In what now seems like the prehistoric times of computer history, the earth’s postwar era, there was quite a wide-spread classroom that computers would take over the world from man one day. Already today, less than forty 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 aim 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.
16. 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 unnecessary investment in computers. [D] To warn against a mentally lazy attitude towards computers.
17. According to the passage, the initial concern about computers was that they might _____. [A] change our personal lives [B] create unforeseen problems [C] take control of the world [D] affect our businesses
18. The passage recommends those dealing with computers to _____. [A] be reasonably doubtful about them [B] check all their answers [C] substitute them for basic thinking [D] use them for business purposes only
19. The passage suggests that the present-day problem with regard to computers is _____. [A] challenging [B] dramatic [C] psychological [D] fundamental
20. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would disapprove of _____. [A] investment in computers [B] the use of one’s internal computer [C] double-check on computers [D] complete dependence on computers for decision-making