Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best each of the numbered blanks. Fill in the appropriate word in question 39Most people think of computers as very modern inventions, products of our new technological age. But actually the idea for a computer had been worked out over two centuries ago by a man (39) _____________ Charles Babbage. Babbage was bom in 1791 and grew up to be a brilliantmathematician. He drew ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best each of the numbered blanks. Fill in the appropriate word in question 39

Most people think of computers as very modern inventions, products of our new technological age. But actually the idea for a computer had been worked out over two centuries ago by a man (39) _____________ Charles Babbage. Babbage was bom in 1791 and grew up to be a brilliant

mathematician. He drew up plans for several calculating machines which he called "engines". But

despite the fact that he (40)____ building some of these, he never finished any of them. Over

the years, people have argued (41)___ his machines would ever work. Recently, however, the

Science Museum in London has finished building(42)__ engine based on one of Babbage's

designs. (43)_____ has taken six years to complete and more than four thousand parts have been

specially made.

Whether it works or not, the machine will be on show at a special exhibition in the Science Museum to remind people of Babbage's work.