Unit 20: Science and Technology Complete Exercises

This article has all the exercises of unit 20 of class 11’s English, Science and Technology (Taking my Son to College, where Technology has Replaced Serendipity).

Ways with words

A. Match the words with their correct definitions.

a. Freshman: a first-year student at a university, college, or high school
b. Naive: having a lack of experience or knowledge
c. Obliviously: without conscious awareness
d. Brag: says something in a boastful manner
e. Disposal: action of throwing away something
f. Dorm: dormitory, student residence hall or building
g. Suitemate: someone who shares your bathroom/living room/kitchen
h. Incalculable: not able to be calculated or estimated

B. Replace the bold words in (a-h) selecting synonyms from the box.

a. Her story is incredible in the literal sense of the word.
b. We often read the novels of the potential writers in the world.
c. The Facebook users are fragmented but connected to each other through the Internet.
d. Sometimes unanticipated events happen in our life.
e. He paused, scrutinizing the faces of Anjana and Manju with his glittering eyes.
f. I am sorry to say your handwriting is indecipherable.
g. He is mature. He can navigate his own journey to make his career better.
h. Gita’s heart swelled with delight, translating her confidence into power.

C. Complete the sentences by choosing the correct word given in brackets.

a. Does television affect children? (affect/effect)
b. Does television have an effect on children? (affect/effect)
c. Could you lend me your book, please? (borrow/lend)
d. Can I borrow your pen? (borrow/lend)
e. Prices seem to rise every year. (raise/rise)
f. You can raise your hand if you want to ask a question. (raise/rise)
g. What did he say to you? (say/tell)
h. I can’t speak Hindi. (speak/talk)
i. I will talk to you on the phone. (speak/talk)
j. I think that’s a very sensible idea. (sensible/sensitive)
k. My teeth are very sensitive to cold. (sensible/sensitive)
l. Our principal is a popular person. (principal/principle)
m. I couldn’t understand the principle of gravity. (principal/principle)
n. All friends, except Nabina, came to the party. (accept/except)
o. Will you accept my request? (accept/except)
p. They were making too much noise. (noise/sound)
q. All she could hear was the sound of the waves. (noise/sound)
r. Did you give him any advice for his career? (advice/advise)
s. My parents advise me to be a teacher. (advice/advise)

Comprehension

Answer these questions.

a. Why did the author feel that she was lucky to be so naïve of her freshman year at college?
→ The author felt that she was lucky to be so naïve of her freshman year at college because the very ignorance navigated her to the path of wealth and status. Despite of being foolish, she got an opportunity to explore new things. So she felt lucky.

b. Why did she say that she went to college in the Stone Age?
→ She said that she went to college in the Stone Age because she compares her college year with her son’s college year she found a vast difference. Technology was not such a use at her time. Compared to the present time, she was not so lucky to use cell phones, electronic gadgets to the fullest like his son is doing now. Seeing her son, using electronic devices and technology almost everywhere, she says that her time was so primitive, hence she said she went to college in the stone age.

c. What kinds of technological tools can Hayden use at his college life unlike at his mother’s time?
→ Hayden uses every technological shortcut to make his living easier. He uses a mobile phone with Yale specific apps, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

d. How has the internet and social sites affected the lifestyle of the youths?
→ The Internet has made the youths rely on nearly everything either little or big. It has made the life of youths easier forgetting to experience struggle and hard labour. With no exertion, they’ll plan undertaking work depending upon search engines and software hampering the extension of the skyline of pondering and innovativeness. Social sites have given them opportunities to be connected to different people but they are fragmented because they know each other virtually. Due to the internet and social sites, the youths have missed the actual pleasure of discovering the real world.

e. What things about college life will Hayden really miss, unlike his mother?
→ Hayden will miss real-life interactions, usage of thinking capability and imagination, exploration, and discoveries of various things in life dissimilar to his mom.

f. The writer says, “I worry that students today are more connected and more fragmented”. Isn’t this paradoxical? How?
→ The phrase I worry that students today are more connected and more fragmented is very contradictory and confusing. This line demonstrates that young people are largely linked via electronic means, but are separated physically and emotionally. In reality, they are worlds apart. It’s because they don’t know each other well that they are separated. They are not open to others who could help them to gather life’s important minutes, but unfortunately, it does not exist.

Critical Thinking

a. Do you think that advancements of technology can hinder the exposure students receive in school, and block them from gaining some of life’s most memorable moments? Give reasons in support of your answer.
→ Technology is the machines and tools we use to convert natural or mental resources into things we need, like energy or algorithms. Technology can be used in so many different ways, positive and negative, that the answers have become as convoluted and complicated as human interaction. It follows, therefore, that some technology is right for children in a learning and social environment, and some technology is not.

Most of the schools and colleges are using modern devices like laptops and tablets as a means of teaching. So the students are also using the same devices to be on par with the teachings of the teachers. In the present day, social media has evolved leaps and bounds, with 90% of the world’s population using social media. So the devices which are provided to the students for studying are instead used to be active on social media. Students are not studying with the help of these devices, they are interested in checking the posts and status updates of their near and dear ones and many other things. This is how technology is becoming a huge distraction for the learners, thus increasing the gap between students and educators.

In the present day, due to the huge advancement of technology, teachers are educating the students with different online tools instead of physically communicating with them, hence the students are unable to interact with the students and also cannot share problems with them. Teachers miserably fail to draw the attention of the student. It is recommended to use verbal communication with the students along with using online tools. So the students can learn the topics as well as they can share their problems with the teacher.

Thus it is true that advancements in technology can hinder the exposure students receive in school and block them from gaining some of life’s most memorable moments.

b. Kline’s essay focuses on the contrast between her son’s freshman college experience and her own, but she also establishes what they have in common. Explain.
→ The essay entitled “Taking my son to College, Where Technology has Replaced Serendipity” written by Christina Baker Kline is about the contrast between her college experience and her son’s experience. But the essay also includes the common things between her and her son. She talks about the experience of the freshman college year in the same university. Although technology has replaced the way they do everything but still, the education system was all same. All the old feelings and emotions were also the same. There were much more difficult on her time compared to her son’s age but still, friendships and team working has not changed. These things are all same in some way. Exploration about the new things ware limited to physical doings, but now at the time of his son, the exploration and research are still the same, but it is done via technology medium, via search engines, E-books rather than physical books. Relationship and friendship were the struggles for freshmen at her time, still, the search for a companion was prominent. This thing still prevails in electronic form from Facebook, Instagram, and social media.

c. Has the internet aided in broadening or narrowing the critical thinking capacity of youths or readers? How?
→ The Internet is a global network of interconnected networks of computers. It makes it easier and quicker for people to access information sitting at any corner of the world. Just like any other technology, the internet too has its own share of positive and negative effects on society. If the internet is used to gain and explore knowledge, it is broadening of knowledge, but if you started relying on internet answers with blunt creativity, it is narrowing of the critical thinking capacity. The world of the internet is so infinite that it can seem overwhelming. All forms of media don’t work in every setting. There needs to be a balance of modern technology in life, or you run the risk of losing out on developing fundamental skills. Internet is an excellent boost to your critical thinking skills, but you should be aware of some of the pitfalls that come along with it. Thus, depending on how you’re using it, the internet can be enhancing or damaging to critical thinking.

Grammar

A. Fill in the gaps with suitable articles where necessary.

a. Is he working as a university professor?
b. My younger sister watches __ television a lot.
c.
A:  What did you get for your birthday?
B:  I got a lot of good presents.
d. I’m going to the Dominican Republic for my winter vacation.
e. I have to go to a bank today to deposit some money.
f. Durga was injured in the accident and was taken to the nearest hospital.
g. Every parent should visit the school to meet the teachers.
h. Who is the woman in this photograph?
i. There is a piano in the corner of the room.
j.
A: Do you think he is lying?
B: No, he’s the kind of a guy that always tells the truth.

If you have any confusion, feel free to drop a comment down below. In the meantime, you can read these articles.

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