VIRTUALLY TRUE
Theme/Message: The story ‘Virtually True’ is essentially a thriller and may not necessarily be woven around a theme or moral lesson but it is not difficult to discover the two in the story. Quite possibly the theme of the story is – the world of immense possibilities resulting out of a synthesis of human intelligence and artificial intelligence of computers. A computer stores the memory of a boy in its own during a motor accident and another boy uses his intelligence to retrieve this memory by playing games on his computer and the result is the accident victim’s recovery from coma. Another undercurrent of the theme is the virtual reality getting closer and closer in experience to the reality that exists in time and
space and how computer games enhance and promote things like goal setting and achievement, problem solving, strategizing, meeting challenges, reaching out to others out of compassion and experiencing and enjoying a sense of accomplishment and success. That is exactly what Michael Dawson, the narrator , does in the story
I. Read the following extracts and answer the questions given thereafter.
1. “The doctors were doing all they could, but in our hearts we knew we needed a miracle”.
(a) Who made the above remark?
(b) Discuss the context of the remark?
(c) What kind of miracle was required and for whom?
(d) What was surprising about the miracle to Michael?
2. “With the help of the skeleton swipe-card we were soon out of the cell and racing down corridors.”
(a) Who are the participants and what is the game?
(b) Why is Michael playing this game?
(c) Why had Sebastian urged Michael to play this game?
(d) Did Michael succeed in his efforts? Why/ Why not?
3. “There’s got to be some kind of accident... go into WARZONE. If this doesn’t work I won’t bother you again.”
(a) Who has sent the above message and to whom?
(b) What is the objective behind this message?
(c) What are the fears and apprehensions faced by the sender?
(d) What kind of help does the sender seek? Why?
II. Answer the given questions in 30-40 words:--
1. While playing Wild west, Michael found himself in a particular role. What was it and how did he behave in the game?
2. Who was Sebastian Shultz? How did he meet with an accident?
3. What was the objective of the second game called Dragon quest? In what role did Sebastian appear in it?
4. What was Michael’s theory about how Sebastian had entered the games?
5. Describe the first place where Michael was virtually transported?
III. Answer the given questions in 100-125 words:-
a) How was Sebastian Shultz rescued from the Warzone? ( Change question)
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 10 English Virtually True Worksheet
