Practice for your written exam

0. Reading comprehension: Read this text and answer questions 1, 2 and 3 below.

Computer systems at universities across the nation are becoming favourite targets of hackers, and rising numbers of security breaches have exposed the personal information of thousands of students, alumni and employees.

Since January 2006, at least 845,000 people have had sensitive information jeopardized in 29 security failures at universities nationwide. In these incidents, compiled by identity theft experts who monitor media reports, hackers have gained access to a great amount of information.

Cybersecurity officials woefully say hackers are realizing that colleges hold many of the same records as banks. But why hack a bank, one official asked, “when academic institutions are easier to get into?''

Hackers are drawn to universities for various reasons. Last month, several Stanford University applicants hacked into the admissions system to see if they had been accepted. And some other hackers appear to have broken into a system at the University of Castellon to find a place to store their music files. Besides, some university lecturers smugly say they post everything online, including grades and final exams.

Thus, the openness that's rooted in the nature of these institutions is partly to blame.

1. Find the words in the text that correspond to the following: [1 mark]

(a) Objectives:

(b) Teachers:

(d) Put at risk of loss or harm:

(e) Highly self-satisfied:

2. What is a hacker? [0,5 marks]

3. Describe why hackers are breaking into computer systems at universities. [0,5 marks]

4. Vocabulary: Provide appropriate definitions in English for the following terms. [1 mark]

(a) Compiler:

(b) Bug:

(d) Hyperlink:

(e) Floppy disk:

5. Listening comprehension. A personnel manager is doing an interview and taking some notes. Listen to the interview and complete his notes. [2 marks]

Name: Sara Brown

Qualifications: Degree in __________________ at Aston University.

Languages: ________________________.

Work experience:

NCR: _____________________ for one year.

Wrote software for ____________________________.

Programs were for use on_______________________.

Database knowledge: ________________ and ________________.

Present job: works for Intelligent Software.writing programs in COBOL and C.

Reasons for applying: _____________________________________

______________________________________

_______________________________________