Directions: In this section, you have short passages. In this passage, you will find some items based on the passage. First, read a passage and answer the items based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and the opinion of the author only.

Quantum entanglement is a physical phenomenon that occurs when pairs or groups of particles interact in ways such that the quantum state of each particle cannot be described independently of the state of the others, even when the particles are separated by a large distance. This implies that the state of one particle instantly influences the state of another, no matter the distance separating them, defying the classical concept of locality. Albert Einstein famously criticized this effect as "spooky action at a distance", expressing his unease with the implications for the nature of reality suggested by quantum mechanics.

Research in quantum entanglement has led to the development of quantum computing and quantum cryptography. Quantum computers leverage the entangled states to perform computations on a scale far beyond the capacity of traditional computers by processing multiple possibilities simultaneously. Quantum cryptography, on the other hand, uses the principles of entanglement to create secure communication channels that are theoretically immune to eavesdropping, as the act of measuring a quantum state inevitably alters it, alerting the communicating parties to the presence of an intruder.

Despite its non-intuitive nature, quantum entanglement has been experimentally verified multiple times, challenging our understanding of space and causality. It represents a cornerstone of quantum theory, and its study continues to yield insights into the fabric of the universe, with implications for information theory, cryptography, and computational science that are only beginning to be explored.