COMPETITIVE ENGLISH

Comprehension Worksheet

Topic: Artificial Intelligence

Grade: 8–10  |  Time: 60 minutes  |  Total Marks: 40

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Read the passage carefully before attempting the questions.
• All questions are compulsory.
• Write your answers in the space provided.
• Marks are indicated against each question.

PASSAGE

Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents one of the most transformative technological advancements of the 21st century. At its core, AI refers to the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. The field encompasses various subdomains, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. Unlike traditional computer programs that follow explicit instructions, AI systems can learn from experience, adapt to new inputs, and improve their performance over time without being explicitly programmed for every scenario.

The evolution of AI can be traced through distinct phases. The term "artificial intelligence" was coined in 1956 by John McCarthy during the Dartmouth Conference, marking the formal beginning of AI as an academic discipline. Early AI research focused on symbolic reasoning and expert systems. However, the field experienced several periods of reduced funding and interest, known as "AI winters," due to unmet expectations and technological limitations. The resurgence of AI in the 21st century has been driven by three critical factors: exponential growth in computational power, availability of massive datasets, and breakthrough developments in neural network architectures, particularly deep learning. Today, AI systems have achieved remarkable milestones, including defeating world champions in complex games like chess and Go, and generating human-like text and images.

Contemporary AI applications permeate numerous aspects of modern life. In healthcare, AI algorithms analyze medical images to detect diseases like cancer with accuracy comparable to experienced radiologists. Financial institutions employ AI for fraud detection, risk assessment, and algorithmic trading. The transportation sector is being revolutionized by autonomous vehicles that use AI to navigate roads safely. Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa leverage natural language processing to understand and respond to voice commands. E-commerce platforms utilize recommendation systems powered by machine learning to personalize user experiences. According to a 2024 report by McKinsey & Company, AI adoption has increased by 250% since 2020, with an estimated global economic impact projected to reach $15.7 trillion by 2030.

Despite its tremendous potential, AI presents significant ethical and societal challenges. Algorithmic bias remains a critical concern, as AI systems trained on historical data may perpetuate existing prejudices related to race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes—synthetic media that convincingly impersonate real individuals—poses threats to information integrity and personal privacy. Job displacement due to automation raises questions about the future of work, with some estimates suggesting that up to 800 million jobs worldwide could be affected by 2030. Additionally, the concentration of AI development in a few technology giants and nations creates concerns about power imbalances and equitable access to AI benefits.

The future trajectory of AI will be shaped by ongoing research and regulatory frameworks. Emerging areas like explainable AI aim to make AI decision-making more transparent and accountable. Governments worldwide are developing policies to govern AI deployment, balancing innovation with safety and ethical considerations. The European Union's AI Act, proposed in 2021, exemplifies efforts to create comprehensive legislation addressing high-risk AI applications. As AI continues to evolve, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, ethicists, policymakers, and citizens will be essential to ensure that AI development aligns with human values and contributes to societal well-being. Education systems must also adapt to prepare the next generation with AI literacy and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.

QUESTIONS

SECTION A: Objective & Analytical Questions

Total: 18 Marks

I. Multiple Choice Questions 1 mark each = 5 marks

1. According to the passage, what are the three critical factors that drove the resurgence of AI in the 21st century?

• a) Government funding, academic interest, and commercial applications
• b) Computational power, massive datasets, and neural network breakthroughs
• c) Cloud computing, internet connectivity, and smartphone technology
• d) Programming languages, software tools, and hardware improvements

2. The term "artificial intelligence" was first coined in:

• a) 1946 during World War II
• b) 1956 at the Dartmouth Conference
• c) 1976 during the first AI winter
• d) 2006 with the advent of deep learning

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an application of AI in the passage?

• a) Medical image analysis for cancer detection
• b) Fraud detection in financial institutions
• c) Weather forecasting and climate modeling
• d) Natural language processing for virtual assistants

4. According to the McKinsey report cited in the passage, what is the projected global economic impact of AI by 2030?

• a) $7.5 trillion
• b) $10.2 trillion
• c) $15.7 trillion
• d) $20.4 trillion

5. What does the passage suggest about "AI winters"?

• a) They were periods when AI research focused on winter-related applications
• b) They were periods of reduced funding due to unmet expectations
• c) They were breakthrough moments in AI development
• d) They were seasonal patterns in AI system performance

II. Assertion-Reason Questions 2 marks each = 4 marks

Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true

6. Assertion (A): AI systems can learn from experience and improve performance over time.
Reason (R): AI systems follow explicit instructions like traditional computer programs.

Answer: _________________

7. Assertion (A): The European Union proposed the AI Act in 2021.
Reason (R): Governments worldwide are developing policies to balance AI innovation with safety and ethics.

Answer: _________________

III. True/False 1 mark each = 2 marks

If false, write the correct statement.

8. AI systems have achieved remarkable milestones including defeating world champions in chess and Go.

Answer: _______________________________

Correction (if false): _______________________________

9. Job displacement due to AI automation is expected to affect approximately 200 million jobs worldwide by 2030.

Answer: _______________________________

Correction (if false): _______________________________

IV. Fill in the Blanks 2 marks each = 4 marks

10. _________________ are synthetic media that convincingly impersonate real individuals and pose threats to information integrity.

Answer: _______________________________

11. The field of AI encompasses various subdomains including machine learning, _________________, computer vision, and robotics.

Answer: _______________________________

V. Match the Following 3 marks

Column A	Answer	Column B
(i) John McCarthy	______	(a) AI systems that can learn from experience
(ii) Machine Learning	______	(b) Making AI decision-making transparent
(iii) Explainable AI	______	(c) Coined the term "artificial intelligence"

SECTION B: Vocabulary & Language

Total: 8 Marks

12. Find synonyms from the passage for the following words: 1 mark each = 2 marks

(i) Revolutionary: _______________________________

(ii) Widespread: _______________________________

13. Find antonyms from the passage for the following words: 1 mark each = 2 marks

(i) Explicit: _______________________________

(ii) Decline: _______________________________

14. Give meanings of the following words as used in the passage: 1 mark each = 3 marks

(i) Perpetuate: _______________________________

(ii) Proliferation: _______________________________

(iii) Trajectory: _______________________________

15. Frame a meaningful sentence using the word "autonomous" from the passage. 1 mark

Sentence: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

SECTION C: Short & Long Answer Questions

Total: 14 Marks

Short Answer Questions 3 marks each = 6 marks

Answer in 30-40 words.

16. What is meant by "AI winters"? Why did they occur according to the passage?

_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

17. Describe any two contemporary applications of AI mentioned in the passage.

_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Analytical Question (Higher Order Thinking) 4 marks

18. The passage mentions that algorithmic bias is a critical concern in AI. Explain what algorithmic bias means and analyze how it could affect different sectors of society. Support your answer with examples.

_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Opinion-Based Question (Real-Life Application) 4 marks

19. The passage states that education systems must adapt to prepare the next generation with AI literacy. In your opinion, what specific skills and knowledge should schools focus on to prepare students for an AI-driven world? Justify your answer with reasons.

_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

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