Text 2 Structure of Computer
display
keyboard
system unit
mouse
stereo set
printer
Notes:
● stereo set n. 立体声音箱
● display n. 显示器
● printer n. 打印机
● keyboard n. 键盘
● mouse n. 鼠标
What does a Computer Look Like?
To most of computer beginners, a personal computer is made up of three parts from appearance. They are as follows:
● display
● keyboard
● system unit
How can we recognize each part of them? The one that looks like a TV set is the display, it is usually the most obvious part. The keyboard is full of buttons, with which we can input data or program into the computer. The left part is the system unit. It is like a simple box. In the box, there are many important components, which can’t be seen.
Most of the computer beginners may think the display is the most important part. They are wrong. Each part is important for the computer to run smoothly. In price, the system unit is usually the most expensive part.
Besides, there is a mouse by the display. It is a little like a mouse. If you want to play music, a stereo set is usually necessary. The modem is usually needed when you want to get on the Internet. If you want to print something on pieces of paper, you must have a printer.
That is all for simple introduction. If you want to know more about the knowledge of computer, you should spend more time learning the left passages in this book.
参考译文
对于大多数计算机初学者来说，一台个人计算机从外观上主要由3个部件构成。它们如下：
● 显示器
● 键盘
● 主机
我们怎么样来认识各个部分呢？像电视机的那部分就是显示器，它通常是最明显的部分。键盘上布满了按键，我们可以通过它向计算机中输入数据和程序。剩下的部分就是主机。它像一个简单的盒子，在那里面有很多重要元件，这些通常都看不见。
大多数的计算机初学者都会以为显示器是最重要的部分。其实他们错了。每一个部分都对计算机的平稳运行有重要的作用。在价格方面，主机通常是最昂贵的部分。
除了这些，显示器的旁边还有一个鼠标，它有点像一只老鼠。假如你要播放音乐的话，必须有一个立体声设备。要上网通常就得有一个“猫”（调制解调器）。而要把东西打印到纸上的话，就必须有一台打印机。
简单的介绍就到这里。要想了解更多的关于计算机的知识，你应该花费更多的时间去学习本书中剩下的文章。
Exercise
1. Match the following words with their proper Chinese meanings.（中英文搭配）
printer
display
stereo set
button
electronic
program
mouse
keyboard
floppy disk
motherboard
CPU
memory
external modem
hard disk
CD-ROM
2.Fill a proper word in each of the blanks.（用合适的词填空）
1) The ____ is used to print data or program on a piece of paper.
2) A modem is usually needed if you want to get on the ______.
3) There are many _____ on the keyboard.
4) A ____ is also called a monitor (显示器)。
3. Match the words with their proper Chinese meanings.（中英文搭配）
scroll bar control menu
close button taskbar
maximize/restore button menu bar
drag status bar
desktop
4. Choose the best answer for each of the blanks.（完形填空）
Whenever new information is entered, it must 1 somewhere in the computer’s 2 . Later, the CPU must also be 3 to get this information from memory. This is where RAM is needed. The CPU can 4 write to and read from RAM. RAM is called Random Access Memory 5 the CPU can do directly to any memory location in it. The CPU does not have to look 6 all of RAM to find the spot it needs. But RAM only 7 the data temporarily. As soon as you switch the computer 8 , all that information disappears from the RAM. When you switch the computer on again, the RAM is 9 , and ready 10 a new program and new data.
