Irony, Irony, Everywhere
Name the Author
The Age of Technology
What's the Word Again?
Just a Summary
Testing, Testing
100

What's ironic about the hard work that the "morning house" is performing in "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

the chores are for no humans, all humans of the house are extinct (long gone)

100

This author wrote our first story of the unit "Robbie".

Isaac Asimov

100

In Puerto Rico, this type of device, named Arecibo, was invented to send messages to reach outer space.

telescope

100

This word describes a person who sees the world in a negative way; the opposite of an optimist.

pessimist

100

In "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon, a man with an intellectual disability, undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. The surgery initially appears successful, and Charlie's intelligence quickly transcends that of the average person. As he becomes smarter, he faces emotional challenges and struggles in his relationships. Eventually, Charlie discovers that the effects of the surgery are temporary, as seen in the decline of Algernon, a mouse who underwent the same procedure. It is heartbreaking to see Charlie lose the intelligence he worked so hard to gain. In the end, he gains a new perspective on life.

It is heartbreaking to see Charlie lose the intelligence he worked so hard to gain.

100

Animal learning involves a positive stimulus like food when an animal does something the scientist wants and a negative stimulus, typically this, when the animal does something undesirable.

(electric) shock

200

What's ironic about this quote from "Flowers for Algernon" when made by Charlie?

"Later Frank Reilly came over and said Charlie if anyone bothers you or trys to take advantage of you call me or Joe and we will set em straight."

Joe and Frank frequently take advantage of Charlie

200

This author of 2019 published the story "The Great Silence"; he's considered a current "great" in sci-fi.

Ted Chiang

200

When an atomic bomb is detonated, bodies won't be left behind only these will.

nuclear shadows

200

This word has been trending since 2018 due to TikTok; it means to start to show signs of something.

manifest (manifesting)

200

In "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury, a group of children living on Venus eagerly await the rare appearance of the sun, which only comes out once every seven years. Margot, a girl who remembers the sun from her time on Earth, is bullied by her classmates because of her memories. Out of jealousy, the children lock Margot in a closet just before the sun comes out. It is tragic that Margot misses the rare event she had been longing for; meanwhile the other children enjoy the brief moment of sunlight. After the sun disappears and they realize what they’ve done, the children regret their actions and quietly let Margot out of the closet.

It is tragic that Margot misses the rare event she had been longing for

200

Irene Pepperberg found that these animals are not only capable of speech but understanding parts of it too.

parrots (Afircan Grey)

300

In "The Great Silence", what is ironic about mankind's search for intelligent life in outer space?

We're searching in space even though there are many intelligent animals on Earth.

300

This author published his famous story first as a short story, but then it was popularized into a full-length book.

Daniel Keyes

300

World War I introduced a number of weapons that made warfare more dangerous and the number of human deaths higher. Name one of these.

grenades, machine guns, submarines, flamethrowers, poison gas, tanks, or warplanes

300

This word best describes the experience Charlie had after Algernon passed away; you could especially tell from his grammar and punctuation which became poor again.

regress (regression)

300

In "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, the government enforces strict equality by handicapping people’s abilities, intelligence, and appearance. Harrison, a 14-year-old boy who is extraordinarily strong and intelligent, rebels against this oppressive system. He escapes from prison, declares himself emperor, and removes his handicaps on live television. It is shocking how quickly Harrison’s bold rebellion is crushed by the government. Afterward, life returns to normal, with citizens continuing to live under the control of the government.

It is shocking how quickly Harrison’s bold rebellion is crushed by the government.

300

This personality test developed by psychologists uses pictures (like the one included) to learn more about their patients.

Rorschach Test

400

What's ironic about the equality of the year 2081 in Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron"?

everyone is equally average/ people are forced to be the same in a bad way

400

This author mostly writes satire and black comedies; he is also a real critic of the government.

Kurt Vonnegut

400

The First Law of Robotics stated this, and it is why Robbie was always a safe companion for Gloria.

Robots cannot harm humans.

400

This word describes loud fans at a football game or an excited crowd at a concert.

tumultuous

400

In "Robbie" by Isaac Asimov, a young girl named Gloria has a close bond with her robot companion, Robbie, which is a touching example of friendship. Gloria’s mother, concerned that Robbie is negatively affecting her daughter’s social development, insists on getting rid of him. Gloria becomes disconsolate while her parents try to distract her with other activities. Eventually, during a family outing to a robot factory, Robbie saves Gloria’s life, proving his loyalty and value. After this event, Gloria’s father convinces her mother to allow Robbie to return, and the family is reunited with the robot.

which is a touching example of friendship

400

Though commonly confused for school performance, IQ is a measure of brain speed and functioning. The abbreviations I.Q. stand for this.

intelligence quotient

500

What's ironic about Gloria's parents getting rid of Robbie?

Getting rid of Robbie only made Gloria more obsessed with him.

500

The title of this author's famous poem was borrowed by Ray Bradbury for his short story about a futuristic home.

Sara Teasdale

500

This period refers less to an "actual" war and more to the tension that arose between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Nuclear Arms Race was occurring at the same time, adding to that tension.

the Cold War
500

In Japan, this word literally means "forest bathing", and the belief is that it is vital for your health to be outside.

shinrin-yoku

500

In "Mazes" by Ursula K. Le Guin, the narrator describes being tortured by an alien with whom he or she is unable to communicate. The alien puts the narrator through a number of mazes that would be difficult for anyone. The narrator attempts to make sense of the alien’s behavior but grows weaker and eventually dies.

that would be difficult for anyone

500

Advanced brain scans and dissections of animals and humans have revealed that healthy brains look like this. Not a way most want to describe their skin.

wrinkly