Throw Away Society

What does advancing technology often make economically sensible, according to the passage?

• Building durable objects
• Building for the long term
• Building cheap, unrepairable, throwaway objects
• Building objects with high repair costs

What does the passage cite as an example of why it becomes cheaper to replace rather than repair certain objects?

• Decreased manufacturing costs
• Lower repair costs
• Increased durability
• Stable economic conditions

What strategy does the passage suggest people adopt to cope with uncertainty about future needs?

• Committing large resources for rigidly fixed objects
• Building for short-term use or making products adaptable
• Ignoring technological advancements
• Emphasizing permanence in construction

What term does the passage use to describe objects designed for short-term use or adaptability?

• Stability
• Permanence
• Durability
• Disposability

What international example does the passage provide to illustrate the use of temporary structures in education?

• London's Department of Education
• Paris' Board of Education
• England's mobile university
• Germany's portable playgrounds

Why does the passage suggest that disposable clothes and temporary classrooms imply shorter-lasting relationships with objects?

• They are designed to serve short-term purposes and may be dismantled or relocated after each use.
• They are too expensive to discard.
• They are built with high durability
• They are resistant to wear and tear

What does the passage suggest about the culture surrounding the little girl who trades in her doll?

• Objects are cherished and kept for long periods of time
• Objects are used up quickly and ruthlessly eliminated
• Objects are replaced with new ones only when necessary
• Objects are valued for their longevity and durability

What was the initial reaction of many Americans visiting Sweden in the early 1950s, according to the passage?

• They were astounded by the cleanliness of the country
• They were surprised to see disposable products blooming along highways
• They were impressed by the abundance of cloth handkerchiefs
• They were disappointed by the lack of disposable items

What does the passage suggest about disposable tissues and cloth handkerchiefs in Japan?

• Disposable tissues are considered old-fashioned compared to cloth handkerchiefs
• Cloth handkerchiefs are regarded as unsanitary compared to disposable tissues
• Disposable tissues have replaced cloth handkerchiefs in popularity
• Cloth handkerchiefs are only used by the working class

What is one reason cited in the passage for the popularity of paper clothing?

• Environmental concerns
• Aesthetic appeal and imaginative design
• Resistance to wear and tear
• High cost compared to traditional clothing