Units of memory

Remember the following words and word combinations.

1. temporary – временный

2. permanent – постоянный

3. retain, v – сохранять, удерживать

4. install, v – устанавливать

5. depend upon, v – зависеть от

6. specifications – технические характеристики

7. primary – главный, основной

8. punching device – устройство перфорации

9. hard disc drive – жесткий диск

10. flash drive – флеш-накопитель, флешка

11. divide, v – делить

12. responsible - ответственный

13. promptly – быстро

14. access, v – получить доступ

15. erase ,v – стирать (из памяти)

16. randomly – случайно, наугад

17. load, v - грузить, нагружать

18. include, v – включать

19. related - имеющий отношение

20. certain - определенный

21. lose (lost, lost), v – терять, не сохранять

22. stick (stuck, stuck), v – оставаться надолго, зд. внедряться

23. alter, v – изменять, видоизменять

24. irrespective – не зависящий (от чего – л.)

Read and translate the text.

Text 2 Units of memory

Computer memory is a physical electronic device that is used to store data and applications on a temporary or a permanent basis. It enables a person to retain the information stored on the computer. There are various types of computer memory that can be installed, depending upon the actual need for functioning and specifications of the system.

Computer memory can be classified into two types: Primary Memory (or Main Memory) and Secondary Memory.

• Primary Memory can be divided into two types - Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM).

• Secondary Memory: Punching Devices, Magnetic Tape, Floppy Disk, Optical Discs (CD/DVD), Hard Disk Drives, and Flash Drives

RAM ROM

RAM is a memory scheme within the computer system responsible for storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly accessed by the processor as and when needed. Data will be erased when the storage device is turned off. RAM stores data randomly and the processor accesses these data randomly from the RAM storage. The information stored in the RAM is typically loaded from the computer's hard disk, and includes data related to the operating system and certain applications. When the system is switched off, the RAM loses all stored information. The data remains stored on secondary storage though, and can be retained when the system is running again. Most modern computers use an embedded RAM circuitry on the motherboard which reads data in bursts. So, modern RAM devices are not random memory devices as such; they are burst memory access devices, but the term RAM has stuck in everyday usage.

There are primarily two forms of RAM: Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM).

Unlike RAM, ROM is a permanent form of storage. ROM stays active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off. The ROM memory used in modern computers is pre-programmed by the circuit manufacturer and cannot be altered by the user.

Secondary memory is available on mass storage devices for permanent data storage. Data stored on a secondary device is retained even when it is not supplied any power. This data can be transported in most cases, and looks and appears the same on any machine, irrespective of where the data was first copied onto the secondary storage device.

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is computer memory used for?

2. What are the main types of the computer memory?

3. What is RAM?

4. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

5. Can we say that modern random memory devices are random memory devices as such? Why?

6. What are the main forms of RAM?

7. Why are secondary devices so popular nowadays?

Exercise 2. Match English words and word combinations with their Russian equivalents.

1	on a permanent basis	a	зависеть от
2	to retain the information	b	оперативная память
3	to depend upon	c	запоминающее устройство
4	hard disk drive	d	случайно, наугад
5	random access memory	e	сохраняться
6	read only memory	f	менять, видоизменять
7	to erase	g	на постоянной основе
8	randomly	h	стирать, удалять
9	to be retained	i	жесткий диск
10	to alter	j	сохранить информацию

Exercise 3. Match the words which are very close in their meaning.

1	responsible	a	to change
2	to turn off	b	device
3	to store	c	to delete
4	permanent	d	momentary
5	randomly	e	to switch off
6	to include	f	to hold
7	machine	g	constant
8	to erase	h	by chance
9	to alter	i	to comprise
10	temporary	j	answerable

Exercise 4. Match the words with the opposite meaning.

1	temporary	a	to turn on
2	to turn off	b	irresponsible
3	to erase	c	to exclude
4	responsible	d	permanent
5	to include	e	to imprint
6	basis	f	top

Exercise 5. Match the words from the box with the pictures.

Floppy disk Hard disk drive Magnetic tape Optical drives Punch cards Flash drives Punch tapes

1 _________________ 2 __________________

3. _______________________ 4. ________________________

5. ________________________ 6. ___________________________

7. _________________________________

Exercise 6. Make all possible word combinations from the words given below.

magnetic	drive
floppy	data
hard disk	system
computer	Memory
electronic	tape
to store	device
operating	disk
primary	memory
everyday	usage

Exercise 7. Mark the sentences: True/False/ No information

1. Computer main memory comes in two principal varieties: random-access memory or RAM and read-only memory or ROM.

2. RAM can be read and written to anytime the CPU commands it.

3. The contents of RAM are erased when the power to the computer is turned off.

4. Most modern computers can’t use an embedded RAM circuitry on the motherboard.

5. ROM is pre-loaded with data and software that never changes.

6. In embedded computers, which frequently do not have disk drives, all of the required software may be stored in ROM.

7. Software stored in ROM is often called firmware, because it is notionally more like hardware than software.

8. In more sophisticated computers there may be one or more RAM cache memories, which are slower than registers but faster than main memory.

Exercise 8. Translate the following sentences.

1. The CPU is at the heart of all computers.

2. RAM consists of microchips that allow for the temporary storage of data.

3. Desktop or laptop computers are the centre of a workplace.

4. Many businesspeople travel with both a portable computer and a computer projector to visually display information for training.

5. The CPU is "the computing” part of the computer.

6. Unlike RAM, which is volatile, flash memory retains the information stored in the chip when the power is turned off.

Exercise 9. Translate the following text in a written form. Use a dictionary if necessary.

The Southbridge is an integrated circuit on the motherboard that is responsible for the hard drive controller, I/O controller and integrated hardware such as sound card, video card if present on the motherboard, USB, PCI, ISA, IDE, BIOS, and Ethernet. The southbridge gets its name for commonly being South of the PCI bus. Below is a graphic illustration of the ASUS P5AD2-E motherboard and some basic explanations of each of the major portions of the motherboard including the southbridge. As shown in the picture below, it is common for the northbridge and southbridge to have a heatsink; in addition, the northbridge is usually slightly larger than the southbridge.

Exercise 10.

A. Read the text and answer the questions.

1. How many digits does the binary system use?

2. What is a bit?

3. What is a collection of eight bits called?

4. What does ASCII stand for?

5. What is the purpose od ASCII?