Are Bionic Superhumans on the Horizon?

Which quotation from the selection supports the main idea in paragraph 1, which states that we’re in the midst of a bionic revolution?

• Tens of thousands of people have been implanted with deep brain stimulators. . . . (paragraph 3)

• The most obvious bionics are those that replace limbs. (paragraph 4)

• In some cases, they’re not even part of the body at all. (paragraph 8)

• They’re going to enhance our abilities, giving us powers we never had before. . . . (paragraph 10)

PART A: What is the main idea in paragraphs 4–7?

• Bionics that replace limbs are the most important.

• Bionics have advanced over time and can now respon
• Cheetah carbon fiber prostheses are the latest technological advancement.

• Artificial hands with five independently moving fingers are called i-limb Ultras.

PART B: Which quotation from the selection best supports the answer to Part A?

• The most obvious bionics are those that replace limbs. ( paragraph 4)

• In the digital age, we're seeing more sophisticated limbs. (paragraph 4)

• Or the nerve-controlled bionic hand that Iraq war veteran Glen Lehman had attached after the loss of his original hand. (paragraph 5)

• Those limbs don't just react mechanically to pressure. (paragraph 6)

Paragraphs 1 through 17 contribute to the author’s central idea by —

• showing how the creation of superhumans would be bad for the future

• explaining why bionic enhancements will take over the human body altogether

• presenting evidence that answers the question in the title by the end of the article

• arguing that people with bionic parts should be excluded from athletic competition

A synonym for inert in paragraph 7 is —

• helpful

• unstable

• humanlike

• immobile

Which word from paragraph 7 is an antonym for the word inert?

• active

• digital

• human

• replacement

Which two quotations from paragraphs 10–12 most clearly indicate what the heading “The Superhuman Frontier” means?

• The 7,000-mile-away prosthetic arm makes an important point. . . . (paragraph 10)

• They’re going to enhance our abilities, giving us powers we never had before, and augmenting other capabilities we have. (paragraph 10)

• . . . we can already see this taking shape when a monkey moves a robotic arm on the other side of the planet just by thinking about it. (paragraph 10)

• The hippocampus is a small, seahorse-shaped part of the brain that’s essential in forming new memories. (paragraph 12)

• In the most extreme cases, this can lead to the complete inability to form new long-term memories... (paragraph 12)

Which sentence is the best overall central idea of the selection?

• Bionics will enhance the human body instead of just replacing missing or broken parts.

• Bionics will take over the human body once people are ready to become superhuman.

• Superhumans will eventually replace people who were once considered disabled.

• Superhumans will be created for people who can afford the bionic parts.

Which of these ideas is reinforced throughout the selection?

• Protheses will no longer be needed.

• Bionics will totally eliminate disabilities.

• Bionics will create superhuman abilities.

• Protheses will be too costly for most people.

In which sentence is the underlined word spelled correctly?

• A) A bionic body part can be controlled even if its not attached to the body.

• B) Advances in technology are greatly affecting how bionic body parts function.

• C) Professional sports leagues must decide whether they will except the use of bionic limbs and technologies.

• D) Bionic body parts will eventually be for people without disabilities and available for those who just want enhancements, to.