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Designed By:
Christian Alas
Created and illustrated By:
Angelo Romero and Camilo Sanabria
Robots
Robots are very neat machines that perform a variety of features and are becoming more popular as today’s age of technology advances. There is much discussion as to what qualifies as a robot, and several qualities usually stand out. A robot is artificially created, can be programmed, can sense and alter its environment, and can make coordinated movements.
The development of robots has been quite extensive, beginning with the idea of artificial people. In ancient China and in Jewish and Greek mythology, giant clay creatures were described as non-human obedient beings. The next major step was in 1206 when a dogged and inquisitive inventor, Al-Jazari, made the first programmable humanoid robot. It was a boat with four automatic musicians used to entertain guests. Al-Jazari was, of course, elated with his invention.
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Another major development that transcended previous advances was in 1738 when Jacques de Vaucanson showed his mettle when he created a mechanical duck that ate, digested, and flapped its wings. These initial designs were not perfect and probably were tremulous, however they set the stage for what was to come.
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As far as uses today, robots provide a variety of everyday and peculiar solutions for problems. They can accommodate us in so many ways and have already assimilated themselves into society. Their uses can be divided into two categories: a job which a robot can do better than a human, and a job which is dangerous for a human.
The former is used when robots can increase productivity, accuracy, and endurance. The latter is used for dangerous tasks. In some cases robots mingle well with humans in a manufacturing environment. Also, humans can be jovial and genial, while robots have no true personality. Robots are oblivious to feelings.
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Although current robots are not perceived to have evolved to the point where they pose any threat or danger to society, fears and concerns about robots have been repeatedly anticipated in a vast number of books and movies.
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These fears are enough to fluster those who are developing them and have inhibited some researchers from continuing their work. The primary fear is that the robots’ intelligence and ability to act could exceed that of humans, and that they could become so keenly intelligent that they might develop a desire to take over the human race.
If a robot should become competent enough and chooses to assert this power one day, it would be trouble for humans. It is a problem that needs to be pondered, but many scientists are eloquent in their defense of continuing their development.
Even without bad programming, a robot, especially one moving freely in a human environment, is susceptible to creating danger to humans due to its large mass, lack of rational thought, and the possibility of spontaneous malfunctioning.
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A robot falling on someone or running into someone could cause a lot of damage to the victim. Designing and programming robots to be intrinsically safe is one of the great challenges motivated researchers face today, and it leaves many perplexed. Many queries about robots are left unanswered. But rest assured, once their safe use is guaranteed, a boisterous and buoyant welcoming will be heard.
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VOCABULARY
Match each word in the left column with a description in the right column that best matches its meaning.
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1. ____ Spontaneous 2. ____ Tremulous 3. ____ Accommodate 4. ____ Mettle 5. ____ Mingle 6. ____ Flustered 7. ____ Inhibited 8. ____ Anticipate |
A. Anxious, worried B. Lively, noisy, energetic C. Shy, reserved D. Friendly, welcoming E. Confused, puzzled F. Inspired, provoked G. Vulnerable, impressionable H. Unaware, clueless |
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9. ____ Genial 10.____ Perplexed 11.____ Susceptible 12.____ Oblivious 13.____ Peculiar 14.____ Motivated 15.____ Boisterous |
I. Shaky, wobbly, trembling J. Odd, unusual K. Impulsive, spur-of-the-moment L. Courage, bravery M. Combine, merge N. Help, assist, care for O. Expect, await |
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VOCABULARY
Match each word in the left column with words in the right column that best match its definition.
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16. ____ Ponder 17. ____ Buoyant 18. ____ Inquisitive 19. ____ Elated 20. ____ Keen 21. ____ Transcend 22. ____ Dogged |
A. Surpass, rise above B. Declare, emphasize C. Cheerful, upbeat D. Integrate, conform E. Capable, able F. Determined, persistent G. Delighted, excited |
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23. ____ Perceive 24. ____ Jovial 25. ____ Query 26. ____ Assert 27. ____ Rational 28. ____ Eloquent 29. ____ Assimilate 30. ____ Competent |
A. Articulate, fluent B. Happy, jolly C. Eager, enthusiastic D. curious, inquiring E. Notice, recognize F. Wonder, think about G. Question, inquiry H. Realistic, sensible |
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MULTIPLE CHOICE
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Which ancient group did not have stories of artificial people? A. Chinese B. Jewish C. Greek D. Indonesian |
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The inventor of the first programmable humanoid robot was A. El-Jacarda. B. Ahmad Rashad. C. Al-Jazari. D. Khalid El-Amin. |
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Jacques de Vaucanson created which device? A. Talking robot B. Robotic bird C. Artificial swimming fish D. Mechanical duck |
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The first programmable humanoid robot was invented in A. 1260. B. 612. C. 1100. D. 1206 . |
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In today’s world of advancing technology, robots are becoming A. More popular. B. Less popular. C. Extinct. D. Unchanging in popularity. |
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TRUE/FALSE
Choose whether each statement is true or false and write your answer in the space provided.
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1. ____ Robots can increase productivity, efficiency, and endurance. 2. ____ Robots are better than humans at all tasks. 3. ____ Robots have no true personality and are oblivious to feelings and emotions. 4. ____ Robots can be dangerous due to lack of rational thought and possibility of malfunctioning. 5. ____ In some parts of the world, advanced robots have already begun to take over societies. |
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SHORT ANSWER
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1. What qualities distinguish robots from ordinary machines? ______________________________________ |
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2. What benefits do robots offer us today? ______________________________________ |
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3. Compare and contrast robots and humans ______________________________________ |
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4. What possible dangers do robots present? ______________________________________ |
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READING QUESTIONS
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1. What is the writer’s main idea? ______________________________________ |
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2. What example supports the writer’s main idea? ______________________________________ |
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3. How does the example help the writer’s argument? ______________________________________ |
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4. What do you think about the story? ______________________________________ |
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HS – ESL2 – Unit 21 – Music – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 20 – Communications – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 19 – Flag – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 18 – Planet – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 17 – Hamburgers – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 16 – Reading – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 15 – Vincent Van Gogh – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 14 – Penguins – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 13 – Airplanes – Moodle 
HS – ESL2 – Unit 11 – Popcorn – Moodle 
Unit 1 – Maïs – French – Beginning 
Planeta – Unidad 1 – Español – Advanced 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 17 – Mustang– Moodle 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 16 – Reading – Moodle 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 15 – Vincent Van Gogh– Moodle 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 14 – Penguins – Moodle 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 13 – Medicine – Moodle 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 11 – Paris – Moodle 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 10 – Superheroes– Moodle 
HS – ESL3 – Unit 8 – Earthquakes – Moodle