The annual family trip to Hokkaido was, as always, a source of both joy and frustration for the Tanaka family. While ten-year-old Ken relished the breathtaking scenery and the bonding moments with his family, his obsession with violent video games cast a long shadow over the trip. Ken, despite his parents' repeated warnings, had secretly downloaded a new, ultra-violent game onto his father's cloud-stored gaming console. He would sneak away to play it, often neglecting his family and the planned activities. His mother noticed his withdrawal and his increasingly aggressive behavior, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a sullen quiet punctuated by outbursts of temper. The idyllic landscapes of Hokkaido – the pristine snow, the vast expanse of the ocean – seemed to hold no appeal for Ken, whose focus remained riveted on the virtual world of his game. His father, a software engineer, understood the allure of technology and the accessibility of cloud gaming, but he grappled with the ethical dilemmas it posed, particularly regarding his son's access to violent content. One evening, after a particularly heated argument with his parents, Ken stormed off, his anger palpable. He sat alone, lost in his game, oblivious to the beauty of the setting sun casting a golden glow on the snowy mountains. His parents exchanged worried glances, their frustration compounded by their inability to fully understand the power of this digital world that seemed to consume their son. The Tanaka family's experience highlights a complex interplay between the modern conveniences afforded by cloud technology and the potential dangers of unrestricted access to violent media. The ease with which Ken accessed his game – facilitated by the seemingly limitless capacity of the cloud – exposed him to content that negatively impacted his behavior and his relationships. The issue is not simply one of technology, but also of parental guidance, media literacy, and the ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment.
1. What is the central conflict in the passage?
2. What role does cloud technology play in the story?
3. What is the author's likely perspective on the use of cloud technology for gaming?
4. Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?
5. What is the significance of the Hokkaido setting?