{"id":275,"date":"2023-02-21T17:56:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T17:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/?page_id=275"},"modified":"2023-03-01T17:44:06","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T17:44:06","slug":"computers-then-and-now","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/?page_id=275","title":{"rendered":"Computers: Then and Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
B2\/C1 Level<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

B1 Level<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

A2 Level<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The evolution of computers has been a rapid and ongoing process, with significant advancements made in the last century. The first computers, known as mechanical calculators<\/span>, were invented in the 1800s and were primarily used for simple mathematical calculations. These early machines were large and bulky<\/strong>, and their capabilities were limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the 1930s and 1940s, electronic computers were developed, which greatly increased the speed and capabilities of computers. These early electronic computers, such as the ENIAC and UNIVAC, were still quite large and expensive, and were primarily used by government and scientific organizations. The following two decades saw the development of the first smaller and more affordable computers, known as mainframe computers. While these computers were still quite expensive, they allowed more organizations and businesses to access the power of computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The 70s and 80s was the onset<\/strong> of the personal computer (PC). The first personal computers, such as the Apple I and the IBM PC, still weren\u2019t very affordable for the middle-class, however they allowed individuals to have access to a computer for personal use. This was a significant step in the evolution of computers, as it led to the widespread<\/strong> use of computers in homes and offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The rise of the personal computer as a household item came with the development and popularization<\/span> of the internet at the turn of the century. The internet allowed for the easy sharing of information and the development of new technologies such as e-commerce and online communication. As personal computers became more and more powerful and affordable, they also became more prevalent in everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today, computers are an integral<\/strong> part of our daily lives, with advances in technology allowing for the development of smaller and more powerful devices, such as smartphones and tablets. With the advent<\/strong> of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, it is likely that computers will continue to evolve and play an even more prominent<\/strong> role in our daily lives in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In summary, the evolution of computers has been a rapid process, with significant advancements made in the last century. From large mechanical calculators to small portable devices, computers have become an integral part of our daily lives, and their capabilities continue to expand with new technologies such as AI and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Comprehension<\/summary>
\n

1) What were the first computers called, and what were their capabilities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) How did the development of smaller, more affordable computers in the 1960s and 1970s impact the accessibility of computing power?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) What technological developments in the 21st century have further expanded the capabilities and prevalence of computers in our daily lives?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vocabulary<\/summary>
\n

Match the words to the definition<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) bulky                                <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) the onset<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) widespread<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) integral<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) advent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) prominent<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a) heavy, inconvenient size<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b) the beginning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c) important<\/p>\n\n\n\n

d) to be an important part<\/p>\n\n\n\n

e) found over a large area or number of people<\/p>\n\n\n\n

f) arrival<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grammar Highlights<\/summary>
\n

Use participle clauses for a more formal, advanced sound to writings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first computers, known as mechanical calculator<\/span>s, were invented in the 1800s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use more noun forms to sound more formal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026the development and popularization<\/span> of the internet\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

B2\/C1 Level<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
B1 Level<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

A2 Level<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The evolution of computers has been a quick and ongoing process, with significant progress made in the last century. The first computers, which were called mechanical calculators<\/span>, were invented in the 1800s and were mainly used for simple mathematical calculations. These early machines were large and their capabilities were limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the 1930s and 1940s, electronic computers were developed, which greatly increased<\/strong> the speed and capabilities of computers. These early electronic computers were still quite large and expensive and were primarily<\/strong> used by government and scientific organizations.  Next came the development of the first smaller computers. While these computers were still quite expensive, more people could afford<\/strong> them and they allowed<\/strong> more organizations and businesses to access the power of computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The 70s and 80s was the beginning of the personal computer (PC). The first personal computers, such as<\/strong> the Apple and IBM, still weren\u2019t very cheap for the middle-class, however they allowed individuals to have access to a computer for personal use. This was an important step in the evolution of computers, as it allowed computers to become more common<\/span> in homes and offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As the internet developed, personal computers became a household item<\/strong>.  The internet allowed for the easy sharing of information and the development of new technology and online communication. As personal computers became more powerful, they also became more common in everyday life. Today, computers are an important part of our daily lives, which have allowed for the development of smaller and more powerful devices, such as smartphones and tablets. With the invention of artificial intelligence, it is likely that computers will continue to play an important role in our daily lives in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Comprehension<\/summary>
\n

1) What were the first computers called, and what were they mainly used for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) What development in the 1930s and 1940s greatly increased the speed and capabilities of computers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) How did the development of personal computers in the 70s and 80s impact the accessibility of computers?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vocabulary<\/summary>
\n

Match the words to the definition<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) increase                                  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) primarily<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) afford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) allow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) such as<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) item<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a) to permit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b) to have enough money<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c) mainly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

d) an object or individual part of a list or collection<\/p>\n\n\n\n

e) to go up in number<\/p>\n\n\n\n

f) for example<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grammar Highlights<\/summary>
\n

Use commas to separate a non-defining relative clause:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first computers, which were called mechanical calculators<\/span>, were invented in the 1800s\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use \u201cmore\u201d for comparatives if the adjective has 2 or more syllables:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026it allowed computers to become more common<\/span> in homes and offices.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

B2\/C1 Level<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

B1 Level<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
A2 Level<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The evolution<\/strong> of computers has been a fast and continuous process, with a lot of progress made in the last century<\/strong>. The first computers were invented in the 1800s. These early machines were large<\/strong> and were mainly used for simple mathematical calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the 1930s and 1940s, electronic computers were developed, which made computers faster. These early electronic computers were still quite large and expensive and were used by government<\/strong> and scientific organizations.  Next came the first smaller computers. While these computers were still quite expensive, it allowed<\/strong> businesses to begin to use them<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The 70s and 80s was the beginning of the personal computer (PC), such as<\/strong> the Apple and IBM. Now, individual people could get computers for personal use.  As the internet developed, personal computers became common in every house.  The internet allowed for the easy sharing of information and online communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today, computers are becoming smaller and more powerful, like smartphones and tablets. And because of the invention of artificial intelligence, computers will continue to be important in our daily lives in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Comprehension<\/summary>
\n

1) When were the first computers invented?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) What development in the 1930s and 1940s made computers faster?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) What was the impact of the internet on the accessibility of personal computers?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Vocabulary<\/summary>
\n

Match the words to the definition<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) evolution<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) century<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) large<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) government<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) allowed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) such as<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a) permitted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b) for example<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c) to change slowly over time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

d) big<\/p>\n\n\n\n

e) 100 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

f) The people in charge of a country (president, senate, etc)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grammar Highlights<\/summary>
\n

Use object pronouns if the pronoun is after the verb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026it allowed businesses to begin to use they<\/s> them<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

B2\/C1 Level B1 Level A2 Level The evolution of computers has been a rapid and ongoing process, with significant advancements made in the last century. The first computers, known as mechanical calculators, were invented in the 1800s and were primarily used for simple mathematical calculations. These early machines were large and bulky, and their capabilities […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":135,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"hide_page_title":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-275","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=275"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":390,"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/275\/revisions\/390"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onlineenglishcafe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}