Robots

 Robots

A robot is a machine. But it is not just any machine. It is a

special kind of machine. It is a machine that moves. It follows

instructions. The instructions come from a computer. Because it is a

machine, it does not make mistakes. And it does not get tired. And it

never complains. Unless you tell it to!

Robots are all around us. Some robots are used to make

things. For example, robots can help make cars. Some robots are

used to explore dangerous places. For example, robots can help

explore volcanoes. Some robots are used to clean things. These

robots can help vacuum your house. Some robots can even

recognize words. They can be used to help answer telephone calls.

Some robots look like humans. But most robots do not. Most robots

just look like machines.

Long ago, people imagined robots. Over 2,000 years ago, a famous poet imagined robots. The

poet’s name was Homer. His robots were made of gold. They cleaned things and they made things. But

they were not real. They were imaginary. Nobody was able to make a real robot. The first real robot was

made in 1961. It was called Unimate. It was used to help make cars. It looked like a giant arm.

In the future, we will have even more robots. They will do things that we can’t do. Or they will do

things that we don’t want to do. Or they will do things that are too dangerous for us. Robots will help us

fight fires. They will help us fight wars. They will help us fight sickness. They will help us discover things.

They will help make life better.

Questions

1) As used in paragraph 1, we can understand that something special is NOT

A. normal

B. expensive

C. perfect

D. tired

Ans: Normal

2) According to the author, robots may be used to

I. make cars

II. explore volcanoes

III. answer telephone calls

A. I only

B. I and II only

C. II and III only

D. I, II, and III

Ans: I, II, and III

3) What is the main purpose of paragraph 2?

A. to show how easy it is to make a robot

B. to tell what a robot is

C. to describe the things a robot can do

D. to explain the difference between a robot and a machine

Ans: To describe the things a robot can do

4) According to the passage, when was the first real robot made?

A. 1961

B. 1900

C. 2003

D. 2000 years ago

Ans: 1961

5) Using the information in the passage as a guide, which of these gives the best use of a robot?

A. to help make a sandwich

B. to help tie shoes

C. to help read a book

D. to help explore Mars

Ans: to help read a book

6) Which of these statements correctly summarizes how the author of this passage feels about robots?

A. Robots are old.

B. Robots are confusing.

C. Robots are helpful.

D. Robots are dangerous.

Ans: Robots are helpful.

7) Near the end of the passage, the author says that "In the future, we will have even more robots." The

author concludes by telling us that robots "will help make life better." What do you think about this?

Do you think this is true? Will robots help make life better? Why or why not? Explain.

Ans: In the future, we will have even more robots. They will do things that we can’t do. Or they will do

things that we don’t want to do. Or they will do things that are too dangerous for us. Robots will help us

fight fires. They will help us fight wars. They will help us fight sickness. They will help us discover things.

They will help make life better.