MASTER REVISION SHEET

English Unites S2
Units 1 & 2 — Complete Study Guide · Faculty of Computer Science

Unit 1: Networks Unit 2: The World Wide Web Multi-Word Verbs Compound Nouns Compound Adjectives Idioms Graph Language

I Unit Summaries & Key Texts UNITS 1 & 2

UNIT 1 · THEME

Networks
Unit 1 covers the world of computer networking — from the origins of the Internet, to modern technologies like IoT
and Cloud Computing. It also introduces language skills around phrasal verbs, idioms about success, and the
vocabulary of graph description.

READING 1 · WIDE AREA NETWORKS

"How the Internet Came to Be"

Main idea: The Internet did not have a single inventor. It grew from ARPANET — a U.S. Department of Defense
research project — through the cooperative efforts of many scientists. The shift from circuit switching to packet
switching was the key technological breakthrough. The World Wide Web, created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, is
only one application running on top of the Internet.
Central argument: Understanding the Internet's origins matters because it shapes social, political, and cultural life
today. The Internet belongs to everyone — no single company or government owns it.

LISTENING 2 · IOT

"What is the Internet of Things?"

Main idea: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of connected physical devices — smartphones, laptops, farm
sensors, medical implants — that share data over a network. IoT supports process automation, real-time analytics,
and performance monitoring across industries. It brings serious advantages in efficiency and decision-making but
raises significant security and privacy concerns.

READING 2 · CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud Computing (adapted from IJRASET 2026)

Main idea: Cloud computing allows businesses to access computing resources (storage, processing power,
software) on demand via the Internet, instead of owning physical infrastructure. The key model is pay-as-you-go,
which reduces capital expenditure. Cloud computing enables scalability, remote work, and global collaboration,
but raises concerns about data security, vendor lock-in, and service reliability.
Future trends: AI integration, serverless architectures, green cloud, and distributed/edge computing.

CLOZE TEST 7 · COMPUTING TYPES

"Fog Computing vs. Edge Computing"

Main idea: Traditional cloud architectures suffer from latency and bottlenecks. Edge computing relocates
processing closer to the data source (at the network's periphery), reducing bandwidth use. Fog computing adds an
intermediate layer between edge devices and cloud servers, using local nodes to coordinate data more efficiently.
Both enhance cloud scalability without replacing it.

UNIT 2 · THEME

The World Wide Web

Unit 2 focuses on the history, structure, and future of the Web — from Web 1.0 to Web 4.0 — and introduces the
distinction between the Surface Web, Deep Web, and Dark Web. Language work focuses on compound nouns and
compound adjectives.

READING 1 · WEB HISTORY

"The Evolution of the World Wide Web" (Bhattacharya, Ghosh & Sinha, 2025)
Main idea: The Web has evolved through distinct phases. Web 1.0 (1990s) was read-only and static. Web 2.0 (2000s)
was participatory — users became content creators. Web 3.0 focuses on the semantic web and AI-driven
interpretation. Web3 (related but distinct) is about blockchain decentralization. Web 4.0 is a theoretical "symbiotic"
web where intelligent systems anticipate user needs in real time.
Key distinction: The Internet = the global network infrastructure. The Web = one application that runs on it.

READING 2 · DARK VS. DEEP

"The Difference between the Deep Web and the Dark Web" (adapted from ExpressVPN)
Main idea: The internet has three layers: (1) the Clear/Surface Web — indexed by search engines; (2) the Deep Web —
not indexed, but mostly legal (email inboxes, password-protected content, academic journals); and (3) the Dark
Web — a small encrypted subset accessed via the Tor browser, associated with anonymity. The Dark Web was
originally created by the U.S. government for secure military communication. It hosts both illegal activity and
legitimate uses (journalists, activists, whistleblowers).
Key fact: The deep web is estimated to be 400–550 times larger than the surface web.

IDIOMS PASSAGE (UNIT 2)

"A Little Life Philosophy"

Main idea: A reflective passage about leading a balanced life — dealing with friendships, consumer temptation, and
setbacks. Rich in everyday English idioms related to emotions, decision-making, and resilience. Used to practise
identifying and defining idiomatic expressions in context.

II Key Vocabulary & Keywords UNITS 1 & 2

UNIT 1 — NETWORKS & COMPUTING KEYWORDS

ARPANET First computer network; origin of the packet Breaking data into independent
Internet (U.S. DoD) switching packets sent across routes

circuit Older system: a fixed dedicated bandwidth Maximum data transfer rate of a
switching channel between two points network connection

latency Delay between sending and receiving IoT Internet of Things: connected physical
data devices sharing data

cloud On-demand access to computing pay-as-you-go Billing only for resources actually used
computing resources via the Internet

scalability Ability of a system to handle increased vendor lock-in Dependence on a single provider,
demand limiting flexibility

edge computing Processing data near its source (at the fog computing Intermediate layer between edge
network edge) devices and the cloud

serverless Deploying code without managing redundancy Backup systems ensuring continued
server infrastructure operation if one fails

hyperlink Clickable link connecting one web HTML HyperText Markup Language — code
resource to another used to build web pages

UNIT 2 — THE WEB & ONLINE KEYWORDS

Web 1.0 Read-only, static web pages (1990s) Web 2.0 Interactive, user-generated content
(social media era)

Web 3.0 Semantic, AI-driven, intelligent Web3 Blockchain-based, decentralized web

information processing (different from Web 3.0)

Web 4.0 Theoretical "symbiotic" web: AI + IoT deep web Non-indexed content (emails,
anticipating needs databases) — mostly legal

dark web Encrypted subset of deep web; Tor browser Anonymity tool used to access the dark
accessed via Tor web

web host Owner of a web server who rents space web server Computer that stores and serves web
for websites content

semantic web Web where machines can interpret decentralizationDistributing control away from central
data meaningfully authorities

blockchain Distributed ledger technology data Users' right to control their own digital
underlying Web3 / crypto sovereignty data

pervasive Present or spread everywhere ubiquitous Found everywhere at the same time

disseminate To spread or distribute information devised Created or designed (carefully)

widely

III Tool Box Sections — Grammar & Language Focus UNITS 1 & 2

🔧 Tool Box · Multi-Word Verbs

UNIT 1 · LANGUAGE WORK SECTION 3

Multi-word verbs are verbs that combine with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) to form a new
meaning. There are three main types:

① PHRASAL VERB ② PREPOSITIONAL VERB ③ PHRASAL-PREPOSITIONAL

Verb + Adverb particle Verb + Preposition + Object Verb + Adverb + Preposition +
Object
The particle is an adverb. It can often The particle is a preposition and must
be moved (separable). No object be followed by an object. The particle Three-part verb. Always followed by
required, or object comes between cannot be separated from the verb. an object. Cannot be separated. Most
verb and particle. "She reflected on the problem." complex type.
"The app set up a connection." "They refer to the issue." "Scientists came up with the idea."
"Turn the computer on." "We must look back on history."

Key Rules to Remember

Separability: Phrasal verbs can often be separated: turn it on OR turn on it (only for pronouns: always separate:
turn it on ✓, never turn on it ✗).
Prepositional verbs are inseparable: refer to the data ✓ — never refer the data to ✗.

Phrasal-prepositional verbs always take an object and are inseparable: come up with a solution .
Context matters: Many verbs change meaning completely depending on the particle: log in (access a system) vs log
out (leave a system).

MULTI-WORD VERBS FROM THE TEXTS (UNIT 1)

VERB TYPE MEANING EXAMPLE FROM TEXT

start out phrasal Begin The Internet started out as ARPANET.

make up phrasal Constitute / form Services make up the World Wide Web.

open up phrasal Enable / reveal It opened up new avenues for communication.

catch on phrasal Become popular / Email quickly caught on as a means of

adopted communication.

pull up phrasal Retrieve (data) Users could pull up the same data.

carry out phrasal Perform / execute Researchers carry out tests on the network.

drive forward phrasal Advance / push ahead Innovation is driven forward by shared
expertise.

set up phrasal Establish / create Tim Berners-Lee set up the World Wide Web.

log off / log phrasal Disconnect / connect Users log in and log off devices.
in

pick up phrasal Take up / retrieve Pick up another device and pull up the same
data.

refer to prepositional Denote / point to The Internet refers to the global infrastructure.

reflect on prepositional Consider / think about Bob Taylor reflected on the limitations.

link up phrasal Connect Computers were successfully linked up.

get up phrasal Move physically / rise He had to get up and move to another terminal.

get in touch phrasal-prep Contact someone He wanted to get in touch with a colleague.
with

come up with phrasal-prep Devise / invent Scientists sought to come up with a network.

look back on phrasal-prep Recall / reflect on the Taylor looked back on his mid-1960s
past experiences.

trace back to phrasal-prep Originate from Its origins trace back to ARPANET.

COMPUTER-RELATED PHRASAL VERBS (ACTIVITY B, UNIT 1)

These phrasal verbs appeared in the conversation exercise and are essential computing vocabulary.

VERB MEANING VERB MEANING

hook up Connect to a device/network plug in Insert a device into a power/data socket

power up Turn on/start a device turn on Activate a device

log in / log up Access a system with credentials get in Gain access (to a system)

hurry up Move faster click on Select something on screen

scroll down Move down through a page pop up Appear suddenly (as a window)

type in Enter text into a field put in Enter / input data

hack into Illegally access a system get into Access / enter

back up Save a copy of data for safety run out of Have no more of (e.g. storage)

sign up Register for a service opt in Agree to receive something

filter out Remove/block unwanted items go down Crash or stop working (a system)

wipe out Delete all data set up Install or configure software

INFORMAL/FIGURATIVE PHRASAL VERBS (HELEN'S EMAIL, UNIT 1 ACTIVITY D)

VERB MEANING

swot up Study very hard, especially for an exam

mess up Do something badly; make a serious mistake

beaver away Work very hard at something

veg out Relax lazily and do very little

breeze through Succeed in something very easily

swan around Move about feeling pleased with yourself

muck around Behave in a silly/irresponsible way

look (sb) up Visit someone when you are near where they live

catch up with Find out about things that have happened to someone

🔧 Tool Box · Compound Nouns

UNIT 2 · LANGUAGE WORK SECTION 3

A compound noun is a noun made of two or more words that together express a single concept. The meaning is often
different from the individual words.
Formation patterns: noun + noun (web server), noun + verb (file transfer), adjective + noun (broadband), verb + noun
(search engine).
Key rule for choosing the right form: In English, the first word typically modifies the second. "application server" = a
server for applications (correct). "server application" = an application that is a server (different meaning).

Compound Nouns (Unit 2) Compound Adjectives (Unit 2)

keyword A significant word used as an index hard-to-trace Activity that is difficult to attribute
or search term to a source

engagement content Articles, images, or videos that self-contained Functions independently without
encourage user engagement external systems

live streaming Broadcasting over the Internet in high-risk Entails a significant likelihood of
real time harm

clickbait Content designed to mislead and data-rich Contains an exceptionally high

maximize clicks volume of stored information

brand awareness Recognition and recall of a brand identity-concealing Designed to prevent the disclosure
by target audiences of personal information

system scalability Ability of a system to expand and better-informed Guided by a more thorough,
handle demand critically developed understanding

response time Average time to respond to network-level Operating across the broader
customer requests infrastructure

search engine Improving a website's rank in word-changing / Having the power to redefine the
optimisation search engine results (SEO) word-shaping international landscape

application server A server that runs applications user-centred Revolving around individuals'
needs
file transfer The movement of a file from one
location to another high-speed Operates with great velocity

user group A community of users with shared privacy-protected Designed to safeguard personal
interests information

node network A network composed of specific long-term Intended to continue over an

connected nodes extended duration

storeroom A room used to store things data-driven / data- Built on the collection and analysis
based of information
project lead The person heading a project
open-access Available to everyone without
information system A structured system for restriction
managing/processing information
space-saving Takes up little physical space

🔧 Tool Box · Forming Compound Adjectives

UNIT 2 · LANGUAGE WORK SECTION 7

Common patterns:
• adjective + noun + -ed → single-minded, ill-conceived, battery-powered
• adjective + verb + -ing → fast-growing, free-standing
• noun/adjective + past participle → ready-made, hands-free, space-saving
• adverb + adjective/participle → well-known, long-term
• noun + adjective → user-centred, data-rich
Spelling rule: Compound adjectives are hyphenated when they appear before the noun they modify (a high-speed
connection), but often not when they follow a verb (the connection is high speed).

🔧 Tool Box · Idioms in Context

UNITS 1 & 2 · SECTIONS 5 AND 6

An idiom is a fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its individual words.
English idioms are culturally specific and must be learned as set expressions.
Tip: Identify the topic/context of the idiom (e.g., success, money, difficulty) to help remember its meaning.

IDIOMS: "THE ROAD TO SUCCESS" (UNIT 1, SECTION 5)

make a go of it come out ahead

Succeed at something Be profitable or advantageous in the end

live off the fat of the land jockey for a position

Survive based on what nature provides; live well without Try to get into an advantageous position (before others)
working

call a spade a spade dog eats dog

Tell the truth about something, even if it is difficult Ruthless competition; everyone fighting for themselves

stumbling blocks red tape

Obstacles or problems that prevent progress Excessive bureaucracy and official rules

in the long run carry the torch of the tradition

Over a long period of time; eventually Continue or uphold a tradition

takes everyone's breath away with all our heart and soul
Surprises or impresses everyone greatly With complete commitment and dedication

fly by the seat of our pants foot the bill

Improvise; handle a situation as it happens without Pay for something
preparation

on the horizon
Coming in the not too distant future

IDIOMS: "A LITTLE LIFE PHILOSOPHY" (UNIT 2, SECTION 6)

the curves that life throws us feel put-upon

Unexpected and difficult situations that happen in life Feel like someone is forcing you to do something you don't
want to do

press yo... (32 KB left)