True of false?

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 1038.

1 The CPU directs and coordinates the activities taking place within the computer system.

2 The arithmetic logic unit performs calculations on the data.

3 32-bit processors can handle more information than 64-bit processors.

4 A chip is an electronic device composed of silicon elements containing a set of integrated circuits.

5 RAM, ROM and secondary storage are the components of the main memory.

6 Information cannot be processed by the microprocessor if it is not loaded into the main memory.

7 'Permanent' storage of information is provided by RAM (random access memory).

8 The speed of the microprocessor is measured in gigahertz or megahertz. One GHz is equivalent to one thousand MHz. One MHz is equivalent to one million cycles per second.

Exercise 4. Read the text from Exercise 3 again. Define what the words in bold print refer to?

1 ... which executes program instructions and supervises ...

2 ... the instruction thatis currently being executed,

3 ... the amount of data - the number of bits – theycan work with at a time,

4 ... the microprocessor looks for iton ...

5 ... its information is lost when the computer is turned off.

6 ... expansion slots thatallow users to install adapters or expansion boards.

Exercise 5. Use the information in the reading passage and the diagram to help you match the terms below with the appropriate explanation or definition.

A processor consists of many different electronic circuits and devices for performing control functions, arithmetic and logic operations, and data transfers. Data may be transferred from backing storage to the internal memory or from the internal memory to the arithmetic unit by means of conductive channels known as buses. The part of the processor which controls data transfers between the various input and output devices is called the control unit.

1
microprocessor chip a used to send address details between the memory and the address register

2 registers b consists of an arithmetic-logic unit, one or more working registers to store data being processed, and accumulators for storing the results of calculations

3 accumulators c a group of signal lines used to transmit data in parallel from one element of a computer to another

4 control bus d groups of bistable devices used to store information in a computer system for high-speed access

5 address bus e an electronic circuit, usually a quartz crystal, that generates electronic pulses at fixed time intervals to control the timing of all operations in the processor

6 data bus f used for storing part of the operating system and application software known as 'firmware'; can only be read; cannot be written to or altered in any way

7 clock g used to store numeric data during processing

8 RAM h a group of signal lines 'dedicated to the passing of control signals

9 ROM i used for the temporary storage of application programs and data; can be written to and read from

Exercise 6. Read this passage about the structure of the processor and fill in the gaps using the words from the box.