--- title: "Interpret: computers and the Internet revolution" subject: "Communication English" chapter: 1 key: "semester_5/communication_english:interpret-computers-internet-revolution" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/interpret-computers-internet-revolution site: BCT Engineering --- # Interpret: computers and the Internet revolution Communication English · Chapter 1: Intensive Reading - Asked in: 2076 Chaitra, 5 marks - Video: [How The Internet Changed Everything](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNdV0tva1XE) — Aperture - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/interpret-computers-internet-revolution - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-1 ## Question Read the following text carefully and interpret its meaning. Computers and the Internet have made a revolution in science and engineering. Studying computational models of reality can be cheaper and better than studying reality. Sometimes reality is impossible to measure or too steep to scale, and computational models are the only way to get any purchase on it. Those are the actual computer revolutions; the others are mostly potential and not real, locked up in awe-inspiring icebergs that just float around eliciting admiration and making trouble. The computer revolution is still frozen, latent, waiting to happen. ## Short answer Computational models have revolutionized science and engineering by offering cheaper, sometimes the only, ways to study reality. However, many other promised computer revolutions remain unrealized potential, like frozen icebergs that are admired but not yet functional. ## Answer The writer says that computers and the Internet have changed science and engineering through computational models, but argues that many other claimed "revolutions" have not yet happened. #### Explanation - **Real revolution.** Studying a computational model of reality can be cheaper and better than studying reality directly. Engineers can test a bridge design or a chemical process on a computer without building it. - **When models are essential.** Sometimes reality is "impossible to measure" (too small, too fast or too far) or "too steep to scale" (too hard to reach or too large). Then computational models are the only way to "get purchase", that is, to grip or understand it. - **Potential revolutions.** The other claimed changes are "mostly potential and not real". They are like icebergs: impressive to look at, but their large part is hidden and not yet usable. They float around, "eliciting admiration" (drawing praise) and "making trouble" (creating false hopes and problems). - **Conclusion.** The wider computer revolution is still "frozen, latent", that is, waiting to happen. #### Message Computer modelling is already revolutionising science and engineering, but most of the promised wider benefits of computers and the Internet have still to be realised. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What does the writer regard as the actual computer revolution? A. The spread of social networks B. The use of computational models to study reality in science and engineering C. Faster typing on keyboards D. Cheaper computers for everyone Answer: B. Studying computational models can be cheaper and better than studying reality. (Key point: Real revolution) 2. When are computational models the only way to understand reality? A. When reality is simple and cheap to study B. When computers are cheaper than books C. When no one is interested in the subject D. When reality is impossible to measure or too steep to scale Answer: D. Models give a purchase on things that cannot be measured or scaled directly. (Key point: When models essential) 3. What does the iceberg comparison suggest about other claimed revolutions? A. They are cold and unfriendly B. They are impressive but mostly potential, hidden and not yet usable C. They are already fully realised D. They are very dangerous and sink ships Answer: B. They are 'mostly potential and not real', drawing admiration and trouble. (Key point: Icebergs) 4. What is the writer's conclusion about the wider computer revolution? A. It has completely finished B. It has been rejected by scientists C. It is stronger than ever D. It is still frozen and latent, waiting to happen Answer: D. The passage ends by calling the revolution frozen, latent, waiting to happen. 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