SAMPLE TEST 1 QUESTIONS – PART I

PREFACE:

What follows is a guide to answering the sample questions and also the sample
questions. Any reference to Rosenberg’s Social Impact of Computers should be
ignored. The sample questions are not exhaustive and, for the second part, further
sample questions will be posted. Please keep in mind that you are responsible for all of
the coursekit articles assigned for this semester. Although these questions are set out
mainly as short answer, you can expect them to be in the form of multiple choice and/or
true false for Test 1.

SOME PRELIMINARY TIPS ON ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS:

1. Read the question and make sure that you understand what it is asking. Often
students who rush fail to read and understand what a question asks.

2. Answer only the question that is asked.

3. Where a question says “List” or “State” it means just that. List or state in point
form. No explanation or discussion is necessary.

4. Only provide and explanation or discussion where an explanation or discussion is

asked for.

5. “Briefly explain” or “Briefly discuss” means a few sentences, not paragraph upon
paragraph.

6. Where a question asks for a definition, provide the definition. Do not

provide your definition of the definition. Since definitions are exact, the definition
provided by you should be exact.

7. Look at the marks beside the question. Where the mark is small, answer
accordingly. Do not spend pages writing an answer to a question that only will
net you a few marks. On the other hand, a question that is worth 10 or more
marks should indicate to you that your answer will not be short. I have set out
the marks for questions 14, 15 and 16 below as examples.

8. Allot your time on an examination by reading over the entire examination before
you begin. This will help you determine which questions are worth only a few
marks as opposed to those questions which are worth a substantial portion of the
examination. Such a determination will also help you allot the amount of time
spent answering a question. Obviously, you do not want to spend a great deal of
time on questions that have small values only to find that you do not have
 enough time to complete a question which may be worth 1/5 or more of the
examination.

9. Trust and believe me when, a couple of weeks before your midterm examination,
I tell you what materials and subjects you have know for the midterm
examination.

10. Note that often I will ask a question with a yes or no answer, followed by a
question that asks for an explanation. The marks you get for the yes/no
question, are determined by the quality of your answer to the explanation
question. See again questions 14 and 16.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1:

New technology does not just happen or appear. It has a history and is
developed over time.

(a) What was the initial invention that, unknown to its inventors, was the single most
important step towards the development of the new computer technology?

(b) Briefly describe the development of the new technology, from the occurrence of
the invention in (a). (three steps)

QUESTION 2:

(a) The hundreds of individual steps in the manufacture of chips can be

grouped into between 6 to 8 basic steps or operations. List in their proper
order, these operations? ( you answer may differ depending on whether
you are describing the manufacture of a chip on page 24; the steps in
from Sand to Silicon or the steps in The First Nanochips Have Arrived)

(b) In no more than one or two sentences, briefly explain each operation in
(a).

QUESTION 3:

It has been said that all of the benefits of integrated circuits "accrue in no small
measure from the fact that the semi-conductor industry has been able to integrate more
and more transistors onto chips, at ever lower costs" and that "this ability...is so
fundamental in the semiconductor business that it is literally regarded as a law".

(a) What has led to lower manufacturing costs in the semiconductor industry?

(b) Briefly state what scientists and engineers are worried about in the
semiconductor industry.

(c) At present, does it appear that the principle set out above will continue
indefinitely?

(d) Explain your answer in (c).

QUESTION 4:

In the first 2 lectures, Professor Levine proposed two new definitions of

"Technology", The first was proposed because existing definitions of "technology"
appear to be deficient, while the second was to satisfy the critics. Later in an addendum
to lectures 1, 2 and 3, Professor Levine proposed some changes to each of these
definitions.

(a) List the reason(s) given by professor Levine for his suggestion that
existing definitions of new technology are deficient? (i.e. briefly
state why Professor Levine finds that existing definitions of technology
are deficient.)

(b) In order to arrive at a new definition of "technology", it was suggested that

we must break down the process of discovery or the process of
uncovering something to its most basic level and, in doing
so, we must have reference to the categories of benefits discussed some
time ago. Briefly explain what the most basic level is or means and
how the categories of benefits apply to it.

(c) (i) Is “technology restricted to human beings alone?

(ii) Briefly explain your answer in d(i).

(iii Based on your assessment of Lectures 1 and 2 and the criticisms set out
in both Lecture 2 and the Addendum to Lectures 1, 2 and 3, discuss
whether the revised definitions of “technology” of professor Levine set out
in the Addendum to Lectures 1, 2 and 3 are more appropriate than his
earlier definitions.

(iv Based on your assessment of lectures 1 and 2 and the addendum to

Lectures 1, 2 and 3, discuss whether or not a satisfactory definition of
technology can be found and further whether we should attempt to define
 it and why.
QUESTION 5:

(a) What is the area of science which is the basis for the new technology is
called?

(b) What is this area of science is based on?

(c) Briefly explain your answer in (a) in terms of an atom and its electron(s).

QUESTION 6:

(a) what is the invention which is principally responsible for our new
technology?

(b) what does this invention do?

(c) what was the earlier piece of technology that this invention replaced?

(d) What are the advantages of the invention in (a) over the piece of
technology in (c).

QUESTION 7:

When it comes to the cost of new technology, one principle has, for the most
part, withstood the test of time since the 1970's and is now considered a law.

(a) What is this principle called?

(b) Briefly explain this principle/law.

(c) Will this principle/law continue indefinitely? (Yes/No)

(d) Support your answer in (c) with a list of four reasons stated in point form.
(Your marks for (c) are dependent on the quality of your answer to (d))

QUESTION 8

(a) In a diagram, words or both, briefly explain how an both the simple and
complex versions of an atomic (quantum) chip work.

QUESTION 9:

You are discussing the steps in the manufacture of a chip with your friend.
 (a) What substance is used as the basis for the chip?
(b) Briefly explain the following steps:

(i) etching;

(ii) doping;

(iii) interconnecting (interconnections).

QUESTION 10:

(a) What is the area of science (not the invention) that is the basis of the new
technology?

(b) This area of science is based on what two things?

(c) What implications does this area of science have on the manufacture of
chips? To put it another way: if hundreds of thousands of chips, all
designed to do the same thing come off of the same assembly line, what
can happen given this area of science?

QUESTION 11:

New technology does not just happen or appear. It has a history and is
developed over time.

(a) What was the initial invention that, unknown to its inventors, was the
single most important step towards the development of the new computer
technology?

(b) What advantages that the invention in (a) had over existing technology.

QUESTION 12:

(a) The hundreds of individual steps in the manufacture of chips can be

grouped into 6 to 8 basic operations. Based on the article “From Sand to
Silicon: the Manufacture of an Integrated Circuit, list (but do not explain)
these operations in the order in which they are performed.

(b) In no more than one or two sentences, briefly explain the following steps
in the manufacture of a chip:
 (i) Masking;

(ii) Etching;

(iii) Interconnecting (working transistor).

(c) Discuss why the articles, “The First Nanochips and “Shrinking Circuits with
Water” are important when it comes to understanding the development of
new technology.

QUESTION 13: (TOTAL 22 MARKS)

It has been said that all of the benefits of integrated circuits "accrue in no small
measure from the fact that the semi-conductor industry has been able to integrate more
and more transistors onto chips, at ever lower costs" and that "this ability...is so
fundamental in the semiconductor business that it is literally regarded as a law".

2 (a) Briefly state Moore's law.

4 (b) In 1997 was it said that Moore's law would only continue to 2010? (yes/no)
Please note that marks for (b) will be determined by the quality of your
answer in (c). That is 2 marks or less for (c) will give you 1 mark for (b). 3
to 4 marks for (c) will give you 2 marks for (b). 5 marks for (c) will give
you 3 marks for (b), and 6 marks for (c) will give you 4 marks for (b).

6 (c) List or state 3 technical reasons and three economic reasons for your
answer in (b) that were put forth in 1997.

4 (d) Has anything happened since 1997 to suggest that original estimates
about when Moore’s Law Moore’s Law would come to an end might be
wrong? (Yes/no)

6 (e) Explain your answer to (d). [The quality of your answer here determines
the marks received for your answer to (d)]

Go on to next page
QUESTION 14: (TOTAL 10 MARKS)

2 (a) Heisenberg is responsible for determining what?

2 (b) Schrodinger is responsible for determining what?

2 (c) Subatomic particles such as electron have a dual nature. Briefly

explain what this nature is.

4 (d) Briefly discuss the importance of your answer in (c).

QUESTION 15: (TOTAL 14 MARKS)

4 (a) (i) Can the exact location of an electron in its orbit at a given
time and at a given momentum be determined? Yes/No

4 (ii) Briefly explain your answer in (i). (Note: here again, the
quality of your answer to (a) (ii) determines how much you
receive for (a) (i).)

4 (a) (i) If an electron is in a box, can it ever leave the box without
intervention? Yes/No (Again, the value for (b) (i) is
determined by the quality of your answer in (b) (ii).

4 (ii) explain your answer in (i).

QUESTION 16:

(a) For the purpose of this course what are the real, factual or actual
concerns about software and hardware.

(b) What are the ethical concerns that this course deals with?

(d) Do any of the ethical concerns ever change? (yes/no)?

(e) If you answered (c) with "Yes", briefly explain how the ethical
concerns change. If you answered "No" to (c) briefly explain why
the ethical concerns do not change.
QUESTION NUMBER 17:

In Lecture number 6, It was suggested that another cause of technology

apathy/complacence finds its basis in our perception of how dangerous the
new technology (the "technology device") actually is.

(a) In no more than a few sentences, briefly explain what this

statement means. (You may use an example if you wish).

(b) State whether you agree with this statement or you believe that,
regardless of how dangerous the new technology device is or may
be, technology apathy/complacence is bound to arise over time.

(c) Briefly provide the reasoning for your answer in (b).

QUESTION NUMBER 18:

When new technology was in its infancy a number of promises were made
to market and sell it.

(a) List at least 5 of these promises.

(b) To whom and to what were these promises directed at?

(c) Who was it who made these promises?

(d) Were these promises effective: that is, did they do what they were
supposed to do? Yes/No. [the Quality of your answer to (d)
determines the marks you get for (c).

(e) Briefly explain your answer to (d).

(f) Have these promises been fulfilled. Yes/No. [Marks for (f) depend
on the quality of your answer in (g).

(g) Briefly explain your answer to (f).

The next two questions are fact situations. Fact situations can range from a
value of 10 marks to a value of 100 marks depending on how thorough I want
you to be.

QUESTION 19:

This question cannot be answered properly unless:

(1) you know and understand the definition of "Ethics" for the purpose of this
course;

(2) you also know and understand all of the real, factual or actual concerns
regarding software and hardware;

(3) you can properly identify the fact(s) from the fact situation that
corresponds to the real, factual, actual concerns which you listed.

(4) I do not provide the answers to these questions. You must work them out
yourselves.

FACT SITUATION

Your friend, Alice Wizard, is a computer programmer. Some people

believe she is absolutely brilliant programmer, because Alice creates new
programs at random. In Alice's words: "the programs just pop into my head."
Alice, who was once a very outgoing young woman, has become somewhat of a
loner, spending the majority of her time at the computer. At one time Alice felt
that personal computers were the best thing that ever happened to mankind.
However, five years ago, a teenage computer hacker, using a personal
computer, broke into Alice's home computer and stole all of her personal
information, including her very personal diary. Since that time, Alice has hated
the thought of personal computers being in the hands of ordinary people.

Alice is now developing a computer software program that acts like a virus
and is designed to corrupt or shut down personal computers which have access
to the Internet. Alice firmly believes that she can make her computer program
very specific so that it will not corrupt or shut down corporate, medical or
government computers. Alice is creating this software program, because she
wants to point out to the world the problems that continue to exist in the security
systems of the Internet and computers. Being one of her few friends Alice has
confided her intentions to you, a professor of NATS 1700, Computers,
Information and Society.
 1. What are the ethical concerns that immediately come to your mind
as a professor of NATS 1700 in considering the software program
that Alice is creating?

2. (a) Would the ethical concerns change if you were not a

professor, but merely a close friend of Alice who had no
knowledge of ethics? (Yes/No)

(b) If so, in what way? If not, Why?

3. Assume the software program that Alice is creating is being

designed to render all nuclear weapons systems inoperative, so
that nuclear weapons can never be fired again.

(a) Would the ethical concerns that you listed in your answer to
1 (a) change. (Yes/No)

(b) If they would change, how would they change? If they would
not change, explain why they would not change.

4. (a) List four (4) real, factual or actual concerns that you might
have about the software program that Alice has developed.

(b) provide one fact from the above fact situation that supports
each of your answers in 4 (a).

QUESTION 20:

To answer question 20 you must:

(1) understand the concept of technology apathy, its causes and

consequences;

(2) understand the real, factual, actual concerns regarding hardware and
software;

(3) understand that Quantum Physics is based on probability and uncertainty

and is a real, factual actual concern;

(4) correctly identify the fact(s) from the fact situation that corresponds to the
real, factual or actual concerns which you have listed.

FACT SITUATION
AL I. N. Stine has just purchased a new software product called "Getiton"
which comes with a computer disc and head set that the user places on his or
her head. The software is manufactured by Macrohard Company. Macrohard
company is a small company which has been in business for just over ten years
and has established itself as a leader in the manufacture of intelligence
increasing software. The software is created by a team of programmers each of
whom has no more than a grade twelve education and each of whom was
rejected from the three top computer software manufacturing companies.
Needless to say, the programmers hate the large computer programming
companies. Further, the programmers do not believe in marks as an accurate
measure of intelligence and have no regard for post secondary school education
of any kind. According to the team leader, the programs just seem to come to
the team after lengthy discussion and are only tested for accuracy within the
team itself. In fact, one team member was heard to say that "Boy, are we lucky
these programs even work".

Getiton is a software product designed to boost or increase a person's

intelligence, by increasing the information that the person can store in his or her
brain. In fact, the headset part of the product is put on the head and the
information is sent by sound as well as visually through the headset to the user.

Like thousands of other consumers, Mr I. N. Stine waited in line outside

the store all morning to buy this new product. He now takes it home installs the
disc on his computer and puts the head set on. He has not yet instructed the
headset to download to his brain.

Mr. I. N. Stine has not bothered to read the first page of the instruction manual
which says in part:

CAUTION: Macrohard Company disclaims any liability in connection with

or arising from the use of Getiton.

Towards the back of the instruction manual and in very small type set, reference
is made to the percentage error rate in the following words:

"In the event of a malfunction in the equipment immediately remove the

headset. failure to do so may cause serious injury."

Mr. I. N. Stine is unaware that Macrohard company's products and practices

were under investigation by the Canadian programmer's society which found that
at least 25 per cent of the users of Macrohard Company's products were
complaining of various neurological (head) problems. He is also unaware that an
article in a national newspaper suggested that Getiton was responsible for the
deaths of some ten users since Macrohard Company began selling the product.

1. What are some of the real or factual concerns that Mr. I. N. Stine should
have considered before purchasing Getiton?
2. If Mr. I. N. Stein represents the average person, briefly explain why you
think he may have purchased the software.

3. What steps should be taken to ensure that Getiton does what Macrohard
Company says it can do?

4. Is it possible that Getiton might actually work?

5. Explain your answer in 4.

6. Based on the facts in this question what biases might appear in the
software?

7. Explain why you think the biases might be in the software.

8. What issue, concept or principle is this question a classical example of?

9. Explain your answer in (8).

QUESTION 21:

Discuss whether technology limited to mankind alone?

QUESTION 16: (TOTAL 15 MARKS)

GENERAL FACT SITUATION QUESTION

It is the evening before the Nats 1700 midterm examination and you are
logged on to the Nats 1700 course website. Nats 1700 is a course which deals
with computers and society through the Distance Education department of York
University which has promised that a distance education course is the best way to
learn. For some unknown reason, each time you log on to the course website, your
computer freezes for a moment, then begins to function properly. The first lecture
tells you that it is in your best interests to download the lectures to disc or save
them to your hard drive. It sets out the date time and place of the midterm
examination. However, having accessed the course website on numerous
occasions without a problem, you feel that downloading the lectures or saving them
or is a waste of time, as you are confident that website will always be up and
running. You take a moment to consider the two areas of science/physics that you
know of and of the two, identify the area of science that has given rise to new
technology. Then you move on to consider the content of the lectures that you
need to know for the midterm exam. The first thing that comes to your mind is the
one invention that, unknown to its inventors has made new technology possible, as
well as a principle that, since the late 1960s, has made your new technology
affordable to you, a principle that has been compared to a law. The next thing you
consider is the advantages that new technology has provided and how much better
it has made life in the 21st century. In the course of your review, you notice an
announcement on the Welcome Page that asks for your opinion on the question of
downloading music from the Internet without charge, suggesting that, in Canada,
such an act is illegal. You tell yourself that you will deal with this announcement
after you have finished your exam review, since you are now considering the one
thing that sets computers apart from all other machines so as to make it what has
been called a universal tool. Having finished your review, you leave the course
website and shut off your computer. The next morning you turn on your computer
and attempt to log on to the course website to get the time and place of the midterm
exam only to find that the York server has crashed and you cannot access the
course website. As a result, you miss the exam because you do not know when
and where to write it and your professor gives you an F.

6 (a) List or state six (6) course concepts that arise out of the above fact
situation, ensuring that at least one of the six concepts has a specific
definition as compared to an explanation.

6 (b) State the fact from the above fact situation that corresponds to each
of your answers in (a). For each answer to this question, you may
quote directly from the fact situation or you may summarize the fact
or set of facts making it clear to me that you have properly identified
it/them.