To The Future -
Word Quiz
To The Future Word Quiz
All of the words below gained currency or took on new
meanings in the '90s. Do you know their definitions?
1. channel surf (v.) - A: to sail across rough water.
B: switch TV channels. C: sharpen TV images. D: swim between
two land formations.
2. multimedia (n.) - A: information overload. B: combination
of media. C: news interpretation. D: TV anchor people.
3. laptop (n.) - A: piece of furniture. B: tray. C: portable
computer. D: small pet.
4. leverage (v.) - A: to enhance. B: purchase. C: unite.
D: compromise.
5. globalize (v.) - A: to equalize. B: anticipate. C: make
worldwide. D: initiate.
6. biogas (n.) - fuel from A: decaying organic matter.
B: natural-gas wells. C: synthetic oil. D: heavy water.
7. triple-witching hour (n.) - a stock-market period of
A: celebration. B: expiration of investment contracts.
C: inactivity. D: three price upturns.
8. megacity (n.) - city that is A: large. B: new. C: ancient.
D: abandoned.
9. transnational (adj.) - A: from coast to coast. B: local
switching. C: beyond national boundaries. D: inclusive.
10. real-time (adj.) - A: as rapidly as needed. B: local.
C: unsyncopated. D: broadcast live.
11. information superhighway (n.) - A: computerized traffic
control. B: new school programs. C: space probes. D: com-
puter communications infrastructure.
12. fusion reaction (n.) - A: detonation. B: meltdown.
C: disorder. D: a combining.
13. on-line (adj.) - A: financially sound. B: pre-release.
C: longitudinal. D: connected.
14. spin doctor (n.) - A: opinion manipulator. B: disc
jockey. C: coach. D: forecaster
15. digital (adj.) - A: precise. B: clear. C: hand-held.
D: using numbers.
16. aquifer (n.) - A: air purifier. B: dust particle.
C: tree. D: water-bearing rock.
17. alternative (adj.) - A: nontraditional. B: mixed.
C: suitable. D: lively.
18. tabloid (n.) - A: freak. B: sensationalistic newspaper.
C: marble slab. D: statistic.
19. biotechnology (n.) - study of A: planets. B: brain's
evolution. C: human communities. D: modification of products.
20. Internet (n.) - A: fabric. B: computer network.
C: satellite. D: spy organization.
{Answers Below}
1. channel surf - B: To switch from one TV channel to
another in search of a more appealing program.
2. multimedia - B: Combination of modes of communication,
such as video, audio and text; as video games using multi-
media. Latin multi- (many) and media.
3. laptop - C: Portable computer, small enough to be used on
one's lap.
4. leverage - A: To enhance by making maximum use of an
asset; as, to leverage personal abilities to the limit.
5. globalize - C: To make worldwide or universal; as, to
globalize computer technology. Latin globus (spherical body,
hence the earth).
6. biogas - A: Gas used as fuel that is a mixture of carbon
dioxide and methane from decaying organic matter. Greek bio-
(life) and gas.
7. triple-witching hour - B: In stock markets, trading on
four Fridays, one each quarter, when three types of con-
tracts expire, sometimes sending large markets into wild
gyrations.
8. megacity - A: Very large city; as, Megacities of 20 mill-
ion inhabitants already exist in Asia and Latin America.
Greek mega- (very large) and city.
9. transnational - C: Extending beyond the limits, interests
or boundaries of a nation; as, transnational economic poli-
cies. Latin trans- (across) and national.
10. real-time - A: Said of computer calculations: capable of
being performed as rapidly as the process or event they
describe; as, Real-time computing is essential for missile
interception.
11. information superhighway - D: A planned electronic
"highway" of 500 channels or more, carrying vast amounts of
information and entertainment that will interact with
computers and TV sets.
12. fusion reaction - D: The combining of atomic nuclei to
form a more massive nucleus while releasing energy. Latin
fundere (to melt).
13. on-line - D: Connected to a computer or telecommuni-
cations network; available while so linked; as, on-line
information services.
14. spin doctor - A: Adroit manipulator of public opinion
who takes damaging situations and turns them into something
more favorable; as, The spin doctors presented the Senator's
blunder as an amusing incident.
15. digital - D: Using numbers for display or as the basis
for electronic information storage; as, a digital watch;
digital recording technology. Latin digitus (finger).
16. aquifer - D: Underground water-bearing layer of porous
rock supplying water for streams, wells and the like. Latin
aqua (water) and ferre (to bear, bring, carry).
17. alternative - A: Designating nontraditional or unconven-
tional choices; as, alternative energy sources. Latin
alternare (to do by turns).
18. tabloid - B: Newspaper relying heavily on sensational-
istic headlines and reporting; as, The tabloids fueled the
scandal.
19. biotechnology - D: Use of living organisms or processes
to modify or make products and to improve plants or animals;
as, The biotechnology revolution in agriculture will help
feed developing nations.
20. Internet - B: A huge, mostly unregulated complex of
university, government and corporate computer networks. Says
science writer James Gleick: "No one owns it; no one runs it.
It's Everyone's Computers, Connected."
gophercentral.com