Information and IdeasMediumMain idea about a word's changed meaning
Information and Ideas practice question
The word 'robot' entered English from a 1920 Czech play, where it named a class of artificial workers. Yet the play's robots were not machines of metal and gears; they were beings grown from a synthetic substance, closer to what we would now call clones. The word has kept its sound and lost its meaning.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
- A. The word 'robot' now refers to something quite different from what it originally named.Correct
- B. The play from which 'robot' comes was about metal machines.
- C. Czech has given English many of its words.
- D. Robots and clones are essentially the same thing.
Answer: A. The word 'robot' now refers to something quite different from what it originally named.
The text traces the word from artificial biological workers to today's mechanical sense, and sums up: same sound, different meaning.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. The play from which 'robot' comes was about metal machines.
- The text says the opposite: the play's robots were NOT metal machines.
- C. Czech has given English many of its words.
- Only one word is discussed.
- D. Robots and clones are essentially the same thing.
- The text says the play's robots were closer to clones than to machines — it doesn't equate today's robots with clones.
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