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WorksheetsTHE BLACK HOLE OF THE TECHNOLOGY
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 13mins
How do the friends in "The Black Hole of Technology" react when Fouly asks them whether they have seen Miley Cyrus's post?
They ask Fouly for more information
They quickly check social media
They ask to see Fouly's phone
They look out the window
What opinion about technology does the author state at the beginning of “The Black Hole of Technology”?
Technology helps us learn to absorb information.
Technology makes us instant experts on many topics.
Technology is keeping us from processing and interacting.
Technology cannot be compared to printed books or newspapers.
What event in “The Black Hole of Technology” strengthens the author’s opinion about technology?
a Miley Cyrus concert
a drive in the family car
a flight to a foreign land
a hike to an ancient temple
What does the author of “The Black Hole of Technology” notice about villagers in Cambodia? Choose two options.
Most of them are dressed up.
They have no cell phones.
Their homes are on stilts.
They are all quite young.
They seem very happy.
What does the author of “The Black Hole of Technology” vow to do the next time she’s walking along a road?
value her surroundings
text her friends about it
take photos as a memento
keep one ear and one eye open
What is the most likely meaning of devouring in the following sentence?
She is devouring every page of the new book in her favorite series.
looking at with interest
taking in greedily
struggling with
ripping out
If a certain clue consumed a detective, which of the following was most likely true?
The clue was not what the detective expected.
The clue was not that valuable to the detective.
The detective saw other similar clues while investigating the case.
The detective spent most of his time working with that particular clue.
If you are absorbing information, which is most likely to be true?
You are adding the information to what you know.
You are explaining the information to others.
You are imagining yourself performing research.
You are growing more puzzled by the information.
In “The Black Hole of Technology,” the author frequently contrasts the words go and stop, as in this example.
In a life of go, go, go I had finally stopped.
Which statement best explains the overall effect of this contrast in the blog post?
It shows the difference between the speed of information today and in earlier times.
It proves that a world of constant, rapid travel can suddenly end.
It shows the difference between consuming information and appreciating the world.
It reveals the author’s love for travel and ever-changing landscapes.
Part A How does the author of “The Black Hole of Technology” feel about spending time with her friends as they check social media?
completely embarrassed
comfortable and satisfied
distracted by something else
jealous of their technical skill
Part B Which statement from “The Black Hole of Technology” best supports the answer to Part A?
We were 15 friends sitting inside under artificial lighting….
… our hands glued to our phones on a Friday …
… the enticing warmth of the sun and delicate breeze were begging us to run around outside….
I put my phone down to shut the curtains….
Which of the following choices best gives the meaning of this sentence, which begins “The Black Hole of Technology”?
The black hole of endless, unimportant streams of technology-enabled information is devouring everyone living in the twenty-first century.
Machines are taking over the jobs and duties that used to belong to human beings.
Technology was supposed to make us better but instead has made us less human.
People today are overly distracted and overwhelmed by meaningless texts, posts, and tweets.
It has not taken long for the entire world to become connected through the powerful reach of technology.
Part A Toward the end of “The Black Hole of Technology,” the author announces that she “had finally stopped.” What does she mean by that?
She has decided to get rid of her phone and other devices.
She is paying attention to what is right in front of her.
She has finally finished the long hike to the temple.
She will no longer learn from anyone but herself.
Part B Which of these lines from “The Black Hole of Technology” best supports the answer to Part A?
I carried my insightful observations all the way to the temple….
I was paying attention to the information the guide was throwing at me….
When would I be able to visit one of the seven wonders of the world again?
… I soaked in the extraordinary sight before me.
Part A Which sentence best summarizes the author’s claim in “The Black Hole of Technology”?
Modern technology enhances our everyday lives.
It is important to take the time to enjoy beautiful weather.
Modern technology can distract us from enjoying our surroundings and interacting with the people around us.
Social media is an important piece of modern technology that allows us to see into the lives of our favorite celebrities.
Part B Which of these sentences from “The Black Hole of Technology” best supports the answer to Part A?
Before being introduced to my phone and computer, I had always been more appreciative of the world around me.
I, on the other hand, glanced out the window separating us from the beautiful weather outside.
I put my phone down to shut the curtains, then I continued to mindlessly scroll through Miley’s Instagram page.
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.
Read the following passage from “The Black Hole of Technology.” Look for words and phrases that the author repeats.
No one stops to process information anymore to determine its significance or importance. No one appreciates the value of personal interaction or nature. Everything is go, go, go. Not once do we stop.… Now, I’m always consumed by my “tech,” and I never stop to take a break.
Which sentence best explains the author’s use of repetition in this passage?
She repeats the word go to make her argument more reasonable.
She repeats the word stop to emphasize an idea that is important to her.
She repeatedly uses sentences of similar length to persuade the reader to see things her way.
She repeats the phrase no one to make fun of people who use a lot of technology.
In “The Black Hole of Technology,” the author visits a Cambodian village. Which quotation from that part of the blog post most clearly appeals to the reader’s emotions?
… I walked along the wide, crowded dirt path on our way to visit yet another Cambodian temple.
I slipped my phone out of my bag to check the signal, but before I could even unlock it, it was snatched out of my hands.
A toddler was laughing her head off, playing with an old man who I assumed was her grandfather.… Everyone around me was smiling, despite having to live their lives in poverty.
When the guide started a long speech about the origin of the temple, I turned to face him.
The multiple-meaning word subject has several definitions. Which is the best definition of subject in this sentence?
Our camp counselors like to subject us to difficult outdoor challenges.
a person under someone else’s authority
a department or branch of knowledge
to discuss a specific topic
to force to do something
In which sentence can the multiple-meaning word sign be defined as “warning”?
A sign near the shelter invited people to rest.
You may sign our names on the visitors’ list.
Other hikers saw no sign of deer along the muddy path.
That dark sky may be a sign of stormy weather to come.
Which of the following sentences is composed of two independent clauses?
Dad and I watch football regularly, but we cheer for different teams.
My team, which is currently in first place, will surely win.
Dad’s team has not scored since the second half began.
Whenever my team scores, Dad growls irritably.
Which of the following sentences uses a comma to set off a nonrestrictive clause?
Mom likes her new smartphone, which got excellent reviews online.
She has added the contacts for family members, friends, and work.
The phone comes with a case, and it has her initials on it.
Mom had a coupon, so the phone was quite affordable.
Which of the following sentences contains a relative clause?
The phone rang as we were sitting down to eat.
Because it was dinner time, I did not answer the phone.
The person who called us was working for a political candidate.
Although I am interested in politics, I do not like telephone polls.
Which pair of statements best describes the ways in which the authors of “Teens and Technology Share a Future” and “The Black Hole of Technology” present their points of view?
The first author focuses on current uses of technology. The second author deals with future uses.
The first author addresses older readers. The second author addresses only teenagers.
The first author addresses readers directly. The second author uses a personal anecdote.
The first author expresses a negative viewpoint. The second author is more optimistic.
With which of these ideas from “Teens and Technology Share a Future” would the author of “The Black Hole of Technology” most likely agree?
The keys to the future lie in the hands of today’s teenagers who use technology.
There are many useless and meaningless bits of information on your network.
Technology has the power to help us meet new people and invent new things.
Teenagers can use devices to become the most informed generation of human beings.
