Read and Speak. Круглова М.В. - 97 стр.

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Topic 3.

The Queen inherited a monarchical tradition which has lasted for over a thousand

years. Not only is she head of state, but she is a personal symbol of national unity and

provides a focus for popular loyalty. Ceremonial activities have always been

associated with British kings and queens and, in spite of changing attitudes, many

traditional ceremonies still take place. Royal marriages and funerals, for instance, are

major ceremonial events. Royal processions play an important part on occasions such

as the opening of Parliament, when the Queen drives in state from Buckingham

Palace to Westminster, and the arrival of visiting heads of State. Such royal

ceremonies normally attracts large crowds; millions more in Britain and abroad often

follow the events on television.

Topic 5.

The future increase in capacity and decrease in cost of microelectronic devices

will not only give rise to compact and powerful hardware but also bring changes in

the way human beings and computers interact. Both adults and children are able to

have as a personal possession a computer about the size of a notebook with the power

to handle all their information-related needs.

The personal computers can be regarded as the example of human medium of

communication. The evolution of the personal computer has followed thepath similar

to that of the printed book, but in 40 years rather than 600. Like the handmade book

of the Middle Ages the massive computers built in two decades before 1960 were

coarse, expensive, available to only a few.

Just as Industrial Revolution made possible the personal book by providing

inexpensive paper and mechanized printing and binding, the microelectronic

revolution brought about the personal computer. Ideally the personal computer is

designed in such a way that people of all ages and walks of life can model and

channel its power to their own needs. Architects are able to simulate three

dimentional space in order to modify their current designs. Physicians are able to

store and organize a large quantity of information about their patients. Composers are

able to hear a composition as they are composing it, especially if it is too complex for

them to play.

Children have an active learning tool that gives them ready access to large stores

of knowledge in ways that are not possible with books.