Unit 9

Task 1

【答案】

【原文】

Compere: And now for our first question. It comes from Mrs. June Moore. Mrs. Moore?

Mrs. Moore: Does the panel think that computers will change our lives?

Compere: Mrs. Moore wants to know if computers will change our lives. Philip Barnes?

Philip Barnes: Computers have already changed our lives. Business is more efficient. Planes and trains provide a better service...

Miss Anderson: Just a moment, Mr. Barnes. You may be right about business, but how many people have lost their jobs because of computers? Computers have changed our lives, but I don't want my life changed.

Arthur Haines: Excuse me, Miss Anderson. We're talking about our lives, not your life. The computer will affect everyone in the world. Records can be kept of everything we do. Records will be kept of all our private lives. In my opinion, the computer is the greatest disaster of the 20th century.

Phyllis Archer: Could I interrupt? Arthur Haines says the computer is a disaster, but the computer is a machine. It was invented by people; it is used by people. If the computer is a disaster, then people are a disaster.

Compere: Thank you, Phyllis Archer. Thank you, panel. And thank you, Mrs. Moore.

Task 2

【答案】

A.

1) It includes a 9-inch TV screen, a keyboard with 46 numbers and characters on it, a printer, and two disk drives.

2) It's all contained right on the floppy disk.

3) It’s much better than a typewriter in that one can move words or sentences from place to place or make corrections or changes right on the screen, and never have to erase on paper.

4) It can help him make a monthly budget for his household with electronic spreadsheet software.

B.

1) loads your program into the machine

2) typewriter, typewriter,

3) turning the computer on and loading a program

4) the different things the program can do

【原文】

Narrator: For Harvey Van Runkle, it was love at first sight, or should we say, love at first byte? Really, it is 64,000 bytes—that's the size of the memory on his new BANANA-3 personal computer. It all happened by accident. His wife, Charlotte, had sent him out to buy a new toaster, when he found himself standing in front of a computer display at the BANANA Computer Store.

Salesman: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this little computer is going to change your lives. Just consider the hardware: You have a 9-inch TV screen. That’s your video display terminal. You have a keyboard with 46 numbers and characters on it. You have a printer that will give you paper printouts of your work in three colors. You have two disk drives—one inside the computer terminal and one outside. This computer can do anything! Now let’s have a little demonstration. Who would like to try the new BANANA-3 computer? You, sir. You look interested. Step right up and try the BANANA-3.

Harvey: What's a d-disk drive?

Salesman: That's the part of the computer that loads your program into the machine.

Harvey: Oh. What's a program?

Salesman: The program? That's your software. That's the instructions. It's all contained right on this floppy disk here. The instructions on this disk tell the computer what to do.

Harvey: Oh, you mean like my wife. She always tells me what to do.

Salesman: Exactly. Now what type of program would you like? I have word processing, I have electronic spreadsheet...

Harvey: What's word processing?

Salesman: Word processing is using the computer like a typewriter. But it's much better than a typewriter. You can move words or sentences from place to place or make corrections or changes right on the screen. You never have to erase on paper. It's a wonderful little program! Would you like to try it, Mr...

Harvey: Van Runkle. Harvey Van Runkle. I've never used a computer before...

Salesman: It's easy. First we start up the machine, and then boot up a program.

Harvey: Boot up?

Salesman: That's computer talk for turning the computer on and loading a program. There. Now we look at the menu.

Harvey: Menu? But I just had lunch. I'm not hungry.

Salesman: No, no. This is a program menu, not a restaurant menu. It shows the different things the program can do. For example, here we have "file". If you select file, you can choose which of your documents you want to work on. And here’s “edit”. This gives you ways to correct your document.

Harvey: Gee, this is great! There's only one problem.

Salesman: What's that?

Harvey: I don't have any documents. I'm a plumber.

Salesman: But you have bills, don't you?

Harvey: Yeah, but...

Salesman: Well, with our electronic spreadsheet software, you can make a monthly budget for your household.

Harvey: No. My wife, Charlotte, does that.

Salesman: Well, now you can do it, Harvey.

Harvey: I don't know...

Salesman: And you have friends, don't you?

Harvey: Yeah, well there's my brother-in-law Bob...

Salesman: Great! You can write letters to Bob on your new BANANA-3 computer!

Harvey: Okay. How much is it?

Salesman: Never mind. Do you have a credit card?

Harvey: Well, sure...

Salesman: Great. Joe, get Harvey here signed up, will you? He wants a BANANA-3 with a printer and software. Okay, step right up, ladies and gentlemen. This computer can do anything!

Task 3

【答案】

A.

1) They are important because they are able to measure quantities such as electricity and temperature.

2) Digital computers.

3) Only one person at a time can use them.

4) It is because their owners do not spend enough time learning how to operate them efficiently.

5) Each person who uses a minicomputer has a computer terminal that is connected to the minicomputer by interface wires. With the help of the operating system, the CPU is able to divide its time and perform for all the users.

B.

Similarities and Differences between Microcomputers and Minicomputers

【原文】

There are two primary kinds of computers: analog computers and digital computers. Unless you are a scientist, you probably will not use analog computers. These computers are important because they are able to measure quantities such as electricity and temperature.

In contrast, digital computers perform their tasks by counting. Some digital computers are built to help solve only a specific kind of problem. For example, digital computers that monitor airplanes flying in and out of airports are built only for that task. Most digital computers, though, can be used to help solve many kinds of problems. Among them, microcomputers and minicomputers are two kinds of common digital computers.

Microcomputers, also called personal computers, are the newest computers. Many are about the size of a very small television set. Some, however, are so small and light that people can carry them easily on business trips. Because computer manufacturers produce an enormous amount of computer hardware, it is possible for anyone to own and use a microcomputer. Therefore, we now see these machines in many homes, schools, and businesses. There is one disadvantage to these computers, though. Only one person at a time can use them. Also, many people who buy microcomputers do not understand what these machines can and cannot do. Some experts say that almost half of all micro-computers are not used often because their owners do not spend enough time learning how to operate them efficiently.

Like microcomputers, minicomputers are used in small businesses. However, they are larger than microcomputers and are used more frequently in large offices and businesses than in small businesses. Another difference is that more than one person can use a minicomputer at the same time. We call this time-sharing. Some minicomputers can have more than a hundred people time-sharing them. Each person who uses a minicomputer has a computer terminal that is connected to the minicomputer by interface wires. But even though more than one person can use a minicomputer, the computer has only one CPU. With the help of the operating system, the CPU is able to divide its time and perform for all the users.

Task 4

【答案】

A.

1) It wasn't the typical low mechanical voice that sounded like a record being played at too slow a speed. It sounded natural. It had charm to it.

2) Lupa had once heard that even a sophisticated analog computer couldn't pick up certain subtleties in the English language, no matter how good the programming is.

3) When Lupa stood up and walked around the room, it was evident to her that somewhere in the building, listening through an intercom was someone with a microphone.

B.

1) They're running a contest. The kids are supposed to name me. I'm dreading the whole thing, believe me.

2) You know something; I thought you'd be different. Just once today I was hoping I'd get someone who wouldn't try to beat the program.

3) You wouldn't happen to know what day of the week September the fourteenth, 1321, fell on, would you?

It was a Sunday; but how do you know whether I'm right? Thank you for visiting the computer exhibit.

【原文】

Lupa laughed. She liked the voice that had been selected for the computer. It wasn't the typical low mechanical voice that sounded like a record being played at too slow a speed. It sounded natural. It had charm to it.

"Do you have a name?" Lupa asked.

"Not yet," the computer answered. "They're running a contest. The kids are supposed to name me. I'm dreading the whole thing, believe me."

Now Lupa thought this was clever, the way they had programmed the computer. She wondered if there was some way to screw up the program. She had once heard that even a sophisticated analog computer couldn't pick up certain subtleties in the English language, no matter how good the programming is, so she decided to give it a try.

"My paws give me pause," she said.

The computer was silent.

"My paws give me pause," Lupa repeated. "It's a clause without claws."

Lupa waited in silence for a response.

"You know something," the computer said. "I thought you'd be different. Just once today I was hoping I'd get someone who wouldn't try to beat the program."

Lupa smiled. "This was marvelous," she thought to herself. "They'd thought of everything."

"Sorry," she said. "Mi dispiace."

"Ah, you speak Italian," the computer said with some sarcasm.

"Qui, d'accord," Lupa answered. "C'est vrai."

"And French, too. Your French is better than your Italian. Though neither one is great. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to shut down. It's closing time."

Lupa stood up and walked around the room. It was evident to her that somewhere in the building, listening through an intercom was someone with a microphone. She thought about how to test for this.

"You wouldn't happen to know what day of the week September the fourteenth, 1321, fell on, would you?" Lupa asked.

"It was a Sunday," the computer answered, "but how do you know whether I'm right? Thank you for visiting the computer exhibit."

Task 5

【答案】

A.

1) b) 2) c)

B.

1) F 2) F 3) F 4) T

C.

【原文】

Hello. I think we can begin now if you're ready. Um, today I want to talk to you about computers, about the impact of computers on how we talk, on the ways we talk. Now of course we all know that computers have changed our lives in many ways. Stop and think for a minute about how we use computers in our everyday life. It's hard to think of anything we do that hasn't been changed by computers. For example, computers allow us to get money directly from our bank accounts at cash machines. At hospitals, computers help doctors understand what is wrong with patients. We can use computers to help us decide which color to paint our houses, which hair styles to have, or which dresses or suits would look good on us--lots of professional and personal uses. Computers are simply a part of our lives, and, I think it is safe to say, they will continue to be. What I'd like to look at today is how the use of computers has had an impact on our language--how computers have changed the expressions we say, the words we use.

First, let me give you some examples. These are examples from English that I'd like you to think about. The first example is this. Someone at an office says, "We'd like to have the project online by next Monday." In computer talk "online" means started or working. So this statement means that we'd like to have the project started and going by next Monday.

The second example is from a discussion or seminar. Someone might say, "Let's take this discussion offline until tomorrow." To take a computer "offline" means to disconnect it or take it out of the system. What do you think it means to take a discussion offline? To take a discussion "offline" means to stop talking about it. This example means "let's stop discussing this now and talk about it tomorrow."

The third example is: "I'll try to interface my plans with yours." To "interface", in computer talk, means to do something so that different computer parts or software can work together. So "I'll try to interface my plans with yours" means that "I'll try to change my plans to fit with yours." People still say, of course, "I'll try to change my plans to fit with yours." But now we might also start to hear people say, "I'll try to interface my plans with yours," or "Let's see if we can interface our schedules so that we can meet next week."

Let’s try one more example. Our fourth example might take place at home. Someone says,” I just can’t access where I left my car keys.” In computer talk to “access” something means to make information available. If I can’t access where I left my keys, I don’t have this information available for me to use. What would be another way to say this? Of course, we could also say, “I can’t remember where I put my keys.”

Task 6

【答案】

1) Cyber ethics.

2) It will focus on teaching educators how to teach their students cyber ethics.

3) Because it’s not done verbally so that people can overhear it; they think it’s anonymous on the Internet.

4) She was a former principal and an adjunct professor at Marymount University, teaching curriculum development and technology in the classroom.

5) Young computer users do not see hacking, e-mail threats, cyber talking, Intellectual Property Rights violations and virus distribution as crimes.

6) She said that it is something that needs to be instructed as routine curriculum, and student should know that these behaviors are as unacceptable in cyberspace as in the physical realm.

【原文】

Although schools are doing a better job at teaching children how to use the Internet, they are not addressing cyber ethics. "Cyber Ethics: Teaching Responsible Use of Technology" will focus on teaching educators how to teach their students cyber ethics.

When typical crimes are committed on the Internet, students do not see them as a crime, said Cherie Geide, the conference director.

"They don't see anything wrong with it because they see it as a prank. It's more unacceptable to do it verbally where people can overhear it. They think it's anonymous on the Internet," said Geide, a former principal and an adjunct professor at Marymount University, teaching curriculum development and technology in the classroom.

Geide said young computer users do not see hacking, e-mail threats, cyber talking, Intellectual Property Rights violations, such as in software or music, and virus distribution as crimes.

"This is something that needs to be instructed as routine curriculum," she said, "that this behavior is as unacceptable in cyberspace as in the physical realm.

Task 7

【答案】

A.

1) It's Microsoft's SANTA that the kids can't resist; it's the ultimate software with a traditional twist—recommended by no less than the jolly old elf, and on the package, a picture of Santa himself.

2) Father did last-minute Internet shopping; Mum and I had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

B.

1) not a creature was stirring, except father's mouse. The computer was humming; the icons were hopping

2) were hung next to the modem with care in the hope that Santa would bring new software

3) were nestled all snug in their beds, with visions of computer games filling their leads

4) now had been re-routed to Washington State where Santa's workshop had been moved by Bill Gates

5) now finds he's a new billionaire; with a shiny red Porsche in place of his sleigh, and a house on Lake Washington just down the way from where Bill has his mansion; preens in black Gucci boots and red Calvin Klein jeans

6) no more dolls or tin soldiers or little toy drams, only compact disk ROMs with the Microsoft label

7) a new Christmas star, owned by the Microsoft guy

8) turned on with a Jingle-Bells sound, as I sprang from my bed and was turning around

9) a smiling Bill Gates next to jolly old Santa, two arm-in-arm mates

exclaim in voices so bright, have a Microsoft Christmas, and to all a good night

【原文】

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring, except father's mouse. The computer was humming; the icons were hopping, as father did last-minute Internet shopping.

The stockings were hung next to the modem with care in the hope that Santa would bring new software. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, with visions of computer games filling their leads.

The letters to Santa had been sent out by Mum, to santa@toyshop.northpole.com, which now had been re-routed to Washington State where Santa's workshop had been moved by Bill Gates. All the elves and the reindeer had had to skedaddle to flashy new quarters in suburban Seattle.

Alter living a life that was simple and spare, Santa now finds he's a new billionaire; with a shiny red Porsche in place of his sleigh, and a house on Lake Washington just down the way from where Bill has his mansion. The old fellow preens in black Gucci boots and red Calvin Klein jeans.

No more dolls or tin soldiers or little toy drams will be under the tree, only compact disk ROMs with the Microsoft label. So spin up your drive from now on, Christmas runs only on Windows 95.

It's Microsoft's SANTA that the kids can't resist; it's the ultimate software with a traditional twist—recommended by no less than the jolly old elf, and on the package, a picture of Santa himself.

"Get 'em young, keep 'em long" is Microsoft's theme; and a merger with Santa is a marketer's dream. "To the top of the NASDAQ! To the top of the Dow! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away—wow!"

And Mum in her handkerchief and me in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, the whirr and the hum of our satellite platter. As it turned toward that new Christmas star in the sky, the SANTALITE owned by the Microsoft guy. As I sprang from my bed and was turning around, my computer turned on with a Jingle-Bells sound.

And there on the screen was a smiling Bill Gates next to jolly old Santa, two arm-in-arm mates. And I heard them exclaim in voices so bright, have a Microsoft Christmas, and to all a good night!

Task 8

【答案】

A.

1) You would need a computer because of its "memory" and speed; a computer can consider more factors than a person can.

2) The reservation clerk uses a machine to record information about where you want to go and the flight number of the plane that will take you to your destination.

3) The computer not only determines what seats are available at what prices, but it also prints the tickets at the same time.

B.

1) there is a limit to the number of considerations the human mind can

2) analyzing this factor in relation to information about the business that has already been programmed

3) in which computers are being

4) whether or not there is space for you

C. See the last paragraph but one in the script.

【原文】

Suppose you are a manufacturer of bicycles. You are trying to decide whether or not to build a larger factory or to buy more machines. You could just say to yourself, "Business has been good. We've sold a lot of bicycles recently, so I think we ought to expand our plant."

Or you could consider such questions as the following: How much would the changes cost? Can the bicycle-riding population be expected to increase or decrease? Many such questions would have to be answered, but there is a limit to the number of considerations the human mind can take into account.

In a situation like this, you would need a computer. Because of its "memory" and speed, a computer can consider more factors than a person can. Does the bicycle manufacturer wonder how the weather will affect bicycle sales? The computer can tell him by analyzing this factor in relation to information about the business that has already been programmed into the computer.

This is just one of many situations in which computers are being used today. This new servant of man is only about twenty-five years old, but it has already changed the lives of more than 200 million Americans. Wherever the citizen turns, he finds a computer working.

Computers are used when one reserves space on an airplane. Walk into any airline office. Before selling you a ticket, the reservation clerk uses a machine that looks like a typewriter to record information about where you want to go and the flight number of the plane that will take you to your destination. This information is sent instantly to a central computer that may be many kilometers away from the airline office. Within seconds, the computer informs the clerk whether or not there is space for you on that plane.

Such reservation systems are now in increasing use. They are also employed by hotels, by com-panics that rent cars, and by offices that sell tickets to theaters and sports events. The computer not only determines what seats are available at what prices, but it also prints the tickets at the same time.

When computers are used in the way just described, some part of the system can actually be seen. Usually what one sees is a machine that looks like a typewriter; it is called a computer terminal. But computers are also used in unseen ways. For example, they determine how much time there should be between traffic signals to prevent traffic problems and to keep millions of cars moving in an orderly flow. When you buy an automobile, a factory process that is controlled by a computer enables you to obtain a car with your own choice of colours and special features in just a few weeks' time. In medical laboratories, computers have reduced the errors in testing, and they have saved doctors countless hours of work. Before long, medical histories of all Americans will be kept in computer "banks". If a person becomes ill far from his home, local doctors will be able to get his medical record immediately. In science, the computer has performed in minutes experiments which would have required thousands of hours of work by human hands and minds.

The United States is not the only country affected by the "computer revolution". All the major countries of the world have computers, and the developing countries are increasingly aware that computers play a big part in their economic advancement.

Task 9

【答案】

A. 1) a) 2) b) 3) c)

B. 1) T 2) F 3) F

C.

1) potential criminals: Computer crime

2) using less obvious and less easily remembered passwords that allow access to

3) limit the user's access to information as well as the operations the user

D.

Courts are being tougher and computer security is improving. Computer security is getting more sophisticated. For example, less obvious passwords are being used, and access-control software and "dial back" systems have been developed. Scrambling devices and audit trails are also available.

【原文】

Let's talk a little now about what is being done to stop computer crime. First, the courts are getting much tougher on hackers. They are punishing computer criminals more severely. They are trying to send a strong message to potential criminals: Computer crime is serious. If you're caught doing it, you'll be punished. This is seen as a way of preventing hacking.

Computer security is getting more sophisticated. It's being improved by using less obvious and less easily remembered passwords that allow access to systems. These passwords should be given to the minimum number of people.

Access-control software is becoming more common. This software limits the user's access to information as well as the operations the user can perform. So, for example, access control software might only let users read certain files or programs, but not let them input data, and may keep them out of other files entirely.

Then there are "dial back" systems that ask the user or caller for a password. The system then checks the password in a directory and calls the user back at his or her telephone number. This stops hackers who are calling from another number from gaining access to the system.

Scrambling devices are also being developed by computer engineers. These devices scramble messages so that hackers can't understand them. Data can be unscrambled and used only if the scrambling key is known by the user. Scrambling is a very effective way of protecting information.

Audit trail software is also now available. Audit trails monitor the use of a computer and alert owners to any attempt to enter their computer system. It is usually possible to identify any user who gained access to the system and when the access occurred, making it possible to trace the hacker.

Well, those are some of the major things that are happening at the present time in order to decrease computer crime. None of them is completely satisfactory, but together they are certainly helping. These changes, as well as the improvements that are certain to come, should influence people to stop hacking by making it less profitable and more risky.

Task 10

【原文】

"The astronauts are returning to earth at exactly 5:24. Splashdown will be in the Pacific, 427ciles west of Hawaii."

You have often heard announcements like this on television. Scientists can tell us exactly when pace-capsule will arrive on the moon, for instance, and exactly when it will return. They can calculate things like this to the nearest second. How do they do it? Well, of course, they use mathematics. We can all do simple sums on paper, but we must use computers for extremely difficult calculations. Perhaps you have seen mechanical calculating machines in banks and offices. Computers aren't mechanical. They don't have wheels and gears in them. Instead, they work on electrical circuits and can do difficult calculations at tremendous speed. They can work 100 million times faster than the human mind!

现代大学英语听力3原文及答案unit9