Texas History Test Technology & Digital Applications 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The TexShare program administered by the Texas State Library allows public library patrons to do what?
- Borrow physical books from other states for free
- Access shared digital databases and electronic resources statewide (Correct answer)
- Download free software licensed by the state
- Stream Texas Legislature sessions from library computers
Correct answer: Access shared digital databases and electronic resources statewide
TexShare gives Texas library cardholders access to shared digital databases, academic journals, and electronic resources across participating libraries statewide.
Question 2: How did the introduction of GPS technology change cattle ranching practices in modern Texas?
- It allowed ranchers to communicate across long distances
- It enabled tracking of livestock location and management of vast rangeland (Correct answer)
- It replaced branding as the primary form of cattle identification
- It automated the feeding of cattle in feedlots
Correct answer: It enabled tracking of livestock location and management of vast rangeland
GPS technology allows Texas ranchers to track cattle locations, monitor herd movement, and manage large pastures more efficiently than traditional methods.
Question 3: Which digital initiative did the Texas Education Agency launch to expand broadband internet access to rural Texas students?
- Texas Cable Access Program
- E-Rate subsidy applications and rural connectivity grants (Correct answer)
- Texas Wireless Mesh Network
- Rural Digital Opportunity Fund direct-to-student tablets
Correct answer: E-Rate subsidy applications and rural connectivity grants
The Texas Education Agency has pursued E-Rate subsidies and federal rural connectivity grants to bring broadband internet to underserved rural school districts.
Question 4: What was the significance of the Spindletop oil discovery in 1901 for the development of industrial technology in Texas?
- It made Texas the first state to use electric lighting
- It triggered investment in drilling technology, pipelines, and the petrochemical industry (Correct answer)
- It ended dependence on horse-drawn farm equipment
- It led directly to the invention of the automobile
Correct answer: It triggered investment in drilling technology, pipelines, and the petrochemical industry
The Spindletop gusher in 1901 launched a technology boom in Texas, driving innovation in rotary drilling, oil storage, pipeline engineering, and refinery construction.
Question 5: Texas uses an Amber Alert system integrated with digital highway signs and wireless carrier broadcasts primarily to do what?
- Monitor driver speeds in school zones
- Rapidly notify the public about child abduction cases (Correct answer)
- Alert motorists to road closures during floods
- Broadcast election day reminders to registered voters
Correct answer: Rapidly notify the public about child abduction cases
The Amber Alert system uses digital highway signs and wireless emergency broadcasts to rapidly disseminate information about child abductions to the public.
Question 6: How has drone technology been applied to agriculture in modern Texas?
- Drones replaced combine harvesters on large farms
- Drones are used for crop monitoring, irrigation management, and precision spraying (Correct answer)
- Drones replaced water towers for rural irrigation delivery
- Drones are used exclusively for livestock branding
Correct answer: Drones are used for crop monitoring, irrigation management, and precision spraying
Texas farmers use agricultural drones to survey crops, detect disease and stress, manage irrigation, and apply pesticides or fertilizers with precision.
Question 7: Which Texas digital resource provides free online access to Texas newspapers dating back to the 19th century for historical research?
- Texas Digital Newspaper Archive via the Portal to Texas History (Correct answer)
- The Dallas Morning News Online Archive
- Texas Monthly Historical Digital Library
- The Google Books Texas Periodicals Collection
Correct answer: Texas Digital Newspaper Archive via the Portal to Texas History
The Portal to Texas History, maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries, provides free online access to historic Texas newspapers, photographs, and documents.
The TexShare program administered by the Texas State Library allows public library patrons to do what?