Curriculum extra Unit 4
3 Read the texts about different types of computer
Focus on ICT: Computer networks
1 Label the network diagram with the words.
cable server switch workstation
__________________ __________________
__________________ __________________
2 Choose one advantage and one disadvantage
from A–F for each computer network.
1 Star network
Advantage ___ Disadvantage ___
2 Bus network
Advantage ___ Disadvantage ___
3 Ring network
4 Work in pairs or small groups. Discuss these
Advantage ___ Disadvantage ___
A If you connect a lot of computers to the central
cable, it works very slowly.
B All the information travels in the same direction,
so it moves faster.
C If the switch doesn’t work, communication
between all the computers is impossible.
D You can add your computer to the network by
just connecting it to the central cable.
E If one computer can’t connect to the central
switch, other computers in the network will still
work fine.
F You must switch on all the computers, so that
the information can pass from one computer to
another.
network and answer the questions.
1 Choose the correct option to complete the texts.
2 Which types of network do the texts describe?
Label them LAN, MAN and WAN.
A This (1) network / workstation connects
computers into a global network. It allows
people to use internet (2) switches / servers,
for services such as (3) software / file
storage on websites, so that they can use their
files on any computer. ____________
B In this small type of network, computers can
exchange files and share (4) hardware /
software for writing documents or for
calculating. They can also send orders through a
(5) switch / server to a piece of (6) hardware /
software, such as a printer or scanner.
____________
C A number of small groups of computers
and (7) networks / workstations in
different buildings are connected
together, so that they can share
programs and (8) files / servers that
contain documents from the same
organization or company. ____________
questions.
Gadgets
1 How many devices in your home are connected
to the internet?
2 What do you use them for?
3 Do they have cables or wireless connections?
Your life online
4 How many hours do you spend online per week?
5 Do you, or does anyone at home, use the
internet for these things?
banking blogging gaming online file storage
shopping social networking