English for system administrators

Светлана Алексеевна Губарева

Данный самоучитель предназначен для начинающих и практикующих системных администраторов, инженеров облачных сервисов и девопс-инженеров с языковым уровнем А2. С ним вы повторите необходимые грамматические конструкции и устойчивые выражения для ведения делового разговора, написания резюме и прохождения интервью, а также основные технические термины, которые используются каждый день.

Unit 1. Computers

1. Answer the following questions:

— What devices do you use?

— What are the components of a hardware of your device?

— Do you want to change your device to the new one? Why?

2. Look at the picture and name the computer items that you see:

3.Read the text and match the headings with the paragraphs:

a. Hardware components

b. The difference between hardware and software

c. Types of computers

1) Nowadays there are three common computer types which people use widely: desktop personal computer (PC), laptop and tablet. PC is a very popular type for IT specialists who work in an office or at home DUE TO its monitor which is larger than monitors of other devices.

Desktop personal computers usually have the following hardware: monitor, keyboard, mouse, computer case, motherboard, fixed or removable storage drives, and power supply. ADDITIONALLY, they may contain modems or network interfaces. As all elements are separated, the user can create his own «ideal computer» by disassembling and changing inconvenient elements. The only disadvantage of a desktop computer is that it is quite big and heavy for transporting.

IN COMPARISON WITH PCs laptops are portable and have smaller components. Typical laptops have keyboard, display, and processor in one package. The monitor can be closed for screen and keyboard protection and safe transportation. Instead of a mouse, laptops have a touchpad which is located near a keyboard.

One more portable computer is a tablet. Tablets UNLIKE laptops use a touch screen or foldable keyboard and weigh even less than laptops. Some tablets especially graphic ones have a stylus — special pen to write or draw right on the screen.

2) Each electronic device consists of hardware and software which work together for greater performance. Computer hardware represents physical and tangible components of a computer or its analogue which can be seen and touched while software consists of programs and written instructions (code) that give commands to physical components.

3) Hardware is divided into two major groups: internal and external (peripheral) components. Internal components operate inside a computer, for example motherboard and RAM. External components can be categorized into output devices (for getting results) such as monitor and printer, and input devices (to provide instructions) for including information to the computer (mouse, keyboard) and external memory storage devices (CD, hard disk etc.). TO SUM UP WITH, computers need internal hardware components for the proper functioning ALTHOUGH external ones are attached to the computer to add functions.

4. Read the text once again and mark sentences True or False:

1. You can change any elements you want to in a desktop computer.

2. The only difference between PCs, laptops and tablets is their size.

3. Software perform better tasks with hardware.

4. Software consists of internal and peripheral components.

5. Output devices allow users to send data to the computer while input devices take information from the computer and present it on a screen.

6. External hardware components are those components which can be connected and disconnected.

5. Look at the linking words in bold in the text and write them into correct columns:

6. Connect the sentences using the phrases from ex.5 in one text:

Asus Rog Chakram X mouse has 11 buttons.

Rog mouse has a portable joystick which not everyone will use, it suits for people who can’t use flat mouses.

Gaming mouse costs a lot.

Asus Rog mouse is good for gaming.

Asus Marshmallow Mouse MD100 has only 3 buttons.

The flat Marshmallow mouse’s design isn’t for everyone but people can transport it easily.

Asus Marshmallow is suitable for office workers.

7. Match the sentences with their grammar structures:

8. Read the rules:

Present Simple

Pay attention:

When the verb ends in — ch, — ss, — sh or — x we add — es (watch — watchES)

When the verb ends in a consonant (согласная) + y → we change y into i and add — es (study — studies)

Exception: go — goes.

We use Present Simple:

— to talk about our daily routine and habits (I work remotely.);

— to talk about facts (Tablets use a touch screen.).

9. Rewrite the sentences in Present Simple:

a. I fix bugs — He _____ bugs.

b. You ask James — He _____ James.

c. They try to deploy it — My colleague _____ to deploy it.

d. All team members write reports — Lewis _____ a report.

e. They fly to Paris — She _____ to Paris.

f. These streamers play games — This streamer _____ games.

g. We watch a detective — Nana _____ a detective.

h. I study Spanish — He _____ Spanish.

10. Transform the sentences to the negative ones:

1) They travel every year. — > _____

2) I work all day. — > _____

3) Mary wears a uniform. — > _____

4) They are good friends. — > _____

5) Kevin is from England. — > _____

6) He agrees with you. — > _____

7) I’m 32. — > _____

8) We enjoy working here. — > _____

11. Read the text and put the verbs into Present Simple:

12. Correct mistakes:

1) Are you have two monitors at work?

2) She want to buy stylus.

3) They not know where it is.

4) Look! The design of this laptop am awesome!

5) He don’t like writing reports.

6) She is productive?

7) We all works together as a team.

8) There is a printer in your office?

9) Relax, you isn’t late.

10) John use it for making calls.

13. Form the questions in Present Simple and answer them:

Structure: question word (who/where/when…) + auxiliary verb (verb that shows grammar tense e.g. do/does) + subject (who does action) + main verb…?

Example: Where (question word) do (auxiliary verb) you (subject) go (main verb) to have lunch?

a. you/laptops or PCs/prefer?

b. when/start/you/a work day?

c. like/you/where/working?

d. your company/what equipment/new employees/provide to?

e. have/your keyboard/a touchpad?

f. you/what professional YouTube channels/follow?

14. Put the following components to the correct category according to the definitions of input and output components from the text:

15. Look at the pictures. Say what you see and what people use it for:

16. Read the message from your friend and write the reply in Present Simple using useful phrases from ex.5 and input/output components:

For your information: wanna=want to (slang)

Hi, can you please help me? I decided to create an account on a streaming platform, but, you know, my PC is really awful! So, I wanna assemble my own computer to have a nice sound, cool picture (of the game and me, of course) and all other needed devices for streaming games. Please, help me to create a to-buy list of things that I need. Thanks in advance!

Dmitry

_________________________________________________________

Now you know:

— computer types and its common input and output components;

— how to use Present Simple;

— useful phrases for adding, comparing, contrasting, concluding your ideas and for giving reasons.

Vocabulary: