Directions (1-5): Read the passage given below and then answer the questions given below the passage. Some words may be highlighted for your attention. Pay careful attention.
People in the present society have turned from the use of the old means of communication to the more advanced and technological ways of communicating. Technology has made it easier for people to communicate in a faster, efficient, and cost-saving means through the introduction of the communication channels. The world has turned out to be the center for technology with different technologies emerging daily as the people continue to develop from time to time to cope with the growing technology. The benefits of adopting communication technology are explained in this article which shows why people do not function without technology.
Communication is a critical thing in today’s society because the exchange of information is vital in living. People live both locally and globally through technological connections by maintaining contact and interaction between individuals from all corners of the world. Communication binds people, helps to maintain society healthy and enables people to interact and make friends from different regions and cultures. According to Adrian in 2006, communication and information technology plays a great role in individuals’ life. There is a high rate of growth of the communication technology industry and the benefits as more people come up with new means of communication by day. A point has reached where activities cannot function without information technology due to the many benefits which come along with the current-day technologies. Moreover, the industry plays a great role in improving the nation’s economy by facilitating fast and easier means of doing things and offering employment to many people across the world.
The presence of computers, phones, internet, and wireless devices have broadened the web of connectivity by changing long distances to short ones where everyone is equal distance from the other through the present connections. Living without technology will be totally impossible as this has become an everyday application as more and more people are gaining knowledge on how to make use of the communication tools to improve their ways of living and staying informed on the current technology to avoid being left behind. New technologies are being developed daily which shows that the industry will continue to grow and expand. People will continue using these technologies to improve their standards and to stay informed.
The present technology has found its use in almost every sector making the industries, businesses, and institutions to use it for their daily activities since it brings a lot of benefits. In the former days the modes of communication used were slow and sometimes unreliable since the information could take a long time before getting to the recipient. The use of communication and interaction sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, MySpace, and online email chat services has gained popularity among the young people whereby they can talk, share and interact with people from different parts of the word. The communication channels helps many users since they act as the dating sites for couples, people also make friends and share t with them at different locations. Many people have ended up in marriages from online dating services; others have made friends and got connections to good jobs and other beneficial activities. These sites are more addictive and therefore the users find themselves visiting them more often and others stay online 24 hours. Apart from benefiting the communication sector, technology has also led to the improvement in areas of business, education, health, and society in general.
Businesses continue to enjoy the introduction of new technologies which help in improving their activities. The business remains up-to-date with the daily occurrences concerning the market; the business also moves forward and is able to compete with the others in different locations. In the education sector, technology continues to evolve at a faster rate as the learners get to know new ways of learning. The information technology is a requirement for every learner in order to utilize these ideas in the learning process. Students and their teachers communicate using the sites stated above to inform them on the changes in the timetable and send notes in soft copy. In addition, technology has helped the health centers improve their services and transforming the medical profession by securing the environment for the patients and make them feel comfortable to discuss their issues.
Moreover, there are online medical services whereby the patients can interact with their doctors without having to go to the health centers. Communication technology helps in the growth of the society by offering convenience modes of attending to the activities through online shopping, banking, and travel arrangements. Also, there is a speed in doing various operations in the presence of technology whereby individuals attend to their tasks in a convenient and reliable way. Alternatively, people in society keep in touch with one another and can effectively communicate and exchange their views for the growth and development of the community.
Life is incomplete without technology and the world has reached a point that technology is everything. Incorporating technology in our daily activities makes life easier and worth living. There is a need for the involved parties in the field of communication technology to come up with more advanced technologies so that people can enjoy these services and help in developing the country. People living in the third world countries have the duty to ensure that they have the knowledge of the current technology so that they can improve their countries to develop and compete with the developed nations. Comparing the advanced technology with the old fashion ways of doing things it has become simplified and time-saving. People are able to do many activities at a go, while in the absence of technology things went slow and more energy was utilized. Despite the few problems posed by the use of communication technology people continue to use it since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
1. What sectors or areas have technology made an impact in? a. Communication b. Health c. Business

A. Only a B. b and c C. a and c D. All of the above E. None of the above

Solution: D It is given in the passage that, ‘Apart from benefiting the communication sector, technology has also led to the improvement in areas of business, education, health, and the society in general’.
2. What is the author’s point of view in the last passage?

A. That the disadvantages of technology must be ignored since the advantages outweigh them B. Technology has many advantages and if used properly can make everyone’s life easier C. Technology is very important for communication D. Technology is going to be needed by everyone E. None of the above

Solution: B The author is trying to emphasize on the fact that technology plays a vital role in our life and that it is going to make life ‘worth living’. He thinks that even the most underdeveloped countries can be improved due to technology. The author talks about the ‘disadvantages of communication technology’. Hence, the first option does not talk about technology, but only about communication technology. Options 3 and 4 are stressed in other paragraphs but the last paragraph does not focus on these points.
3. What is the primary purpose of the passage? a. To show how technology is a part of everything in life b. To point out the disadvantages of technology c. To show how technology can further improve our lives

A. Only c B. Only a C. a and c D. Only b E. All of the above

Solution: B The passage mainly shows us how technology has an impact on life today. The past and present ways of communication have been compared and the impact of technology in all parts of today’s world is shown. Nothing about the ‘further development’ of technology has been mentioned. Option B stating about disadvantages is also incorrect.
4. What should people living in the third world countries do?

A. Migrate to developed nations B. Start taking loans to develop technology C. Make their economy stronger D. Try to learn about current technology E. None of the above

Solution: D It is mentioned in the passage that, ‘People living in the third world countries have the duty to ensure that they have the knowledge of the current technology’. Hence, option 4 is the most appropriate option. The author has not mentioned ‘migration’ or ‘loans’ or ‘economy’ in any part of the passage.
5. According to the author, what will people keep using technology for? a. Warfare b. Improve standards c. Stay informed d. Efficiency

A. Only b B. a and b C. b, c, and d D. b and c E. c and d

Solution: D The author has mentioned various uses of technology. He has mainly focussed on how technology has helped in making things ‘easier’. Hence, ‘improve standards’ is definitely a correct option. Apart from this, the author has stressed on how technology has made the world a smaller place. Hence, C is also a correct option. The author has stressed on the ‘ease’ of doing things and nothing has been mentioned about the ‘efficiency’. If we strictly stick to the context of the passage, ‘warfare’ is irrelevant.