Are Bionic Superhumans on the Horizon?

What is the central idea of the passage?

• The dangers of using bionic technology in professional sports.

• Bionics can improve human quality of life in many ways, but the use in some cases is controversial.

• • How cochlear implants work to improve hearing.

• • The development of technology in general.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which of the following best summarizes the main point of the “Superhuman Frontier” section?

• • The future of prosthetics is to replace lost limbs.

• • Bionic enhancements will only help people with disabilities.

• Expanding the human abilities through innovation.

• • Animal testing for prosthetics is common.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the author’s main concern regarding bionic enhancements?

• • Their use in sports competitions

• • Their potential to only be available to the wealthy

• • The slow pace of technological development

• • The physical danger of using such technologies

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CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

What detail from the text supports the concern that bionic technology could create inequality?

• • Oscar Pistorius’ fight to compete in the Olympics

• • The development of carbon fiber prostheses

• • The question of who will be able to afford enhancements and upgrades

• • Monkeys controlling robotic arms from thousands of miles away

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

How does the author organize the passage to build the argument for the future of bionics?

• • By starting with current examples of bionic technology, then exploring future possibilities and their implications

• • By presenting a timeline of bionic technology development

• • By comparing different types of prosthetic limbs

• • By focusing solely on the ethical dilemmas related to bionics

Why does the author introduce the example of the monkey controlling a robot arm in Japan?

• • To highlight how advanced human prosthetics are

• • To show how distance is becoming irrelevant in bionic technology

• • To illustrate the limitations of bionic technology in humans

• • To argue against the use of robotic limbs

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CCSS.RI.7.2

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What is the purpose of a cochlear implant?

• • To enhance vision

• • To turn sound waves into electrical impulses sent to the auditory nerve

• • To control robotic limbs

• • To improve memory

What condition is deep brain stimulation primarily used to treat?

• • Paralysis

• • Vision impairment

• • Parkinson's disease

• • Memory loss

What does the “hippocampus chip” aim to repair?

• • Brain tissue related to memory

• • Auditory loss

• • Vision impairment

• • Motor functions

Which athlete's case is mentioned as part of the discussion about prostheses in sports?

• • Michael Phelps

• • Usain Bolt

• • Serena Williams

• • Oscar Pistorius