Understanding Viruses

1 Computer viruses and biological viruses affect our lives in different ways. However, both of these bugs share common
2 characteristics – and understanding these similarities can help us to control both types of virus.
3 First, both are contagious and spread easily. In addition, the way in which the host – person or computer – becomes infected is
4 similar; the virus enters through an opening. With people, this occurs through the nose, the mouth or a pore. Similarly, this
5 happens with computers when an infected file is opened.
6 Computer viruses originated in the 1980s, and the very first was most likely created in Pakistan by two brothers who created a
7 program called Brain that would only be activated if downloaded onto a computer illegally. The program, however, soon spread
8 out of the brothers’ control and started a worldwide epidemic of computer viruses.
9 Infected people and computers display similar symptoms. People may feel pain, reduce their ability to function, or even die.
10 Computers, too, may suffer a worsening of performance, sometimes leading to a complete crash.
11 Finally, both people and computers may experience similar types of infection. For example, both may be affected by hidden
12 infections, without any immediate symptoms. Also, both may be attacked by an auto-immune disease when the body’s immune
13 system turns against itself, or the computer is damaged by a file that’s infected.
14 Unsurprisingly, the ways to avoid infection are also similar. Experts recommend to stay away from infected individuals and
15 observe basic hygiene procedures such as frequent hand washing. To lower the risk of being infected by a computer virus, it’s
16 advisable not to open any suspicious files.
I * Comprehension (4 points)
CHOOSE THE RIGHT OPTION (1 point: 0,5 each)
1. Which statement is TRUE about computer viruses?
a. They aren’t always caused intentionally. b.They always cause a computer to crash.
c. They immediately display symptoms. d.They don’t spread quickly.
2. Both people and computers …
a. can be infected by the same viruses b have similar experiences in relation to infection
c. fight against symptoms d. can be damaged by a file that’s infected
WRITE TRUE OR FALSE. FIND EVIDENCE IN THE TEXT TO JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS (2 points: 0,5 each)
3. The first computer viruses can be dated back to the 19th century.
4. The brothers intended to prevent people from using their program without permission.
5. Depending on the users and the gadgets used, symptoms can be very different
6. Frequent hand washing is mentioned as a way of avoiding infection
FIND IN THE TEXT (1 point: 0,25 each)
7.1. one opposite for “unique” (adjective)
7.2. one synonym for “illness” (noun)
8.1. a word meaning “the opposite of not getting better”
8.2. a word meaning “occurring many times at short intervals”
II * Use of English (6 points)
FILL IN THE GAP WITH THE CORRECT WORD (1 point: 0,5 each)
9. I told them to wait ……… me at the bus stop
10. Carol is married ………. John.
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB (1 point: 0,5 each)
11. If you had written a note, you ………………………………………… (not forget) the meeting
12. I can’t help ……………………………….. (get) angry when my computer stops working
TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO THE PASSIVE VOICE (write the 2 options. 1 point: 0,5 each)
13. People think that computers are essential nowadays
JOIN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES WITH A RELATIVE PRONOUN (0,5 points)
15. This computer program works really well. His creator was German.
TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO REPORTED SPEECH (0,5 points)
15. Carol told me, “Don’t use you laptop today because it is being checked for viruses”
GIVE A QUESTION FOR THE UNDERLINED WORDS (0,5 points)
16. He comes from Mexico
ORDER ALL THE WORDS TO CREATE A MEANINGFUL SENTENCE (0,5 points)
17. think are as not user-friendly as everybody computers may
REWRITE THE SENTENCES STARTING AS GIVEN. DO NOT CHANGE THE ORIGINAL MEANING (0,5 points)
18. She can perfectly use computers. She has never studied computer sciences. Although ……..
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (0,5 points)
19. Millions of people will get infected by this virus unless …