Read the given passage carefully and answer the following questions.
High technology, or simply high-tech, is the latest generation of manufacturing activities. It is best understood as the application of intensive research and development (R and D) efforts leading to the manufacture of products of an advanced scientific and engineering character. Professional (white collar) workers make up a large share of the total workforce. These highly skilled specialists greatly outnumber the actual production (blue collar) workers. Robotics on the assembly line, computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, electronic controls of smelting and refining processes, and the constant development of new chemical and pharmaceutical products are notable examples of a high-tech industry.
Neatly spaced, low, modern, dispersed, office-plant-lab buildings rather than massive assembly structures, factories and storage areas mark the high-tech industrial landscape. Planned business parks for high-tech start-ups have become part of regional and local development schemes.
High-tech industries which are regionally concentrated, self-sustained and highly specialised are called technopolies. The Silicon Valley near San Francisco and Silicon Forest near Seattle are examples of technopolies.
Which of the following is NOT an example of high-tech industries?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → All industries owned and managed by governments.
The passage states: “Robotics on the assembly line, computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, electronic controls of smelting and refining processes, and the constant development of new chemical and pharmaceutical products are notable examples of a high-tech industry.”
Option (1) Robotics on the assembly line — An example of high-tech industry. Robots on the assembly line need advanced research and engineering.
Option (2) Computer-Aided Design — An example of high-tech industry. Products are designed on computers, which is high-tech work.
Option (3) All industries owned and managed by governments. — Not an example of high-tech industry. This is a basis of ownership, not of technology. Public sector industries may use simple or advanced methods, so ownership does not make an industry high-tech.
Option (4) Electronic controls of smelting and refining processes — An example of high-tech industry. Electronic control of these processes is advanced technology.