FINAL EXAM: (Morning)
Name: Module: Reading Comprehension & Precis 2
Group:
Apogee: Allotted Time: 1h30
➢ MAKE SURE YOU HAVE 2 PAGES AND A TOTAL OF 2 PARTS: READ THE TEXT AND
ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS ON THE EXAM SHEET.
1-Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging technological advancement that can offer several benefits to
our global society and can transform the digital economy. IoT is the interplay of sense, inference, intelligence
based decision and action: the potential of its applications in various domains of smart living can advance the
Sustainable Development Goals as mentioned in Paragraph 15 of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
2-IoT technology is also enabling the smart city concept. Two key features of smart cities are user-
centricity and digitally-enabled infrastructure. Interdependent smart services are the foundation stone of smart
cities, as they support the critical infrastructure necessary to handle major public service systems. These smart
systems also enable dynamic, synergistic data gathering and analytics-based intelligent decisions and actions.
3-When we use IoT devices, we should treat them as “objects of purpose” and their users as subjects.
However, we are seeing that businesses are reversing these roles, capturing users’ preferences and behavioural
data without consent by creating a domain of influence that is unintended from the user’s perspective. In such
situations, the belief system collapses and can lead to erosion of trust in the smart devices and services, preventing
us from realising the social benefits of this emerging technology.
4-To achieve the true potential of this technology, the concerns of cybersecurity, data privacy and
algorithmic bias in autonomous smart services should be effectively addressed. Protection of private and sensitive
information is of utmost importance in smart services; we have seen the negative impact of weak security in 2016
when IoT devices were exploited by the Mirai Botnet on a massive scale. Any loss or breach of data can damage
the users' perception of security, privacy and trust in smart services. Regulation like the EU GDPR mandates the
control and protection of personal data and is significantly relevant for IoT offerings across domains. The key
ethical concerns of IoT that are gaining momentum are:
• Openness and transparency in design: The users of IoT devices and services do not want a black-box
output. The actions resulting from contextual data gathering by smart autonomous systems should be free of any
form of bias.
• Contextual integrity and degree of mediation: IoT users are concerned that their personal data will be
captured by smart device and service providers, often through the offer of free features, and used commercially
or sold to third parties.
• Lack of visibility of data transactions in a distributed system of systems: As smart systems share data
in a smart-service ecosystem, dependencies can arise as in a smart city. In such IoT service offerings, care has to
be taken to remove opacity in users’ personal data movement across smart system boundaries.
• Trust permeability in interfaces of human and IoT: As IoT devices and smart services become more
common, we will see increased interaction between smart devices, smart services and humans. In the classical
case of delegating human autonomy and agency to the “things”, we can see autonomous interactions between
smart systems and devices. This ranges from your fridge alerting you that your vegetables are running out, and
ordering delivery drones to replace them, to traffic systems that spot bottlenecks and divert vehicles to reduce
congestion.
5-Despite the convenience of smart services, the “things” providing a representation of reality to be
interpreted by humans can lead to confidence loss among users. We can prevent this through accountable design
of IoT devices and smart services, making the “things” open for inspection and verification, development of
globally accepted conformance systems and governance mechanisms with appropriate regulatory measures.
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6-Structured and well-defined IoT policy must be developed collaboratively by governments and industry
to address user concerns and other factors impacting IoT trustworthiness. It is also essential to ensure that IoT
specific legislation and industry standard protocols do not stifle innovation. The OECD Principles on AI can be
a guiding force in designing trustworthy smart autonomous services for the benefit of mankind.
PART ONE: COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY
A- Are the following statements True or False? Justify your answer. (3PTS)
1. IoT is based on autonomy and independence.
2. Privacy is one of the issues of IoT.
3. The writer believes that the impact of IoT is inevitable.
B- Using context, match the words in bold with their meanings. (3PTS)
1. Bias (paragraph 4): a. neutrality b. partiality c. uncertainty d. hostility
2. Conformance (paragraph 5): a. congruence b. violation c. difference d. discordance
3. Stifle (paragraph 6): a. encourage b. inspire c. suppress d. amplify
C- What do the underlined words refer to in the text? (1PTS).
1. These roles (paragraph 3): “objects of purpose” and their users as subjects
2. This (paragraph 5): confidence loss among users
D- Answer the following questions from the text using YOUR OWN WORDS. (7PTS)
1. What is the main idea of paragraph 6?
2. What does the writer imply by “Any loss or breach of data can damage the users' perception of security,
privacy and trust in smart services.”? (Paragraph 4).
3. What does the author suggest to make IoT more efficient?
4. What is the purpose of the text? Circle the right answer. a. inform; b. persuade; c. entertain.
PART TWO: PARAPHRASING AND SUMMARIZING (6PTS)
A. Re-write the following sentence in your own words (3PTS)
“To achieve the true potential of this technology, the concerns of cybersecurity, data privacy and algorithmic
bias in autonomous smart services should be effectively addressed”. (Paragraph 4)
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B. In your OWN WORDS, summarize Paragraphs (2) & (3). (3PTS)
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