Test: This is the Modern World - Year 8 MCQ

Thomas awakens in the Glade filled with confusion and fear, as he has no memory of how he arrived there. The unsettling environment, with its towering walls and the mysterious Box, amplifies his sense of dread, setting the stage for the challenges he will face in the maze.

Samir expressed concern that his daughter's mobile phone use led to a withdrawal into a digital world, eroding their bond and reducing real-world interactions. This illustrates a common issue among families where technology can create barriers to personal relationships, highlighting the importance of balance in device usage.

Ray Kurzweil predicted that by 2020, technology would advance to the point where it could eliminate the need for food by directly feeding bodies and managing waste. This idea, while imaginative, remains a concept of science fiction rather than reality, illustrating the challenges of predicting technological progress.

Liu viewed mobile phones as empowering tools for today's youth, attributing his children's academic success and increased engagement with the world to their use of technology. This perspective highlights the dual nature of mobile devices, which can serve both beneficial and detrimental roles in young people's lives.

Arthur C. Clarke envisioned a future with flying houses that could easily relocate across towns or countries. While this imaginative idea has not materialized, Clarke's work often showcased groundbreaking concepts that have inspired future technological innovations.

ARPA was instrumental in the establishment of ARPAnet, which connected computers and enabled data transmission without relying on traditional telephone lines. This innovative approach was a crucial step toward the development of the modern internet, showcasing the agency's foresight in technological advancement.

Tim Berners-Lee is recognized for developing the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and for inventing the World Wide Web in 1989. His contributions laid the groundwork for the internet as we know it today, facilitating the sharing and navigation of information across the web.

Dystopian fiction frequently delves into themes of lost identity and autonomy, reflecting societal anxieties about control and oppression. These narratives resonate with readers during times of uncertainty, offering a critical lens through which to examine contemporary issues of freedom and personal agency.

The narrator expresses concern that increasing reliance on technology leads to laziness and a sense of obsolescence among humans. This viewpoint reflects a critical perspective on technological advancement, warning against the potential for diminishing human capabilities and connections in an increasingly automated world.

The launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957 caused significant anxiety in the United States, as it raised concerns about potential space-based attacks that could disrupt U.S. communication lines. This event marked a pivotal moment in the Cold War and led to increased emphasis on technological advancements and military preparedness.

Tim Berners-Lee developed the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which is essential for transferring data on the World Wide Web. HTTP allows for the retrieval of linked resources across the internet, enabling the seamless navigation that defines web browsing today. This innovation was a cornerstone in making the Web accessible and user-friendly, underscoring Berners-Lee's significant impact on digital communication and information sharing.

Samir expresses concern that mobile phones negatively affect his daughter's real-life interactions and academic performance, warning parents of their potential dangers. In contrast, Liu champions mobile technology, arguing that it empowers youth by enhancing their knowledge and connectivity, attributing his children's success to their use of phones. This juxtaposition highlights the ongoing debate about technology's role in the lives of young people, with opinions varying widely based on personal experiences.

Predictions made in the 1960s about technology's future, such as machines taking over all human work and eliminating the need for food, were largely unrealistic by 2020. While some ideas, like the concept of an electronic device for reading information (akin to tablets), found realization, many others, like flying houses or machines managing human needs directly, remained in the realm of science fiction. This highlights the challenges of forecasting technological advancements accurately, as many envisioned futures diverged significantly from actual developments.

Thomas's primary source of anxiety stems from the mysterious walls surrounding the Glade, which close nightly. This creates a sense of claustrophobia and entrapment, amplifying his unease about the unknown purpose of the Glade and its dangers. The tension between the safety of the Glade and the threat of the maze beyond the walls reflects a deeper theme of survival and the struggle against an incomprehensible environment, which is central to the narrative's tension and character development.

In the story, Purity Camps are used to control and punish citizens under the city’s rigid “Purity for All” system, highlighting the oppressive environment central to the dystopian narrative.