The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman - Exam
- 1. In 'The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century', Thomas L. Friedman presents a compelling exploration of globalization and its profound impacts on economies, societies, and individuals in the modern world. Friedman uses the metaphor of a 'flat world' to describe how technological advances and the interconnectedness of global markets have leveled the playing field, enabling individuals and organizations from every corner of the globe to compete, collaborate, and innovate in unprecedented ways. He skillfully outlines various forces contributing to this flattening process, such as the rise of the internet, the outsourcing of jobs, the development of supply chains, and the emergence of new markets, while emphasizing the importance of education and adaptability in navigating this transformed landscape. Friedman's insights challenge readers to reconsider traditional notions of competition and economic power, illustrating how countries and businesses must adapt to thrive in an era defined by rapid change and connectivity. The book serves not only as a wake-up call about the complexities of globalization but also as a vital guide for individuals and nations aiming to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
Which historical event does Friedman identify as a key flattening force?
A) The Industrial Revolution
B) The Renaissance
C) The fall of the Berlin Wall
D) World War II
- 2. What does Friedman mean by 'flatteners'?
A) Forces that leveled global economic competition
B) Economic recessions
C) Geological processes
D) Political movements
- 3. What year was 'The World Is Flat' first published?
A) 2001
B) 2008
C) 1999
D) 2005
- 4. Which technology does Friedman credit with enabling workflow software?
A) Telephone
B) The internet
C) Telegraph
D) Radio
- 5. What is 'outsourcing' in the context of the book?
A) Automating all processes
B) Eliminating jobs entirely
C) Sending work to another country to reduce costs
D) Hiring temporary workers locally
- 6. What does Friedman mean by 'the triple convergence'?
A) The combination of three flattening events
B) The unification of three economic theories
C) The combination of new players, new processes, and new technology
D) The merging of three major corporations
- 7. What does Friedman mean by 'steroids' in the context of flatteners?
A) Political empowerment tools
B) Technologies that amplify other flatteners
C) Performance-enhancing drugs in sports
D) Economic stimulus packages
- 8. Which company exemplifies 'insourcing' in the book?
A) FedEx
B) DHL
C) Amazon
D) UPS
- 9. Which development allowed for seamless global communication?
A) Telegraph lines
B) Satellite phones
C) Radio broadcasting
D) Fiber-optic cables
- 10. What is the 'flat-world platform'?
A) A United Nations initiative
B) The infrastructure enabling global collaboration
C) A specific software program
D) A type of computer hardware
- 11. Which country's call centers does Friedman discuss?
A) India
B) Philippines
C) South Africa
D) Ireland
- 12. What does Friedman identify as a key American advantage?
A) Entrepreneurial culture
B) Large population
C) Natural resources
D) Geographic isolation
- 13. What is one of the ten 'flatteners' Friedman identifies?
A) Outsourcing
B) Rising population
C) Climate change
D) Urbanization
- 14. Which software company's products contributed significantly to workflow collaboration?
A) Google
B) Oracle
C) Microsoft
D) IBM
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