47th BCS English Written Exam Solution
Prepared for 51st BCS Candidate
Part A: Reading Comprehension
1. Answer the questions in your own words (5 × 6 = 30)
a) How does AI integrate various elements to perform tasks traditionally done by humans?
Artificial Intelligence integrates elements by amalgamating complex algorithms, massive volumes of data, and computational dexterity. This combination allows machines to emulate human cognitive processes like learning, reasoning, and problem-solving, enabling them to undertake tasks that formerly relied solely on human intellect.
b) Mention the key milestones in the historical development of AI.
The historical trajectory of AI began in the mid-20th century with Alan Turing’s conceptualization of machine intelligence via the "Turing Test." A major milestone occurred at the 1956 Dartmouth Conference where John McCarthy officially coined the term "Artificial Intelligence." While progress was initially intermittent, a significant revitalization occurred in the 21st century due to the proliferation of advanced hardware and expansive datasets.
c) What are the potential negative effects of AI on human life?
The negative effects include the attenuation of human creativity as individuals rely too heavily on automated solutions. Economically, it poses a threat of job displacement in sectors like manufacturing and service, potentially widening income disparities. Psychologically, it may create a "sense of obsolescence" among workers, leading to alienation.
d) What is the proliferation of AI? Who contributed to its proliferation?
The proliferation of AI refers to the rapid spread and integration of AI technologies into global industries. Key contributors include luminaries and corporations such as Google (pioneering machine learning), OpenAI led by Elon Musk and Sam Altman (developing ChatGPT), and DeepMind led by Demis Hassabis (creating AlphaGo).
e) What do you understand by the term "dichotomous nature" of AI? Explain briefly.
The "dichotomous nature" refers to AI's two-sided character containing both immense benefits and significant risks. While it bolsters productivity and scientific discovery, it also presents challenges such as ethical dilemmas and job loss. It can either augment human potential or undermine it depending on governance.
f) How does AI contribute to 'cultural ramifications'?
AI contributes to cultural ramifications by risking the homogenization of diverse cultural expressions. By prioritizing standardized algorithms, AI systems might erode unique linguistic and artistic heritages, potentially leading to a loss of societal diversity.
2. Contextual Meanings (1 × 10 = 10)
- a) Epitomize: To be a perfect example or representation of something.
- b) Technology-driven milieu: A social environment heavily influenced and controlled by technology.
- c) Ubiquitous influence: An impact that is present or found everywhere.
- d) Appraisal: A formal assessment or evaluation of value/quality.
- e) Intermittent: Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous.
- f) Harnessed: Controlled and utilized effectively.
- g) Indispensable conduits: Absolutely necessary channels for communication/transmission.
- h) A sense of obsolescence: The feeling of becoming outdated or useless.
- i) Sagacious: Having keen mental discernment; wise.
- j) Synergistic efforts: Collaborative interactions creating a combined effect greater than the sum of separate effects.
3. True or False (1 × 5 = 5)
- a) AI systems work in the same way as the thinking process of humans.
False. AI systems emulate human cognitive processes using algorithms; they do not biologically think like humans. - b) The initial development of AI was fast.
False. The initial progress was intermittent and constrained. - c) Advanced AI tools leverage its users.
False. Users (students/researchers) leverage the platforms. - d) Humans might give up creative thinking due to their dependence on AI.
True. - e) The advent of AI is postulated to accentuate psychological strain among the workforce.
True.
4. Word Change & Sentences (2 × 5 = 10)
- a) Dissemination (Verb) → Disseminate: We must disseminate the information regarding the new policy immediately.
- b) Dexterity (Adjective) → Dexterous: The surgeon was incredibly dexterous, performing the operation with steady hands.
- c) Delineate (Noun) → Delineation: The contract provided a clear delineation of duties between the managers.
- d) Permeate (Adjective) → Permeable: The limestone rock is highly permeable, allowing water to flow through it.
- e) Ascendancy (Verb) → Ascend: They watched the hot air balloon slowly ascend into the blue sky.
5. Synonyms and Antonyms (1 × 5 = 5)
- a) Attenuate (Synonym): Weaken / Diminish
- b) Augment (Antonym): Decrease / Curtail
- c) Eschew (Synonym): Avoid / Shun
- d) Expedite (Antonym): Delay / Retard
- e) Indispensable (Antonym): Dispensable / Unnecessary
6. Title, Summary, and Comment (20 Marks)
Title: Artificial Intelligence: A Transformative Paradigm and its Ethical Imperatives.
Summary: Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a monumental technological shift, emulating human cognition through algorithms. Originating with Turing and McCarthy, AI's evolution accelerated in the 21st century. While AI revolutionizes education and science, it introduces severe risks, including job displacement and loss of creativity. The text highlights a dichotomy: AI offers immense potential but poses existential threats. Therefore, sagacious deployment and ethical governance are essential to harness AI's benefits while safeguarding human interests.
Comment: AI is a double-edged sword. While its ability to solve complex problems is undeniable, over-reliance poses a threat to human intellect. We must treat AI as a tool to augment human capability, not replace it.
Part B: Writing & Composition
7. Feature for Post Editorial (20 Marks)
To
The Editor,
The Daily Star,
Dhaka.
Subject: Submission of a feature article on the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to submit a feature article titled "The Algorithmic Empire" for your post-editorial page. It addresses whether AI is a threat, a colonial tool, and how we might decolonize it.
Sincerely,
[Name]
THE ALGORITHMIC EMPIRE: NAVIGATING THE THREAT AND COLONIAL NATURE OF AI
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the defining reality of our era. However, as we marvel at it, we must confront critical questions: Is AI a threat? Is it a colonial tool? And how do we decolonize it?
Is AI a Threat?
To dismiss the threat of AI is to ignore reality. Economically, AI threatens to displace millions of workers. Politically, deepfakes and algorithmic bias can dismantle democratic processes. In the wrong hands, autonomous weapons pose catastrophic risks to human life.
AI as a Colonial Tool
Historically, colonialism extracted resources; today, the resource is data, and the core is Silicon Valley. AI models are trained on Western data, creating a "monoculture" of intelligence. When developing nations are forced to conform to these Western linguistic and cultural norms embedded in algorithms, it constitutes "Algorithmic Imperialism."
Decolonizing AI
We must move from "universal" AI to "pluriversal" systems. First, nations like Bangladesh must invest in "Sovereign AI"—datasets and models reflecting local heritage. Second, development must be inclusive, involving diverse teams from the Global South. Finally, global governance is essential to ensure AI serves all humanity, not just a privileged few.
8. Essays (25 × 2 = 50 Marks)
a) Digital Divide: Causes and Consequences
The "Digital Divide" refers to the gap between those with access to modern ICT and those without. It is a disparity in opportunity.
Causes: The primary cause is economic inequality; high costs of devices and data exclude the poor. Infrastructure gaps leave rural areas with poor connectivity compared to cities. Additionally, a lack of digital literacy among older or less educated populations widens the gap.
Consequences: The divide leads to educational backwardness, as seen during the pandemic when unconnected students fell behind. It causes economic stagnation for those unable to participate in the digital economy and leads to social exclusion from e-governance services.
Conclusion: Bridging this gap requires government investment in infrastructure and literacy. Equitable development demands that no citizen is left offline.
b) Labour Migration as a Human Right
Migration is a cornerstone of the global economy, yet it is often viewed through a security lens rather than a human rights one.
The Right: Article 13 of the UDHR guarantees freedom of movement. When poverty or climate change makes life untenable at home, seeking work abroad is an expression of the right to life and dignity.
Challenges: Migrants often face exploitation (low wages, unsafe conditions), lack of legal protection in host countries, and xenophobia.
Conclusion: Labour migration benefits both the host country (labor supply) and the home country (remittances). It must be managed via international frameworks to ensure it is safe, orderly, and regular, treating workers as humans first, not commodities.
Part C: Translation
9. Translate into English (25 Marks)
The origins of democracy can be traced back to ancient Greece, where equality and freedom were established in society through the attainment of governance rights by citizens. This system relied on the participation of the general public, which brought about a change in the society of that time. Yet, Plato criticized this system severely because he believed that democracy establishes instability and unchecked despotism in the state through uneducated masses, which is flawed compared to philosophical rule. He wanted to give precedence to the leadership of highly educated individuals because he believed that educated leadership could ensure the stability of the state.
Currently, while some accept democracy as a symbol of fundamental rights, others label it as a major source of political conflict, corruption, and the dominance of powerful individuals. Nevertheless, the electoral process, freedom of expression, and justice are significant benefits of democracy. However, political instability, misuse of votes, social discrimination, and economic inequality are its notable adverse effects.
It is believed that overcoming the errors of the past, democracy has established itself as the world's best governance system because it protects the authority of the people and paves the way for desired progress. Moreover, this system depends on public awareness, educational development, and political discipline, which can ensure its effectiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the balance between the pros and cons of democracy and its continuous development.
10. Translate into Bangla (25 Marks)
উদাহরণস্বরূপ, নবজাগরণের (Enlightenment) যুগে, জন লকের মতো চিন্তাবিদরা যৌক্তিক অনুসন্ধানের উন্নতি করেছিলেন যা বৈজ্ঞানিক পদ্ধতিগুলোর বিকাশকে গভীরভাবে প্রভাবিত করেছিল। একইভাবে, ইমানুয়েল কান্টের অবদান একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কাঠামো প্রদান করেছিল যা আধুনিক বৈজ্ঞানিক দৃষ্টান্তগুলোকে (paradigms) রূপ দিয়েছে, যেখানে বৈজ্ঞানিক প্রক্রিয়ার মধ্যে আধ্যাত্মিক বিবেচনাগুলোকে অন্তর্ভুক্ত করা হয়েছে। এই বুদ্ধিবৃত্তিক মেলবন্ধন যুগ যুগ ধরে টিকে আছে, কারণ দর্শন বৈজ্ঞানিক প্রচেষ্টায় নৈতিক নির্দেশনা এবং যৌক্তিক সামঞ্জস্য প্রদান করে, যা সেগুলোকে অজানা বা অনৈতিক পথে ধাবিত হওয়া থেকে বিরত রাখে।
এই দার্শনিক ভিত্তি ছাড়া, বৈজ্ঞানিক অগ্রগতির গভীরতা, দিকনির্দেশনা বা নৈতিক ভিত্তির অভাব হতে পারে, যা অনাকাঙ্ক্ষিত পরিণতির দিকে নিয়ে যেতে পারে। অতএব, দর্শন এবং বিজ্ঞানের মধ্যে এই দীর্ঘস্থায়ী মৈত্রী শুধুমাত্র উদ্ভাবনকেই উৎসাহিত করে না বরং অস্তিত্বের সংকট এবং নৈতিক চ্যালেঞ্জগুলোকেও মোকাবেলা করে, যা বৈজ্ঞানিক জ্ঞানের বিবর্তন এবং পরিমার্জনে দর্শনের অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ভূমিকা নিশ্চিত করে।