The Automation Paradox/Heads Up, Humans

Read a student’s summary of “The Automation Paradox.”

1) “The Automation Paradox” by James Bessen examines the effects of technology in the workforce. 2) Some people fear that the increased use of computers and other high-tech tools will result in higher unemployment levels. 3) Bessen suggests that the opposite will be the most likely result. 4) He believes that automation could provide greater opportunities for workers in high-skill professions. 5) It will require some workers to gain

What is the most effective way to revise sentence 5 to include a transition word or phrase?

new skills to meet the demands of a changing workforce.

• However it will require some workers to gain new skills to meet the demands of a changing workforce.

• However, it will require some workers to gain new skills to meet the demands of a changing workforce.

• For example it will require some workers to gain new skills to meet the demands of a changing workforce.

• For example, it will require some workers to gain new skills to meet the demands of a changing workforce.

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Which quotation from “The Automation Paradox” provides a fact that supports the author’s claim?

• Computers are now taking over tasks performed by professional workers, raising fears of massive unemployment.

• On average, since 1980, occupations with above-average computer use have grown substantially faster (0.9 percent per year), as shown in this chart:

• Some of that growth in computer-using occupations has come at the expense of other occupations.

• In one study, software correctly found 95 percent of the relevant documents, while humans identified only 51 percent.

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Read the origin of the word automation.

from the Greek prefix auto- (“self”)

Based on this information, what is the best definition of the word automation as it is used in “The Automation Paradox”?

• Technology that primarily is used within the workforce

• Technology that is advanced and includes the use of computers

• Technology that operates on its own without human assistance

• Technology that is used mostly in factories in place of human workers

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Which two groups are most likely the author's intended audience in “Heads Up, Humans”?

• students

• teachers

• young adults

• older adults

• technology professionals

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Read the dictionary entry for the word technology.

technology \tĕk-nŏl’ә -jē\ n 1. the practical application of knowledge in a particular area 2. scientific method used for an industrial objective 3. electronic or digital products and systems 4. the body of knowledge available to a society to fashion tools

Which definition represents the meaning of the word technology as it is used in paragraph 3 of “Heads Up, Humans”?

• definition 1

• definition 2

• definition 3

• definition 4

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Which are the two most likely reasons the author included paragraph 5 in ”Heads Up, Humans“?

• To explain a counterclaim

• To provide supporting evidence

• To include employment statistics

• To describe one possible effect of technology

• To show how technology will change the future

Which quotation from “Heads Up, Humans” expresses a counterclaim to the author’s argument?

• They say that people who are displaced from jobs will find new and better occupations that will be created by the economic shift.

• Today, the new industries are unlikely to need many human bodies or minds because technology can do the work for less cost.

• There is no evidence that recent advances in technology have so far offered the majority of workers better pay or positions.

• It’s tempting to avoid thinking about it, especially because solutions aren’t obvious.

Read a student’s summary of “Heads Up, Humans.”

1) “Heads Up, Humans” by Claudia Alarcón examines the effects of technology on employment. 2) She claims that the increased reliance on computers and other forms of technology raises unemployment levels in the future. 3) Alarcón believes that one day artificial intelligence will do the jobs currently done by workers in many high-skill professions.

What is the best way to revise sentence 2?

• Change raises to will raise.

• Change raises to has raised.

• Include a transition word or phrase.

• Add parentheses around “other forms of technology.”

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What do the endnotes in “Heads Up, Humans” imply about the author’s use of sources to research the facts included in the selection?

• She mostly used anecdotal evidence for her research.

• She strictly used statistical sources for her research.

• She primarily focused on opinion pieces for her research.

• She relied upon a variety of sources for her research.

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Which comparison best explains how the authors develop the main ideas in “The Automation Paradox” and “Heads Up, Humans”?

• Bessen primarily uses anecdotes to show how computers have reduced the workforce in “The Automation Paradox.” Alarcón primarily uses graphs and charts to show how computers have benefited workers in “Heads Up, Humans.”

• Bessen primarily uses graphs and charts to show how computers have not changed employment levels in “The Automation Paradox.” Alarcón primarily uses opinions to show how computers have harmed workers in “Heads Up, Humans.”

• Bessen primarily uses statistics to show how computers have increased blue-collar jobs in “The Automation Paradox.” Alarcón primarily uses anecdotes to show how computers have lowered low-skill employment in many professions in “Heads Up, Humans.”

• Bessen primarily uses examples to show how computers have improved the workplace in “The Automation Paradox.” Alarcón primarily uses statistics to show how computers have increased unemployment in many professions in “Heads Up, Humans.”

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