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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 5.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. All known alphabets are based on the original alphabet that emerged about 1500 B.C. in what area?
(a) Egypt.
(b) South America.
(c) The Mediterranean region.
(d) Asia.

2. Seventeenth numerical tables were set up so that what factor could be learned about each number?
(a) The base number.
(b) The logarithm.
(c) The square root.
(d) Pi.

3. Why did businessmen immediately take to the telegraph?
(a) Orders and market information could be transmitted quickly over long distances.
(b) Businesses did not have to hire as many workers.
(c) Orders no longer had to be hand written.
(d) Businessmen could save money on travel expenses.

4. How did the drummers of Africa differentiate between similar words?
(a) The drummer added short descriptive phrases.
(b) The drummer added special emphasis.
(c) The drummer had to let those receiving the message figure out the right words.
(d) The main drummer was assisted by another drummer.

5. What development was the last stage of writing?
(a) Phoenetics.
(b) The numeric system.
(c) Symbolism.
(d) The alphabet.

Short Answer Questions

1. Gleick presents his intention to trace the growth of both the concept of information and information itself by identifying what key elements?

2. How did sub-Saharan African tribes communicate over long distances?

3. How were telegraph messages priced?

4. A new interest in what pursuit arose following the rise of the telegraph?

5. Why were there so many message errors with the early telegraph?

(see the answer key)

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