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 2. Computer hardware

1. Answer the questions:

— What computer hardware do you know?

— What are the functions of computer hardware components?

2. Read the text and match the words with their translations:

Internal computer hardware components:

Computers need internal components to process and store data delivered by a program or operating system. The user can find them inside the computer case:

CPU — the processor, which CAN BE CALLED the brain of the computer. It performs the basic operations. Its productivity CAN BE DETERMINED BY the quantity of cores, clock speed, the amount of cache memory and the structure of information processing.

Motherboard — a central hub that serves to interconnect information flows between all hardware components

RAM (random access memory) — temporary memory processing in real time. The larger the memory size is, the faster PC will run. RAM data IS CLEARED after switching off the computer.

Hard drive/hard disk drive — physical storage device for permanent and temporary data.

SSD (solid-state drive) — a modern non-volatile solid-state drive that replaced HDD. Its goal is to store data safely even when the computer IS TURNED OFF.

Optic drive — drive that locates in an on-device drive bay. It enables the computer to interact with compact discs.

Heat sink — used for regulation of the temperature inside the computer to avoid overheating of its components.

Graphics processing unit/video card — chip-based device. It processes graphical data. It usually extends functions of the CPU to let the computer work with more complicated tasks.

NIC (network interface card) /network adapter/local are network adapter — circuit board used to connect to an Ethernet network.

USB port — interface that connects the computer with personal electronic devices.

Power supply — component that supplies power to the computer.

Chip — tiny wafer with an embedded electronic circuit. It contains a lot of microscopic electronic components (transistors) which transmit data signals.

3. Discuss the questions:

— How does clock speed affect computer’s performance?

— Why is it important to clean cache memory from time to time?

— What are some popular ways to store data on a PC?

— How do different hardware components work together? Provide some examples.

4. Study the following sentences from the text and choose if the structures in bold are active (объект выполняет действие) or passive (кто-то выполняет действие над объектом):

1) The processor CAN BE CALLED the brain of the computer. (active/passive)

2) The user CAN FIND them inside the computer case. (active/passive)

3) Computers NEED internal components. (active/passive)

4) Its productivity CAN BE DETERMINED BY the quantity of cores. (active/passive)

5) RAM data IS CLEARED after switching off the computer. (active/passive)

6) It CONTAINS a lot of microscopic electronic components. (active/passive)

7) Its goal is to store data safely even when the computer IS TURNED OFF. (active/passive)

5. Study the rules:

Passive Voice

Active Voice: They turn off the computer.

Они выключают компьютер.

Passive Voice: The computer is turned off by them.

Компьютер выключается ими.

Structure: ___+to be (in the correct form) +Ved/3 + by someone

Remember: we need to change subject and object. Plus, we need to change only the verb TO BE in grammar tenses. The main verb will always be in 3 form or with — ed ending.

We use Passive Voice:

— If a subject is a recipient of a verb’s action;

— If we don’t know who does an action or it doesn’t matter for us.

Passive Voice with modal verbs:

Active Voice: People can call the processor the brain of the computer.

Passive Voice: The processor can be called the brain of the computer by people.

6. Match the phrases in Active and Passive Voice:

7. Complete the description of the laptop with Passive Voice:

The model of the laptop is Titan GT77 — 12U. This laptop ______ (build) for gamers and creators. The main processing chip called Intel Core i9—12900HX processor that ______ (manufacture) by the Intel Corporation. It operates at a clock speed of 5.00 GHz and has 8 Performance-cores and 8 Efficient-cores. Electronics for driving the graphics output has a memory capacity of 8 GB. The laptop ______ (equip) with several sets of expansion memory slots for DDR5 memory. RAM ______ (can reach) up to 128 GB. A massive storage space ______ (can create) with the help of SSD slot — 8 TB. Lightning modes of keyboard and laptop ______ (switch) into various styles. A 17.3 inch, flat display screen ______ (make) with a resolution of 3840 by 2160.The operating system that ______ (use) to control the system — Windows 11.

8. Rewrite the sentences into Passive Voice:

1) John wrote this manual. (Past Simple)

2) I must check the installation process.

3) Do people make computers of steel?

4) They don’t open all programmes at once.

5) Our company doesn’t use this browser.

6) We turn on cameras for video conferences.

7) He didn’t change the battery. (Past Simple)

8) Do you upgrade it every week?

9) She shouldn’t mute him during meetings.

10) I buy a new phone once in two years.

9. Choose the correct grammar form (active or passive):

a. Simon chooses/is chosen a new motherboard.

b. The CPU cools/is cooled by a fan.

c. People usually use/are used the RAM to store data.

d. Special cases can protect/can be protected the internal components.

e. He invited/was invited to the teambuilding event by us.

f. Do you need to print/need to be printed images?

g. The power supply provides/is provided power to all of the computer components.

h. No, the hard drive doesn’t use/isn’t used to remove data. It stores/is stored it!

i. Cache should delete/should be deleted from time to time.

10. Match the following abbreviations with their meanings:

11. Suggest the appropriate types of computers for these people. Explain your choice and try to use Passive Voice constructions:

Example: I think that this laptop is suitable for a film lover because the laptop is connected with the TV, so it’s more comfortable to watch movies with the use of the bigger screen. Also, this laptop can be taken to any public places and transport due to its compact size. For watching films there is everything that is needed: display, keyboard, touchpad and a cable to connect the laptop to the TV.

— Systems administrator

— Designer

— Student

— Professional gamer/streamer

12. Study the information about the computer and describe it using the following questions:

— What is the memory size of the computer?

— How fast is the CPU?

— What is the capacity of the hard drive and SSD?

— Which operation system does it use?

— What multimedia features does it have?

— What can this computer be used for? Why?

Now you know:

— components of computer hardware;

— how to use Passive Voice.

Vocabulary: