MODUL PERKULIAHAN
English 1
Modul 5
Faculty of Science and Technology
Universitas Buddhi Dharma
Unit 5. COMPUTER USER
STARTER
1. Work in groups. Share information on how you use computers in your free time.
Compare answers with other groups and make a list of uses for your class.
Language in use: Giving Instruction, Giving an order Grammar in use: Past Tense,
Present Perfect
Skills: Speaking changing Information, writing a brief description, special reading.
READING SECTION:
Computers Make the World Smaller and Smarter
1. The ability of tiny computing devices to control complex operations has transformed
the way many tasks are performed, ranging from scientific research to producing
consumer products, Tiny ‘computers on a chip’ are used in medical equipment, home
appliances, cars and toys. Workers use hand held computing devices to collect data at
a customer site, to generate forms, to control inventory, and to serve as desktop
organizers.
2. Not only is computing equipment getting smaller, it is getting more sophisticated.
Computers are part of many machines and devices that once required continual
human is supervision and control. Today, computers in security systems result in safer
environments, computers in cars improve energy efficiency, and computers in phones
provide features such as call forwarding, call monitoring, and call answering.
3. These smart machines are designed to take over some of the basic tasks previously
performed by people; by so doing, they make life a Little easier and a Little more
pleasant. 25 Smart cards store vital information such as health records, drivers’
licenses, bank balances, and so on. Smart phone, cars, and appliances with built-in
computers can programmed to better meet individual needs.
4. A smart house has a built-in monitoring system that can turn lights on and off, open
and close windows, operate the oven, and more, with small computing devices
available for35 performing smart tasks like cooking dinner, programming the DVD
recorder, and controlling the flow of information in an organization, people are able
to spend more time doing what they often do best - being creative, Computers i can
help people work more creatively.
5. Multimedia systems are known for their educational and entertainment value, which
we call ‘edutainment'. Multimedia combines text with sound, video, animation, and «
graphics, which greatly enhances the interaction between user and machine and can
make information more interesting and appealing to people. Expert systems
software enables computers to r think' Like experts. Medical diagnosis expert
systems, for example, can help doctors pinpoint a patient's illness, suggest further
tests, and prescribe appropriate drugs.
6. Connectivity enables computers and software that might otherwise be incompatible
to communicate and to share resources. Now that computers are proliferating in
many areas and networks are available for people to access data and communicate
with others, *o personal computers are becoming interpersonal PCs. They have the
potential to significantly improve the way we relate to each other. Many people today
telecommute - that is, use their computers to stay in touch with the office while they
are working at home.
7. With the proper tools, hospital staff can get a diagnosis from a medical expert
hundreds or thousands of miles away. Similarly, the disabled can communicate more
effectively with others using computers. Distance learning and videoconferencing are
concepts made possible with the use of an electronic classroom or boardroom
accessible to people in remote locations. Vast databases of information are currently
available to users of the Internet, all of whom can send mail messages to each other.
8. The information superhighway is designed to significantly expand this interactive
connectivity so that so people all over the world will have free access to all these
resources. People power is critical to ensuring that hardware, software, and
connectivity are effectively integrated in a socially responsible way. People - computer
users and computer professionals - are the ones who will decide which hardware,
software, and networks endure and how great an impact they will have on our lives.
9. Ultimately people power must be exercised to ensure that computers are used not
only efficiently but in a socially responsible way.
A. Find the answers to these questions in the
following text.
1. Name some types of devices that use ‘computers on a chip’.
2. What uses of handheld computers are mentioned in the text?
3. What are the benefits of using computers with the following items?
• Security systems
• Cars
• Phones
4. What smart devices are mentioned in the text?
5. What are smart cards used for?
6. What are the advantages of multimedia?
7. What can medical expert systems do?
8. How can computers help the disabled?
9. What types of computing systems are made available to people in remote locations
using electronic classrooms or boardrooms?
10. What aspects of computing can people power determine?
B. Re-read the text to find the answers to these
questions
1 Match the terms in Table A with the statements in
Table B
Table A Table B
a. Edutainment i. Software that enables computers to ‘think’ like
experts
b. Multimedia ii. Use computers to stay in touch with the office while
working at home.
c. Expert system iii. Internet system designed to provide free, interactive
access to vast resources for people all over the world.
d. Telecommute iv. Multimedia materials with a combination of
educational and entertainment content
e. Information superhighway v. A combination of text with sound, video, animation,
and graphics
2. Mark the following statements as True or False:
a. Desktop organizers are programs that require desktop computers.
b. Computers are sometimes used to monitor systems that previously
needed human supervisions.
c. Networking is a way of allowing otherwise incompatible systems to
communicate and share resources.
d. The use of computers prevents people from being creative.
e. Computer users do not have much influence over the way that computing develops.
Grammar: Past Tense and Present Perfect
Simple Past Present Perfect Simple
irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd
irregular verbs column of irregular verbs
Example: Example:
I spoke I / you / we / they
have spoken he /
she / it has
spoken
regular verbs: infinitive + ed regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed
Example: Example:
I worked I / you / we / they
have worked he /
she / it has
worked
Exception
▪ when the f inal letter is e, only add d Example: love - loved
▪ af ter a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled
Example: admit - admitted
▪ f inal l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)
Example: travel - travelled
▪ af ter a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)
Example:
worry -
worried
but:
play -
played
Use
In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon as a time expression
in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we
just talk about an action in the past or if its consequence in the present is important.
Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to British English only. In American English,
you can normally use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect. We cannot accept this in our exercises,
however, as this would lead to confusions amongst those who have to learn the differences.
Certain time in the past or just / already / yet?
Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it
was just a few seconds ago) or that an action has just / already / not yet happened?
Simpl Present Perfect Simple
e Past
certain time in the past just / already / not yet
Example: Example:
I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago. I have just phoned Mary.
Certain event in the past or how often so far?
Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how
often an action has happened till now?
Simple Past Present Perfect Simple
certain event in the past whether / how often till now
Example: Example:
He went to Canada last summer. Have you ever been to Canada? / I have been to
Canada twice.
Emphasis on action or result?
Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasize the result (a
past action's consequence in the present)?
Simple Past Present Perfect Simple
Emphasis on action Emphasis on result
Example: Example:
I bought a new bike. (just telling what I did in I have bought a new bike. (With this
the past.) sentence I actually want to express that I
have a new bike now.)
Signal Words
Simple Past Present Perfect Simple
yesterday just
... ago already
in 1990 up to now
the other day until now / till now
last ... ever
(not) yet
so far
lately / recently
Exercise
1. Played
Peter (play) __________________ football yesterday.
2. They (clean)Have Cleaned the car. It looks new again.
_________________
3. Went
Last year we (go) _______________ to Italy.
4. Have Just
John and Peggy (just, read) __________ theread
book. Now they can
watch the film.
Met
5. I (meet) ________________ my friend two days ago.
Have Visited another country before.
6. We (visit) _______________
Bought
7. She (buy) ______________________ a new car in 2011.
Have Forgotten my homework.
8. I'm sorry, but I (forget) _____________________
Did you win
9. (win, you) __________________the game of chess?
Haven't eaten their lunch yet.
10. The girls (not, eat) ______________________
Reference:
✓ McCarthy, Tom. R. English for Telecoms and Information Technology,
Oxford University Press, 2013
✓ Esteras, Santiago Remacha, Infotech, English for Computer Users.
Cambridge University Press, 20018
✓ Jones, Leo, Alexander, Richard. New International Business English Teacher's Book.
Cambridge University Press, 1996.
✓ Betty Schrampfer Azar, Basic English Grammar, 2nd edition, Longman & Pearson,
2001.
✓ Tappe, Tonya and Tullis, Graham. Intermmediate Business English, 5th edition,
Longman & Pearson, 2009
✓ Betty Schrampfer Azar, Understanding And Using English Grammar, 2nd edition,
1993, Binarupa Aksara.
✓ Lin, Lougheed, Business Essentials B1, 2013, Oxford University Press.
