Question 7
ComprehensionJAMB 1995 Passage II: Science, technology and man
The development of science and technology in this century had led men into many inventions and discoveries. For nearly a century, men were content with the use of railways, carriages and cars. Another chapter opened when steamships and airplanes were invented. Thus, through technology, man conquered the land, the water and the airspace. But there was one area left unconquered by man: outer space. In fact outer space — planets, stars and the galaxies – was known only through magnifying lenses. Thus, man operated on mere conjectures as far as knowledge of these things was concerned. Consequently, there was no scientific certainty, only hypotheses. But today, man has penetrated outer space.
It is true that science and technology have developed tremendously in this century. In the field of engineering, for example, the automobile has been invented as a means of easier, more comfortable and faster movement from one place to another. Apart from that, methods and instruments for diagnosing diseases and promoting hygiene and sanitation have helped to reduce mortality rate and improve living conditions. In the field of electronics, the invention of the computer is a remarkable achievement. The use of computers in economic activities, education, administration and business has helped to reduce the exertion of human energy as more activities can be carried out faster and more effectively.
However, in spite of the laudable contributions and lofty accomplishments of technology, it has, nevertheless, succeeded in introducing several anomalies and, in some cases, reduced the value attached to human life. In our age, social life has been greatly altered by technological changes such as the invention of nuclear energy. Those who support the invention of nuclear energy claim that the only way to maintain peace is to be battle-ready. Humanity is greatly threatened and terrorized by the invention of the nuclear warhead. People now live in dread of the hour, as no one knows when a conflict may arise between nations, which may lead to the use of the nuclear bomb assumed to possess the capacity of wiping out humanity within the twinkling of an eye.
It is true that science and technology have developed tremendously in this century. In the field of engineering, for example, the automobile has been invented as a means of easier, more comfortable and faster movement from one place to another. Apart from that, methods and instruments for diagnosing diseases and promoting hygiene and sanitation have helped to reduce mortality rate and improve living conditions. In the field of electronics, the invention of the computer is a remarkable achievement. The use of computers in economic activities, education, administration and business has helped to reduce the exertion of human energy as more activities can be carried out faster and more effectively.
However, in spite of the laudable contributions and lofty accomplishments of technology, it has, nevertheless, succeeded in introducing several anomalies and, in some cases, reduced the value attached to human life. In our age, social life has been greatly altered by technological changes such as the invention of nuclear energy. Those who support the invention of nuclear energy claim that the only way to maintain peace is to be battle-ready. Humanity is greatly threatened and terrorized by the invention of the nuclear warhead. People now live in dread of the hour, as no one knows when a conflict may arise between nations, which may lead to the use of the nuclear bomb assumed to possess the capacity of wiping out humanity within the twinkling of an eye.
The words 'conjectures' and 'hypotheses' mean
- A.guess-work
- B.prediction
- C.understanding
- D.conclusion
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A (guess-work)
Explanation
Conjectures and hypotheses are ideas not yet proved, so man was working on guess-work, not certainty.