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Week 6 Graded Quiz: AI, Emerging Tech & Information Literacy
Q1: AI Tool Limitations
Amara asks ChatGPT for three academic sources on renewable energy policy. It returns three citations with authors, titles, and journal names that look legitimate. What should she do BEFORE using them in her paper?
A. Use them immediately — AI wouldn't fabricate academic citations B. Search for each citation in a library database or Google Scholar to verify they actually exist C. Ask ChatGPT if the citations are real — if it confirms, they're trustworthy D. Change the author names to avoid plagiarism
Answer: B Explanation: LLMs frequently hallucinate citations — generating plausible-sounding but completely fabricated author names, titles, and journal references. Always verify citations independently. Asking the AI to confirm its own output is unreliable — it will typically reaffirm the fabrication.
Q2: Echo Chambers and Filter Bubbles
Kevin only follows political commentators he agrees with on social media, and the algorithm keeps recommending similar content. Over time, he becomes more extreme in his views and can't understand how anyone disagrees. This is an example of:
A. Digital literacy — he's well-informed because he consumes a lot of content B. An echo chamber — algorithmic curation reinforces existing beliefs and limits exposure to diverse perspectives C. Effective research — focusing on one viewpoint helps him go deeper D. Social engineering — the algorithm is trying to hack his account
Answer: B Explanation: Echo chambers form when algorithms feed you content matching your existing views, creating a feedback loop that reinforces beliefs and reduces exposure to alternative perspectives. This can distort understanding of complex issues. Actively seeking diverse, credible sources is the antidote.
Q3: Responsible AI Use
Which scenario represents the BEST use of AI as a tool for a class assignment?
A. Having the AI write your entire essay, then submitting it B. Using the AI to brainstorm ideas and outline arguments, then writing the essay yourself in your own words with proper research C. Asking the AI for the answers to your quiz, then copying them D. Using the AI to generate a fake citation list to make your bibliography look more impressive
Answer: B Explanation: AI is most valuable as a thinking partner — brainstorming, outlining, explaining concepts, or getting feedback on drafts. The learning happens when YOU do the writing and critical thinking. Using AI to bypass the learning process defeats the purpose of education and violates academic integrity.
Q4: Fact-Checking Strategies
A viral social media post claims that a major tech company is giving away free laptops to anyone who shares the post. What is the BEST fact-checking strategy?
A. Share it quickly before the offer expires — you don't want to miss out B. Check the company's official website and verified social media accounts; search reputable news sources for confirmation; use fact-checking sites like Snopes or PolitiFact C. If 10,000 people shared it, it must be real D. Check the comments — if no one says it's fake, it's probably real
Answer: B Explanation: Viral giveaway posts are almost always scams or engagement bait. Verify with official sources (the company's website, verified accounts), search reputable news outlets, and consult fact-checking sites. Popularity (shares, likes) doesn't indicate truth, and comment sections are unreliable verification.
Q5: AI and the Job Market
Which statement BEST describes how AI is affecting the job market?
A. AI will replace all human jobs within five years B. AI is automating some tasks within jobs, creating new types of jobs, and making skills like critical thinking, creativity, and AI literacy more valuable C. AI has no impact on employment — it's just a trend D. Only programmers need to understand AI; everyone else can ignore it
Answer: B Explanation: AI is transforming work by automating routine tasks (data entry, basic analysis, content generation) while creating demand for new skills (AI training, prompt engineering, AI ethics). Jobs aren't disappearing wholesale — they're changing. Adaptability, critical thinking, and understanding how to work with AI are increasingly important across all fields.
Q6: Blockchain Basics
Which statement BEST describes blockchain technology at a basic level?
A. A type of antivirus software B. A distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers, making records very difficult to alter C. A social media platform for cryptocurrency investors D. A faster replacement for WiFi
Answer: B Explanation: A blockchain is a chain of data "blocks" linked together cryptographically, distributed across many computers (nodes). Because no single entity controls it and altering any block would require changing all subsequent blocks across the network, it's highly resistant to tampering. Cryptocurrency is one application; supply chain tracking and digital contracts are others.
Q7: Critical Thinking Scenario
A classmate shares an article claiming that 5G cell towers cause health problems. The article is on an unfamiliar website, cites no peer-reviewed research, and includes dramatic language like "EXPOSED" and "what THEY don't want you to know." How should you evaluate this?
A. Trust it — it sounds like an insider exposé B. The dramatic language, lack of peer-reviewed sources, anonymous website, and conspiracy framing are all red flags for misinformation — seek credible scientific sources instead C. It must be true because someone went through the effort of writing a whole article D. If a search engine shows the article, it must be vetted and accurate
Answer: B Explanation: Credible health claims are supported by peer-reviewed research, published by identifiable experts, and use measured language. Dramatic framing, appeals to hidden knowledge ("what THEY don't want you to know"), and absence of scientific citations are hallmarks of misinformation. Search engines index content without verifying its accuracy.
Q8: IoT Security Concerns
Yuki has a smart home with connected cameras, door locks, a thermostat, and a refrigerator — all controlled from her phone. What is the BIGGEST security concern?
A. Smart devices use too much electricity B. Each connected device is a potential entry point for hackers — if poorly secured, attackers could access her home network, spy through cameras, or even unlock her doors C. Smart devices make her WiFi faster D. IoT devices can't be updated, but that's fine since they don't need security
Answer: B Explanation: Every IoT device on your network is a potential attack surface. Many IoT devices have weak default passwords, receive infrequent security updates, and can be entry points to your entire home network. Secure them with strong, unique passwords, keep firmware updated, and consider putting IoT devices on a separate network.
Q9: Reverse Image Search
You see a social media profile with photos of an attractive person claiming to live in your city. You're suspicious it might be a fake profile. What digital literacy tool can help you investigate?
A. Spell check — run their messages through spell check to see if they're real B. Reverse image search — upload their photos to Google Images or TinEye to see if the pictures appear on stock photo sites or other profiles C. Check their follower count — more followers means more legitimate D. Send them money to see if they're real — a real person would return it
Answer: B Explanation: Reverse image search lets you upload an image and find where else it appears online. Fake profiles (catfishing, romance scams) typically use stolen photos from models, stock photo sites, or other people's social media. If the photo appears on multiple unrelated profiles or stock sites, it's likely fake.
Q10: Digital Citizenship
Which action BEST represents responsible digital citizenship?
A. Sharing every piece of content you see without checking if it's true B. Using strong passwords, thinking critically about information before sharing it, being respectful online, and understanding that your digital actions have real-world consequences C. Spending as much time online as possible to stay informed D. Creating multiple anonymous accounts to say things you wouldn't say in person
Answer: B Explanation: Digital citizenship means engaging with technology responsibly and ethically. This includes protecting yourself (security), evaluating information (literacy), treating others with respect (etiquette), and understanding that your online behavior — posts, comments, shares — creates a permanent record and affects real people.