Unit 3

Computers

1. To summarize and remember the main idea of the passage.2. To speak out the detailed information of the passage.3. To know more about the development of computers.4. To learn some useful words, expressions and patterns in the passage.

Objectives

Words: simplify, sum, solve, reality, finance, explore, anyhow, goalExpressions:from … on, as a result, so … that … Patterns:At that time …I wonder if …As time went by, …

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

detail 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

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. After 1936, I grew rapidly both in size and in brainpower.4. As time went by, I was made bigger.

Reading Comprehension IIIScanning

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.

Complete the chart below.

Para-graph 1

Para-graph 2

Para-

graph 3

Topic

sentence

Supporting details

tubes communica-

tions

finance

Reading Comprehension VIScanning

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

Brainstorm a list of things that you, your school and your familyuse computers for.Think about what you wouldhave to do if you could not usecomputers any more.

Discussion

List of use of computers

What people did before computers

email write letters

word processing write by hand or typewriter

search for information

look in encyclopedia, library, etc

watch DVDs go to the cinema

store information

write everything down into files and folders

palmtop

smaller desktop convenient laptop

What are today's smaller computers like?

virtual keyboard 虚拟键盘

1. What can we do by computer in the future?2. What can the future computer be

like?

Debate

What are advantages and

disadvantages of computers?

I began as a __________ ________ in France in 1642. In 1822 I was built as an_________ ________. Then in 1936 Alan Turing wrote a book and built a ________ ________. As the years have gone by, I have been made _______ and ________ but I became _________ and _________.

calculating machine

analytical machine

machineuniversal

smaller smallercleverer quicker

Quiz I: Retell the text by filling the following blanks.

In the early ______ they gave me a

family connected by a ________. Now

people call it the ________. I have been

used in ______ and ______ since the

1970s. So I became PC. Since my _____

I have truly been built to serve the

_______ ____.

network

1960s

Internet

human race

offices homes

birth

Quiz II: Multiple choice.

In the lecture, I can only give you a purely ______ view of how we can live life to the full and make some suggestions about the future. (2010湖北 ) A. private B. personal C. unique D. different

He seems to be giving the impression that he didn’t enjoy himself in Paris. ______, he had a wonderful time. (2012江西 )

A. Above all B. What’s more C. As a result D. On the contrary

Quiz III: Fill in the blanks. 1. He tried to _______ (简化 ) the story for the younger audience.2. The ____ (amount) of thirteen and eight is twenty-one.3. Students need the ability to construct a ______ (opposite: illogical) argument.4. Modern __________ (工艺 ) is amazing, isn't it?5. It's the in_________ of her writing that impresses me.

simplify

sum

logicaltechnology

intelligence

6. Just calm down - shouting won't _____ (解决 ) anything!7. Her childhood ambition became a ______ (= happened in fact) when she was made a judge.8. The letter was marked ‘P_______. Strictly confidential.’ 9. We made £700 in _____ (altogether), over three days of trading.10. The design has many ____________ (用途 ).

solve

reality

Personal

total

applications

11. You need to speak to someone in the fi______ department.12. The best way to _______ (discover) the countryside is on foot.13. It may snow, but _______ (anyway) I will go to town. 14. Do you think I'll be able to achieve my ____ (aim) of losing 5 kilos before the summer? 15. Her eyes shone with __________ (joy).

financeexplore

anyhow

goal

happiness