The Black Hole of Technology RI1

What is the central idea of the blog post, and how does the author develop it throughout the text?

• A) The importance of traveling to new places to gain knowledge
  

• B) The negative effects of technology on human interaction and awareness
  

• C) The benefits of using social media to stay updated on current events
  

• D) The role of smartphones in helping people stay connected

Answer explanation

• Explanation: The author develops the idea that technology can be overwhelming and prevent people from truly experiencing life. This is shown through personal anecdotes, such as missing out on natural beauty and social interactions.

How does the author’s perspective on technology change throughout the blog post?

• A) She begins skeptical but later embraces technology as beneficial
  

• B) She starts out indifferent but later realizes its negative impact on her life
  

• C) She believes technology is harmful at first but then finds a balance
  

• D) She sees technology as entirely negative and rejects its use entirely

Answer explanation

• Explanation: The author begins by mindlessly using technology but later realizes how it prevents her from appreciating the world around her, leading her to change her habits.

Which detail best supports the idea that technology distracts people from real experiences?

• A) "No matter how much people may look at information, it does not mean they are absorbing it."
  

• B) "I slipped my phone out of my bag to check for a signal, but before I could even unlock it, it was snatched out of my hands."
  

• C) "For once, I wasn’t digesting useless information."
  

• D) "The first smartphone was introduced in 1993."

Answer explanation

• Explanation: This statement directly addresses the issue of people consuming vast amounts of information without truly processing or retaining it, illustrating distraction.

Why does the author include the description of the people in Cambodia?

• A) To highlight how different their culture is from her own
  

• B) To emphasize that happiness does not come from technology
  

• C) To show that technology is not available in every part of the world
  

• D) To demonstrate the lack of modern advancements in some places

Answer explanation

• Explanation: The contrast between their happiness and lack of technology helps the author realize that joy comes from experiences rather than constant information consumption.

What inference can be made about the author’s relationship with technology before her trip?

• A) She used technology frequently but was aware of its impact on her life
  

• B) She rarely used technology and preferred nature
  

• C) She was deeply engaged with technology and unaware of its negative effects
  

• D) She actively avoided social media and online distractions

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Before her trip, the author was consumed by technology, unaware of how it distracted her from real-life experiences.

How does the phrase “black hole of technology” function as a metaphor in the text?

• A) It represents the idea that technology is always evolving
  

• B) It symbolizes the way technology absorbs people's time and attention
  

• C) It describes how technology connects people across long distances
  

• D) It illustrates the speed at which technology spreads

Answer explanation

• Explanation: A black hole pulls things in, much like technology draws people in, consuming their attention and preventing them from focusing on the real world.

What is the significance of the moment when the author looks up and observes her surroundings?

• A) It marks a shift in her awareness about the importance of being present
  

• B) It shows her frustration with losing her phone signal
  

• C) It emphasizes her desire to return home quickly
  

• D) It highlights her growing appreciation for technology’s role in travel

Answer explanation

• Explanation: This moment serves as a turning point in the text, where she realizes the beauty and significance of being fully present in the moment.

What theme can be inferred from the author’s experience with technology?

• A) The more technology advances, the better life becomes
  

• B) Happiness comes from disconnecting and appreciating real experiences
  

• C) Social media is essential for staying connected with the world
  

• D) Avoiding technology completely is the only way to live a fulfilling life

Answer explanation

1. Explanation: The author realizes that constantly using technology can be overwhelming and that taking time to experience life without distractions leads to greater happiness.

The word “absorbing” contains the root “sorb,” which means to take in. Based on this, what does “absorbing” most likely mean?

• A) To create something new
  

• B) To take in or soak up completely
  

• C) To release or let go of something
  

• D) To build upon an existing idea

Answer explanation

• Explanation: The root “sorb” means to soak in, and “absorbing” refers to fully taking in or learning something.

The word “consumed” comes from the Latin root “sumere,” which means to take. What does “consumed” most likely mean in the passage?

• A) To be completely occupied or absorbed by something
  

• B) To be physically full after eating
  

• C) To destroy something completely
  

• 9. D) To ignore something important

Answer explanation

Explanation: The root “sumere” means to take in, and in the context of the passage, “consumed” means being entirely absorbed in an activity.