1. Computers exist to benefit and assist people, not to replace them. Computers cannot, for example, make emotional judgments, disobey instructions entered by humans, read people's minds, or replace interpersonal relationships. On the contrary, people must be extremely explicit in instructing a computer to perform even the simplest commands. What computers can do, however, is extremely helpful. They can



• Store data in vast amounts



• Process data quickly and accurately



• Simulate possible outcomes based on a given set of conditions



• Recommend or take action based on output



2. Computers cannot be effective unless the people using them are able to identify the results they need and how to achieve those results. Ultimately, computers are dependent upon people.
3. Accordingly, people should not relinquish their decision-making responsibilities to computers. Humans need to be on hand to interpret conditions reported by computers, particularly if medical treatment, national defense, air traffic control, or even loan processing is involved. Nonprogrammable, human factors must complement computer read-outs for a complete and fair analysis.
4. At times computers may appear to make decisions. For example, in monitoring a refinery (a site where substances such as oil are processed), a computer might trigger a fire-extinguishing system. Another computer, used for monitoring vital signs, might regulate the flow of oxygen to a patient. In both cases, however, although the computer initiates action, it does not make a decision. Rather, the decisions of these process control systems were made by the human beings who programmed the machines to respond to a particular set of conditions. Therefore, people must take complete responsibility for a computer's actions. They must anticipate all potential problems and direct computers to avoid them.
5. While computers may be able to enhance a person's capabilities, they can never adequately replace interpersonal relationships. Even the most sophisticated computing machinery cannot supplant parent-to-child and teacher-to-student relationships. Similarly, the rapport between physician and patient is essential for successful treatment.
6. People, then, are an integral part of any computer system that accepts input, processes it, and delivers output. People control computer systems through program design, by monitoring operations, and by making final decisions based upon computer output They should not give up decision-making responsibilities because the human qualities of analysis, reasoning, and compassion are required to interpret computer delivered results.

Source: Timothy Trainor and Diane Krasnewich, Computers, 4th ed. New York : The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1994, pp. 12-14.

Comprehension Questions

1	Which of the following are computers not able to do?
	A)	replace interpersonal relationships
	B)	simulate possible outcomes based on a given set of conditions
	C)	store vast amounts of data
	D)	process data accurately and quickly
2	With regard to decision making, computers
	A)	are able to make fast, accurate decisions.
	B)	make decisions and store data related to the decision.
	C)	only appear to make decisions.
	D)	make more logical decisions than people do.
3	People control computer systems in which of the following ways?
	A)	by designing the program
	B)	by monitoring operations
	C)	by making final decisions based on the output
	D)	all of the above
4	Computers can
	A)	make emotional judgments.
	B)	assist people.
	C)	disobey instructions entered by humans.
	D)	read people's minds.
5	Complete responsibility for a computer's actions ultimately rests with
	A)	people.
	B)	control systems.
	C)	sophisticated computing machinery.
	D)	data stored in the computer's system.

Vocabulary Questions

6	"On the contrary, people must be extremely explicit in instructing a computer to perform even the simplest commands." In order to prevent any accidents in the chemistry lab, the professor give explicit instructions for every experiment. explicit
	A)	long; lengthy
	B)	boring; uninteresting
	C)	patient
	D)	absolutely clear in meaning
7	"Accordingly, people should not relinquish their decision-making responsibilities to computers." When the parents were found to be guilty of neglect, they were forced to relinquish their children to foster care. relinquish
	A)	abandon suddenly
	B)	give over control of
	C)	retrieve; take back
	D)	minimize
8	"Nonprogrammable, human factors must complement computer read-outs for a complete and fair analysis." After my brother selected a suit, the clothing salesman suggested a pale blue shirt and a striped tie to complement the outfit. complement
	A)	make complete
	B)	brighten up
	C)	maintain
	D)	construct; design
9	"Another computer, used for monitoring vital signs, must regulate the flow of oxygen to the patient." Since the spleen is not a vital organ, a damaged one can be surgically removed without endangering the patient's life. vital
	A)	pertaining to the body
	B)	pertaining to medicine
	C)	pertaining to life or being alive
	D)	pertaining to health
10	"In both cases, however, although the computer initiates action, it does not make a decision." When the government initiates its new health care program, more children will be able to receive medical treatment. initiates
	A)	finishes
	B)	records
	C)	limits
	D)	starts

Directions: Questions 11-15 test your ability to apply certain reading skills. Answer each question by clicking on the correct answer. You may refer to the selection as you answer the questions.

11	In paragraph 4 the word trigger means
	A)	to install.
	B)	to launch.
	C)	to set off.
	D)	to shut down.
12	Which of the following is the main idea of paragraph 4?
	A)	At times computers may appear to make decisions.
	B)	Although computers appear to make decisions, it is actually people who must take complete responsibility for a computer's actions.
	C)	People must anticipate all potential problems and direct computers to avoid them.
	D)	Only people skilled in decision-making should create computer software.
13	In this selection the material is organized as a comparison and contrast between
	A)	the appropriate roles and capabilities of computers and humans.
	B)	computers' and humans' decision-making abilities.
	C)	the roles of humans and computers in interpersonal relationships.
	D)	the reasoning ability of computers and humans.
14	In paragraph 4 the author describes how a computer can be used to monitor a refinery and the vital signs of a patient. The author includes these examples to demonstrate which of the following?
	A)	Computers are capable of making a variety of types of decisions, some of which can determine life and death.
	B)	Although computers may appear to be making decisions, those "decisions" are actually responses determined by the humans who programmed the computers.
	C)	Humans are smarter than computers.
	D)	It is extremely time-consuming to program a computer so that it makes correct decisions.
15	Which of the following best expresses the main point of the overall selection?
	A)	It is extremely difficult to program a computer to make decisions and to simulate the human qualities of analysis, reasoning, and compassion.
	B)	People are less able than computer systems to accept input, process it, and deliver output.
	C)	Computers can be extremely helpful to humans, but humans should be explicit in instructing a computer to perform even the simplest commands.
	D)	Computers benefit and assist humans, but computers cannot replace people since only humans can program computers, conduct interpersonal relationships, and interpret computers' output.