Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. Technology has impacted almost every aspect of life today, and education is no exception. Or is it? In some ways, education seems much the same as it has been for many years. A 14th-century illustration by Laurentius de Voltolina depicts a university lecture in medieval Italy. The scene is easily recognizable because of its parallels to the modern-day. The teacher lectures from a podium at the front of the room while the students sit in rows and listen. Some of the However, in many ways, technology has profoundly changed education. For one, technology has greatly expanded access to education. In medieval times, books were rare and only an elite few had access to educational opportunities. Individuals had to travel to centers of learning to get an education. Today, massive amounts of information (books, audio, images, videos) are available at one’s fingertips through the Internet, and opportunities for formal learning are available online worldwide through the Khan Academy, MOOCs, podcasts, traditional online degree programs, and more. Access to learning opportunities today is unprecedented in scope thanks to technology. Opportunities for communication and collaboration have also been expanded by technology. Traditionally, classrooms have been relatively isolated, and collaboration has been limited to other students in the same classroom or building. Today, technology enables forms of communication and collaboration undreamt of in the past. Students in a classroom in the rural U.S., for example, can learn about the Arctic by following the expedition of a team of scientists in the region, read scientists’ blog posting, view photos, e-mail questions to the scientists, and even talk live with the scientists via a videoconference. Students can share what they are learning with students in other classrooms in other states who are tracking the same expedition. Students can collaborate on group projects using technology-based tools such as wikis and Google docs. The walls of the classrooms are no longer a barrier as technology enables new ways of learning, communicating, and working collaboratively.
students have books open in front of them and appear to be following along. A few look bored. Some are talking to their neighbours. One appears to be sleeping. Classrooms today do not look much different, though you might find modern students looking at their laptops, tablets, or smartphones instead of books (though probably open to Facebook). A cynic would say that technology has done nothing to change education.
From among the given options, choose the option that is most similar in meaning to the word ‘isolated’ given in the passage:
Detached
Understanding Word Meaning in Context
The question asks for the word most similar in meaning to 'isolated' as used in the provided passage. To answer this, we need to understand how the word 'isolated' is used in the specific context of the passage.
Analyzing 'Isolated' in the Passage
The passage states: "Traditionally, classrooms have been relatively isolated, and collaboration has been limited to other students in the same classroom or building."
- Here, 'isolated' describes classrooms.
- It implies that classrooms were separate from other places or groups of people.
- This separation limited interaction and collaboration mainly to the people within that physical space.
So, in this context, 'isolated' means being set apart, separate, or cut off from external connections.
Evaluating the Options for Synonymity
Let's look at the given options and determine which one is closest in meaning to 'isolated' in this context:
- Unattended: This means not being watched or looked after. This meaning is not related to being separate or cut off from others in terms of interaction or physical connection.
- Substituted: This means replacing one thing with another. This word has no connection to the meaning of being separate or set apart.
- Detached: This means separate or disconnected. If something is detached, it is not attached or connected to something else. This meaning aligns closely with the idea of classrooms being separate and cut off from wider interactions as described in the passage.
- Cherished: This means valued or loved dearly. This word is completely unrelated to the meaning of being separate or isolated.
Comparing Meanings
| Word | Common Meaning | Meaning in Passage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Isolated | Separate, alone, remote, cut off | Classrooms being separate, limited in external connection/collaboration |
| Unattended | Not supervised | N/A |
| Substituted | Replaced | N/A |
| Detached | Separate, disconnected | Similar to being separate or cut off |
| Cherished | Valued, loved | N/A |
Based on the comparison, 'Detached' is the word that is most similar in meaning to 'isolated' as used in the passage to describe classrooms that were separate and limited in their external connections.
Conclusion
The word 'detached' best captures the sense of being separate or disconnected that 'isolated' conveys in the description of traditional classrooms in the passage.
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary from Passage
| Word from Passage | Meaning in Context | Synonym Used in Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Isolated | Separate, cut off from wider connections | Detached |
| Collaboration | Working together | Teamwork, cooperation |
| Unprecedented | Never done or known before | Unique, unparalleled |
Additional Information: Reading Comprehension Skills
Finding the meaning of a word in context is a crucial reading comprehension skill. It involves:
- Reading the sentence where the word appears carefully.
- Looking at the surrounding sentences for clues (context).
- Considering the overall topic of the passage.
- Thinking about how the word affects the meaning of the sentence or paragraph.
- Testing potential synonyms in the sentence to see if they make sense.
This skill helps in understanding the nuances of the text, especially when a word might have multiple meanings. In this case, understanding that 'isolated' referred to the limited connections of classrooms was key to identifying 'detached' as the closest synonym.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
