The ball is rolling

Next evening. The Smiths are in the sitting room. Tom's fa­ther, John, is sipping coffee and reading a paper. Tom's mother, Jane, is watching a musical on TV. Tom is anxious, he is waiting for Jack. At 9 pm the phone is ringing.

Tom: Tom speaking.

Jack: Hi, how are things?

Tom: Hi, nothing new. Drop in. Daddy is waiting for you. He

is eager to discuss the matter over with you.

Jack: Well, it'll take me about 20 minutes to come round.

I hope I'll help your Dad to make a right choice. But don't let me down, ... Not a word about computer games. At least, try to pretend you are not interested in. If it comes to that put on an air of indifference. Other-

Taking Computer/or Granted

wise your Dad will fly off the handle and our business won't pan out well. As a matter of fact, I guess that from now on you'll be under his observation. So, in the begin­ning you must do without all this computer games.

Tom: Take it easy. I gave Daddy my personal word and

am not going to get out of my promise.

Jack: That's OK. In this case your Dad will fall in with our

plans, ... but hold on for a moment. Г v got very useful information for him. Here it is. Г11 bring it round. Bye.

Tom: Bye, Jack, we're waiting for you.

20 minutes later. The doorbell is ringing.

Father: The bell is ringing. Answer it, Tom. If it's Jack show

him in.
Tom: Oh, man, come in. We're waiting for you.

Jack: How do you do.

Father: How do you do, Jack.

Mother: Glad to see you, Jack. Won't you sit down?
Jack: Thanks, Mrs. Smith.

Mother: It's nice of you to come over. Do you care for a cup of

coffee or tea? Maybe some snack?
Jack: No, thanks Mrs. Smith. I prefer tea, please.

Mother (pouring tea in a cup): Here you are, Jack. Now do

take some sugar and cakes.
Jack: Thank you, Mrs. Smith.

Mother: You're welcome, Jack. Father: Are you really a first-class hacker, Jack? Tom told me

you know computers from A to Z.
Jack: I wouldn't say so. Tom is exaggerating. But what can I

do for you, Mr. Smith? I'm glad to be at your service. Father: You see, I'm going to buy ... Well, the problem is I need a

modern computer. Maybe it would be possible to upgrade

our old box. Can you help me out of trouble?

UNIT 4

Jack: With great pleasure, Mr. Smith but I think the game

isn't worth the candle*. Tom told me about your multi­media problem. I thought it over and see no way out than to buy a new computer. It would be much better than to upgrade your old box. Besides, it'll save you much trouble in future. By the way, I've found an ar­ticle concerning the basics of buying a personal com­puter system. It might be of some interest to you; it's quick-reading and time saving summary.

Father: Oh, thanks so much. You know, of the thousands of books published annually, only a handful are really worth reading. No doubt, this one will come in handy. I'll go through it from cover to cover to make up for my ignorance. Then I'll ask you for some help in purchas­ing the machine.

Jack: You're not the least bit worried about your new com-

puter. You can rely on me and we will fix it up.

Needless to say, in several days a «supercomputer» was bought and all the necessary programs were installed. Jack did his best. As to Tom, he went ape and shouted out, «This is it!» His fa­ther was also satisfied with a new computer. Useful vocabulary

A. Phrasal verbs

* The origin of this expression refers to playing cards by candlelight; if the money being gambled was less than the cost of the candles, it was not worth playing the game.

Taking Computer for Granted

B. Expressions and idioms

UNIT 4

Verb study practice

1. In the story about two friends Tom and Jack you came across new phrasal verbs, e.g.: butter up, give in, run into, find out, help over, back up, be in for, be up to, come round, come true, cut down,

Now replace the words in italics by one of the phrasal verbs given above.

1. Tom's father supported him to buy a computer.

2. I'll give him this book if he visits me.

3. He tried to gain the boss' favor by flattering.

4. Tom met accidentally his friend Jack in the street.

5. If you think this problem will be easy to solve you are about to encounter a shock.

6. I hope your dream of modern computer will end by being real.

7. He is able to reduce your expenses.

8. I kept inviting my friend to stay for dinner and finally he ceased to resist.

9. Thank you for helping me to deal with this difficult matter.

10. He discovered a lot of interesting information in the last num­ber of «Upgrade».

2. Fill the gaps using against, in, round, up, along, over, into, down, true, out, on, by, to, through, off, at

1. Tom is getting .... well at the computer classes. He is studying hard.

2. The TV picture began to jump and it went .... like that for a long time, so we turned it....

3. After Sam proved that he could work on computer, his fa­ther gave .... To him and bought him one.

4. He wrote to find .... about the job in a company.

5. It was a dream come .... when he became a real hacker.

6. John had to work hard to keep .... with other students.

7. Calm .... and don't worry about your exam.

8. On his way downtown Jack looked .... on his old friend Tom.

9. Mary refused to go to the party and kept.... studying.

Taking Computer for Granted

10. I ran .... Jane yesterday in the street

11. Ann talked her plan .... with her father before she bought a computer.

12. He took .... working on computer in his spare time.

13. The first year was tough, but business looked .... after that

14. Be sure to turn .... the computer.

15. I'm going to upgrade my computer. Stand..........

16. There are good machines on sale. Jump .... the chance!

17. Every time a new CPU is launched its price is skyrocketing; I'm waiting till they will cut it

18. Sam wanted to sell his car, but Mary was .... it.

19. Show the visitor....... Will you please?

20. I will tell him what to do when he comes.........

21. Why don't you come .... and see us one evening?

22. We must go .... this instructions together. I don't understand them.

Expression study practice

Choose one of the given below expressions and fill the gap.

Then make tip your own sentences using these expressions: the game is (not) worth the candle; do ones best; to know smth from A to Z; take it easy to help out of trouble; drop in; shell out; he in for; come true; give in.

1. This program is not very good. If you install it you are .... a lot of trouble.

2. Let your dreams about a new computer.........

3. You don't need to .... much money for this CPU. It is not much better than yours.

4. Tom .... trying to find out what was wrong with his comput­er. Then he .... and called a professional.

5. Don't worry about this bug, ....; I'll come and..........

6. Sam can upgrade computer without any efforts. He ....!

7. Your box is quite good. I don't think you need to upgrade it;....

8. May I.... to consult you?

UNIT 4

Let's have a chat about your computer experience

What was in your opinion:

• The most interesting event? Why?

• The most dangerous event? Why?

• The most nice event? Why?

Please, give full answer. Your interesting story is also ac­ceptable.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 973