In what seems like the prehistoric times of computer history; the earth ’ s
postwar era, there was quite a widespread rumor that computers would take over
the world from man one day. Already today, less than fifty years later, as
computers are relieving us of more and more of the routine tasks in business and
in our personal lives, we are faced with a less dramatic but not less foreseen
problem. People tend to be over-trusting of computers and are reluctant to
challenge their authority. Indeed, they behave as if they were hardly aware that
wrong buttons may be pushed, or that a computer may simply malfunction.
Obviously, there would be no point in investing in a computer if you had to
check all its answers, but people should also rely on their own internal
computers and check the machine when they have the feeling that something has
gone wrong. Questioning and routine double-checks must continue to be as much a
part of good business as they were in pre-computer days. Maybe each computer
should come with the warning: for all the help this computer may provide, it
should not be seen as a substitute for fundamental thinking and reasoning
skills.
37. According to the passage, the author would probably disapprove
of__________.
A. investment in computers
B. complete dependence on computers
C.
double-check on computers
D. the use of computer
38. In the author ’ s opinion,
people should__________.
A. be reasonably doubtful about computers
B. use
computers for business purposes only
C. substitute computers for basic thinking
D. check all their answers when using computers
39. What is suggested in this
passage?
A. Computer won ’ t change our personal lives.
B. Computer can create
unforeseen problems.
C. Computer has taken control of the world.
D. Computer
cannot affect our businesses.
40. What is the main purpose of this passage?
A.
To look back to the early days of computers.
B. To explain what technical
problems may occur with computers.
C. To discourage investment in computers.
D.
To warn against a mentally lazy attitude towards computers.
