Refer to the following passage to answer questions below.      Stories have been a part of the world since the beginning of recorded time. For centuries before the invention of the printing press, stories of the world were passed down to generations through oral tradition. With the invention of the printing press, which made written material available to wide ranges of audiences, books were mass-produced and introduced into greater society.     For the last several centuries, books have been at the forefront of education and entertainment. With the invention of the internet, reliance on... Show more

Refer to the following passage to answer questions below.

    
Stories have been a part of the world since the beginning of recorded time. For centuries before the invention of the printing press, stories of the world were passed down to generations through oral tradition. With the invention of the printing press, which made written material available to wide ranges of audiences, books were mass-produced and introduced into greater society.    
For the last several centuries, books have been at the forefront of education and entertainment. With the invention of the internet, reliance on books for information quickly changed. Soon, almost everything that anyone needed to know could be accessed through the internet. Large printed volumes of encyclopedias became unnecessary as all of the information was easily available online.    
Despite the progression of the internet, printed media was still very popular in the forms of both fiction and non-fiction books. While waiting for an appointment, enduring a several-hour flight, or relaxing before sleep, books have been a reliable and convenient source of entertainment, and one that society has not been willing to give up.    
With the extreme convenience of technology, printed books are likely going to become a thing of the past. Inventions such as the iPad from Macintosh and the Kindle have made the need for any kind of printed media unnecessary. With a rechargeable battery, a large screen, and the ability to have several books saved on file, electronic options will soon take over and society will no longer utilize printed books.    
Although some people may say that the act of reading is not complete without turning a page, sliding a finger across the screen (or pressing a button) is just as satisfying to the reader. The iPad and Kindle are devices that have qualities similar to a computer and can be used for so much more than just reading. Therefore, these devices are better than books because they have multiple uses.    
Storytelling is a longstanding societal tradition, and will always be an important way to communicate ideas and provide information as well as entertainment. Centuries ago, stories could only be remembered and retold through speech. Printed media changed the way the world communicated and was connected, and now, as we move forward with technology, it is only a matter of time before we must say goodbye to the printed past by welcoming in the digital and electronic future.    

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