COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

CHAPTER 3
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Learning Outcomes:
1. Students are able to comprehend the use of computer technology in
many aspects of human life.
2. Students are able to scan and skim information from pictures and
texts.
3. Students are able to construct the basic sentence structure of English
language.

Content

3.1. Pre-Reading Activity

Observe these pictures carefully. What kinds of activity that those
people are doing? Do you think that these activities involve computer?

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3.2. Vocabulary Zone

Here are some vocabulary items from the reading selection. Find
them in the text and circle the vocabulary that you are not familiar with.
perform (Verb) carry out (Verb)
solve (Verb) dispense (Verb)
database (Noun) store (Verb)
access (Verb)

3.3. Reading Zone

Read the following selection. Then, answer the questions after the
reading. You can work with a partner.
HOW DO PEOPLE USE COMPUTER?

People use computers in many ways. At school, students use them

to perform mathematical operations and solve difficult questions.
Teachers use them to teach courses such as computer aided design,
language learning, programming, mathematics, etc. Meanwhile, they
are also used for administrative purposes: for
5 example, schools use databases and word processors to keep records of
students, teachers and materials.
Race organizers and journalists relay on computers to provide
them with the current positions of riders and teams in both the particular
stages of the race and in overall competition. Workstations in the race
buses provide the timing systems and give up-to-the-
10 minute timing information to TV stations. In the press room several PCs
give real-time information on the state of the race. Computers databases
are also used in the drug-detecting tests for competitors.
Computers are also used in banks. They store information about
the amount of money held by each client and enable staff to access large
databases and to carry out financial transactions at a high speed.
15 They also control the automatic cash dispenser, which by the use of a
personal coded card, dispense money to clients.
Airline pilots use computers to help them control the plane. For
example, computers display data about fuel consumption and weather
conditions, in airport control towers, computers are used to manage
radar systems and regulate air traffic. On the ground, airlines are

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20 connected to travel agencies by computer. Travel agents use

computers to find out about availability of flights, prices, times,
stopovers and many other details.

Check Your Comprehension

Part 1: Read the information below and check whether it is true or false.
Read the text again.
1. Students use computers to complete their tasks.= TRUE
2. One advantage of computer for teachers is that it can be used as
teaching aid.= TRUE
3. Reporters use computers to supply only information of a particular
competition stage.= FALSE
4. What makes up-to-the-minute timing information about a
competition to TV possible is the use of workstations= TRUE
5. Computer cannot detect whether an athlete use drugs. No tasks
within a bank can be done using computers= FALSE
6. One must follow the phases in the waterfall model somehow in a
sequential manner.= TRUE
7. Bank uses computers to finish financial transactions in a short
time.=TRUE
8. Airplane are equipped with computers to make the pilot easier to
monitoring the fuel and whether conditions.= TRUE
9. Computers can be used to handle the air traffic.= TRUE
10. It is impossible to use computers in flight business.= FALSE

Part 2: Guessing Meaning from Context

Read the sentences below. Go back to the text again and find them.
Read the sentences before and after. Write the meanings of the underlined
words using the available words.
- Information - Execute (do) - Powerful computer usually
- Connected with - Self-acting, connected to a network
money Mechanical - Program used for text
- Keep (save) - Screen manipulation
- Linked

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1. Students use them to perform mathematical operations and solve

difficult questions.
Perform: Execute (do)

2. Workstations in the race buses provide the timing systems and give
up-to-the-minute timing information to TV stations.
Workstations: Powerful computer usually connected to a network

3. Meanwhile, they are also used for administrative purposes: for

example, schools use databases and word processors to keep records
of students, teachers and materials.
Word processors: Program used for text manipulation

4. They store information about the amount of money held by each client
and enable staff to access large databases and to carry out financial
transactions at a high speed.
Store: Keep (save)

Large: Big in size or capacity

Financial: Connected with money

5. They also control the automatic cash dispenser, which by the use of
a personal coded card, dispense money to clients.
Automatic: Self acting mechanical

6. For example, monitors display data about fuel consumption and

weather conditions.
Monitors: Screen

Data: Information

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3.4. Grammar Zone

Sentence Structure: The Subject and the Verbs (in Active Voice)
The English sentence structure contains of at least one subject and one
predicate. The subject usually consists of noun(s) or noun phrase(s). The
predicate can be verb(s) or auxiliary verb(s). The place of the subject and
verb in a sentence depends on the forms of the sentence. In positive and
negative sentences, the subject comes first, before the verb. For example:
1. Basically, a computer consists of input, output, and storage devices.
S V
2. People use computers in many ways.
S V
3. That store does not sell computer.
S V
4. Nowadays, many people do not use traditional typewriter anymore.
S V
In interrogative sentence, the auxiliary verb comes first. It is followed
by the subject and then the Infinitive. For example:
5. Does a computer consist of three main parts?
Aux S V
6. Do people use computers in many ways?
Aux S V
7. Does that store sell computers?
Aux S V
8. Do people still use traditional typewriter?
Aux S V
Either in positive, negative, or interrogative sentences the form of
verb should agree with the subject. Singular subject is followed by infinitive
plus s (see sentence a). Plural subject is followed by an infinitive (see
sentence b). in negative sentence the subject is followed by auxiliary verb
plus infinitive (see sentence c and d). Singular subject is followed by
auxiliary verb does and plural subject by do. Meanwhile, in interrogative

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sentence the auxiliary verb should agree with the subject and the verb
appears in infinitive (see sentences e,f,g,h).

Exercise: In every number, circle the subject and the predicate (verb) and
then decide whether the sentence is Correct (C) or Incorrect (I).
C 1. Computer is a resource that practitioners, researchers, and
managers can rely on to provide timely information about
current research developments, trends, best practices, and
changes in the profession.
C 2. Computer technology helps eliminate many of the constraints
of time and location for customers in many industries.
C 3. The benefits of computer technology includes scientific
discovery, advanced communications, and the speed of
processing information.
I 4. Computer technology allows for processing of information
faster than the human brain can calculate.
I 5. Without computer technology everything would takes a lot
slower to perform and everyday life would be less productive.
C 6. With the use of computers, people suddenly able to perform
an overwhelming amount of computation at stunning speeds.
I 7. The vast benefits the space program provide the increasing
quality of our daily lives, range from improving national
security, the economy, productivity and lifestyle.
C 8. Computerized medical records are the digital counterparts to
out-of-date patient medical record in health care offices.
C 9. Computer engineers in the military aerospace industry
contributes to the design of radars, rockets and missiles, and
integrate computers with complex systems that involve
electronics, lasers, and optics.
I 10. Computer software is one of the most popular and widely
used computer technology; as it runs most of our machines that
use computers.

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Summary

This chapter sheds light on the importance of computerized technology in several important
aspects of human life. Computerized technology has brought a major impact in many human’s life.
If used appropriately, computer technology brings so many advantages that can make human’s life
much better. In grammar focus, students are presented with basic sentence patterns enabling them to
recognize and construct simple English sentences.

Practice Exercise

Put the verbs in the brackets, into their suitable forms. Pay attention on the subject. Remember, the
verb should agree with the subject.
People use computer in many ways. Stores 1) T R U E (use) computers to keep track
of products and 2) T R U E (check) you out at the cash register. Banks 3) TRUE (use)
computers to send money all over the world.
Computers 4) T R U E (help) teachers keep track of lessons and grades. They 5) (help)
students do research and learn. Computers
6) T R U E (let) you hook up networks (many computers hooked together). They 7) (let)
you hook up to a worldwide network called the Internet.
Scientists 8) T R U E (make) use of computers to solve research problems. Engineers 9)
TRUE (utilize) computers to make cars, trucks, and airplanes. Architects
10) TRUE (take) advantage of computers to design houses and other
buildings. The police 11) TRUE (use) computers to track down criminals. The military 12) TRUE
(use) computers to make and read coded messages.

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