1. What is a digital computer?

Reference Key:The digital computer is a digital system that performs various computational tasks. The word “digital” implies that the information in the computer is represented by variables that take a limited number of discrete values. These values are processed internally by components that can maintain a limited number of discrete states. Digital computer is also called electronic computer or computer.

2. Are there any differences between the binary number system and the common decimal number system?

Reference Key:The decimal digits has ten digits: 0,1,2,…, and 9. The binary number system has two digits: 0 and 1.The binary numbers use a base 2. The decimal digits use a base 10.

3. How many types of computers do you know? Name at least four of them.

Reference Key:Computers are usually classified into four broad categories: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframe computers and supercomputers.

II. Grammatical Notes to the Text

1. It’s hard to find a field in which computers are not being used.

it 在句中作形式主语，没有具体意义，只是帮助把句子真正的主语不定式to find a field in which computers are not being used移到句子后部去，避免句子显得头重脚轻。除不定式外，动名词、从句作主语时也可以同样用it作形式主语。不定式结构中包含一个由介词in 加which引导的限制性定语从句，修饰field。

2. The word digital implies that the information in the computer is represented by variables that take a limited number of discrete values.

digital是主语the word的同位语，起解释说明的作用。谓语 implies后接一个宾语从句。宾语从句中包含一个由 that引导的限制性定语从句，修饰variables。

3.From this application the term digital computer has emerged.

emerge (from) 出现，出来，产生在此句中from this application被移到了句首，用以强调数字计算机这一术语的产生源于其数值计算的用途。digital computer是主语 the term的同位语。

4. Digital computers use the binary number system, which has two digits: 0 and l.

由which引导的非限制性定语从句对先行词the binary number system进行补充说明，在翻译时主句和从句往往译成两个句子。

5. By using various coding techniques, groups of bits can be made to represent not only binary numbers but also other discrete symbols, such as decimal digits or letters of the alphabet.

by与动名词连用，说明通过某种手段/方式达到目的，但在汉语译文中，该词的意思通常不译出来。使役动词make在主动语态中的用法为make sb./sth. do sth., do前省略了to。但当变成被动语态时，省略的to必须加上。

6. System software includes not only the complex programs used by technicians to create application software in the first place but also the organizational programs needed to start up the computer and govern its use of other programs.

in the first place 首先，第一(点)。 类似的表达还有in the second/third/… place 其次，第二/第三……过去分词短语used by technicians to create application software作定语修饰名词短语，the complex programs, needed to start up the computer and govern its use of other programs 修饰the organizational programs。

7. Control information is a bit or a group of bits used to specify the sequence of command signals needed for manipulation of the data in other registers.

过去分词短语used to specify the sequence of command signals needed for manipulation of the data in other registers作定语修饰表语 a bit or a group of bits，这一过去分词短语中又包含一个过去分词短语needed for manipulation of the data in other registers，用以修饰名词短语 the sequence of command signals。

8. The Boolean values TRUE and FALSE are used often enough to warrant having their own data type, Boolean, and assembly language instructions.

该句两处出现了同位语：The Boolean values 的同位语TRUE and FALSE，和data type的同位语 Boolean。

9. Rather than arithmetically or logically manipulating characters, a computer may concatenate strings of characters, replace some characters with others, or otherwise manipulate character strings.

rather than 在句中相当于instead of：(而)不是。它往往暗含比较之意。此处Rather than arithmetically or logically manipulating characters被放在句首是为了强调。manipulate 操作，生成，操纵，控制concatenate 连接，结合，并置

10. From that start, computers have developed through four so-called generations, or stages, each one characterized by smaller size, less expense than its predecessor.

characterized by smaller size, less expense than its predecessor为带有逻辑主语 each one的独立主格结构，补充说明前面句子的情况。generation(世)代，(发展)阶段predecessor 前身，前任。在此意为前一代/上一代

11. Large-scale integrated (LSI) and very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits were developed that contained hundreds to millions of transistors on a tiny chip.

限制性定语从句that contained hundreds to millions of transistors on a tiny chip修饰先行词Large-scale integrated (LSI) and very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits。该从句被移到句子后部，与先行词分开，是为了平衡句子结构，避免句子头重脚轻。

12. Also during this time, computers main memory capacity increased, and its cost decreased, which directly affected the types and usefulness of software that could be used.

which引导的非限制性定语从句修饰整个主句，which指代计算机主存性能提高而价格降低的情况。这种非限定性定语从句多见于文字材料中。

13. Software applications like word processing, electronic spreadsheets, database management programs, painting and drawing programs, desktop publishing, and so forth became commercially available, giving more people reasons to use a computer.

and so forth/and so on 等等，诸如此类现在分词结构giving more people reasons to use a computer在句中做状语，表结果。其中的不定式to use a computer 作定语，修饰reasons。

14. Among their uses are worldwide weather forecasting and analysis of weather phenomena, oil exploration, aircraft design, evaluation of aging nuclear weapons systems, and mathematical research.

这是一个倒装句，表语和系动词被提到了主语前面。表语是一个介词短语among their uses，主语weather forecasting and analysis of weather phenomena, oil exploration, aircraft design, evaluation of aging nuclear weapons systems, and mathematical research比较长。这样的安排使句子比较平稳，也给表语以突出的地位，使该句与前面的句子联系得更紧密。

End of Part II

III. Words Bank to the Text

surround [sE5raund] vt. 包围，环境computational [7kCmpju(:)5teiFEnEl] adj. 计算上的discrete [dis5kri:t] adj. 不连续的，离散的constrain [kEn5strein] v. 抑制，约束；束缚decimal [5desimEl] adj. 十进的，十进位的judicious [dVu(:)5diFEs] adj .明智的，明断的equivalent [i5kwivElEnt] adj. 相等的，相当的intangible [in5tAndVEbl] adj. 难以明了的,无形的specify [5spesifai] v. 指定，载明

manipulation n. 处理，操作algorithm n. 算法fractional n. 片断，分数warrant v. 保证，担保concatenate v. 连接，链接spindle n. 轴，杆，心轴simultaneously adv. 同时地dedicated adj. 专用的variable n. 变量，变数

V. Exercises—Comprehension

1. _____ ____ is designed to accomplish real-world tasks in fields.2. An 8-bit signed integer can have any value between ____ and 3. ____ controls the computer and enables it to run the hardware and applications software.4. A computer system consists of ____ and ____ .5. List four types of computers: ___ , ___ , ___ and ____

1. Application software 2. -128 1273.System software 4. hardware system software system 5. microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, supercomputers

II. True or False.

1. The software system is the physical equipment that you can see and touch.2. Typically, a data value is set to zero to represent FALSE and 1 value for TRUE.3. In the earliest general-purpose computer, most input and output media were magnetic disks.4. Supercomputers are largest, fastest, and most expensive computer available.5. A computer system consists of hardware system and software system.

1.F 2. F 3. F 4.T 5. T

III. Matching terms.

(a) integrated circuit (IC) (b) CPU (c) bit (d) ASCII_______ The processing unit is at the heart of a computer._______ A unit of information conveyed by a single binary digit._______ A complete electronic circuit that packages transistors and other electronic components on a small silicon chip._______ A system for encoding characters as binary digits.

IV. Translating Terms.

(1) coding techniques(2) application software(3) floating point data(4) timesharing (5) storage capacities

1. 编码技术 2. 应用软件 3. 浮点数据 4. 分时，分时技术 5. 存储容量

V. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the form where necessary.

specify equivalent warrant emerge magnetic simultaneously dedicated decimal discrete

1. He _____ from the accident unharmed. emerged

2. This material is _____ to be pure silk. warranted

3. He changed his pounds for the _____ amount of dollars. equivalent

4. The regulations _____ that you may use a dictionary in the examination. specify

5. _____ mathematics has become popular in recent decades because of its applications to computer science. Discrete

6. The _____ 0.61 stands for 61 hundredths. decimal

7. The electrically charged gas particles are affected by _____ forces. magnetic

8. Bessie has _____ her life to caring for others. dedicated

V. Look at the following sentence taken from your reading passage. Just think about what else you can “increase” and fill in the sentences with the right words.

e.g. A special very-high-speed memory called a cache is sometimes used to increase the speed of processing by making current programs and data available to the CPU at a rapid rate.

1. The aim of this course is to increase the awa__reness____ of self-worth of our black children.

2. The plan is to increase the effi__ciency____ of the railway services and provide more choices for passengers.

3. When we are learning a new language we have to take into account the increasing inter_______action___ of different cultures in society.

4. Their purposes in studying in the United States include increasing their com__mand ____ of English, to finish high school, and to understand the American way of life as much as possible.

5. This new teaching tool shows how to combine traditional classroom techniques with the use of video and this will increase the con___fidence____ of teachers who may be unfamiliar with the medium.

6. He increased his sp__eed____ to overtake the lorry.

VII. Choose the best one of the four answers given to fill in each blank.

This chapter introduces digital computer, data types, the evolution of computers, and types of computers. 1 is known to all, it’s hard to find a field in 2 computers are not being used. Digital computer, also called electronic computer or computer, is a digital system that 3 various computational tasks. Digital computers use the 4 number system, which has two digits: 0 and 1.

By using various coding 5 , groups of bits can be made to represent not only binary numbers 6 other discrete symbols, such as decimal digits or letters of the alphabet. A computer system consists of hardware system and software system. Programs tell the hardware what to do. 7 software is designed to accomplish real-world tasks in fields such as accounting, entertainment, and engineering. Computers are usually 8 into four broad categories: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers. It’s hard to give a 9 definition to each type because computer speeds and storage 10 change rapidly.

1. A. As B. It C. As it D. That2. A. what B. which C. where D. when3. A. performs B. carries C. makes D. integrates4. A. decimal B. binary C. Arabian D. American5. A. technique B. technology C. techniques D. technologies6. A. instead of B. rather than C. but also D. as well7. A. Application B. System C. Word D. Excel8. A. put B. made C. conducted D. classified 9. A. precious B. progress C. proceeding D. precise10. A. capacities B. capable C. capabilities D. capacity

A 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. C 6. C7. A 8. D 9. D 10.C

VIII. Translate the following into English.

1. By using various coding techniques, groups of bits can be made to represent not only binary numbers but also other discrete symbols.

1.通过应用各种编码技术。一组二进制不但可以表示二进制数据，而且还可以表示其他离散符号，如十进制数字或字母表中的字母。

2. System software includes not only the complex programs used by technicians to create application software in the first place but also the organizational programs needed to start up the computer and govern its use of other programs.

2.另一方面，系统软件控制计算机系统，它不仅包括专业人员用于创建应用软件的复杂程序，而且还包括用于启动计算机和提供给其它程序使用的管理程序。

3. Data are numbers and other binary-code information that are operated on to achieve required computational results.

3.数据是数字和其他二进制代码信息，这些二进制代码信息是可操作并能满足要求的计算机结果。

4. Rather than arithmetically or logically manipulating characters, a computer may concatenate strings of characters, replace some characters with others, or otherwise manipulate character strings.

4.计算机能将若干字符连成串，而不是用算术方法或逻辑方法处理字符，用串代替其它字符或另行处理字符串。

5. Software applications like word processing, electronic spreadsheets, database management programs, painting and drawing programs, desktop publishing, and so forth became commercially available, giving more people reasons to use a computer.

5.软件应用像文字处理、电子表格、数据库管理程序、画图程序及桌面印刷等等起到一定的商业效力，使更多的人去使用计算机。