Using computers

Computers are being used more and more in business because they are fast, efficient and 1………… .

Here are some ways in which computers are used:

Insurance companies use them to store and 2 ………… details of clients' policies.

Production departments in companies use them to ensure they have adequate

3 ………… of raw materials and 4………….. .

Banks use them for processing details of accounts and 5 ……………….. .

Personnel departments use them to keep 6 …………… of a company's employees.

Can you think of any other ways in which computers are used?

The most common ways in which you can 7 …………… information into a computer are:

- by typing it on a 8.........

- from a 9.............. disk

- by 10............. over a telephone link.

- from another computer 11...... to yours.

A computer can 12.......... information:

- on a 13............ called a VDU (visual display unit),

- to a 14............ which may use 15....... ……. sheets or 16 ……… stationery,

- to a floppy disk,

-to another computer.

VII. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. You may have to change some words slightly. – заполните пробелы подходящими по смыслу словами, добавляя нужные окончания, если необходимо.

1. considerably, consider, considerable, consideration

a) We'll have to ___________ using another company if they can't provide the software we need.

b) The company has invested a ___________ sum of money in ergonomic workstations.

2. depend, dependence, dependable, dependably

a) The company has supplied us_______________ for over ten years.

b) We have to reduce our____ _______ on imported goods.

3. technology, technological, technologically

a) The computer is the greatest__ invention of the twentieth century.

b) There are two_____ involved in a clipboard PC.

4. identifies, identifying, identity

a) The clipboard's pattern recognition software immediately ______________ the letters and numbers written by the stylus.
b) Most computer companies will not allow people without an ___________ card to enter their premises.

5. expense, expensive, expensively

..... a) It' ___________ to send the goods by air but they're needed urgently.

..... b) He built a successful business but at the __________ of his health.

VIII. Report the speech using the structure given below. – преобразуйте речь из прямой в косвенную, используя схему, предложенную ниже.

I'm afraid there are a number of problems with this agreement. First of all, we feel that your company has not been reliable on several occasions in the past. We are particularly unhappy about the fact that there have been a number of late deliveries and these have caused considerable problems. Another problem is that on at least five occasions you have supplied faulty parts and we have had to return these to you. In addition, some orders have arrived either incomplete or simply incorrect. There is also the problem of discount. Originally you promised us a 10% discount on orders over £ 10,000, but you charged us the full amount even when the bulk order was clearly stated on the order form. I'm not very happy about the prices you charge either. Other companies are offering the same products at more competitive prices and I can see no reason why we should continue purchasing from you. We will only consider continuing to buy from you if you reduce your prices, offer a consistent discount, preferably at a higher rate, and guarantee a better quality of service and delivery.

He said (1)........... a number of problems with the agreement. In particular, they felt that we (2)…………… reliable on several occasions in the past. There (3)……………. a number of late deliveries and he said they (4)………….. particularly unhappy about that. He also said that we (5) ………….. faulty parts on at least five occasions and that some orders (6) …………. either incomplete or incorrect. He also mentioned the discount problem. Apparently, we (7) ………….. them a 10% discount on orders over £10,000, but (8) ………….. them for the full amount even when the bulk discount (9) ……………. clearly stated on the order form. He was unhappy about the price too. He said that other companies (10) …………… the same products at more competitive prices and he (11)…………… see no reason why they should continue purchasing from us. They (12) …………… only consider continuing to buy from us if we (13) ………….. our prices, (14) …………… a consistent discount, preferably at a higher rate, and (15) ……….. a better quality of service and delivery.