Page 3 - Book VII Unit 1
P. 3
Reading and Thinking
Explore the relationship between humans and robots
1 How do robots already help humans in their lives today? What do you think a
domestic robot could do for a family in the future?
2 Read the story below, which was originally written by famous science
fiction writer Isaac Asimov. Take notes on who these people are and their
relationships to each other.
Larry Belmont Claire
Tony Gladys Claffern Compare and contrast
Some words and phrases are often used
to compare and contrast information. It is
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED easier to understand two separate things by
describing their similarities and differences.
(Adapted)
Larry Belmont worked for a company unhappy that her home wasn’t elegant
that made robots. Recently it had enough for Larry, who wanted to improve
begun experimenting with a his social position with a bigger salary. She
household robot. It was going wasn’t like Gladys Claffern, one of the
to be tested out by Larry’s richest and most powerful women around.
wife, Claire.
As a favour, Tony promised to help Claire
Claire didn’t want the robot make herself more beautiful and her home
in her house, especially as more elegant. So Claire borrowed some
her husband would be away library books for him to read, or rather, scan.
on a business trip for three weeks, She looked at his fingers with wonder as
but Larry persuaded her that the robot they turned each page. How absurd, she
wouldn’t harm her or allow her to be thought. He was just a machine.
harmed. It would be a bonus. However, Tony gave Claire a new hairstyle and
when she first saw the robot, she felt improved her makeup. As he was not
alarmed. His name was Tony. He seemed allowed to accompany her to the shops,
more like a human than a machine. He was he wrote out a list of things that he would
tall and handsome with smooth hair and a need for his work on the house. Claire went
deep voice, although his facial expression downtown and bought these things. She
never changed.
had an appointment to paint her nails, then
On the second morning, Tony brought her she went into an expensive clothes shop.
breakfast and then asked her whether she The saleswoman there was rude to her, so
needed help dressing. She felt embarrassed she rang Tony and told him she was being
and quickly told him to go. Now she was treated badly. He spoke to the woman,
being looked after by a robot that looked who immediately changed her attitude.
so human, and it was disturbing. Claire thanked Tony, telling him that he
was a “dear”. As she turned around, there
One day, Claire mentioned that she didn’t
think she was clever. Tony said that she stood Gladys Claffern. How awful to be
must feel very unhappy to say that. Claire discovered by her, Claire thought. By the
thought it was ridiculous that she was being look on her face, Claire knew that Gladys
offered sympathy by a robot, but she thought they were in a relationship. After
gradually admired his wisdom and integrity all, she knew Claire’s husband’s name was
and began to trust him. He always treated Larry, not Tony. Although it was completely
her with dignity. She told him how she was innocent, Claire felt guilty.
2 UNIT 1 SCIENCE FICTION
