Unit 11: Science And Technology - Skills 1

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to answer these following questions The history of the computer in the twentieth century is one of dramatic adaption and expansion. The computer had modest beginnings in areas where it was used as a specialist tool. The first electronic computer was built in the 1930s and was solely for use of undergraduate students in Iowa State University to handle mathematical computations in nuclear physics. In World War II, computers were developed in order to wage counter espionage and break codes used by the enemy. In the post-war years the scope of computers was expanded to include the military industrial complex and academia. Obviously people needed to travel around these institutions and so there was a need for early network tools. In the 1960’s an early version of the Internet, ARPPANET was used in computers were starting to change our lifestyle, the way we do business and many style things (Elliot, 1994) and by the late 1980s, networks were expanding to embrace sections of the general public. The internet was born.

Read the following passage and answer the questions. Inventions That Changes Our World People have been inventing things for years. Paper was invented about 2,000 years ago. The wheel was invented more than 5,000 years ago. What would life be like without paper to write on or bikes to ride? Those inventions have made life easier. Airplane The Wright Brothers invented the first airplane in December 1903. That makes 2003 the 100th anniversary! Before the airplane was invented, most people traveled bycars, boats, and trains. Today, airplanes help people travel faster. How do airplanes help you? Telephone Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. Before the telephone was invented, people kept in touch by writing letters or talking in person. Today the telephone makes it easier for people to talk to one another. How do telephones help you? Automobile The first four-wheeled gas-powered car was invented by Karl Benz in 1891. Before people had cars, they couldn’t travel easily. They walked or rode horses for short trips. They took trains or boat for long trips. Today cars are one of the main ways people travel. How do cars help you? Computer People worked for years to make the first computer. It was built in 1946. The first computer was called ENIAC. Today computers are an important part of many people’s lives. People use computers as tools to write, get information, and much more. How do computers help you?