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Directions: The passages in this section are meant to be read through quickly. Try to
finish them within ６ minutes. Do not preview.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the following passage
We often hear that computers are cold or inhuman, but in fact many people are more comfortable with a computer than with another person. Computers are patient and do not judge the people who use them. They are fast and reliable. Many students who would be embarrassed to show a teacher that they do not understand something are happy to ask a computer questions. Some patients would rather explain their health problems to a computer than to a doctor. There is even a computer program which deals with psychological problems. The program has become popular because many people are uncomfortable discussing such problems with another person. The professor who wrote the program is upset that people are using this program instead of going to see a doctor. His intention in writing the program was to demonstrate that computers could be programmed to have “intelligent” conversations with humans, not to replace trained doctors.
1. Many people are more comfortable with a computer for the following reasons except
.
- its speed
- its patience
- its reliability
- its ability to solve all the problems people have
2. The professor who wrote the psychology program wanted .
- to train doctors
- to replace psychologists
- to have more similar programs
- to show that computers can be smart
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the following passage.
Computers have begun to effect education just as the have affected almost every aspect of modern life. The number of possible applications of computers to education is enormous but most programs are built on a few basic approaches to teaching: tutorial, drill and practice.
The tutorial function is the one which introduces and explains new concepts or information. Typically, such program present and explain something new and then test the student to see if it has been learned. If a student is having trouble understanding an idea, the tutorial program will explain it again, in a different way.
As all teachers and students know, however, learning requires more than explanation. Drill and practice programs, as the name indicates, provide the repetition necessary to master new skills and concepts. Such programs are especially useful in teaching subjects which require a great deal of practice: arithmetic, spelling, grammar, typing. The ability of the computer to individualize practice makes drill and practice programs especially useful. This kind of program can keep track of the points which are difficult for a particular student and give him or her extra practice on just these points.
3. The tutorial function is the one which can .
- help you to learn new ideas
- test to see if you have learned it
- explain what you have learned in a different way if you have difficulties
- All of the above.
4. Drill and practice programs are especially useful in teaching .
- arithmetic and physics
- psychology and grammar
- spelling and typing
- psychology and physics
Question 5 and 6 are based on the following passage.
Computers actually need two kinds of software. The one that gets the most attention is applications software, programs that let you use the computer to do a particular job. The other kind is called systems software or an operating system. The operating system is a go-between that lets the hardware communicate with the applications programs.
Different families of computers use different operating systems. Many personal computers in the late 70’s and early 80’s used one called CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers). The Macintosh uses one called Finder. IBM’s personal computers use an operating system called PC-DOS (DOS stands for disk operating system). Actually, IBM didn’t develop PC-DOS; a software company located in Bellevue, Washington, called Microsoft, did and Microsoft licensed it to IBM. In fact, Microsoft didn’t develop it either: it bought the program from Seattle Computer Products and modified it for the PC.
Microsoft marketed an operating system under the name MS-DOS (for Microsoft Disk Operating System). In most respects PC-DOS and MS-DOS are the same. The important thing is that it is the operating system that is at the heart of the PC world. In fact all the PCs, IBMs, and compatibles are collectively called the MS-DOS computers.
5. Finder is .
A. the same as CP/M B. licensed by IBM.
C. developed by Microsoft. D. used by Macintosh.
6. Microsoft is located in .
A. Seattle B. Washington DC
C. the District of Columbia D. Washington State
Key
- Topics for Discussion and Reflection
- How much do you know about computer? What can computer do for us as ordinary people?
- What changes has computer brought about in our life?
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