Читаем Английский разговорный язык. Практическое пособие по развитию устной речи полностью

Английский разговорный язык. Практическое пособие по развитию устной речи

Виктор Александрович Миловидов

Exercise 17

Answer the questions:

1. Who can understand computers\' internal logic?

2. Who can understand the computers\' native language?

3. Where are a man\'s smallest mistakes stored?

4. How much do you have to spend on the computer\'s accessoires?

5. What do you have to do in order to get the computer\'s attention?

6. Why cannot one leave diskettes in the disk drive?

7. How should the diskettes be stored?

8. What should microscopic metal particles be removed with from the surface of the disk?

9. How can one use big diskettes in little disk drives?

10. How can one back up the data?

11. Why cannot one use a xerox machine to do so?

12. What does one have to do if the system is hooked?

13. What does one have to do to compress the data on a diskette?

14. How many holes should one cut in a diskette jacket to make the access time double fast?

What Happens if One Types the Wrong e-mail Address:

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel plans. So, the husband left Minneapolis and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address, and without realizing his error, sent the e-mail.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband\'s funeral. He died of a heart attack. The widow decided to check her e-mail expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow\'s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My loving wife

Subject: I\'ve arrived

Date: April 6, 2006

I know you\'re surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I\'ve just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then. Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure it is freaking hot down here!!!!!

Telecommunications: a Historical Review

A German archaeology team digs down 50m and finds traces of copper wire. Afterwards the German government proclaims that 2,000 years ago the Germans obviously had developed a telephone system.

Later an English archaeology team digs down 100m and finds traces of glass strands. Afterwards the British government proclaims that 3,000 years ago the English obviously had developed a fibre optic-based telephone system.

An American archaeology team digs down 200m and but finds nothing at all. Afterwards the American government proclaims that 4,000 years ago the Americans invented mobile phones!!!

Слова и выражения:

accidentally – случайно

archaeology – археология; археологическая

coordinate – скоординировать

copper – медь

couple – пара ( здесь : супружеская)

dig – копать

error – ошибка, дефект

faint – терять сознание, падать в обморок

fibre – волокно

freak – нечто ненормальное, аномальное

funeral – похороны