drinking a cup of tea.
6. She pays a lot of money for bills.
7. I draw a picture when I am in good mood.
8. They always wear blue shoes.
9. I am writing a poem at the moment.
10. She is taking a picture of him.
11. They can't help you.
12. They are just doing their homework.
13. You do not write long letters.

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14. Does your mum pick you up?
15. Is she preparing the party?
16. Are they sending for you?
17. What books are people reading this year?
18. Is she watering the flowers?
19. Does the police officer catch the thief?
20. Are they talking about the meeting?

2. Turn the following active constructions into passive

paying attention to the modal verbs.
1. I can easily answer this question.
2. She would carry the box for us.
3. You should open the window.
4. We might play cards.
5. You ought to wash the car.
6. He must fill in the form.
7. They need not buy bread.
8. He could not read the sentence.
9. Will the teacher test our English?

3. Turn the following active constructions into

impersonal passive.
1. People know that she is a good swimmer.
2. They say that Francis is in hospital.
3. They suppose that the new product will come out soon.
4. His colleagues think that he is on holiday.
5. People believe that nuclear power stations are dangerous.
6. People believe that the robber has worked in the bank.
7. They think that the children are in bed.
8. People know that cars pollute the environment.
9. They find that the mission is impossible.
10. They believe that she will win a gold medal.

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