Английский язык. Информационные технологии. Тексты и статьи.

Английский язык.

Материалы для изучения студентов направления «Информационные технологии»

(специализированные тексты и примерные оригинальные статьи)

Данные материалы помогут понять структуру вступительного экзамена в аспирантуру по направлению «Информационные технологии» и быть полезными в подготовке к данному экзамену.

Содержание билета вступительного экзамена по английскому языку в аспирантуру

1. Read and translate the text on specialty.

2. Read and retell the original item.

3. Render a short summary on your research project.

Text 1

The rise of disruptive IT technologies.

In the last two decades, the world has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the development and adoption of Information Technology (IT) technologies. These innovations have not only transformed the way we live, work, and communicate but have also disrupted traditional industries and business models. This story will take you on a journey through the most significant disruptive IT technologies that have shaped the modern world. The first stop on our journey is the emergence of cloud computing in the late 2000s. By allowing businesses and individuals to store and access data and applications over the internet, cloud computing has eliminated the need for expensive on-site servers and hardware. This has led to increased efficiency, scalability, and cost savings for businesses of all sizes.

Next, we have the rise of big data and analytics. With the explosion of digital data, businesses have been able to harness the power of big data to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and operational performance. By using advanced analytics tools and techniques, such as machine learning and predictive analytics, businesses can make data-driven decisions and gain a competitive edge. The global big data analytics market is projected to reach $103 billion by 2027.

The third disruptive IT technology on our list is the Internet of Things (IoT). By connecting everyday objects, such as cars, appliances, and wearable devices, to the internet, the IoT has created a vast network of interconnected devices that can communicate and exchange data with each other. This has led to the development of new products and services, such as smart homes, connected cars, and remote health monitoring, and has transformed the way we interact with the world around us. The global IT market is expected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2026.

Article 1

People see government as the enemy.

A year on from the political uprising that swept the prime minister of Bangladesh into exile, people still see government as the enemy, according to the country’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus. Rooting out corruption at every level, from village to government, is the only way for people to believe in a “new Bangladesh”, he says.

The Nobel Peace prize winner, who took over after July’s student-led revolt unseated Sheikh Hasina, told the Guardian he wants the state to deliver more for citizens who have felt the government offers them little.

Pervasive corruption has included the siphoning off of money by government members and demands for bribes in every transaction from getting a passport to applying for a business permit, he says. “Somebody is [always] waiting to grab an enormous amount of money,” says Yunus. “People see government as your permanent enemy and you have to live your life fighting with this enemy. It’s a very powerful enemy, so you want to stay away.”

While the protests were prompted by student anger over a quota system for government jobs that favoured the then ruling Awami League party’s allies, there was also discontent over high living costs and a lack of opportunities for young people.

Text 2

Computerization.

‘‘Computerization’’ refers to worldwide technology integration and adoption of computers and other electronic IT devices, along with the Internet, to support the activities that people do in the course of their daily lives. A person who uses a computer online exemplifies computerization.

Thus, computerization generally has to do with the integration of IT devices and computerized systems into communications, transportation, manufacturing, military weaponry, entertainment systems, and virtually all other technological areas of modern life.

The process of computerization began in the late 1940s with the invention of modern computers to provide missile guidance systems (системы наведения ракет) for the US military. However, it was not until 1969 with the invention of the Advanced Research Project Agency Network (ARPANET) that computerization as we now understand it really began to expand. ARPANET laid the foundation for the Internet in 1983, its commercialization in 1988, and finally the World Wide Web in 1991. Over this period of time, extending half a century, what began as a small number of mainframe computers evolved into personal computers (PCs) that have been widely adopted for academic, government, business, nonprofit organization, and individual user purposes.

Today digital computers, IT devices, and plug-in media/components are increasingly smaller, portable, and much more affordable. They have faster processing speeds, greater memory, and increasingly more built-in functions. Several manufacturers integrate personal digital assistant (PDA) and cellular phone capabilities, and it is difficult to purchase a cell phone without a built-in digital camera.

Article 2

Pupils in England face lost learning from flooding and extreme heat.

Children in England face prolonged “lost learning” caused by extreme heat and flooding at school, according to research on the potential impact of the climate crisis on education. School leaders and teachers said the scenarios published by the Department for Education made for grim reading and urged ministers to move quickly to improve school resilience.

Under one scenario, by 2050 rising heat levels will cause the equivalent of more than eight days of lost learning as classrooms become too hot for effective teaching, unless adaptations such as improved ventilation are made. The research also found that more than one in three secondary schools and one in five primaries have a high risk of their buildings being flooded by surface, river or sea water. The study defined high risk as a one in 30 chance of flooding each year.

The DfE summary, based on Met Office and University College London analysis, also said that even temperatures below extreme levels could result in “decreased ability to learn over the course of a typical academic year”.

The summary said: “In the longer term, without the implementation of any adaptation measures, students could potentially lose up to 12 days of learning per year on average, as [the] result of generally warmer temperatures and not just from extreme heat.

Text 3

What is a laptop computer?

A laptop is a small, portable computer, small enough to sit on your lap. Nowadays, laptop computers are more frequently called notebook computers, though technically laptops are somewhat larger in size than notebooks, in both thickness and weight. The laptop was originally designed to be similar to a desktop, but small and light enough to be used sitting in your lap. For this reason, years ago, a laptop had more features than notebooks did, but the tradeoff was larger and heavier than a notebook. This is because the notebook style of portable computers was for mobility, not portability. To be a more mobile device, the notebook was a thinner design and it weighed less than the laptop, simply because it didn't come packed with features and multiple devices and drives.

Years ago, notebook computers had a smaller display than a laptop, fewer internal drives (hard drive, floppy or CD-ROM - depending on the year manufactured), and the sound, modem, and such would be integrated - not separate upgradable hardware devices. Laptops were considered to be desktop replacements; portable computers with features, functions, and options comparable to your desktop computer. So while there technically is a difference between the two and that is the size and weight of the device (which in turn impacts the system's features) today there is even less of a difference between the two since technology advancements means that most common computer devices and peripherals are much smaller now.

Today technology allows devices to be slimmer, smaller and better for mobile computing by design, so the size of portable computers (both in thickness and weight) is decreasing. For this reason, options that once defined the difference between a laptop and notebook computer are separated by a small, almost invisible fine line today.

Article 3

Children suffered record levels of violence in conflict zones.

A record number of children were subjected to acts of violence in conflict zones in 2024, with the number of incidents recorded rising by 25%, according to a UN report. The UN security council’s annual report on children and armed conflict found 22,495 children in 2024 were killed, wounded, denied humanitarian support or recruited for conflict. It highlighted a 44% rise in attacks on schools and 35% rise in sexual violence against children.

“This must serve as a wake-up call. We are at the point of no return,” said Virginia Gamba, the special representative of the UN secretary general for children and armed conflict. “Children living amid hostilities are being stripped of their childhood. Instead of recognizing the special protection afforded to children, governments and armed groups around the world blatantly ignore international law that defines a child as anyone under 18.”

The report verified 41,370 incidents of violations against children – including 5,149 that occurred earlier but were only verified in 2024 – with 4,856 in Gaza, primarily carried out by the Israeli security forces, including killings, injuries and the denial of permits for medical treatment. It verified 22 cases of Palestinian boys being used by Israeli forces as human shields in Gaza and five in the occupied West Bank. The number of incidents was the highest since the UN began verifying reports in 1996. The report also said there was an increase in the number of children suffering multiple violations, from 2,684 in 2023 to 3,137 in 2024, especially in cases where abductions, recruitment and sexual violence converged.