CHAPTER 06 - VIRTUALLY TRUE

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Question 2:

'Dad's nutty about computers.' What evidence is there to support this statement?


Answer :


Michael’s dad was crazy about computers. He had bought the latest computer which could do anything: paint, play music, create displays. He also bought many latest psycho-drive games and a virtual reality visor and glove. In fact, he was so obsessed that he couldn’t resist buying any new gadgets and gizmos that came on the market



Question 3:

In what way did the second game seem very real?


Answer :


There are various instances in the chapter to describe that the second game seemed very real, such as “As I lowered myself down I felt the dragon's fiery breath”, “And the whole time I could hear and feel and even smell the evil dragon following in close pursuit”, etc.



Question 4:

The last game has tanks, jeeps, helicopters, guns and headings would you put this and the other games under?


Answer :


Warzone can be categorised under simulation games. Wildwest is a strategy game. Dragonquest is a fantasy role-playing game and Jailbreak is an action game.



Question 5:

What was Michael's theory about how Sebastian had entered the games?


Answer :


According to Michael, Sebastian was probably playing those games when he banged his head in the accident. The computer had saved his memory into its own. Michael bought a lot of games at the fair. Some of them were the stolen ones of Sebastian. When Michael was playing those games, the computer was trying to retrieve Sebastian’s memory.


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Question 4:

Sebastian Shultz had a close brush with death. After he recovers, he returns to school and narrates his experience to his classmates. As Sebastian Shultz, narrate your experience.


Answer :


Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, one sample solution has been provided for your reference.

Hi friends, great to see you all. I had almost lost hope to meet you all again ever. Six weeks ago, I was on my way out of town with some friends for a weekend. I had my laptop with me. It was a four-hour journey to our destination. So, to engage myself, I logged on to one of my psycho-drive games. After an hour of driving on the highway, the car suddenly screeched to a halt. Since we were driving at a great speed, the driver lost control of the car and car somersaulted before falling into a ditch. As the car fell into the ditch, my head hit against the roof of the car and everything blacked out. I don’t remember what happened to me after that.

I was told that I had slipped into coma and only a miracle had brought me back. Another miraculous thing happened to me. At the time of the accident, I was in the midst of a game. Although, I entered it I couldn’t come out of it. Somebody stole my lot of games while I was in the hospital. Some of those were bought by a person called Michael, who rescued me and got me out. So, indirectly he is my saviour. I am planning to meet him soon. It is great to be back friends! I have had a harrowing time, VIRTUALLY!!
Next



Question 5:

Continue the story.

Will Michael and Sebastian Shultz meet in real life? Will they be friends? Will they try to re-enter the virtual world together? You may use the following hints:

How the accident occurred

Transfer of memory

Meeting with Michael

Appeals for help

Rescue and recovery


Answer :


Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, one sample solution has been provided for your reference.

After the car accident, the Shultz family was in depression. They were waiting for a miracle to happen. And a miracle did happen: Sebastian did recover and came out of coma.

Sebastian’s games were stolen while he was in hospital. They ended up with Michael who had bought the games at the computer fair. Michael logged on to one of these games. That is where Sebastian met him. At the time of the accident, Sebastian had entered one of the psycho-drive games but couldn’t get out. Sebastian appealed Michael to rescue him. After three failed attempts. Michael finally rescued him. This coincided with his recovery from coma. Sebastian sent him an email thanking for his help. Sebastian wanted to meet Michael personally. They decided to meet next Friday after school.

Michael and Sebastian waited anxiously for Friday. Finally Friday came. They met at a café. This was the first time they were meeting outside the virtual world. However, somehow, they weren’t uncomfortable. It seemed as if they had known each other for sometime now. They were not strangers to each other. They chatted for a while. Later, they said goodbye with a promise to keep in touch both in the virtual as well as the real world.


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Question 6:

Put the following sentences in a sequential order to complete the story.

(a) Sebastian Shultz was badly injured in a motorway accident and went into a coma.

(b) Sebastian's memory was saved in the computer when he banged his head on it during the accident.

(c) When Michael played the game, he entered Sebastian's memory.

(d) Michael bought the latest psycho-drive games from the computer fair.

(e) Sebastian Shultz was the second sheriff in the 'Dragonquest'

(f) Michael pulled Sebastian into the helicopter and the screen flashed a score of 40,000,000.

(g) Sebastian requested Michael to try 'Jailbreak'.

(h) Sebastian failed to save the boy who fell through the air.

(i) Sebastian thought the helicopter was the right idea and they should go into the 'Warzone'.

(j) The games were stolen from Shultz's house.

(k) Sebastian thanks Michael for saving his life and asks him to keep the games.


Answer :


(a) Sebastian Shultz was badly injured in a motorway accident and went into a coma.

(b) Sebastian's memory was saved in the computer when he banged his head on it during the accident.

(j) The games were stolen from Shultz's house.

(d) Michael bought the latest psycho-drive games from the computer fair.

(c) When Michael played the game, he entered Sebastian's memory.

(e) Sebastian was the second sheriff in ‘Dragonquest’.

(g) Sebastian requested Michael to try 'Jailbreak'.

(h) Sebastian failed to save the boy who fell through the air.

(i) Sebastian thought the helicopter was the right idea and they should go into the 'Warzone'.

(f) Michael pulled Sebastian into the helicopter and the screen flashed a score of 40,000,000.

(k) Sebastian thanks Michael for saving his life and asks him to keep the games.


Question 7:

Do you think it is a true story? Could it happen to you one day?


Answer :


Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own.



Question 8:

Here are some opinions about computer games in general.

1. Encourage sedentary lifestyle

2. Too much time is wasted

3. Negative impact on health

4. Psychological imbalance

5. The games are addictive.

6. Reduce social skills

7. Promote violence and aggression

8. Detach one from reality

Do you think these opinions are biased? Write an article entitled 'Virtual games are a reality.'


Answer :


Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, one sample solution has been provided for your reference.

Virtual world or cyberspace is an environment using computer technology to create a simulated, three-dimensional world that a user can manipulate and explore while feeling as if he were in that world. In a virtual reality environment, the user experiences the feeling of being inside and a part of that world. He is also able to interact with his environment in meaningful ways. Virtually real environment has benefited the health care industry. The doctors use virtual reality products to treat phobias, addictions and other mental health needs.

However, some psychologists are concerned that virtual reality games could psychologically affect a player. They suggest that these games place a player in violent situations, particularly as the perpetuator of violence and could result in the user becoming desensitised. Some psychologists also believe that these games can lead to cyber addiction. There have been several news stories of gamers neglecting their real lives for their online, in-game presence.

Another rising concern is about criminal acts. In a virtual game, defining a criminal act has been problematic. At what point can authorities charge a person with a real crime for actions within a virtual game? Studies indicate that people can have real physical and emotional reactions to stimuli within a virtual game. Thus, it’s quite possible that a victim of a virtual attack could feel real emotional trauma. Can the attacker be punished for causing real-life distress? We don’t have answers to these questions yet.